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THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINA 
AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


THE  COLLECTION  OF 
NORTH  CAROLEMANA 


FC285 
P92nl 
V.  59-62 
1993-1996 


FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTION 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL 


00047475007 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Arcliive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/midatlanticpresb1993pres 


New  Hope  Presb3rtery  News  on  back  page 


,«BK'iCFFZ 

ifoosaabsit* 

M    C  COLLECTION 

WILSON    LIBHftHV.CB  3930 

^CHAPEL    HILL    HC  27  599-000  1 

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For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


September/October  1993 


Vol.  LEX,  Number  8 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Presbyterians  respond  with  relief 
efforts  for  IVIidwest  flood  victims 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 

PC(USA)  News  Service 

Now  that  floodwaters  are  re- 
ceding, strategies  for  getting 
Presbyterian  relief  dollars  to 
individual  families  in  the  flood- 
plain  are  under  development, 
according  to  both  government 
and  church  relief  workers. 

One  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars of  One  Great  Hour  of  Shar- 
ing monies  have  been  distrib- 
uted among  the  nine 
presb5^eries  in  the  floodplain, 
and  more  requests  are  coming 
in,  according  to  the  Rev.  Dan 


Rift,  disaster  relief  coordina- 
tor for  Presb5^erian  World  Ser- 
vice. "There  is  not  one  location 
out  of  which  everything  is  co- 
ordinated because  this  is  too 
broad  an  area,"  said  Rift,  not- 
ing that  the  synods  of  Lakes 
and  Prairies,  Mid-America  and 
Lincoln  Trails  all  reported 
flooding. 

"The  needs  are  similar 
place-to-place,  but  there  are 
also  a  lot  of  differences  in  the 
needs,"  said  Rift,  adding  that 
synod  representatives  are 
meeting  together  to  discuss 
problems  in  each  region. 


Farmers  need  assistance,  too 


While  churches  throughout  the 
nation  are  aiding  the  victims 
of  the  Midwest  floods,  the 
North  Carolina  Council  of 
Churches  (NCCC)  is  asking  for 
assistance  closer  to  home. 

The  drought  and  high  tem- 
peratures of  1993  have  de- 
stroyed many  crops  in  the 
south.  North  Carolina  Gov. 
James  Hunt  he  *^stimated  his 
state's  loss  in  agriculture  as 
high  as  $200  million.  Eighty- 
six  of  the  state's  100  counties 
have  been  declared  drought 
disaster  counties  by  the  U.S. 
Department  of  Agriculture. 

"Our  farmers  have  gone 
through  tough  times,  but  the 
Summer  of  1993  will  be  most 
difficult  for  many  of  our  small 
farmers,"  said  W.  Joseph 
Mann,  chair  of  the  NCCC's 
Rural  Crisis  Committee. 

The  Rural  Crisis  Commit- 
tee suggests  the  following  ways 
churches  can  help  farm  fami- 


lies in  crisis: 

•  Ask  rural  churches  to  set- 
up food  closets  and  pantries. 
"Farmers  are  proud  people  and 
slow  to  ask  for  aid,"  said  Mann. 
"Churches  should  be  extra  vigi- 
lant to  spot  farm  families  in 
trouble.  Many  farm  families 
need  the  basics  of  food  and 
clothing." 

•  Ask  churches  tc  support 
Project  Hay  Lift.  Sponsored  by 
Farm  Plan  Advocates,  the 
project  seeks  to  match  farmers 
needing  hay  and  other  sup- 
plies with  farmers  across  the 
country  who  have  an  abun- 
dance. For  more  information 
phone  (800)  HAY-LIFT. 

•  Remind  church  members 
who  are  farmers  that  they  can 
get  help  with  the  paperwork 
for  federal  assistance,  loan  re- 
structuring, etc.  from  the  Land 
Loss  Prevention  Center  in 
Durham,  N.C.,  phone  (800) 
672-5839. 


On-the-job  training 


A  Mary  Baldwin  College  student  gains  experience  by 
tutoring  in  a  Staunton,  Va.,  elementary  school.  In 
recognition  of  higher  education's  connection  to  the 
Presbyterian  church,  the  11  PC(USA)-related  colleges 
within  the  synod  were  invited  to  send  articles  for  this 
issue.  AU  articles  received  are  printed  on  pages  7  and  8. 


Consequently,  a  fund  of 
$200,000-to-date  will  be  dis- 
pensed among  presbyteries  for 
use  at  their  discretion  once 
damage  assessment  is  under 
v/ay  and  families  are  able  to 
discern  what  goods  are  needed 
to  rebuild  their  lives.  Rift  said. 

He  described  a  two-track 
application  process  for  the  dol- 
lars: (1)  on  recommendation  of 
a  pastor  or  session  and  (2) 
through  a  community  minis- 
try organization  or  ecumeni- 
cal ministry. 

"There  has  not  been  a  lot  of 
damage  to  church  buildings," 
Rift  said.  "We  can  put  a  lot  of 
attention  into  enabling  re- 
sources to  go  to  families." 

And  that  assistance  is  des- 
perately needed,  according  to 
Gwen  Myers,  associate  execu- 
tive for  the  Synod  of  Mid- 
America  in  Overland  Park, 
Kan.,  and  Tim  Burke,  volun- 
teer agency  coordinator  for  the 
Federal  Emergency  Manage- 
ment Agency  (FEMA)  in  St. 
Louis.  Representatives  in  three 
S3Tiods  are  working  to  coordi- 
nate clean-up  and  repair,  in 
addition  to  long-term  follow- 
up,  such  as  processing  govern- 
ment forms  and  tending  to 
pastoral  needs. 

"Even  chocolate  begins  to 

continued  on  page  5 


Bicentennial  church 

The  congregation  of  the  Gerrardstown  (W.Va.)  church  is 
celebrating  its  200th  year  in  September.  For  more  on  its 
bicentennial  and  other  church  anniversaries,  see  page  4. 


Summer  events  draw  crowds 


Women's  Gathering 

GREENSBORO,  N.C.— Three 
hundred  and  fifty-five  women 
participated  in  the  synod 
women's  summer  gathering 
June  25-28  at  Greensboro  Col- 
lege. 

Guest  speakers  were  Dor- 
othy McKinney  Wright  of 
Washington,  D.C.;  Anne 
Treichler  of  Williamsburg,  Va. ; 
and  Patricia  McClurg  of  New- 
ark, Del.  Margee  Adams 
Iddings  led  the  Bible  study. 

Margaret  Carter  of 
Charlottesville,  Va.,  was 
elected  moderator-elect.  Ellen 
Newbold  of  Rose  Hill,  N.C., 
was  elected  vice  moderator,  and 
Arnetta  McRae  of  Wilmington, 
Del.,  was  elected  to  the  coordi- 
nating team  for  the  synod. 

Middle  School  event 

HARRISONBURG,  Va.— More 
than  340  participants  came  to 
Massanetta  Springs  Confer- 
ence Center  July  11-14  for  a 
dynamic  gifts  and  talents  ori- 
ented conference  created  for 
6th-8th  graders. 

More  than  65  churches 
across  North  Carolina,  Vir- 
ginia, Maryland,  Delaware, 
West  Virginia,  Tennessee,  and 
New  York  were  represented. 

Youth  and  adult  partici- 
pants were  overwhelmingly 


positive  with  regard  to  the  ac- 
tivities and  leadership  of  the 
event. 

The  success  of  this  "True 
Colors"  experience  has  guar- 
anteed future  conferences  at 
Massanetta  Springs  for  6th- 
8th  graders,  according  to  event 
director  John  Mayes.  Tenta- 
tive dates  for  1994's  event  at 
Massanetta  are  July  10-13  and 
July  14-17.  A  theme  has  not 
been  established.  Contact 
Massanetta  Springs  at  (703) 
434-3829  for  more  information. 

Men's  Conference 

HARRISONBURG,  Va.— Ap- 
proximately 225  men  partici- 
pated in  the  annual  Presbyte- 
rian Men's  Conference  at 
Massanetta  Springs  Confer- 
ence Center,  July  16-18. 

Guest  speakers  were  the 
Rev.  Fred  Holbrook  of 
Fishersville,  Va.,  and  the  Rev. 
Jerry  Cannon  of  Charlotte, 
N.C.  Dr.  Ed  McLeod  of  Vir- 
ginia Beach,  Va.,  led  a  study  of 
the  book  of  Revelations,  and 
Synod  Executive  Carroll 
Jenkins  conducted  a  Sunday 
morning  sunrise  service. 

Elected  as  officers  for  the 
coming  year  were  President 
Dan  Piper,  President-elect 
Dale  A.  RawUngs,  Vice  Presi- 
dent for  Conference  Vivian 
Moses  Jr.,  Vice  President  for 


Development  Gene  Powell, 
Vice  President  for  Mission 
Clarence  Jolly,  Secretary  Jesse 
Williams,  Treasurer  Dominic 
DeSarro,  Registration  Direc- 
tor Raymond  R.  Stein,  and 
Synod  Representative  Robert 
A.  Hahn. 

African-American 
Youth  Rally 

CONCORD,  N.C— Seventy- 
six  youth  and  37  adults  regis- 
tered for  the  synod's  African- 
American  Youth  Gathering 
held  July  16-17  at  Barber- 
Scotia  College. 

The  purpose  of  the  gather- 
ing was  to  bring  Aftican-Ameri- 
can  Presbyterian  youth  and 
adults  from  within  the  synod 
continued  on  page  4 


Correction 

In  the  article  in  the  July/ 
August  issue  on  new 
Coastal  CaroUna  Execu- 
tive Presbyter  Robert  D. 
Miller,  his  most  recent 
position  was  accidentally 
omitted. 

Miller  served  as  pas- 
tor of  Second  Church  in 
Louisville,  Ky.,  for  the 
past  three-and  ;— ^ 
years. 


Page  2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September/October  1993 


Want  a  dynamic  religious  community?  Check  out  the  early  Christians! 


By  JOHN  MORGAN 

We  can  learn  a  great  deal  about  what 
makes  for  a  dynamic,  growing  reli- 
gious community  from  our  own  Chris- 
tian roots,  if  some  of  us  can  temporarily 
suspend  our  immediate  negative  reac- 
tions to  these  roots.  As  seminars  on 
church  growth  explode  in  proportion  to 
the  declining  membership  base  of  many 
mainline  traditions,  it  is  important  to 
remind  ourselves  that  wisdom  about 
growing  congregations  is  not  restricted 
to  our  own  time. 

Luke's  gospel  and  the  Book  of  Acts 
are  the  two  major  sources  for  under- 
standing the  rise  of  early  Christian 
communities.  Acts  is  important  because 
it  begins  with  the  birth  of  the  commu- 
nity and  tells  of  its  growth  in  Antioch, 
showing  the  spread  of  the  faith  outside 
Palestine  and  ending  with  Paul's  cap- 
tivity in  Rome  about  61  A.  D. 

In  the  first  chapter  of  Acts,  a  band  of 
scared  disciples,  including  many 
women,  meet  in  an  upper  room,  trying 


to  decide  what  to  do  next.  There  is  no 
agenda,  not  a  flip  chart  in  sight,  and  no 
computer  printouts.  The  group  simply 
prays  together,  trying  to  center  around 
a  few  basic  commitments  they  share. 
According  to  Acts,  this  small  group 
grew  to  about  120  persons  in  a  time 
span  that  would  leave  modern  church 
organizers  spinning. 

One  early  issue  with  which  the  group 
dealt  was  leadership.  Like  so  many 
groups  today,  there  was  a  nay-sayer  in 
their  midst,  one  who  had  betrayed 
Jesus.  This  group  was  meeting  to  se- 
lect someone  to  take  Judas'  place.  If  an 
election  had  been  held  or  the  group  had 
waited  for  consensus,  it  is  likely  the 
early  church  might  have  been  delayed 
for  a  few  years.  Their  first  goal  was  to 
find  someone  who  shared  the  vision, 
and  to  our  contemporary  mentality  they 
did  a  strange  thing:  they  cast  lots  be- 
tween two  candidates  and  chose  one. 

Then  comes  Pentecost.  The  writer  of 
the  story  describes  the  descent  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  and  its  various  manifesta- 


Commentary 


tions,  including  speaking  in  tongues. 
Beyond  the  language  and  culture  of 
the  times,  let  us  consider  dispassion- 
ately what  was  happening:  people  were 
moved  in  their  hearts,  they  discovered 
a  new  language,  they  felt  obliged  to  act. 
Peter  speaks,  recounting  the  stories  of 
the  group;  this  helps  the  group  claim 
an  identity  and  history. 

After  Peter's  speech,  it  is  reported  in 
Acts  that  3,000  new  members  were 
added.  If  this  is  true,  it  is  surely  a 
figure  to  whet  the  appetite  of  any 
growth  expert.  New  members  are  not 
added  by  having  them  sign  a  member- 
ship book  or  putting  them  into  a  new 
mernber  orientation  course.  Rather,  the 
key  to  membership  is  conversion,  a 
change  of  mind  and  heart,  a  commit- 
ment to  a  new  way  of  life.  This  conver- 
sion is  not  to  fulfill  personal  needs — 
the  key  to  most  contemporary  growth 
theories — but  to  a  larger  cause.  And 
the  dramatic  symbol  for  this  change 
was  baptism,  not  just  a  handshake  and 
a  membership  diploma. 

And  what  was  the  result  of  this 
growth? 

A  new  religious  community  was  bom. 
Many  still  went  to  their  own  congrega- 
tions, but  gathered  in  each  others' 
homes.  They  shared  fellowship  and 
suffering  and  prayer,  most  of  all  prayer. 
And,  as  Acts  notes,  they  lived  together 


eventually  and  owned  everjrthing  to- 
gether, selling  their  goods  and  sharing 
the  proceeds. 

Compare  this  story  to  what  passes 
for  Christian  communities  today.  The 
gulf  between  these  early  communities 
and  most  of  Christianity  today  is  as 
wide  as  the  time  that  separates  us  from 
them. 

While  there  may  not  be  many  will- 
ing to  model  their  churches  after  the 
early  Christian  example,  there  are  still 
a  few  lessons  those  of  us  caught  in  the 
dawning  of  the  21st  century  may  learn 
about  what  makes  for  a  vital,  growing 
religious  community: 

A  heartfelt  vision  is  needed. 

Leadership  must  be  shared. 

Common  language  and  rituals  are 
essential.  It  is  not  our  differences  that 
unite  us,  but  what  we  share  in  com- 
mon, differences  remaining. 

We  need  to  relate,  through  stories 
and  music,  who  we  are  and  why  we 
exist. 

People  need  communities  where 
they  can  be  known  for  who  they  are 
(intimacy)  and  where  they  can  feel 
connected  to  the  Creative  Power  of  the 
universe  (ultimacy). 

John  Morgan  is  a  Unitarian  Uni- 
versalist  minister  and  a  frequent  con- 
tributor to  Friends  Journal.  He  is  the 
brother  of  columnist,  Richard  Morgan. 


Writer  gives  wrong  reasons  for  'missing  Presbyterians' 


I  am  compelled  to  respond  to  the  article 
entitled  "Inactive  Presbj^erians:  Why 
are  they  missing?"  which  appears  in 
the  June  1993  issue,  and  in  which 
writer  Marj  Carpenter  cites  conclu- 
sions from  a  major  poll  conducted  by 
the  denomination  saying,  "These 
inactives  have  just  gradually  drifted 
away  ...  not  mad,  bitter,  or  theologi- 
cally estranged.  One  point  to  note  is 
that  the  things  that  pulled  them  out  of 
the  church  orbit  were  not  'bad'  or  fast- 
track  or  even  materialistic  but  rather 
'good'  things  ...job,  home,  kids,  causes, 
recreation." 

These  statements  are  so  wrong  and 
misleading  as  to  appear  to  me  to  be 
intentionally  so.  This  denomination, 
as  well  as  most  others,  have  become  so 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 


Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 

Vol.  LK 
September/October  1993 


polarized  that  liberals  and  conserva- 
tives can't  stand  to  even  be  in  the  same 
denomination  with  each  other,  much 
less  the  same  congregation.  Secular 
humanism,  materialism,  fundamental- 
ism and  a  number  of  other  heresies 
have  all  taken  their  toll  on  the  validity 
of  our  Church  as  a  place  of  worship,  as 
a  sanctuary  for  those  in  need,  as  a 
moral  training  ground  for  the  young, 
and  as  a  community  of  Christians...  . 

I  recall  vividly  the  reactions  of  many 
Presbyterians  when  the  General  As- 
sembly voted  funds  to  pay  the  legal  fees 
of  Angela  Davis  and  her  communist. 
Atheist,  terrorist.  Black  Panthers  in 
the  sixties.  Some  of  those  disaffected 
who  didn't  leave  the  Church  then,  have 
left  since. 


Then  these  liberals,  who  had  gained 
control  of  the  General  Assembly,  pro- 
ceeded to  expand  their  power,  control 
and  agenda  by  asserting  ownership  of 
the  church  real  estate  that  had  been 
bought,  built  and  paid  for  by  the  local 
congregations. 

I  have  observed  this  exploitation  of 
Church  influence  expanded  into  other 
secular  areas  such  as  government  for- 
eign policy.  Not  long  ago,  my  daughter, 
a  former  Korean  missionary  and 
PC(USA)  staffer  in  Louisville,  was  ap- 
proached and  lobbied  by  a  group  from 
the  Philippines  Christian  Church  (Prot- 
estant) who  wanted  our  denomination 
to  lobby  for  them  in  Washington  to  not 
renew  the  leases  on  our  bases  in  the 
Philippines.  She  said  that  lobbying  and 


political  influence  peddling  was  a  com- 
mon activity  of  the  General  Assembly 
staff... 

I  cannot  in  good  conscience  tolerate 
the  political  activism,  hypocrisy,  secu- 
larism, ignorance  and  bias  that  have 
destroyed  our  Church.  I  refuse  to  sup- 
port those  who  would  exploit  Chris- 
tians and  Christian  institutions  to  pro- 
mote their  own  power,  position  and 
agenda... 

These,  rather  than  the  placebos  given 
by  the  denomination's  "major  survey," 
are  a  few  of  the  reasons  why  the  mem- 
bership of  this  and  most  Protestant 
denominations  is  declining. 

John  McDaniel 
Hendersonville,  NC 


Bible  has  the  answer  for  weather  disasters 


Everyone's  asking,  "What's  wrong  with 
the  weather?"  but  few  people  are  turn- 
ing to  the  Bible  for  the  answer  to  that 
question.  Yet,  God's  Word  tells  us  that 
He  created  and  controls  the  natural 
forces  related  to  weather.  Among  the 
many  scriptures  supporting  this  state- 
ment are:  Kings  18:1;  Psalms  65:9,10; 
135:6,7;  147:8,16-18;  Jeremiah  10:10- 
13  (earthquakes  too!);  Joel  2:23; 
Zechariah  10:1;  Matthew  5:45;  Acts 
14:17. 

The  flood  described  in  Genesis  6:5- 


Gun  control 
doesn't  work 

I  read  with  much  interest  the  June 
1993  issue  of  The  Presbyterian  News.  I 
was  appalled  to  read  (page  7)  that  the 
North  Carolina  Council  of  Churches 
passed  a  gun  control  resolution. 

I  would  judge  the  delegates  at  this 
particular  meeting  are  not  aware  that 
in  40  years  of  passing  gun  control  laws 
in  the  U.S.,  that  absolutely  none  of 
them  have  been  effective  in  reducing 
violent  crime  ...  nonel  I  repeat  nonel 
Prohibition  did  not  work  even  though 
probably  a  very  laudable  action.  Gun 
control  will  not  work.  As  Christians 
let's  be  more  objective  ...  we  need  swift 
and  sure  punishment  to  cure  violent 
crime.  Nothing  more  and  nothing  less. 

George  P.  Williams 
Waynesboro,  Va. 


9:2  was  sent  by  God  because  of 
mankind's  wickedness.  Thunder,  hail, 
and  fire  (lightning?)  constituted  one  of 
the  nine  plagues  sent  to  punish  Pha- 
raoh for  his  refusal  to  obey  God  (Exo- 
dus 9:17-33). 

Numerous  promises  to  send  "rain  in 
due  season"  are  contingent  upon  the 
faithfulness  of  God's  people  and  their 
obedience  to  His  commands~for  ex- 
ample, Leviticus  26:3,4;14-19  and 
Deuteronomy  11:13-17.  Godoften  with- 
held rain  as  a  means  of  disciplining  His 
people  and  calling  them  to  repentance. 
Examples  are  found  in  I  Kings  17:1,7; 
Isaiah  5:6,7;  Jeremiah  3:2,3;  5:23-25; 
Haggai  1:9-11. 

Before  Israel  was  destroyed  by  the 
Assyrians  in  721  B.C.,  God  had  made 
many  efforts  to  call  His  people  to  re- 
pentance. Here  are  some  of  the  warn- 
ings he  sent  them,  as  described  in  the 
book  of  Amos,  Chapters  4  and  5: 

Hunger;  drought,  three  months  be- 
fore the  harvest,  with  spotty  rainfall; 
blight  and  mildew  in  gardens  and  vine- 
yards; locusts  to  destroy  the  fruit  crop; 
plagues;  and  violent  deaths  among  the 
young. 

Israel  did  not  heed  these  warnings 
or  respond  to  God's  plea  to  "See  me  and 
live"  (Amos  5:4).  Is  anyone  in  our  coun- 
try heeding  the  warning  that  God  in 
His  mercy  has  been  sending  us?  Even 
before  this  year's  disastrous  weather 
disturbances  began,  our  nation  has 
been  shaken  by  earthquakes,  hurri- 
canes, the  Medfly,  the  gypsy  moth  and 
other  crop-destroying  insects,  AIDS  and 


other  drug-resistant  "plagues,"  and  a 
veritable  epidemic  of  violent  deaths, 
including  millions  by  abortion. 

Instead  of  griping  about  the  weather, 
God's  people  need  to  follow  the  instruc- 
tions He  gave  in  II  Chronicles  7:13  and 
14.  If  enough  Christians,  both  indi- 
vidually and  corporately  (in  our 
churches  and  prayer  groups),  will 
"humble  themselves,  pray,  see  [His] 
face,  and  turn  from  their  wicked  ways," 
He  'Vill  hear  from  heaven,  and  will 
forgive  [our]  sins  and  heal  [our]  land." 
This  "recipe  for  rain"  may  also  be  the 
recipe  for  revival.  Only  another  Great 
Awakening,  I  believe,  can  prevent  "the 
decline  and  fall"  of  the  United  States  of 
America. 

Catherine  Jackson 
Winston-Salem,  N.C. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and  length . 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


II 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September/Octob- 


Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children, 

Barium  Springs,  North  Carolina,  has  for  a  hundred 
years  been  meeting  the  needs  of  troubled  children 
in  a  loving.  Christian  environment.  Its  restorative 
ministry  is  offered  to  both  the  children  and  their 
families. 

With  its  professional  staff,  specialized  residential 
services  are  provided  for  children  and  young 
adults  ages  nine  to  20.  Approximately  150  persons 
are  served  during  a  year.  They  receive  24-hour 
group  care;  psychological  and  psychiatric  services; 
special  education;  individual,  group,  and  family 
counseling;  family  clarification;  and/or  preparation 
for  adult  living  training  as  appropriate.  Preschool 
educational  training  is  also  offered,  and  school-age 
children  receive  part-time  before-and-after  school 
care  and  hjll-time  summer  care.  Preschoolers  and 
school-age  children  number  about  170. 

There  are  long  waiting  lists  for  all  services,  and 
the  level  of  dysfunction  for  children  and  youth 
referred  to  the  residential  centers  continues  to 
increase. 

The  Home's  staff  is  also  in  demand  to  provide 
workshops,  seminars  and  consultation  and  to  host 
the  administrative  and  program  staffs  of  other 
agencies  who  need  to  upgrade  their  services  to 
troubled  children  and  their  families. 

Mr.  Earle  Frazier  is  the  executive  director  of 
Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children,  which  serves 
the  state  of  North  Carolina. 

Edmarc  Hospice  for  Children,  Portsmouth, 

Virginia,  serves  seriously  or  terminally  ill  children 
and  their  families. 

Founded  in  1978  out  of  the  Suffolk,  Virginia, 
Presbyterian  Church,  Edmarc  has  a  two-fold  min- 
istry. One  aspect  of  this  ministry  is  the  provision 
of  the  professional  care  needed  to  keep  a  very  sick 
child  in  the  home — care  that  includes  skilled  nurs- 
ing, private  duty  nursing,  physical  therapy,  occu- 
pational therapy,  speech  therapy,  and  the  services 
of  a  home  health  aide.  In  other  words,  families  are 
offered  the  opportunity  to  keep  their  child  where 
the  child  most  wants  to  be— at  home,  in  the  midst 
of  family  commotion  and  love. 

The  other  aspect  of  Edmarc's  ministry  is  geared 
toward  the  family  of  the  child.  A  social  worker, 
volunteer  coordinator  and  bereavement  coordinator 
work  together  to  develop  a  supportive  system  of  care 
for  all  who  are  affected  by  the  illness  of  the  child — 
parents,  brothers  and  sisters,  and  grandparents. 

Ms.  Julie  Sligh  is  the  executive  director  of 
Edmarc,  which  serves  southeastern  Virginia.  Since 
it  was  founded,  Edmarc  Hospice  for  Children  has 
served  287  families  of  terminally  ill  children. 

Presbyterian  Children's  Home  of  the 

Highlands,  Inc.,  Wytheville,  Virginia,  is  a 
multi-service  agency  with  an  intended  residential 
capacity  of  47  children. 

Through  its  Wytheville  campus,  the  Home  pro- 
vides emergency  shelter  care  to  boys  and  girls 
ages  five  through  17,  residential  treatment  for  pre- 
teen  and  early  teenage  children,  and  a  group 
home  to  prepare  older  teenagers  for  independent 
living  as  adults. 

A  therapeutic  foster  care  program  serves  young 
people  who  no  longer  need  a  structured  group  liv- 
ing environment  by  placing  them  in  Christian 
families  for  extended  care. 

Synod-wide  ministries  include  its  adoption  pro- 
gram and  crisis  pregnancy  services.  Adoption  ser- 
vices are  provided  for  infants  and  children  identi- 
fied as  having  special  needs  because  of  age, 
handicap,  or  other  circumstances.  The  Crisis  Preg- 
nancy Program  serves  women  facing  unwanted 
pregnancies  and  seeking  alternatives  to  abortion 
by  furnishing  counseling,  medical  care,  housing, 
and  other  services. 

Mr.  Larry  Rose  is  executive  director  of  Presby- 
terian Children's  Home  of  the  Highlands,  Inc., 
which  provides  residential  care  for  over  120  chil- 
dren a  year  and  serves  about  80  children  in  the 
summer  through  its  community-based  day  camp 
program. 


elcoming 
the 

Children 


jesus  took  a  little  child  and  put  it  by  his  side  and  said, 
"whoever  welcomes  this  child  in  my  name  welcomes  me." 

Luke  9:47-48  a 

Welcoming  takes  many  forms.  The  child  and 
youth  care  agencies  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  minister  to  children  in  crisis.  Their 
"welcome"  may  provide  a  safe  haven;  hospice 
care  for  dying  children  and  their  families;  coun- 
seling; a  caring.  Christian  environment;  or 
important  skills  that  children  and  young  adults 
v/ill  use  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Above  all,  these 
agencies  provide  a  nev^  quahty  of  life,  love  and 
acceptance.  With  your  Synod  Thanksgiving 
Offering  you  can  share  in  these  important  Chris- 
tian ministries. 


Presbyterian  Home  &  Family  Services, 

Inc.,  with  headquarters  in  Lynchburg,  Virginia, 
has  90  years  of  service  behind  it.  Its  ministry  is 
divided  into  a  Children's  Division  with  three  pro- 
grams and  a  Mental  Retardation  Division  with  two 
programs. 

The  Children's  Division  Ministries  are  located  in 
Lynchburg.  Presbyterian  Home  is  a  residential, 
coeducational  program  for  children  ages  five  to  15 
from  dysfunctional  families.  Services  are  provided 
for  50  children  with  the  purpose  of  reuniting  them 
with  their  families.  Exodus  House  serves  18  young 
people  between  the  ages  of  16  and  21  by  readying 
them  to  live  on  their  own.  It  has  an  extensive 
training  component  and  an  advanced  education 
program.  Genesis  House  furnishes  short-term  (30 
to  60  days)  emergency  shelter  for  abused  and  ne- 
glected children  ages  two  to  16.  This  24-hour 
emergency  shelter  serves  12  children. 

The  Mental  Retardation  Division's  central  minis- 
try is  the  Zuni  Presbyterian  Center  at  Zuni,  Virgin- 
ia. This  is  a  residential  center  for  60  mentally 
retarded  adults  over  age  17  who  are  prepared  to 
live  and  work  as  responsible  adults  in  their  home 
communities.  An  outgrowth  of  this  ministry  is  the 
Group  Home  Program  for  homeless,  adult,  men- 
tally retarded  persons  who  have  been  trained  to 
live  in  such  a  home  and  work  and  socialize  in  the 
community.  There  is  now  a  Group  Home  for  eight 
persons  in  Fredericksburg,  Virginia,  and  another 
will  open  next  year  in  Waynesboro,  Virginia. 

The  Reverend  E.  Peter  Geitner  is  president  of 
Presbyterian  Home  &  Family  Services,  Inc.,  which 
last  year  served  293  persons. 

Volunteer  Emergency  Families  for  Chil- 
dren (VEFC)  of  Virginia  recruits  and  trains 
families,  who,  on  a  completely  voluntary  basis, 
open  their  homes  to  provide  short-term  shelter 
care  to  abused,  neglected,  abandoned,  homeless, 
and  runaway  children  and  youth. 

VEFC  represents  a  unique,  nationally  recog- 
nized model  of  outreach  ministry  and  hospitality 
to  children;  it  effectively  mobilizes  the  religious, 
civic,  business  and  public  sectors  which  work 
together  toward  the  common  goal  of  providing 
trained  and  qualified  volunteers  eager  to  serve 
children  when  needed.  Since  its  inception,  VEFC 
has  set  in  action  families  of  faith  to  serve  more 
than  5,800  victimized  and  frightened  children. 

There  are  37  VEFC  program  areas  in  Virginia 
serving  more  than  70  localities. 

VEFC  is  guided  by  a  board  of  directors  with 
strong  Presbyterian  representation.  Of  the  180 
local  churches  sponsoring  the  VEFC  hospitality 
ministry  to  children,  one-third  are  Presbyterian 
churches.  One  hundred  twenty  Presbyterian  fami- 
lies serve  as  VEFC  volunteer  hosts.  Through  this 
ministry  of  sharing,  these  volunteers  experience 
blessings  which  enrich  their  faith. 

The  Reverend  William  E.  Christian  is  the  execu- 
tive director  of  the  Volunteer  Emergency  Families 
for  Children  (VEFC)  of  Virginia. 


Brochures  and  offering  envelopes  for  this 
year's  Synod  Thanksgiving  Offering  will  be 
sent  out  in  October. 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children  wiW 
be  sending  out  material  for  North  Carolina 
churches,  and  Presbyterian  Home  &  Fam- 
ily Services,  Inc.  will  be  sending  out  mate- 
rial for  the  other  churches  in  the  Synod. 

Each  church  treasurer  will  send  the 
church's  offering  to  the  presbytery  for  re- 
mittance to  the  Synod.  Checks  for  the  offer- 
ing should  be  made  payable  to:  Thanksgiv- 
ing Offering  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 


1993  THANKSGIVING  OFFERING 
SYNOD  OF  THE  MID-ATLANTIC 


Kan 


Paye  4,  aSiu-Atiantic  Presbyterian,  September/October  1993 


Summer 
events 

continued  from  page  1 
together  for  an  organizational 
meeting. 

The  youth  elected  Palmer 
Blackshear  of  the  Woodland 
Church  in  Charlotte  as  their 
president.  Melissa  Hamlin 
from  St.  Pauls  Church  in  High 
Point  was  elected  vice  presi- 
dent, and  David  Dye  of  New 
Hampton  Church  in  Charlotte 
was  elected  treasurer. 

They  will  have  voice  and 
vote  on  the  synod's  Black  Cau- 
cus steering  committee,  and 
will  participate  in  planning  the 
1994  youth  gathering.  More 
information  on  this  event  will 
be  released  as  it  becomes  avail- 
able. 


Dr.  Arnold  B.  Poole,  right,  of  Penn  Laird,  Va.,  has 
announced  that  the  1993  Bible  Conference  at  Massanetta 
Springs  will  be  the  last  one  he  directs.  Shown  with  his 
wife,  Ida,  Poole  has  directed  the  conferences  in  1986-88 
and  1991-93. 


CAM  schedules  four  study  programs 


The  CoaHtion  for  Appalachian 
Ministry  will  offer  a  series  of 
four  study  programs  during 
the  coming  year. 

The  first  program,  an  intro- 
duction to  Appalachian  minis- 
try in  Central  Appalachia,  will 
be  held  Nov.  1-4  at  Bluestone 
Conference  Center  in  Hinton, 
W.Va.  Dr.  Grace  Edwards  of 
Radford  University  will  speak 
on  Appalachian  history  and 
culture. 

The  event  will  include  a  tour 
of  a  working  coal  mine  and 
church-related  community 
projects. 

Massanetta  Springs  Confer- 
ence Center  in  Harrisonburg, 


Va.,  will  host  the  second  pro- 
gram on  Jan.  11-13,  1994,  an 
introduction  to  small  church 
ministry  in  Appalachia. 

Dr.  Carl  Dudley  will  be  guest 
speaker  for  the  event,  which  is 
being  sponsored  by  Shenan- 
doah Presbytery  and  the  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  Church. 

The  third  program,  an  in- 
troduction to  ministry  in 
Southern  Appalachia,  will  be 
held  Feb.  22-24,  1994,  at 
Maranatha  Conference  Cen- 
ter in  Scottsboro,  Ala. 

The  fourth  program.  Cel- 
ebrating the  Appalachian 
Small  Church,  will  be  held 
April  5-7, 1994,  at  the  Annville 


(Ky.)  Conference  Center. 

For  more  information  on 
these  programs,  write  to  Judy 
Barker,  Coalition  for  Appala- 
chian Ministry,  P.O.  Box 
10208,  Knoxville,  TN  37939- 
0208,  or  phone  (615)  584-6133. 

The  Coalition  for  Appala- 
chian Ministry  is  a  coopera- 
tive ministry  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.),  the 
Christian  Reformed  Church, 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  the  Cvunberland  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  America, 
and  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America.  It  is  supported 
through  mission  funds  of  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic. 


Tke  Conferences  At  Montreat 
Last  Only  A  Few  Days,  But 
Tke  Experience  ^OClll  Last  Forever. 


Gerrardstown  Church  bicentennial 

GERRARDSTOWN,  W.Va.— Gerrardstown  Church  will  cel- 
ebrate its  bicentennial  Sept.  25  and  26.  The  event  will  start  at 
3  p.m.  Saturday  with  games  and  special  activities.  Dinner  will 
follow  at  6  p.m.  A  special  bicentennial  worship  service  will  start 
at  11  a.m.  Sunday.  Dinner  will  follow  at  12:30  p.m.  in  the  church 
hall. 

In  1793,  the  congregation  of  the  Cool  Spring  Church  moved 
to  what  was  then  called  Middletown  and  was  later  renamed 
Gerrardstown.  A  church  building  erected  the  same  year  was 
replaced  100  years  later  by  the  structure  shown  on  page  1. 

A.  Trevor  Downie  is  pastor  of  Gerrardstown  Church. 

Gwynn  speaker  at  Oxford  Church 

OXFORD,  N.C— Former  GA  Moderator  Price  Gwynn  will  speak 
at  the  Sept.  26  worship  service  celebrating  the  175th  year  of 
Oxford  Church.  Former  ministers  will  help  lead  the  service. 

The  year-long  celebration  has  included  a  pilgrimage  to  Oxford's 
"mother  church,"  Grass  Creek  Church  10  miles  north  of  Oxford. 
The  congregation  also  hosted  an  organ  recital  by  Dr.  David 
Arcus,  organist  of  the  Duke  Chapel  in  Durham. 

Phil  and  Jan  Butin  are  co-pastors.  Doris  McFarland  is  chair 
of  the  anniversary  committee. 

Warner  Memorial  plans  centennial 

KENSINGTON,  Md.— Warner  Memorial  Church  will  celebrate 
its  centennial  Sept.  18-19.  The  Remembrance  Weekend  will 
start  with  a  continental  breakfast  served  in  the  Common  Room 
from  8  a.m.  to  noon.  Historical  photos,  films  and  other  souvenirs 
will  be  on  exhibit.  From  4  to  7  p.m.  Saturday,  a  Victorian  festival 
will  be  held  on  the  grounds. 

A  re-enactment  of  the  church's  founding  will  be  held  at  9:30 
a.m.  Sunday  on  the  steps  of  the  Noyes  Library  in  Kensington.  A 
half-hour  musical  program  will  precede  the  start  of  the  11  a.m. 
worship  service.  David  Graybill,  pastor  from  1978  to  1988,  will 
preach  using  as  his  text  the  same  scripture  as  used  in  the  first 
worship  service  100  years  ago.  Former  minister  of  Christian 
education,  Lois  Lehman,  will  be  the  liturgist. 

The  Remembrance  Weekend  concludes  a  year-long  centen- 
nial celebration,  which  included  creation  of  a  Centennial  Fund 
to  be  used  for  mission  endowment,  the  PC(USA)  Bicentennial 
Fund,  and  capital  improvements.  A  goal  of  $100,000  was  set. 

Graham  F.  Bardsley  is  pastor  of  Warner  Memorial  Church. 

Bouldin  celebration  set  for  Sept.  19 

STUART,  Va.— Bouldin  Memorial  Church  will  highlight  the 
celebration  of  its  centennial  year  with  homecoming  on  Sunday, 
Sept.  19.  All  former  ministers,  members,  alumni  and  former 
teachers  of  Central  Academy — and  their  families — are  invited. 
Food  and  beverages  will  be  provided,  but  participants  can  bring 
food  if  they  so  please. 

Worship  will  start  at  11  a.m.,  followed  by  a  program  of 
historical  highlights  and  recognition  of  leaders  at  noon.  Lunch 
will  be  served  at  1  p.m. 

David  H.  Bower  is  the  church's  pastor. 

WNC  churches  have  centennials 

Valdese,  Cherryville  First,  and  Banner  Elk  churches — all  in  the 
Presbytery  of  Western  North  Carolina — celebrated  centennials 
during  1993.  The  Valdese  celebration  coincided  with  the  100th 
anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  the  North  Carolina  community 
of  the  same  name  by  29  Waldensian  farmers  from  the  Alps  of 
Northern  Italy.  Cherryville  First  Church  celebrated  with  a 
Heritage  Day  in  which  members  came  dressed  for  the  1890s  and 
Banner  Elk's  centennial  service  included  a  sermon  by  the  Rev. 
Charles  Murray,  a  "son  of  the  church." 

Church  in  the  Pines'  centennial 

LAUREL  HILL,  N.C— The  Church  in  the  Pines  celebrated  its 
100th  anniversary  on  May  23  with  a  homecoming  celebration 
led  by  Pastor  Alexander  B.  "Sandy"  Williams  and  former  pastor 
William  Dubose. 

North  Wilkesboro  celebrates  100th 

NORTH  WILKESBORO,  N.C— North  Wilkesboro  Church  cel- 
ebrated its  100th  anniversary  July  24-25.  Salem  Presbytery 
Executive  John  Handley  and  Albert  Edwards,  pastor  emeritus 
of  First  Church,  Raleigh,  led  the  Sunday  worship.  Two  former 
pastors,  Watt  M.  Cooper  and  Robert  Evans,  also  participated. 


A  life  care  retirement  community  related  to  the  Presbyterian 
ami  Episcopal  Churches,  located  in  historic  Tidewater  Virginia. 
Visit  us! 

10  Lancaster  Drive,  Irvington,  VA  22480        (804)  438-4000 


Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September/Octo! 


Particpants  sought  for  synod's 
environmental  justice  event 


The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlan- 
tic, through  its  Peacemaking 
Partnership  Entity,  will  spon- 
sor an  Environmental-Justice 
Leadership  Training  Event  to 
be  hosted  Oct.  14-17  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Baltimore. 

The  aim  of  the  event  is  to 
equip  attenders  to  organize  an 
environmental  justice  commit- 
tee, to  become  a  voice  for  envi- 
ronmental justice  and  to  begin 
to  carry  out  an  environmental- 
justice  effort  in  their 
presbyteries.  Organizers  are 
hoping  that  two  persons  from 
each  of  the  13  presbyteries  who 
are  dedicated  to  starting  or 
strengthening  an  Environmen- 
tal-Justice Committee  in  their 
presbytery  will  attend. 

The  event  will  begin  with 
dinner  Thursday,  Oct.  14,  and 
will  end  with  worship  in  Balti- 
more churches  on  Sunday, 
Oct.  17. 

There  will  be  a  lot  of  work 
but  an  Eco-Justice  Workshop 
and  Environmental  Fair  on 
Saturday  will  provide  a  change 
of  pace  and  illustrate  some  of 
the  things  a  presbytery  envi- 
ronmental justice  committee 
might  do.  An  evening  explor- 
ing Baltimore's  Harbor  Place 
and  other  Inner  Harbor  sights 
is  planned  for  Saturday  night. 

To  attend  you  will  need  to 
be  sponsored  by  your  presby- 
tery. For  more  information  call 
your  presbytery  office.  If  they 
do  not  have  the  information. 


Presbyterian  Homes 
selects  Mack 

JAMESTOWN,  N.C.— Janice 
Mack  of  Greensboro  has  been 
named  director  of  development 
for  the  Presbyterian  Homes, 
Inc.,  which  manages  three  con- 
tinuing care  retirement  com- 
munities in  North  Carolina. 

Miss  Mack's  experience  in- 
cludes service  as  director  of 
alumnae  development  at  Con- 
verse College,  resource  devel- 
opment coordinator  with  Men- 
tal Health  Associates  in 
Greensboro,  and  marketing 
director  for  Well-Spring  Re- 
tirement Community  in 
Greensboro. 

A  Greensboro  native,  she  is 
an  elder  in  First  Church  of 
Greensboro. 


NEAR  PERFECT 
FUNDRAISER 

No  risk,  excellent  profit.  Reasonable 
work.  We  provide  a  model  N.C.  Moun- 
tain Fraser  Fir  Christmas  Tree.  Take 
Orders.  Most  families  buy  a  life  tree. 
Why  not  from  you?  Wreaths,  too.  Ref- 
erences available  of  last  year's  suc- 
cessful groups-mens'  clubs,  youth 
groups,  choirs,  etc.  Request  free  infor- 
mation packet.  Serving  N.C.  and  Va. 
A.C.T.S.  (Angel  Christmas  Tree  Sup- 
pliers) P.O.  Box  5100,  Foscoe,  NC 
28604,  (704)  963-4866. 


II 

II       KIVETT'S  INC. 

REFINISHING 

call  or  write  the  Synod  Office 
in  Richmond:  Sjniod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic,  Presbyterian  Church 
(U..SA.),  P.  O.  Box  27026,  Rich- 
mond, VA  23261,  phone  (804) 
342-0016.  You  may  also  phone 
Wayne  Ruddock  at  (410)  592- 
2906. 

The  202nd  General  Assem- 
bly ( 1990)  of  the  PCUSA  recog- 
nized and  accepted  restoring 
creation  as  a  central  concern 
of  the  church,  to  be  incorpo- 
rated into  its  life  and  mission 
at  every  level,  stated  that  the 
task  must  be  approached  with 
covenant  seriousness,  and 
forcefully  stated  its  belief  that 
God  calls  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  to  engage  in 
the  tasks  of  restoring  creation 
in  the  "turnaround  decade" 
beginning  now  and  for  as  long 
as  God  continues  to  call  people 
of  faith  to  undertake  these 
tasks. 

Since  the  General  Assem- 
bly has  made  environmental- 
justice  a  central  concern  of  the 
church,  it  is  vital  that  presby- 
terians  become  aware  of  and 
act  on  this  concern. 


PC(USA)  flood  relief 


Fiddlin'  around 

Wylie  Mayo,  pastor  of  Grace 
Church  in  Glade  Spring, 
Va.,  recently  took  second 
place  in  the  fiddling 
competion  at  the  Galax 
(Va.)  Fiddler's  Convention. 
More  than  2,000  musicians 
participated  in  the  event. 
Mayo  recently  completed  a 
term  on  the  synod's  Self- 
Development  of  People 
Committee. 


continued  from  page  1 
look  bad,"  Myers  said  while 
discussing  the  mud-saturated 
homes  she  helped  clean  up. 
"Everything  that  is  touched  by 
water  needs  to  be  washed  or  re- 
placed ...  In  a  hurricane,  every- 
thing is  blown  away.  In  a  flood,  it 
is  here  and  it  is  a  soggy  mess." 

Myers  said,  "Now  is  when 
the  work  begins.  Now  that  the 
water  is  down  we  are  able  to 
focus  on  the  real  areas  of  need." 

She  said  her  synod  is  work- 
ing to  develop  a  brief  Sunday 
School  curriculum  for  children 
who  were  frightened  by  flood- 
waters.  Synod  staffs  have  re- 
quested that  the  denomination 
design  a  worship  resource  for 
use  in  disaster  situations,  and 
prayer  partnerships  between 
churches  outside  the  flood  zone 
and  those  within  it  are  being 
coordinated  by  presbytery 
staff,  she  said. 

"We  still  don't  know  when 
the  rivers  are  going  to  settle 
down  in  their  beds,"  Myers 
said.  "And  I  am  telling  you, 
people  are  tired." 

According  to  Burke,  Pres- 
byterians are  undergoing 


training  this  week  in  order  to 
work  in  disaster  field  offices  in 
Missouri. 

Volunteers  from  Giddings- 
Lovejoy  and  Missouri  Union 
presbyteries  will  be  working  to 
help  families  file  for  aid  with 
both  FEMA  and  the  Small 
Business  Administration.  He 
said  that  having  non-govern- 
mental entities  assist  in  pro- 
cessing applications  has  hap- 
pened only  twice  before.  Burke 
added  that  26, 164  families  have 
applied  to  date  for  federal  aid 
in  Missouri  alone;  17,005  in 
Iowa;  9,821  in  lUinois;  3,399  in 
North  Dakota  and  1,426  in 
Nebraska. 


Where  to  contribute 

Flood-relief  contributions 
may  be  sent  as  special 
gifts  to  Presbyterian 
World  Service  designated 
for  Midwest  U.S.  River 
Floods,  Account  #9- 
2000106.  Dollars  desig- 
nated specifically  for  the 
reconstruction  of  church 
buildings  are  to  be 
marked  as  such.  Rift  said. 


The  Highest  RetnmBx)m 
Our  Ch&table  Gift  Amuity 
Isn't  me  Rate. 

When  you  give  to  the  Church  through  a  Charitable  Gift  Annuity, 
you  receive  a  guaranteed  lifetime  income  as  well  as  certain  income  tax  bene- 
fits. But  more  miportant,  you  get  the  personal  satisfaction  of  designating  that 
your  gift  be  used  to  help  carry  out  whatever  mission  is  most  special  to  you.  From 
nelping  the  homeless  or  others  in  need  to  endowing  your  home  church.  For 
more  (fetails  about  all  the  benefits  of  giving  through  a  Charitable  Gift  Annuity, 
including  the  high  rate  ajn 

l-SOoWoSsif  ffl  Presbyterian  Church  (USA)  Foundation 


Page  6,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September/October  1993 


Volunteer  families  provide  safe  havens  for  children 


Editor's  note — Volunteer 
Emergency  Families  for  Chil- 
dren is  one  of  the  agencies  sup- 
ported through  the  synod  and 
by  the  Thanksgiving  Offering. 

By  ERIC  MILLER, 

From  Rural  Living  magazine 

A  four-year-old  boy  plays  be- 
side a  busy  highway.  His 
father's  in  prison  and  his 
mother's  left  him  with  a  baby- 
sitter while  she  visits  her  boy- 
friend in  another  state. 

But  the  boy's  mother  is  not 
going  to  return  for  him  or  his 
2-year-old  brother. 

After  a  few  days,  the 
babysitter  grows  tired  of  watch- 
ing him  and  abandons  him,  too. 
So  the  boy  wanders  away  from 
the  mobile  home  park  where  he 
lives,  and  plays  by  the  road. 
But  miracles  do  happen.  This 
tragedy  ends  happily. 

A  truck  driver  sees  the  boy 


and  contacts  the  police.  Social 
services  officials  contact  Vol- 
vmteer  Emergency  Families  for 
Children  (VEFC),  a  private, 
non-profit  organization  that 
finds  temporary  families  for 
abandoned,  runaway,  and 
abused  children.  The  boy 
spends  the  next  few  weeks  in 
the  home  of  a  loving  volunteer 
family.  Like  all  families  that 
participate  in  the  program, 
their  love  and  caring  are  of- 
fered fi-eely,  and  free  of  charge. 

"He  was  a  beautiful  child," 
recalls  Nita  May,  coordinator 
for  the  Central  Virginia  VEFC. 
"He  was  built  like  a  little  foot- 
ball player  and  had  curly  red 
hair.  He  was  a  delight.  He  had 
a  wonderful  smile  and  was  a 
bright,  outgoing  child.  He 
didn't  know  a  stranger."  The 
family  that  took  care  of  the  boy 
found  he  was  good-natured  and 
easy  to  entertain.  "All  it  took 
was  a  bucket,  a  shovel,  and  a 


pile  of  dirt  to  keep  him  happy," 
May  says.  The  boy  and  his  2- 
year-old  brother  eventually 
were  adopted  by  a  loving 
couple. 

Of  covirse,  many  children  in 
the  VEFC  program  return  to 
their  birth  parents.  May  re- 
calls a  10-year-old  boy  whose 
face  had  been  beaten  and 
bruised  by  his  father.  The 
mother  had  died  a  year  earlier. 
One  day  the  boy  ran  through 
the  house  against  his  father's 
instructions.  To  make  matters 
worse,  the  boy  tripped  and 
knocked  over  a  lamp.  "The  fa- 
ther went  berserk,"  May  says, 
with  all-too-predictable,  and 
tragic,  results. 

The  father  and  boy  are  now 
receiving  counseling.  If  the 
father  learns  to  deal  with  his 
grief  and  anger,  he  and  his  son 
can  be  reunited.  May  says.  For 
now  though,  the  boy  is  in  a 
foster  home.  Before  that,  he 


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It  is  no  wonder 
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have  already  made 
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been  asking  for.  At 
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and  a  stable  ownership 
with  a  more  than  80- 
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IKing'sOrant!' 

A  Sunnyside  Retirement  Community 


Put  a  little 
JOY  in 
your  heart. 

1993  Christmas  Joy  Offering 
promotional  packet  is  coming  soon  to  a 
mailbox  near  you. 

The  offering  will  continue  to  support: 

•  the  Board  of  Pensions  for  shared  grants, 
supplemental  pension  income, 

and  nursing  home  care  assistance  (50%) 

and 

•  the  Presbyterian-related  racial-ethnic 
colleges  and  institutions  (50%). 


Celebrate 
"Tidings     of  Joy" 

For  the  past,  the  present,  and  the  future 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  receive  the 
1993  Christmas  Joy  Offering. 


For  more  information  call  502-569-5201. 


stayed  in  a  VEFC  home. 

Children  in  the  VEFC  pro- 
gram range  from  infants 
through  age  17.  Their  stay  with 
a  VEFC  family  usually  runs 
from  one  to  21  days.  VEFC  was 
established  in  1979  in  Rich- 
mond. Since  then,  its  families 
have  hosted  more  than  6,000 
children  in  their  homes.  Social 
services  agents  and  court  offi- 
cials careftilly  screen  host  fami- 
lies before  they  enter  the  pro- 
gram, May  says.  A  VEFC  fam- 
ily may  be  a  single  adult  or  a 
couple  with  or  without  chil- 
dren. Volunteers  receive  spe- 
cial training  when  they  enter 
the  program. 

The  church-affiliated  pro- 
gram is  an  alternative  to  group 
homes,  detention  centers,  and 
child  protective  custody  situa- 
tions. VEFC  has  volunteers 
throughout  Virginia.  It  caters 
to  children  who  don't  need 
highly  structured  custody. 

Don  and  Susan  Pabst  and 
their  two  children,  of  Hanover 
County,  Va.,  were  the  first 
VEFC  family,  and  they  still 
participate.  [They  are  mem- 
bers of  Bethlehem  Chiu-ch.] 

"The  first  eight  to  nine  years 
of  the  program,  we  got  kids 
who  were  abused,"  Pabst  re- 
calls. "Ninety  percent  of  the 
girls  were  sexually  abused,  and 
the  boys  were  physically 
abused.  The  girls  had  usually 
been  abused  by  a  step-father." 

Tm  a  Disciplinarian' 

One  night,  a  teenage  girl 
staying  in  the  Pabst  home 
made  improper  advances  to- 
ward Pabst.  "I  sat  the  girl  down 
and  we  had  a  father  and  daugh- 
ter talk,"  Pabst  says.  "I'm  a 
disciplinarian.  I  tell  these  kids 
they  will  hve  the  way  we  do." 
That  includes  helping  with 
family  chores  and  going  to 
church,  he  expledns. 

Pabst,  a  Boy  Scoutmaster, 
has  taken  VEFC  boys  camp- 
ing. By  mingling  with  non- 
troubled  youth,  he  says,  the 
VEFC  boys  learn  social  skills 
as  well  as  camping  skills. 

The  Pabst  family  has  had  se- 
rious trouble  with  only  one  youth 
staying  in  their  home  during  the 
last  13  years.  A  10-year-old  boy 
shared  a  room  with  their  son, 
Chip,  now  23.  "The  boy  totally 
out-smarted  me,"  says  Chip,  who 
was  12  at  the  time.  "It  was  about 
11p.m.,  and  we  were  talking  and 
I  dozed  off." 

When  Chip  awakened  early 
the  next  morning,  the  boy 
wasn't  in  his  bed.  "I  thought  he 
was  downstairs  eating  break- 
fast, and  I  got  up  and  looked 
for  him.  But  he  was  gone."  The 
Pabst  family  at  the  time  owned 
and  operated  a  country  store, 
which  adjoined  the  house.  All 


the  money  was  missing  from 
the  cash  register.  Police  later 
found  the  boy  walking  down 
the  highway  with  the  stolen 
money  on  him. 

But  that  bad  experience 
didn't  sour  the  family.  The 
VEFC  program  has  "put  a  new 
tmst  on  my  life,"  Chip  says. 
"Most  of  the  kids  have  shared 
a  lot  with  me.  I  couldn't  under- 
stand why  a  child  would  run 
away  from  his  parents.  I  felt 
sorry  for  all  of  them.  It  was  not 
a  very  nice  life  they  were  liv- 
ing. I'm  pretty  fortunate.  My 
parents  gave  me  a  nice  life." 

Meagan  Pabst,  11,  remem- 
bers a  14-year-old  pregnant  girl 
who  stayed  with  them.  The 
girl  shared  a  room  with 
Meagan.  "In  the  mornings, 
we'd  get  to  talking.  We  had  a 
fun  time." 

Another  Hanover  County 
couple,  Sam  and  Kara  Wood, 
has  been  in  the  program  three 
years.  The  Woods  and  their 
children,  Chris,  7,  and  Natalie, 
5,  have  hosted  children  from 
16  months  to  17  years  old. 

Mrs.  Wood  has  cried  when 
it  was  time  for  some  children 
to  leave.  A  3-year-old  boy  and  a 
16-month-old  girl  were 
brought  to  the  Woods  at  11:30 
one  night.  Both  were  wearing 
wet  diapers.  Their  parents 
were  in  jail.  The  boy  "kept 
making  a  sound  of  a  police 
siren"  to  describe  what  had 
happened  to  his  mother,  Mrs. 
Wood  says. 

The  Woods  kept  the  two  chil- 
dren less  than  a  week.  "It's 
probably  good  we  didn't  have 
them  longer,"  Mrs.  Wood  says. 
Her  husband  adds,  "I  was  get- 
ting attached  to  them." 

Feeling  at  home 

A  teenage  girl  who  stayed 
with  a  VEFC  family  wrote  them 
a  few  years  later:  "My  family 
has  a  lot  of  people  with  a  lot  of 
problems.  I  thought  there  was 
no  such  thing  as  a  'normal' 
family  where  people  could  com- 
municate with  one  another  and 
actually  feel  something  besides 
pain  or  anger.  After  only  one 
weekend  at  your  house,  I  didn't 
want  to  leave.  For  one  wonder- 
ful weekend,  I  was  able  to  be 
part  of  a  'normal'  loving  fam- 
ily. Even  as  an  outsider  I  felt 
love.  Thank  you  for  giving  me 
that.  It's  made  a  great  differ- 
ence in  my  hfe." 

And  the  hope  that  they'll 
one  day  receive  that  kind  of 
response  is  what  keeps  host 
families  sharing  their  homes — 
and  giving  love — so  freely. 

For  more  information,  call 
or  write  the  VEFC  office  at 
(804) 261-0607,  P.O.  Box  15416, 
Richmond,  VA  23227. 


ATTENTION! 

Pastors,  Professors  &  other  Church  Leaders 

Now  is  the  time  at  Travel  Time  to  start  planning  your 
group  tours  for  1 994  to  Scotland,  Europe,  the  Holy  Land, 
and  anywhere  else  you  may  want  to  enjoy  together 
with  your  people, 

We  customize  each  tour  to  fit  your  specific  needs  at  a 
price  to  attract  eager  participants.  Your  free  passage  Is 
included  when  you  help  us  plan  and  promote  the  tour. 

For  more  information,  call  Bruce  Frye  at  (800)  672-6696 

Travel  Time,  Inc. 

1000  S.  Main  Street  Laurinburg,  NO  28352 


Ml,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September/October  1993 


Serve  One  Another 


mm 


M2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September/October  1993 


The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope 


The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope  works  in  partnership 
with  over  32,900  Presbjrterians  in  135  congregations 
located  in  counties  ranging  from  central  to  eastern 
North  Carolina.  To  carry  out  its  partnership  respon- 
sibiUties,  the  Presbytery  has  nine  ministry  units 
whose  purpose  is  to  resource  the  New  Hope  Congrega- 
tions, carry  out  Book  of  Order  requirements  and 
provide  administrative  support  for  the  implementa- 
tion of  presbjrtery  programs. 

To  fund  this  ministry  in  1994,  The  Presbytery  of 
New  Hope  is  asking  for  $1,476,000.  Of  this  amount, 
$450,910  is  for  Synod  and  Greneral  Assembly  causes. 
The  remaining  $1,025,090  is  divided  among  the 
ministry  units  as  follows:  (please  note — all  adminis- 
trative expenses  and  salaries  have  been  prorated 
among  the  respective  ministry  units) 

Administration  &  Management 
$92,609 

The  unit  focuses  on  helping  the  Presbji;ery  and  its 
ministry  units  fulfill  their  mission  program  commit- 
ments to  churches  in  the  Presbj^ery.  Through  visits 
to  sessions,  mission  committees  and  regional  events, 
the  unit  seeks  to  strengthen  churches  in  their  stew- 
ardship responsibilities  via  annual  individual  and 
collective  training  events.  Day-to-day  management  of 
Presbytery  functions  includes: 

Interpretation  through  various  media  (including 
Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian)  of  the  partnership  in 
mission  shared  by  Churches,  S3Tiod  and  General 
Assembly,  lived  out  at  home  and  beyond 

Budget  development  and  financial  oversight 
as  well  as  office  administration  and  printing/produc- 
tion services,  to  maintain  an  efficient  and  effective 
operation  of  the  Presbytery 

Education  of  New  Hope  Presbyterians  about 
Stewardship  by  offering  opportunities  for  churches  to 
learn  more  about  this  Christian  responsibility 

Care  for  Church  Professionals 
$81,246 

Congregations  are  ideally  mandated  to  utilize 
individuals'  gifts  for  ministry  to  support  the  work  of 
the  church.  The  Care  for  Church  Professionals 
Ministry  Unit  works  to  enhance  the  job  effectiveness 
of  the  ministers,  Christian  educators  and  lay  profes- 
sionals. The  unit  responds  to  the  needs  of  church 
employees  in  this  arena  by  offering: 

Provision  for  care,  guidance  and  oversight  of 
inquirers  and  candidates  preparing  to  enter  the 
ordained  ministry  and/or  the  vocation  of  Christian 
Educator 

Motivation  for  all  church  professionals — lay  and 
clergy — through  challenging  continuing  education  and 
professional  development  events,  and  programs  which 
promote  coUegiality  among  these  persons 

Orientation  for  new  church  professionals  entering 
the  Presbytery,  particularly  those  with  less  than  two 
years  experience  in  church  service 

Committee  on  Ministry 
$86,534 

As  mandated  by  the  Book  of  Order,  The  Committee 
on  Ministry  serves  as  pastor  and  counselor  to  the 
ministers  of  the  Presbjrtery,  facilitating  the  relation- 
ship between  congregations,  ministers  and  the 
Presbytery.  Responsibilities  of  the  Committee  on 
Ministry  include: 

Assistance  to  churches  seeking  a  pastor  by 
guiding  the  church  through  the  search  process  and 
processing  the  call  once  a  minister  is  found.  (A  semi- 
annual "Face-to-Face"  event  helps  bring  pastors  and 
churches  together,  thus  shortening  the  search  process 
and  reducing  the  expenses  incurred.) 

Examination  of  candidates  for  ordination,  and  of 
ministers  transferring  into  the  Presb3^ery 

Supervision  and  direction  for  visitation  with 
sessions,  practicing  ministers  and  retired  ministers  in 
the  Presbytery. 

Congregational  Nurture 
$124,459 

This  ministry  unit  strives  to  strengthen  local 
churches  and  specialized  ministries  in  the  areas  of 
worship  and  Christian  education.  The  Congregational 
Nurture  Unit  shares  God's  gifts  for  ministry  in 
partnership  with  congregations,  through  the  nurture 
of  whole  congregations  as  well  as  target  groups  within 
them.  Congregational  Nurture's  work  encompasses, 
but  is  not  limited  to,  the  following: 

Education  and  ministry  for  children,  youth, 
IV'  ts,  faoijlies,  and  special  populations  such  as 
-  1  h   aging  and  persons  with  various  disabili- 


Congregational  revitalization  (programs  to  help 
a  church  renew  itself)  and  fellowship-building 

Management/direction  of  Resource  Centers  in 
Rocky  Mount  (Presbytery  Office),  Kinston  (First 
Presbyterian  Chvirch)  and  Chapel  Hill  (University 
Presbyterian  Church) 

Consultative  services  and  workshops  for  New 
Hope  churches  through  an  older  adult  council  and 
through  the  "Check  Out  An  Educator"  program 

Advocacy,  support,  and  resourcing  for  the 
small  churches  within  this  Presbytery 

Participation  in  Youth  Council  events,  including 
the  four  youth  retreats;  and  training  of  youth  advisors 

Coordination/implementation  of  the  aimual 
Growing  Together  training  event  for  officers,  teachers 
and  leaders... the  unit  works  strategically  through 
Growing  Together  to  present  the  greatest  amount  of 
aids  and  resources  through  workshops  and  seminars 


Groundbreaking  for  St.  John's  Church 
in  Durham 


Evangelism  &  Church 
Development  $252,457 

The  Evangelism  and  Church  Development  Unit 
works  in  partnership  with  New  Hope  churches, 
fulfilling  its  charge  to  share  the  Gospel  and  enable  the 
spread  of  God's  Word.  Committees  responsible  to  the 
unit  serve  to  promote  Christian  growth  by: 

Identifying  new  and  varied  approaches  to  evange- 
lism within  the  Reformed  tradition,  particularly 
through  regional  events  to  equip  New  Hope  Presbyte- 
rians for  this  ministry 

Providing  seed  monies  for  the  establishment  and 
development  of  new  congregations 

Offering  financial  assistance  through  an  ongoing 
small  church  support  program,  ensuring  the  contin- 
ued ministry  of  several  New  Hope  congregations 
within  their  respective  communities 


Outdoor  Ministries     $  168,036 

Outdoor  Ministries  provides  opportunities  in 
Christian  Education,  fellowship  and  spiritual  growth 
at  camps,  conferences,  retreats  and  special  events 
requiring  the  natural  enviromnent.  The  unit  carries 
out  this  primary  objective  through  program  and 
facility  management  at  the  Presbytery^s  three  camp 
sites. 

Camp  Albemarle,  located  outside  Morehead  City 
on  the  coastal  estuary  of  Bogue  Sound,  is  the 
Presb3rtery's  coastal  outdoor  ministries  facility.  The 
camp  site 

g^j^^  s^q^^2Ltic  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

activities.  A  "vesper  dell"  lends  itself  to  worship, 
Bible  study,  and  Christian  fellowship  in  a  natural 
setting.  The  camp  is  available  for  year-roimd  use  by 
campers  and  retreat  groups  and  offers  a  summer 
program  serving  over  650  youth. 

Camp  New  Hope,  situated  on  165  acres  of  rolling 
pine  and  hardwoods,  operates  in  a  rural  area  of 
Orange  County  near  Chapel  Hill,  NC.  Jointly  owned 
with  Salem  Presbytery,  the  camp  provides  an  excel- 
lent conference  facility  offering  ideal  access  to  major 
interstate  thoroughfares  and  regional  airports.  The 
camp  is  well  equipped  to  serve  retreat  groups  on  a 
year-round  basis  and  the  camp  routinely  serves 
church  groups,  non-profit  organizations,  area-health 
agencies  and  others. 

Presbyterian  Point,  also  owned  cooperatively 
with  Salem  Presbytery,  is  located  north  of  Henderson, 
NC.  Surrounded  on  three  sides  by  Kerr  Lake,  "The 


Point"  is  in  the  midst  of  250  acres  of  hardwoods, 
pines,  and  meadows,  providing  for  a  scenic  environ- 
ment as  well  as  a  plant  and  animal  habitat.  Presby- 
terian Point  offers  year-roimd  lodging  and  meeting 
facilities,  recreational  options  on  Kerr  Lake,  and  a 
successful  summer  program  serving  over  650  youth. 

Outreach  Ministries    $ 1 50,406 

Witness  and  service  within  the  global  commimity 
characterize  the  mission  of  this  unit.  The  unit's 
efforts  are  directed  in  the  areas  of:  hunger,  social 
justice,  peacemaking,  criminal  justice,  global  mis- 
sions, urban  ministries  and  campus  ministries. 
Persons  serving  with  the  Outreach  Unit  work  to  build 
up  the  body  of  Christ— and  humanity— by: 

Supporting  a  prison  ministry,  in  conjunction  with 
four  other  North  Carolina  presbyteries,  to  staff"  the 
Raleigh  Correctional  Center  for  Women  with  a  full- 
time  chaplain,  bringing  Christ  into  the  lives  of  the 
inmates 

Empowering  campus  ministries  at  North  Caro- 
lina State  University,  Duke  University,  East  CaroUna 
University,  University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel 
Hill,  and  North  Carolina  Central  University's  Ecu- 
menical Ministry;  an  effort  that  challenges  college 
communities  with  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  through 
the  powerful  voice  and  healing  presence  of  the  Church 

Embracing  many  urban  outreach  programs 
through  funding  and  involvement  with  area  agencies 
to  address  the  social  outcries  toward  homelessness, 
care  for  battered  and  abused  persons,  foster  and  day 
care  for  children  at  risk  and  assistance  to  families  in 
crisis  situations 

Sponsoring  and  resourcing  peacemaking 
workshops  and  conferences  for  churches,  as  well  as 
for  the  Presbytery,  Synod  and  General  Assembly 

Racial-Ethnic  Ministry  Unit 
$25,364 

The  Racial-Ethnic  Ministry  Unit's  mission  involves 
seeking  to  increase  the  peace  and  wholeness  within 
the  Presbyterian  community  in  New  Hope.  The  unit 
accomplishes  this  mission  through  participation  in 
strategy  development  for  racial-ethnic  facets  of  the 
Presbytery's  work,  and  through  advocacy  of  the 
church's  witness  for  racial  justice  in  society.  Addi- 
tional plans  for  the  unit  include: 

A  Celebration  of  Diversity,  a  one-day  event 
where  persons  of  various  racial-ethnic  groups  in  New 
-  Hope  Presbytery  (African-American,  Native  Ameri- 
can, Hispanic-American,  Korean-American,  and 
European-American)  gather  to  display  ways  in  which 
their  origins  are  vital  to  the  life  of  Christ's  body,  the 
Church 

The  Reverend  Dr.  Martin  Luther  King  Jr. 
Commemorative  Service,  honoring  the  legendary 
civil  rights  leader;  the  service  emphasizes  themes  of 
peace  and  unity  through  corporate  worship  and 
prayer  vigil,  allowing  persons  to  pay  tribute  to  God 
for  the  life  of  Dr.  King 

An  African-American  training  component, 
empowering  clergy  and  laity  to  actively  participate  in 
the  life  and  work  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Hope 

Women's  Ministry  Unit 

$25,278 

Women's  roles  have  changed  with  society's  expec- 
tation— a  parallel  which  has  inspired  the  church  to 
re-evaluate  the  significance  of  women  to  ministry. 
The  Women's  Ministry  Unit  advocates  for  women's 
concerns  within  the  faith  context,  as  it  provides 
opportvmities  for  support,  learning  and  fellowship 
among  [the]  women  of  New  Hope.  Awareness  of 
women's  issues  is  heightened  as  the  unit  strives  to: 

Maintain  an  essential  link  with  the  Presbytery  to 
strengthen  the  work  and  leadership  of  women  within 
this  system 

Plan,  design  and  evaluate  programs  impacting 
women  of  color,  thereby  facilitating  their  full  partici- 
pation in  the  life  of  the  Presbytery 

Promote  justice  for  women  of  all  ages,  races/ 
ethnic  origins,  and  physical  statures,  through  active 
measiu-es  toward  abolishing  discriminatory  practices 

Other  Committees  $18,701 

Additional  committees  working  within  the  Presby- 
tery include  the  Nominations  Committee,  the  Com- 
mittee on  Representation,  and  the  New  Hope  Presby- 
tery Foundation.  Duties  include: 

Provide  for  a  process  of  identifying  and  recruiting 
talent  in  the  Presbytery  to  serve  on  Presbytery 
committees  through  the  Committee  on  Nominations; 

Guide  the  Presbytery  in  implementing  the  prin- 
ciple of  participation  and  inclusiveness  through  the 
Committee  on  Representation;  and 

Help  the  Presbytery  to  understand  the  importance 
and  potential  of  planned  giving  through  the  Presby- 
tery of  New  Hope  Foundation. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbjrterian,  September/OcUi  .  .vi3 


Mission  in  the 
Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic 


Total  Adopted 
Mission  Budget 
for  1994 

$1,804,473 


Serve  One  Another 


Educational  Ministries 

$515,612  28.6% 

Supports  40  campus  ministries  at  55 
colleges  and  imiversities  in  four  states  and 
the  District  of  Columbia.  Often  cited  as  the 
synod's  most  important  mission,  these 
ministries  have  the  potential  to  reach  more 
yoimg  adults  than  there  are  Presb5d;erians 
in  the  S3niod. 

This  portion  of  the  mission  budget 
also  supports  the  Career  and  Personal 
Counseling  Centers  located  in  Laurinburg 
and  Charlotte,  N.C.,  and  synod-sponsored 
Youth  Ministries,  including  an  annual 
training  event  for  youth  and  their  leaders. 


Institutions 

$371,082  20.5% 

This  category  includes  two  subgroups — 
Care  Agencies  and  Colleges. 

The  Care  Agencies  represent  Presbjd^eri- 
ans'  concern  for  those  in  our  society  who 
need  speciaV assistance — infants,  children, 
troubled  youth,  older  adults,  the  handi- 
capped, and  the  terminally  ill. 

The  Colleges — nine  synod-related  institu- 
tions— represent  our  denomination's  historic 
concern  for  higher  education.  These  include 
schools  with  centuries  of  tradition,  an  em- 
phasis on  education  for  racial  ethnic  stu- 
dents, innovative  academic  programs,  and  a 
concern  for  their  communities. 


Mission-related  Staff 

$387,575  21.5% 

This  amount  represents  the  salaries, 
benefits  and  travel  expenses  for  the  synod 
staff  members  who  help  plan,  promote,  and 
execute  the  mission  initiatives  of  the  synod. 


Communications 

$224,672  12.5% 

Targeted  by  recent  consvdtations  as  a  top 
fixture  priority  for  synod  mission.  The  largest 
portion  of  this  amount  is  used  to  produce 
and  mail  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  the 
synod's  newspaper.  Also  supports  the  Pres- 
byterian Media  Mission,  the  Presbyterian 
Appalachian  Broadcast  Council,  and  the 
Presbyterian  Electronic  Media  Association. 


Global  &  Ecumenical 

$63,615  3.5% 

Concern  for  persons  in  need  far  and  near, 
and  for  better  working  relations  with  other 
denominations  is  met  through  these  catego- 
ries. From  this  amount  the  synod  supports 
the  Coalition  for  Appalachian  Ministry  and 
councils  of  churches  in  North  Carolina, 
Virginia  and  West  Virginia.  These  funds  are 
also  used  for  the  International  Designs  for 
Economic  Awareness  (IDEA)  program,  to 
send  youth  delegates  to  the  Montreat  Mis- 
sion Conference,  and  for  Global  Mission. 


Conference  Centers 

$51,000  2.8% 

The  synod  owns  and  operates  three  confer- 
ence/retreat centers — Chesapeake  Center  at 
Port  Deposit,  Md.;  Massanetta  Springs  at 
Harrisonburg,  Va.;  and  the  William  Black 
Lodge  at  Montreat,  N.C.  These  facilities 
provide  Presbyterians  of  all  ages  with  an 
opportunity  for  fellowship,  learning  and 
spiritual  enrichment. 


Social  Justice 

$49,720  2.8% 

The  recent  consultations  on  synod  mission 
reinforced  the  need  for  the  synod  to  be  active 
in  this  area.  With  these  funds  the  synod 
supports  the  Virginia  Interfaith  Center  for 
Public  Policy,  the  North  Carolina  Land 
Stewardship  Council,  and  prison  chaplain 
services  in  two  states. 


Presbytery  Partnerships 

$40,000  2.2% 

The  consultations  on  future  mission  have 
revealed  much  enthusiasm  for  this  program. 
The  presbyteries  initiate  the  formation  of 
regional  entities  through  which  they  may 
better  address  shared  problems  and  con- 
cerns. The  synod  helps  organize  these  part- 
nerships and  serves  as  staff  for  them.  As  of 
summer  1993,  this  process  had  created 
partnerships  in  evangelism,  hunger  action, 
peacemaking,  new  church  development, 
resource  centers,  racial  ethnic  student 
ministries,  and  urban  ministry. 


GA  Partnership  Funds 

$50,000  2.8% 

This  item  reflects  fvmds  which  were  sent 
to  the  General  Assembly  and  returned  for 
support  of  the  synod  and  its  presbyteries. 
The  synod  has  elected  to  discontinue  partici- 
pation in  this  program. 


Related  Groups 

$27,781  1.5% 

Groups  which  relate  to  the  synod  include 
Justice  for  Women,  Women  of  Color,  Presby- 
terian Women,  Presbyterian  Men,  the  Black 
Caucus,  the  Korean  Caucus,  and  the  Com- 
mittee on  Ministries  with  Older  Adults. 


Racial  Ethnic  Ministries 

$17,895  1% 

Funds  from  this  item  support  ministries 
with  migrant  farm  workers  and  Korean 
Americans,  minority  clergy  recruiting,  and 
a  seminar  for  African-American  pastors. 


Contingency 

$5,521 


0.3% 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September/October  1993,  M4 


Basic  Priorities  of  Our  Vision 

As  approved  by  the  205th  (1993)  General  Assembly 


Evangelism 


—$22,945,384  allocated— 

We  are  called  to  invite  all  people  to  repentance  and  faith  in  Jesus  Christ, 
by  working  for  growth  and  renewal  of  individuals  and  congregational 
families  of  faith. 

Thoughtful  and  fervent  evangelism  is  a  hallmark  of  every  congregation, 
whether  it  be  new  or  old.  The  gift  of  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  enables  us  to  know 
that  we  and  the  world  are  greatly  loved,  and  this  good  news  has  to  be 
proclaimed  through  word  and  deed  and  sacrament  and  song. 


Spiritual  Formation 

—$22,371,079  allocated— 

We  are  called  to  study  and  reflect  on  holy  Scripture,  praying  with  one 
another  for  insight  and  clarity,  so  that  the  Holy  Spirit  might  mold  our  lives 
more  and  more  into  the  likeness  of  Christ,  the  living  word. 

The  ambiguities  of  our  day  require  a  new  intensity  of  theological  and  ethical 
conversation  across  the  church.  Our  congregations  must  have  resources  for 
education  and  worship  that  take  into  account  our  broad  diversity  and  our 
common  grounding  in  Jesus  Christ. 


Justice 

—$25,959,782  allocated— 
We  are  called  to  redress  wrongs  in  every  aspect  of  life  and  the  whole  of 
creation,  working  with  the  poor  and  powerless  whom  Jesus  loves,  even  at  risk 
to  our  corporate  and  personal  lives. 

The  belief  that  the  Holy  Spirit  is  present  in  our  midst  to  make  all  things  new 
gives  us  courage  to  love  our  neighbors  as  ourselves  and  seek  justice  for  all.  Our 
goal  is  to  become  so  well-rooted  in  our  own  reformed  tradition  that  we  can  be 
mature  partners  with  all  who  desire  to  reflect  God's  love  and  justice  in 
everyday  life. 


Partnership 

—$30,772,453  allocated— 
We  are  called  to  forge  a  vital  partnership  with  one  another,  marked  by 
mutual  respect,  openness,  and  daily  repentance  and  forgiveness. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  is  being  challenged  to  adopt  simplicity 
in  its  life  and  work.  In  order  to  meet  the  demand  of  the  Gospel  we  need  new 
covenants  between  our  governing  bodies  that  enable  us  to  focus  on  urgent 
concerns  with  flexibility  and  creativity.  One  concern  stands  out  with  special 
clarity:  the  opportunity  to  resource  and  support  the  increasing  number  of 
volunteers  who  are  moving  beyond  congregational  boundaries  as  enthusiastic 
witnesses  to  the  Gospel. 


The  Shepherd  of  the  Hills  Presbyterian  Church  is  a  The  PC(USA)-sponsored  Jinishian  Memorial  Fund  Though  the  future  of  Presbyterian  mission  workers  in 

growing  new  church  development  in  Danville,  Calif.  Its  serves  the  needs  of  Armenian  communities  throughout  Zaire  remains  unclear,  projects  like  this  feeding  center 

ministry  has  been  expanded  thanks  to  a  General  Assem-  the  Middle  East,  including  these  children  attending  a  in  Kinshasa  continue  in  the  face  of  strife, 

bly  Mission  Program  Grant.  camp  in  Lebanon. 


Division  of  National  Ministries' 

primary  purpose  is  to  develop  and  implement  programs  that  are  national  in 
scope  and  expressive  of  the  denomination's  mission  priorities,  including:  the 
challenge  of  evangelism  and  church  development;  the  promise  of  racial  ethnic 
and  women's  ministries;  the  summons  to  a 
compassionate  search  for  social  justice;  the 
grounding  of  all  its  work  in  theological  and 
ethical  discernment;  the  cultivation  and  nur- 
ture of  volunteer  and  professional  leadership 
for  the  church. 


Congregational 
.  .         „  Ministries 
Division  of  16.65% 

Congregational  Ministries' 

primary  purpose  is  to  resource  and  nurture  the 
witness  to  Jesus  Christ  in  local  settings.  Work- 
ing with  governing  bodies,  the  division  will  equip  the  people  of  our  congre- 
gations for  the  work  of  ministry  in  such  areas  as:  vibrant  worship  of  God; 
compassionate  service  to  neighbors;  educational  and  spiritual  growth  of 
members;  evangelistic  outreach  to  the  community;  fellowship  within  the  body 
of  Christ. 


Division  of  Worldwide  Ministries 

primary  purpose  is  to  empower  the  church  in  each  place  to  share  the  transform- 
ing power  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  with  all  people.  Partnership  and 
mutuality  with  the  worldwide  body  of  Christ  are  essential  to  the  tasks  of  global 
mission  and  evangelism,  providing  clear 
witness  to  the  unity  which  is  Christ' s  gift  to 
the  church.  Our  historic  commitment  to 
work  ecumenically  is  affirmed  and  will  be 
broadened  to  enhance  the  scope  and  effec- 
tiveness of  ministry  as  we:  demonstrate 
good  news  to  the  poor;  support  new  oppor- 
tunities for  churches  around  the  world; 
share  good  news  with  those  outside  the 
church;  engage  in  reconciliation  and  wit- 
ness with  people  of  other  faiths. 


Corporate  and 
Administrative 
Services 
15.74% 


Corporate  and 
Administrative  Services 


Located  in  the  Office  of  the  Executive 
Director,  Corporate  and  Administrative 
Services  provides  leadership  and  support 
to  the  church  in  the  areas  of:  treasury  services;  personnel  services,  including 
human  resource  management,  and  equal  employment  opportunity/affirmative 
action;  management  services,  including  information  services,  legal  and  sup- 
port services,  and  property  management;  communications,  including  news 
services  and  public  relations. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September/October 


Higher  Education  Sunday  is  Sept.  12 


St.  Andrews  offers  Hall  Scholarships  for  Presbyterian  students 


LAURINBURG,  N.C.— A 
scholarship  program  at  St. 
Andrews  Presbyterian  College 
honors  the  memory  of  Warner 
L.  Hall,  one  of  the  great  lead- 
ers of  the  Presbyterian  denomi- 
nation and  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic.  Warner  L.  Hall 
Scholarships  are  available  ex- 
clusively for  Presbyterian  stu- 
dents. 

No  one  was  more  important 
to  the  establishment  of  St. 


Andrews  than  Warner  L.  Hall. 
He  instigated  and  obtained 
funding  for  the  study  of  Pres- 
byterian higher  education  that 
eventually  led  to  the  consoli- 
dation of  Flora  Macdonald  Col- 
lege and  Presbyterian  Junior 
College  into  St.  Andrews  Pres- 
byterian College. 

The  Warner  L.  Hall  Schol- 
arship was  designed  to  reward 
those  who  worked  and  contrib- 
uted to  the  establishment  of 


St.  Andrews  professor  of  religion  Dr.  Carl  Walters  meets 
with  students  outside  under  blossoming  dogwoods. 


Synod-related  colleges 

Mary  Baldwin  College,  Staunton,  Va. 

Barber-Scotia  College,  Concord,  N.C. 

Davidson  College,  Davidson,  N.C. 

Hampden-Sydney  College,  Hampden-Sydney,  Va. 

Lees-McRae  College,  Banner  Elk,  N.C. 

Queens  College,  Charlotte,  N.C. 

Johnson  C.  Smith  University,  Charlotte,  N.C. 

St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College,  Laurinburg,  N.C. 

Warren  Wilson  College,  Swannanoa,  N.C. 

Other  PC(USA)-related  colleges  within  the  synod 

Montreat- Anderson  College,  Montreat,  N.C. 
Peace  College,  Raleigh,  N.C. 


AUTHORS  WANTED 

Leading  subsidy  bool<  publisher  seel<s  manuscripts  of 
all  types:  fiction,  non-fiction,  poetry,  scholarly,  juve- 
nileand  religious  works,  etc.  New  authors  welcomed. 
Send  for  free  32-page  illustrated  booklet  H-101 
Vantage  Press,  51 6  W.  34  St.,  New  York,  NY  10001 

Position  Available 
Associate  for  Education 
Synod  of  the  Northeast 

This  position  serves  the  Synod  in  providing 
for  youth  and  young  adult  ministries,  the 
coordination  of  Synod-related  higher  edu- 
cation ministries,  the  administration  of  the 
Wurffel  Scholarship  Grant  Loan  Fund,  and 
in  responding  to  Presbytery  initiatives  for 
consultation  and  advice  on  educational  pro- 
gram development.  Send  application  to 
Associate  Search  Committee,  3049  E. 
Genesee  St.,  Syracuse,  NY  13224.  The 
Synod  is  an  AA/EEO  Employer.  Application 
deadline  is  Oct.  15, 1993. 


PEW  REFINISHING  *  CARPET 
PEWS  *  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 


E.  C.  Moore  &  Co.,  Inc. 
P.O.  Box  524  -  Monroe,  N.C.  281 1 
704-289-581 7»704-289-1 599-Home 


SALES:  Church  products.  Earn 
up  to  $1000  commissions  or 
more  per  sale  in  your  own  busi- 
ness. Must  be  capable  of  con- 
ducting sales  meetings  for  small 
groups.  Send  resume  for  AFCS, 
Room  907,  6  East  Randolph 
Street,  Chicago,  IL  60601. 


V  September  23-25, 1993 

)     Evanston,  Illinois  (Ch.cago. 

'  )  ^   October  4-6,  1993 

liladclphia,  Pcnnsylv 


St.  Andrews — the  Presbyteri- 
ans of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic.  Each  church  in  the 
synod  is  allocated  a  $1,000 
minimum  scholarship  to  be 
awarded  to  a  college-bound 
member  who  has  demonstrated 
active  commitment  and  in- 
volvement in  both  the  church 
and  the  community.  The  schol- 
arship can  be  up  to  $2,500  based 
on  financial  need.  Warner  L. 
Hall  Scholarships  are  applied 


directly  to  tuition  and  fees  at 
the  college  and  can  be  renewed 
annually. 

Through  these  scholarships, 
St.  Andrews  contributes  to  the 
further  development  of  young 
scholars  who  have  already 
demonstrated  leadership  in  the 
church  and  concern  for  others 
in  the  larger  community. 

Dr.  Carol  Walters,  Warner 
L.  Hall  Professor  of  Religion, 
works  closely  with  the  Warner 


Hall  Scholars,  both  individu- 
ally and  as  a  group,  in  commu- 
nity service  projects  and  in 
selection  of  visiting  theologians 
and  speakers  at  the  college. 

For  information  about  the 
Warner  L.  Hall  Scholarship 
program,  contact  the  Office  of 
Admissions,  St.  Andrews  Pres- 
byterian College,  1700  Dog- 
wood Mile,  Laurinburg,  NC 
28352  or  telephone  (919)  277- 
5555  or  (800)  763-0198. 


PRESBYTERIAN   HOMES,  INC. 


PENNSYLVANIA 
Allentown,  PA 

Westminster  Village 
Bethlehem,  PA 
Kirkland  ViUage 
Camp  HiU,  PA 
Presbyterian  Homes,  Inc. 
Carlisle,  PA 

Forest  Park  Health  Center 

Devon,  PA 

Eliza  Cathcart  Home 

Harrisburg,  PA 

Presbyterian 

Apartments,  Inc. 

Indiana,  PA 

St.  Andrew's  Village 

Kittanning,  PA 

Kittanning  Presbyterian 

Home 

Montoursville,  PA 

Sycamore  Manor 
Mount  Joy,  PA 
Schock  Presbyterian 
Home 

Newville,  PA 

Green  Ridge  ViUage 
Oxford,  PA 
Oxford  Manor 
Scranton,  PA 
Geneva  House,  Inc. 
Williamsport,  PA 
Williamsport 
Presbyterian  Home 
Community  Home-Care 
Services 

DELAWARE 
Dover,  DE 

Westminster  Village 

MARYLAIVD 
Glen  Arm,  MD 

Glen  Meadows 
Salisbury,  MD 
•Future  Site 
of  Mallard 
Landing 
OHIO 

St.  Clairsville,  OH 

Mark  H.  Kennedy  Park 

WEST  VIRGINIA 
Wheeling,  WV 

Community  Home-Care 
and  Hospice 


For  complete 
information  please  call: 

(717)  737-9700 
1-800-382-1385  in  PA  or 
1-800-222-3543 
outside  PA 


Dependability  since  1927 


In  66  years,  Presbyterian  Homes  ser- 
vices have  grown  to  include  continuing 
care  retirement  communities,  home 
health  agencies,  health  centers,  elder  and 
child  day  care  programs,  personal  care 
homes,  and  hospice  services.  Presbyterian 
Homes  is  built  on  a  tradition  of  excellence 
in  service  and  care. 

Our  continuing  mission  is  to  ofif^er 
Christian  understanding,  compassion,  and 
a  sense  of  belonging  to  those  whose  needs 
may  be  physical,  psychological,  social,  fi- 
nancial, or  spiritual  in  nature,  by  providing 
a  full  range  of  high  quality  healthcare, 
housing  and  other  related  community 
services  directed  primarily  to  the  elderly, 
and  which  contribute  to  the  wholeness  of 
body,  mind,  and  spirit. 


Presbyterian  Homes,  Inc. 

1217  Slate  Hill  Road 
Camp  Hill,  PA  17011-8034 


A  Non-Profit 
Organization 


,  l^.r  d-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September/October  1993 


Higher  Education  Sunday  is  Sept.  12 


Students  welcome  ABC's 
Peter  Jennings  to  Queen's 
College  last  year. 


Queens  College  an  'up  and  coming'  liberal  arts  school 


CHARLOTTE,  N.C.— Queens 
College  is  a  private  four-year 
co-educational  college,  founded 
in  1857  and  affiliated  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.), 
located  on  a  beautiful  residen- 
tial campus  in  one  of  this  cit/s 
finest  neighborhoods. 

Queens  College's  curricu- 
lum is  designed  to  give  the  best 
possible  preparation  for  life. 
The  curriculum  includes:  an 
award- winning,  nationally  rec- 
ognized liberal  arts  core  cur- 


riculum; an  international  study 
experience  for  every  student, 
included  in  the  regular  cost  of 
tuition;  a  professional  intern- 
ship opportunity  for  every  stu- 
dent in  virtually  any  field;  and 
small,  personal  classes  where 
outstanding  professors  know 
you  by  name,  not  by  number. 

A  major  student  organiza- 
tion, O.A.S.I.S.,  coordinates 
many  service  projects.  Queens' 
students  receive  Community 
Service  Awards,  and  financial 


grants  for  hours  spent  volun- 
teering. Last  year.  Chaplain 
Diane  Mowrey  led  student 
groups  in  Hurricane  Andrew 
cleanup  efforts  in  Florida  and 
on  a  mission  trip  to  Guatemala. 

This  is  a  period  of  extraordi- 
nary accomplishment  at 
Queens.  The  Organization  of 
American  Historians  recog- 
nized Professor  Glenda  E. 
Gilmore's  doctoral  dissertation 
as  the  best  in  U.S.  women's 
history.  The  new  Trexler  Col- 


lege Student  Center  is  nearly 
completed.  Most  recently, 
Queens  announced  $4  million 
in  gifts  to  establish  the  Hugh 
L.  McColl  Jr.  School  of  Busi- 
ness. U.S.  News  and  World 
Report  has  named  Queens  as 
one  of  two  "up-and-coming"  lib- 
eral arts  colleges  in  the  South. 

For  more  information: 
Queens  College,  Office  of  Ad- 
missions, 1900  Selwyn  Ave., 
Chariotte,  NC  28274;  (704)  337- 
2212  or  toll-free  (800)  849-0202. 


Lees-McRae  College:  committed  to  communities  of  leaning  and  faith 


BANNERELK,N.C.— Fromits 
origins  Lees-McRae  College 
has  made  a  commitment,  reaf- 
firmed daily,  to  be  both  a  com- 
munity of  learning  and  a  com- 
munity of  faith.  It  is  an  institu- 
tion proud  of  its  Christian 
roots,  nourished  by  Presbyte- 
rian thought  and  practice,  and 
humble  in  its  calling  as  a  ser- 
vant of  the  church  through  its 
ministry  of  higher  education. 

Lees-McRae  College  seeks 
the  nurture  of  good  in  all  things 
and  endeavors  to  honor  God 


and  serve  the  church  as  well  as 
the  larger  community. 

In  this  context,  Lees-McRae 
College  seeks  to  be  a  college: 
•  which  values  and  commends 
worship  and  study,  acknowl- 
edging the  source  of  truth  as 
God  revealed  in  Jesus  Christ; 

•  that  expects  its  trustees, 
administrators,  staff,  faculty, 
and  students  to  be  supportive 
of  a  community  of  learning 
which  welcomes  a  diversity  of 
faiths  and  ideas,  encourages 
honest  inquiry,  and  nurtures 


spiritual  and  ethical  values; 

•  that  provides  opportunities 
for  meaningful  service  to  hu- 
manity and  sees  this  service  as 
part  of  the  communit/s  obli- 
gation toward  learning  and 
growth; 

•  that  invites  trustees,  ad- 
ministrators, staff,  faculty,  and 
students  to  explore  the  mean- 
ing of  the  Christian  faith  in  all 
aspects  of  living  and  learning 
and  to  share  the  commitments 
stemming  fi'om  their  explora- 
tions; 


where  personal  concern  and 
caring  are  expressed  in  both 
academic  settings  and  in  the 
co-curricular  life  of  the  cam- 
pus community;  [and] 

•  where  Bible  and  religion 
are  seen  as  appropriate  sub- 
jects for  study  and  are  required 
of  every  student  and  where 
values  and  ethical  issues  are 
addressed  across  the  curricula 
and  through  non-curricular 
opportimities. 

In  the  shaping  of  this  rela- 


tionship, Lees-McRae  invites 
the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  to  be  a  college-related 
church,  through  financial  sup- 
port, through  assistance  in  re- 
cruitment, through  participa- 
tion in  governance,  and 
through  use  of  the  resources  of 
the  college  in  its  life  and  edu- 
cational mission.  Though  af- 
filiated with  the  Presb5rterian 
Church  (U.S.A.),  Lees-McRae 
College  offers  its  resources  to 
all  persons  and  congregations.' 


New  Davidson  boosts  visual  arts 


DAVIDSON,  N.C.— Davidson 
College  initiates  a  new  empha- 
sis on  the  visual  arts  as  it  en- 
ters its  156th  year  of  under- 
graduate teaching. 

The  nine-person  art  faculty 
and  staff  will  be  teaching 
classes  this  fall  in  a  beautiful 
new  Visual  Arts  Center,  a  state- 
of-the-art  facility  designed  by 
renowned  architect  Graham 
Gund  of  Cambridge,  Mass. 
Stepping  inside  from  the  en- 
trance on  Main  Street,  visitors 
will  enter  a  45-foot-tall  central 
atrium,  awash  with  light  from 
a  huge  skylighted  ceiling.  An 


original  piece  of  sculpture  by 
Rodin,  a  single  figure  from  the 
Burghers  of  Calais,  will  stand 
as  sentry  in  front  of  grand  stair- 
cases leading  from  the  atrium 
floor  to  the  upper  level,  where 
faculty  and  student  studios  are 
located.  The  $9.  l-milhon  brick 
and  limestone  structure  in- 
cludes exhibition  galleries  and 
a  slide  library,  climate-con- 
trolled storage  areas,  David- 
son's first-ever  sculpture  stu- 
dio, and  enough  room  so  that 
painting  and  drawing  students 
won't  have  to  stow  away  their 
materials  after  each  class  to 


make  room  for  the  next  class. 
Located  at  the  entrance  to  cam- 
pus, it  will  serve  as  an  impres- 
sive starting  point  for  campus 
tours  and  a  stately  meeting 
place  for  conferences  and  so- 
cial events. 

It  might  also  entice  more 
Davidson  students  to  take  art 
courses,  thereby  rounding  out 
their  liberal  arts  education.  As 
art  faculty  members  are  fond 
of  sa5dng,  humans  created  vi- 
sual art  long  before  written 
language,  so  art  should  cer- 
tainly be  at  the  core  of  the 
liberal  arts  curriculum! 


Davidson's  new  Visual  Arts  Center  nears  completion 


Mary  Baldwin  College  offers  innovative  academic  programs- 


STAUNTON,  Va.— Mary  Baldwin 
College  in  Staunton,  Va.,  was 
the  first  woman's  college  in  the 
United  States  to  be  granted  a 
circle  of  Omicron  Delta  Kappa, 
the  national  leadership  honor 
society.  Mary  Baldwin  College 
takes  great  pride  and  respon- 
sibility in  maintaining  that 
leadership  role. 

For  150  years,  Mary 
Baldwin  College  has  expanded 
its  innovative  academic  pro- 
grams. Now,  with  a  successful 
career  and  life  planning  pro- 
gram, Mary  Baldwin  College 
is  both  educating  and  prepar- 
ing tomorrow's  leaders.  Every 
single  leadership  position  at 


Mary  Baldwin  is  held  by  a 
woman,  and  practical  working 
experience  is  a  requirement 
for  many  majors  at  MBC.  Se- 
niors at  Mary  Baldwin  now 
have  a  network  of  successful 
alumnae  through  which  they 
may  seek  job  placements. 

Although  Mary  Baldwin's 
primary  mission  continues  to 
be  the  education,  development 
and  career  preparation  of 
young  women  in  its  traditional, 
residential  program,  the  col- 
lege has  led  the  way  in  innova- 
tive academic  programming. 
Mary  Baldwin  College  has  cre- 
ated a  continuum  of  educa- 
tional experiences  which  in- 


cludes opportunities  for  both 
men  and  women. 

The  first  program  in  that 
continuum  is  the  Program  for 
the  Exceptionally  Gifted 
(PEG),  a  unique  residential 
program  for  academically 
gifted  girls  that  offers  an  accel- 
erated high  school  and  college 
program.  Over  50  young 
women  are  enrolled  in  PEG 
this  fall,  some  as  yoimg  as  13. 

Educational  opportunities 
at  Mary  Baldwin  are  extended 
to  adult  students,  too.  Both 
men  and  women  may  earn 
bachelor's  degrees  through  the 
college's  16-year-old  Adult 
Degree  Program.  This  non- 


residential program  offers 
courses  close  to  home  in  four 
regional  offices  in  Virginia. 
Adult  Degree  Program  stu- 
dents must  meet  the  same 
graduation  requirements  as 
other  Mary  Baldwin  students, 
but  they  may  choose  from 
learning  options  that  allow 
greater  flexibility.  Students' 
maturity,  life  experiences  and 
capacity  for  independent  schol- 
arship are  all  considered  in 
this  program. 

In  1992  Mary  Baldwin  in- 
augurated its  first  master's 
level  program — the  Master  of 
Arts  in  Teaching  (MAT)  de- 
gree for  teachers  and  prospec- 


tive teachers  of  grades  K-8. 
These  older  adult  students, 
many  of  whom  have  responsi- 
bilities for  families  and  full- 
time  jobs,  live  off  campus  and 
enjoy  flexible  evening,  week- 
end and  day  classes. 

The  MAT  was  designed  by 
teachers  for  teachers.  Each 
course  is  team  taught  by  a  MBC 
graduate  faculty  member  and 
an  experienced  K-8  classroom 
teacher. 

The  first  graduates  of  Mary 
Baldwin's  MAT  program  re- 
ceived their  degrees  last  May. 
Currently,  there  are  over  80 
men  and  women  in  the  MAT 
program. 


Montreat-Anderson  College  student  body  is  diverse  and  multi-cultural 


MONTREAT,  N.C.— Mon- 
treat-Anderson College  is  lo- 
cated in  the  Blue  Ridge  Moun- 
tains, 15  miles  east  of  Asheville, 
N.C. 

A  four-year,  coeducational. 
Christian  liberal  arts  college 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),  Montreat-Anderson 
has  an  established  heritage  of 
over  77  j/ears  of  commitment 
to  Christian  higher  education. 

The  natural  beauty  of  the 


Montreat-Anderson  campus 
both  calms  the  spirit  and  awak- 
ens the  senses.  Students  learn 
how  to  investigate  the  unfa- 
miliar, think  critically,  and 
communicate  and  clarify  their 
ideas. 

The  Montreat-Anderson 
student  body  is  diverse  and 
multi-cultural.  The  college  con- 
centrates on  the  whole  per- 
son— intellectually,  socially, 
emotionally,  physically,  and 


spiritually.  Students  benefit 
from  the  personal  attention  of 
a  1:11  faculty/student  ratio. 

Students  choose  from  14 
majors  and  15  minors  includ- 
ing areas  such  as  environmen- 
tal studies,  mathematics,  Bible 
and  religion,  and  American 
studies.  An  outdoor  recreation 
degree  and  summer  Discov- 
eryAVilderness  program  take 
advantage  of  the  mountain  lo- 
cation and  proximity  to  Pisgah 


National  Forest. 

Montreat-Anderson  College 
awards  financial  aid  to  over  80 
percent  of  the  student  body 
each  year.  Through  these  ex- 
tensive financial  aid  and  schol- 
arship packages,  students  re- 
ceive the  quality  academics 
and  the  experience  of  a  private 
college  at  a  modest  cost. 

Each  year,  the  college  brings 
the  North  Carolina  Shakes- 
peare Festival  to  Western 


North  Carolina. 

The  college's  mission  is  ac- 
complished through  a  Chris- 
tian faculty  and  staff"  who  en- 
gage students  through  chal- 
lenging academics  and  close 
personal  relationships.  The 
college's  reward  is  to  see  stu- 
dents grow  as  total  persons, 
mature  in  the  Christian  faith 
and  develop  as  servant  lead- 
ers. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September/October 


Dr.  Thomas  L.  Reuschling 


Reuschling  leaving  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College 


LAURINBURG,  N.C.— St. 
Andrews  Presbyterian  College 
President  Thomas  L.  Reusch- 
ling announced  Aug.  14  that 
he  will  resign  by  the  close  of 
the  upcoming  academic  year. 

President  since  April  1988, 
Reuschling  said  he  was  sub- 
mitting his  resignation  after 
an  assessment  of  personal 
goals.  It  will  be  effective  no 
later  than  May  1994. 

"With  the  belief  that  the  fu- 
ture of  St.  Andrews  looks 
bright,  I  plan  to  pursue  differ- 
ent challenges  for  myself  and 
feel  the  time  is  right  for  new 
leadership  to  step  forward  and 


Campus  Notes 


Trustee  endows  'Love'  scholarship 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.— Davidson  College  Trustee  W.  Olin  Nisbet 
III  and  his  wife  Marian  have  created  a  $300,000  endowment  to 
fund  a  scholarship  for  graduates  of  the  school's  Love  of  Learning 
program  who  choose  to  attend  Davidson.  Funded  by  a  unique 
partnership  between  Davidson  College  and  the  Charlotte/ 
Mecklenburg  County  School  System,  the  program  for  African- 
American  high  school  students  focuses  on  the  importance  of 
staying  in  school  and  encoxirages  academic  development. 

Mary  Baldwin  passes  fund  goal 

STAUNTON,  Va.— The  Mary  Baldwin  College  Annual  Fund 
surpassed  its  most  ambituous  goal  to  date,  bringing  in  $973,536 
for  the  1992-93  fiscal  year.  The  goal  for  the  year  was  $920,000. 
Annual  Fund  Director  Nancy  Mclntyre  said  the  goal  for  1993- 
94  is  $1  million. 

Jones  elected  to  seminary  board 

PRINCETON,  N.J.— The  Rev.  Curtis  A.  Jones,  pastor  of  Madi- 
son Avenue  Church  in  Baltimore  and  a  community  development 
leader,  has  been  elected  to  the  board  of  trustees  of  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary.  He  is  a  1981  graduate  of  the  seminary. 

Alexander  named  to  PSCE  post 

RICHMOND,  Va. — ^Nancy  L.  Alexander  has  been  named  direc- 
tor of  the  Josephine  Newbury  Center  for  Childhood  Education 
at  the  Presb5^rian  School  of  Christian  Education.  Now  in  its 
37th  year,  the  Newbury  Center  enrolls  four-  and  five-year-old 
children  fi"om  the  Richmond  Theological  Consortium  commu- 
nity and  the  northside  Richmond  community. 

Peterson  on  UTS  alumni  board 

RICHMOND,  Va. — John  C.  Peterson,  the  new  associate  pastor 
of  Grace  Covenant  Church  here  and  a  May  1993  graduate  of 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia,  has  been  elected  to  a 
three-year  term  on  the  board  of  directors  of  the  seminar/s 
alumni/ae  association. 


WARNER  L.  HALL  SCHOLARSHIPS 
FOR  PRESBYTERLySf  STUDENTS 


ST.  ANDREWS 

PRESBYTERIAN  COLLEGE 


Admissions  Office 
1700  Dogwood  Mile 
Laurinbuig,  N.C.  28325 
(919)  277-5555  or  800-763-0198 


lead  the  college  to  new  heights 
he  said. 

The  executive  committee  of 
the  St.  Andrews  board  of  trust- 
ees was  scheduled  to  meet  in 
late  August  to  consider  future 
plans.  Board  chairman,  former 
North  Carolina  Gov.  James  E. 


Holshouser,  said  the  process 
would  start  "fairly  quickly." 

"I  know  the  trustees  will 
want  to  begin  a  search  as  soon 
as  possible,"  said  Holshouser. 
"We  naturally  hope  that  prior 
to  the  time  President 
Reuschling  leaves  we  will  have 


a  new  president  named." 

St.  Andrew's  fourth  presi- 
dent, Reuschling  came  to  the 
school  from  the  University  of 
Richmond  (Va.),  where  he  was 
dean  of  the  business  school.  He 
holds  a  doctorate  in  business 
adminstration. 


Campus  ministry  comer 

United  College  Ministry  serves  refugees 


By  ROBERT  T.  THOMASON 

Loc  Vo  is  one  of  more  than 
57,000  students  who  comprise 
the  parish  of  United  College 
ministries  in  Northern  Vir- 
ginia. A  skilled  handyman,  Loc 
earns  his  living  as  a  carpenter 
while  he  is  stud5T.ng  automo- 
tive technology  at  Northern 
Virginia  Community  College. 
An  immigrant  from  Vietnam, 
Loc,  still  in  his  twenties,  is 
rapidly  developing  skills  for 
living  in  a  new  culture.  At  the 
same  time,  he  is  finding  new 
life  in  Christ  through  the  min- 
istry on  campus  provided  by 
the  church. 

Loc's  Christian  faith  jour- 
ney began  in  a  refugee  camp  in 
the  Philippines.  There,  he  first 
heard  about  Christ  and  ac- 
cepted the  gift  of  God's  saving 
grace.  When  he  arrived  in  the 
U.S.,  though,  he  found  himself 
among  family  and  fiiends  who 
did  not  share  his  Christian 
commitment,  and  soon  drifted 
away  from  the  faith  he  had 
found.  Then  one  glad  day,  he 
met  Pastor  Can  Le,  himself  a 
Vietnamese  refugee,  and  dis- 
covered a  companion  and  guide 
for  his  new  life — as  a  U.  S. 
immigrant  and  as  a  Christian 
disciple. 

Can  Le  and  his  wife,  Lisa 
Pham,  are  Mennonite  pastors 
of  a  fledgling  Vietnamese 
Christian  Fellowship  in  North- 
em  Virginia  who  also  serve  as 
part-time  chaplains  to  the  Viet- 


namese community  on  three 
campuses.  They  soon  had  in- 
corporated Loc  into  a  Chris- 
tian community,  had  guided 
him  to  an  English  language 
class  on  campus,  and  had  be- 
come his  spiritual  mentors. 

During  the  1992-93  aca- 
demic year,  Loc  worked  with 
Pastor  Le  as  a  peer  minister 
for  the  campus  where  he  is  a 
student.  With  the  aid  of  a  small 
scholarship  provided  through 
a  special  grant  from  the  United 
Methodist  Church,  Loc  was 
able  to  devote  several  hours 
each  week  to  involving  stu- 
dents in  giving  and  receiving 
assistance  at  the  Vietnamese 
Service  Center  established  by 
Pastor  Le.  Providing  a  wide 
range  of  help,  the  center  as- 
sisted persons  to  enroll  in  col- 
lege, supplied  free  haircuts, 
furnished  transportation  for 
medical  appointments,  offered 
counseling,  and,  in  numerous 
concrete  ways,  witnessed  to 
God's  love  for  all. 

Loc's  engaging  smile  and 
genuine  faith  make  him  a 
strong  witness  to  the  love  of 
Christ  wherever  he  goes — in 

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the  community,  on  campus, 
and  as  he  serves  his  fellow 
refugees  at  the  center.  He  con- 
tinues to  grow  in  his  faith  as  he 
studies  and  serves. 

Pastor  Le  is  one  of  five  part- 
time  campus  chaplains  who 
minister  on  behalf  of  United 
College  Ministries  on  the  cam- 
puses of  Northern  Virginia 
Community  College  and 
George  Mason  University. 
They  represent  four  different 
racial  ethnic  groups  and  re- 
flect the  inclusiveness  of  God's 
care  and  the  church's  commit- 
ment to  declare  the  good  news 
to  all  people. 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-At- 
lantic joins  with  six  other  de- 
nominations to  support  the 
church's  mission  with  the 
higher  education  institutions 
of  Northern  Virginia.  The  ve- 
hicle for  that  mission,  United 
College  ministries  in  North- 
em  Virginia,  is  one  of  41  cam- 
pus ministries  funded  by  the 
synod. 

Robert  T.  Thomason  is  min- 
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Ministries  in  Northern  Vir- 
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Page  10.  Mid-Atlantic  Presb3d;erian,  September/October  1993 


Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCREDITATKDN 
OF  SERVICES  FOR  FAMILIES 
AND  CHILDREN,  INC 


Unique  training  required 


Providing  the  best  services  pos- 
sible to  help  troubled  North 
Carolina  youth  and  their  fami- 
Ues  is  a  primary  goal  of  Residen- 
tial Services  at  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children.  Designing 
and  providing  training  appro- 
priate to  their  unique  needs 
help  staff  make  the  most  of  a 
child's  and  families'  experience 
here. 

Residential  staff  completed  a 
seven-part  social  work  seminar 
relative  to  the  residential  group 
care  setting.  The  training  fo- 
cused on  the  similEirities  and . 
differences  between  the  jobs  of  a 
social  worker  in  the  pubUc  sec- 
tor, such  as  the  Department  of 
Social  Services,  and  in  the  pri- 
vate sector,  such  as  residential 
group  care.  The  series  also 
helped  our  staff  learn  how  to 
collaborate  with  other  resources 
in  child  care,  and  it  focused  on 
the  challenges  of  working  with 
pre-teen  sand  adolescents. 

Terri  Myers,  a  Social  Worker 


in  the  Adolescent  Center,  said 
that  the  information  she  gained 
during  this  seminar  is  already 
helping  here  in  the  work.  "An 
article  on  adoption  I  received  at 
one  of  the  workshops  helped  me 
pinpoint  the  root  causes  of  the 
behaviors  of  two  children  in  my 
cottage,"  said  Myers.  "By  shar- 
ing the  article  with  their  fami- 
lies, I  was  able  to  help  them 
imderstand  the  emotional  tur- 
moils going  on  in  their  children. 
One  of  these  children  is  making 
a  marked  turn-around  because 
we  are  now  focusing  on  the  right 
issue." 

Rochelle  Haimes,  vice  presi- 
dent, services  at  Barium,  pro- 
vided background  for  the  series 
in  anlntroduction  to  Social  Work 
in  Residential  Group  Care.  Pat 
Snider,  Social  Work  Supervi- 
sor, Iredell  County  DSS,  dis- 
cussed The  Public  Sector:  County 
Department  of  Social  Services. 
J.  Parker  McLendon,  Executive 
Director  of  the  North  Carolina 


Child  Care  Association,  pre- 
sented The  Private  Sector  Serv- 
ing  North  Carolina  Children 
and  Families.  AUistair  Evans, 
Director  of  the  ACT  Program, 
led  a  session  on  Helping.  Dr. 
Jim  Powell  and  Brenda  Martin 
of  Carolina  Psych  Group,  de- 
scribed theDeyeZopmenta/Mi/e- 
stones  of  Pre-Adolescents  and 
Adolescents.  Dr.  Arthur  E. 
Kelley,  M.D.,  Director  of  the 
Adolescent  In-Patient  Services 
at  Bowman  Gray  Medical  Cen- 
ter, discussed  the  PsycAqpa^/ioZ- 
ogy  of  Pre-Adolescents  and  Ado- 
lescents. Kay  Donley-Zeigler  of 
the  National  Resource  Center 
for  Special  Needs  Adoption  de- 
scribed the  need  for  The  Family 
Connection. 

The  Home  sincerely  appreci- 
ates the  presenters  whose  time 
and  talents  contributed  to  this 
seminar  series.  The  children  and 
famihes  we  serve  are  the  real 
benefactors  of  their  efforts. 


Former  resident  studies  in  France 


Larry  Buie,  a  former  Prepara- 
tion for  Adult  Living  (PAL)  resi- 
dent and  a  rising  junior  at  the 
University  of  North  Carolina 
at  Chapel  Hill,  participated  in 
a  summer  study  abroad  pro- 
gram at  the  University  of  Paris- 
Sorbonne. 

Buie,  who  lived  at  the  PAL 
program  from  1989  until  his 
high  school  graduation  in  1991, 
is  majoring  in  French  at  UNC- 

Staff  receive 

graduate 

scholarships 

Five  Barium  Springs  employ- 
ees were  recently  awarded 
Graduate  Study  Scholarship 
Funds  from  the  Duke  Endow- 
ment administered  by  the 
North  Carolina  Child  Care 
Association. 

The  Home  has  had  staff 
recieving  scholarship  funds 
since  1986.  Giving  staff  the 
opportunity  to  further  their 
education  while  working  here 
has  also  benefitted  the  chil- 
dren and  families  we  serve  by 
providing  them  with  staff  who 
are  knowledgable  about  cur- 
rent theories  and  techniques 
in  child  care  and  related  fields. 

Annette  Kelly,  Bobbie 
Samuels  and  Joyce  Taylor  are 
pursuing  their  Masters  in  Spe- 
cial Education,  Teaching  and 
Education  respectively,  at  Sa- 
lem College.  Kelly  Crowell  will 
begin  work  on  her  Masters  in 
Social  Work  at  the  University 
of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel 
Hill  and  Gregory  Rubino  will 
begin  work  on  his  Masters  of 
Sociology  at  the  University  of 
i>[c;rih  Carolina  in  Charlotte. 


CH.  This  is  his  second  trip  to 
France,  the  first  taking  place 
the  summer  of  1990.  Tanks  to 
several  donors  who  sent  con- 
tributions, he  participated  in 
an  educational  and  cultrual  trip 
sponsored  by  the  American 
Coxmcil  for  International  Stud- 
ies. 

Only  20  students  were  al- 
lowed to  participate  in  this  re- 
cent trip,  which  lasted  from 
June  1  to  July  1.  Buie  will  re- 
ceive six  hours  of  credit  from 
UNC-CH  for  this  trip,  three  for 
an  intensive  language  course 
he  took  while  he  was  there. 


New  gift 
wish  list 

*  15-passenger  van 

*  Automobiles 

*  Dining  Room  Table 
(seats  12) 

*  Washing  Machines  (2) 

*  Dryers  (2) 

*  Toiletries 

*  Towels  &  Washcloths 

*  Sports  Equipment 
(balls,  gloves,  frisbees, 
bats,  pingpongpaddles, 
balls  &  net) 

*  FAX  Machine 
(plain  paper  only) 

*  New  clothes 

*  Twin  bed  linens  & 
bedspreads 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new 
items  for  the  children,  call  or 
write  to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker, 
Vice  President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, P.  O.  Box  1,  Barium 
Springs,  NC  28010-0001;  or 
phone  (704)  872-4157. 


...Or  SO 
it  seems 

Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

"Don't  accept  your  dog's  admi- 
ration as  conclusive  evidence 
that  you  are  wonderful." 

Ann  Landers 
I  guess  we  aU  are  prone  to 
share  accolades  with  those 
around  us  as  we  seek  to  feel 
good  about  ourselves  and  about 
what  we  do.  However,  we  had 
two  total  strangers  on  campus 
recently  for  the  express  purpose 
of  analyzing  what  we  do  and 
how  well  we  do  it.  While  an 
accreditation  review  by  people 
whom  we  do  not  know  and  who 
do  not  know  us  is  anxiety  pro- 
ducing, it  can  be  valuable  expe- 


rience. We  found  it  so  when  Ms. 
Debbie  Dinko  and  Mr.  Mill 
Martone  of  Michigan  and  IIU- 
nois,  respectively,  were  here  on 
July  12-14.  Even  as  we  await 
their  report,  we  know  that  their 
visit-and  the  self-study  that 
preceded  i1>-will  result  in  better 
services  to  children  and  their 
famihes.  In  the  meantime,  we 
will  try  to  remember  the  advice 
of  Ms.  Landers. 


and  three  for  a  series  of  lec- 
tures and  excursions  concern- 
ing French  culture  and  civili- 
zation. 

Buie  graduated  in  the  top 
sixth  of  his  class  at  South 
Iredell  High  School.  He  is  re- 
ceiving tuition  assistance  from 
the  Home  through  its  Higher 
Education  Fund,  and  stUl  keeps 
in  touch  with  staff.  On  a  post- 
card from  France  he  wrote: 

"Barium  Springs  has  given 
me  so  much  knowledge  and 
influenced  my  life  in  immea- 
surable ways.  I  miss  you  all." 

Slide  show 
available 

You  need  to  see  this  ministry 
in  action  to  fully  understand 
how  your  support  changes  the 
lives  of  children  and  families. 
The  14-minute  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children  slide-pro- 
gram is  available  to  church 
groups,  or  other  interested 
groups,  on  request. 

A  staff  member  is  available 
to  come  to  your  church  or  orga- 
nization, free  of  charge,  to  dis- 
cuss the  Home's  activities  and 
answer  any  questions.  On-cam- 
pus  tours  and  programs  are 
also  encouraged. 

Call  Reade  Baker,  vice  presi- 
dent, financial  resources,  at 
704/872-4157  to  schedule  a  pre- 
sentation at  your  Sunday  night 
suppers,  meetings  of  the  men's 
and  women's  church  groups, 
Sunday  School  classes,  etc. 

Correction 

In  the  last  issue,  the  photo  iden- 
tifications for  former  Residen- 
tial Services  Director  Abe 
Wilkinson  and  Interim  Director 
Robert  Pinkney  were  reversed. 


MONUMENT  DEDICATED 

The   Alumni    Association  being  placed  on  the  site  where  ' 

erected  a  monument  to  the  the  original  church  stood.  The 

original  Little  Joe's  Presb3rte-  granite  block  has  a  laser-etched 

rian  Church  and  dedicated  it  sketch  of  the  original  church 

at  Homecoming  on  August  7,  on  the  front  and  weighs  ap- 

1993.  Above,  the  monument  is  proximately  3,500  pounds. 

Special  Thanks  To... 


The  children,  staff  and  Board 
of  Regents  would  like  to  say  a 
special  thanks  to: 

•  The  274  North  Carolina 
Presbyterian  chiu'ches  who 
participated  in  the  1993 
Barium  Springs/Food  Lion 
Community  Way  Days  project. 
Because  you  cared  enough 
about  the  children  and  fami- 
lies at  Barium  Springs,  Food 
Lion,  Inc.  presented  the  Home 
with  a  check  for  $6,766.32. 

•  Food  Lion  Stores  of  North 
Carolina,  for  allowing  us  once 


again  to  participate  in  Com- 
munity Way  Days,  and  for  this 
year's  check  for  $6,766.32.  This 
amount,  combined  with  the 
checks  from  the  past  two  years, 
totals  approximately  $31,000 
that  Food  Lion  has  given  to 
troubled  children  and  families 
at  Barium  Springs. 

Thank  you  again  for  your 
generosity,  and  we  look  for- 
ward to  presenting  this  project 
again  on  February  14,  15  and 
16  of  1994! 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


My  gift  of  $_ 
I  wish  to:  _ 


 is  enclosed 

.  Honor   Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


of  (address)  

On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:  


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased: . 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs,  NC  28010 


The  Presbyterian  News,  September/Octobei 


Presbyterian  Women  Circle  Leader's  Study  Guide— Lesson  2,  October  1993 


A  Prayer  of  Rejoicing  in  Forgiveness 


By  ROSAMOND  McCARTY 

In  the  introduction  to  our  Bible  study 
last  month,  we  stated  the  premise  that 
all  Christians  are  on  a  faith  journey 
toward  spiritual  maturity.  How  far  we 
get  on  that  journey  is  dependent  upon 
the  extent  to  which  we  allow  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  guide  and  empower  us.  The 
biblical  prayers  we  are  studying  this 
year  show  us  ways  of  making  our  own 
prayers  more  effective  in  releasing  the 
gifts  and  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  in  our 
lives. 

Hannah's  prayer  which  we  studied 
last  month  was  a  prayer  of  supplica- 
tion for  the  Lord  to  give  her  a  son.  The 
prayer  which  all  of  us  pray  to  start  us 
on  our  faith  journey  is  also  a  prayer  of 
supplication — "Lord,  save  me 
prayed  sincerely  and  earnestly. 

Coupled  with  that  first  prayer  of 
supplication  must  be  a  prayer  of  con- 
fession— "...  for  I  am  a  sinner  and  can- 
not save  myself."  At  that  point,  the 
Holy  Spirit's  power  to  invade  and  re- 
generate our  spirit  is  activated,  and  we 
are  "born  again."  But  that  is  not  the 
end  of  the  journey;  it  is  only  the  begin- 
ning. The  process  of  sanctification  (or 
growing  in  Christ-likeness)  begins  im- 
mediately but  is  a  life-long  process, 
and  confession  is  a  necessary  part  of 
that  process. 

Perhaps  the  greatest  obstacle  in  our 
path  toward  spiritual  maturity  is 
unconfessed  sin.  As  David  sings  in 
Psalm  32,  silence  before  the  Lord  about 
our  transgressions  results  in  emotional 
and  mental  turmoil  and  physical  ail- 


ments, (vs.  3  and  4)  Dr.  Hobart  Mowrer, 
an  experienced  psychologist,  said,  "So 
long  as  a  person  lives  under  the  shadow 
of    real,    unacknowledged,  and 
unexpiated  guilt  he  will  continue  to 
hate  himself  and  to  suffer  the  inevita- 
ble consequences  of  self-hatred."  Karl 
Menninger,  M.D., 
quotes  Dr.  Mowrer 
in  his  book,  What- 
ever Became  of  Sin, 
and  goes  on  to  say, 
"Self-punishment 
always  involves  se- 
vere conflict.  The 
mounting  internal 
stress  of  unrelieved 
conscience  disturbs 
the  equilibrium  and 
organization  of  the 
personality."  „  , 

S.L  McMillan,  ^^^^^^^ 
M.D.,  writes  in  the  McCarty 
preface  of  his  book. 
None  of  These  Diseases,  "Emotional 
stress  can  cause  high  blood  pressure, 
toxic  goiter,  migraine  headaches,  ar- 
thritis, apoplexy,  heart  trouble,  gas- 
trointestinal ulcers,  and  other  serious 
diseases  too  numerous  to  mention.  As 
physicians  we  can  prescribe  medicine 
for  the  symptoms  of  these  diseases,  but 
we  cannot  do  much  for  the  underl5dng 
cause — emotional  turmoil.  It  is  lamen- 
table that  peace  does  not  come  in  cap- 
sules." The  prescription  which  he  pre- 
sents in  his  book  is  a  return  to  a  right 
relationship  to  God  and  an  understand- 
ing of  the  basis  for  good  health  found  in 
the  Bible. 


David  discovered  the  cure  for  his 
emotional  and  physical  distress  when 
he  confessed  his  sin  and  received  the 
Lord's  forgiveness  (v.  5).  Note  his  em- 
phasis upon  honesty  before  the  Lord  in 
V.  2  ("...  no  deceit")  and  v.  5  ("...  did  not 
cover  up  my  iniquity.")  As  we  have 
already  remarked  in  Hannah's  prayer, 
truthfulness  is  the  key  to  effective  com- 
munication with  the  Lord.  None  of  us 
really  want  to  see  ourselves  as  we  re- 
ally are  beside  God's  standard  of  holi- 
ness. All  of  us  prefer  to  wear  masks 
before  others,  and  especially  before  the 
Lord.  We  even  rationalize  our  behavior 
to  ourselves!  But  when  we  allow  the 
search  light  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  shine 
upon  our  souls,  then  we  can  agree  with 
God  about  our  sinfulness,  and  that  is 
essentially  what  confession  is.  At  that 
point  we  can  cry  to  Him  to  "Cleanse  me 
with  hyssop, ...  wash  me, ...  blot  out  all 
my  iniquity,"  as  David  does  in  Psalm 
51. 

It  is  unfortunate  from  a  spiritual, 
psychological,  and  medical  point  of  view 
that  our  modern  culture  has  ignored 
God's  absolute  standards  of  honesty, 
purity,  love,  and  righteousness  and 
has  substituted  a  relative  standard  that 
says,  "If  it  feels  good,  it  must  be  right" 
or  "If  everybody  is  doing  it,  that  makes 
it  right."  Satan's  most  effective  trick  is 
to  deceive  people  with  such  humanistic 
philosophy.  We  want  to  believe  the  lie, 
because  it  is  more  comfortable  than 
facing  the  truth  about  ourselves.  But 
until  we  confront  the  lie,  we  cannot  be 
healed. 

Now  let  us  look  at  the  results  of  total 


Psalm  32 

honesty  and  confession  to  the  Lord.  In 
vs.  1,  2,  and  11  we  sense  David's  over- 
whelming relief  and  joy  at  being  for- 
given. His  soul  is  bursting  with  glad- 
ness and  song  as  he  enthusiastically 
embraces  the  fellowship  with  the  Lord 
his  sin  had  destroyed.  Note  that  his 
relationship  with  Jehovah  was  still 
intact,  but  his  daily  fellowship  and  joy 
(Psalm  51:12)  had  been  absent  during 
the  period  of  his  disobedience.  Isaiah 
59:1-2  warns,  "Surely  the  arm  of  the 
Lord  is  not  too  short  to  save,  nor  his  ear 
too  dull  to  hear.  But  your  iniquities 
have  separated  you  from  your  God; 
your  sins  have  hidden  his  face  from 
you,  so  that  he  will  not  hear."  With 
David's  confession,  however,  forgive- 
ness was  immediate  and  fellowship  was 
restored. 

Recognizing  that  all  of  us  do  sin  and 
fall  short  of  God's  standards ,  John  wrote 
the  prescription  for  restoring  our  fel- 
lowship with  the  Lord  in  I  John  1:9,  "If 
we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faithful  and 
just  and  will  forgive  us  our  sins  and 
purify  us  from  all  unrighteousness." 
That  is  his  immutable  promise  and 
should  provide  us  with  tremendous 
relief  and  joy.  If  unconfessed  sin  is  the 
greatest  obstacle  on  our  journey  to- 
ward Christ-likeness,  then  God's  for- 
giveness and  the  joy  and  gratitude  that 
result  from  that  forgiveness  are  the 
biggest  incentives  toward  that  goal. 

Rosamond  C.  McCarty  is  a  member 
of  the  Royal  Oak  Church  in  Marion, 
Va.  She  is  presenting  the  Bible  study 
helps  from  a  layperson's  perspective. 


Presbyterian  Women  Circle  Leader's  Study  Guide— Lesson  3,  November  1993 

Two  Prayers  of  Thanksgiving  isaiah  12  and  Luke  2:29-32 


By  ROSAMOND  McCARTY 

We  began  our  spiritual  journey  toward 
Christ-likeness  with  a  heartfelt  prayer 
of  supplication  coupled  with  confession 
of  our  sinfulness  (see  Lessons  1  and  2). 
With  deep  gratitude  for  the  Lord's 
mercy  in  forgiving  our  sins  and  with 
our  hearts  overflowing  with  thanks- 
giving, we  skip  merrily  down  the  road. 
But  storm  clouds  are  gathering  on  the 
horizon,  and  trouble  threatens  to  over- 
whelm us.  How  can  we  rejoice  when  we 
are  inundated  by  the  pressures  of  the 
world?  How  can  we  maintain  an  atti- 
tude of  praise  and  thanksgiving  when 
trials  arise?  The  Bible  passages  we  will 
study  today  address  these  questions. 

Both  Isaiah  12  and  Simeon's  prayer 
reassure  us  that  the  only  way  to  sur- 
vive the  "swords  that  will  pierce  our 
hearts"  (Luke  2:35)  is  to  keep  our  eyes 
focused  on  the  Lord  who  is  sovereign. 
He  alone  is  our  salvation  (Isaiah  12:2) 
and  the  only  hope  for  both  Gentiles  and 
Jews  (Luke  2:30-32). 

We  are  reminded  of  the  story  of 
impulsive  Peter  who  was  able  to  walk 
across  the  water  toward  Jesus  as  long 
as  he  kept  his  eyes  fixed  on  him.  But  as 
soon  as  he  looked  down  at  the  turbu- 
lent waves,  he  began  to  sink  (Matthew 
14:25-31).  We  are  quick  to  condemn 
Peter  for  losing  his  focus,  but  don't  we 
do  the  same?  Maybe  it's  not  waves  of 
the  sea  that  overwhelm  us,  but  all  of  us 
have  experienced  the  fear  of  being  con- 
sumed by  our  troubles.  Keeping  our 
thoughts  fixed  on  the  One  who  has 
saved  us  in  the  past  and  has  promised 
to  be  our  salvation  in  the  present  and 
future  can  best  be  done  by  the  simple 
act  of  thanking  him. 

In  the  Old  Testament  the  key  word 
is  "Remember."  The  children  of  Israel 
were  continually  being  reminded  of 
the  way  the  Lord  had  chosen  them, 
guided  and  protected  them,  blessed 


and  sustained  them.  The  prophets, 
priests,  and  kings  urged  the  people  to 
remember  and  to  thank  him. 

We,  too,  are  called  to  remember  the 
Lord's  many  acts  of  kindness  to  us  and 
to  thank  him  for  them.  It  would  be 
impossible  to  enumerate  all  his  bless- 
ings both  spiritual  and  material,  but 
each  day  our  prayers  can  include 
thanksgiving  for  some  way  we  have 
benefitted  from  his  provision  for  us.  An 
interesting  aspect  of  our  praise  is  that 
the  more  we  thank  him,  the  more  we 
have  to  thank  him  for! 

This  lesson  demonstrates  vividly, 
however,  that  our  thanksgiving  should 
not  only  include  those  things  the  Lord 
has  done  for  us  in  the  past,  but  also 
should  include  praise  for  the  promise 
of  future  blessings.  In  Isaiah  11  the 
prophet  tells  the  Hebrew  people  that 
the  Messiah  will  come  through  them, 
that  he  will  be  empowered  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  that  he  will  rule  the  nations 
in  peace  and  safety.  The  term  "in  that 
day"  (Isaiah  12:1  and  throughout  the 
Old  and  New  Testaments)  refers  to  the 
time  when  Christ  will  intervene  in 
history  with  judgment  and  will  estab- 
lish his  messianic  rule  over  all  the 
earth,  and  "the  earth  will  be  full  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Lord  as  the  waters 
cover  the  sea"  (11:9).  (For  further  study 
of  "the  day  of  the  Lord,"  see:  Isaiah  2:2- 
4;  Joel  2:28-32;  Zechariah  14:1-9;  I 
Thessalonians  5:1-6;  II  Peter  3:10-13; 
James  5:7-11;  Revelations  21:1-4.) 

Isaiah  12  is  written  with  such  assur- 
ance in  the  Messiah's  coming  that 
strength,  joy,  and  song  are  ours  be- 
cause the  Lord  is  faithful  and  will  ful- 
fill his  promises. 

Simeon  was  a  devout  believer  in  the 
Lord's  promise  to  come,  and  the  Holy 
Spirit  had  revealed  to  him  that  he 
would  see  the  Saviour  before  he  died 
(Luke  2:25-35).  Moved  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  go  to  the  Temple,  he  saw  the 


baby  Jesus  with  his  parents  and,  tak- 
ing him  in  his  arms,  he  prayed  the 
prayer  we  know  as  the  Nunc  Dimittis. 
Like  Isaiah  12,  it  is  a  prayer  of  thanks- 
giving for  the  future  salvation  of  all 
God's  people  through  the  Messiah. 
Simeon  recognized  Jesus  as  the  long- 
sought  Saviour  through  the  Holy 
Spirit's  special  gift  of  knowledge,  and 
he  prophesied  of  the  salvation  and  judg- 
ment to  come  through  this  child  he 
held. 

Simeon  is  a  perfect  example  of  the 
truth  of  Psalm  37:4 — "Delight  yourself 
in  the  Lord,  and  he  will  give  you  the 
desires  of  your  heart."  His  life  had  been 
lived  as  an  humble  servant  of  the  Lord, 
and  God  had  given  him  the  one  thing 
he  wanted  most—an  opportunity  to  see 
the  Messiah. 

The  people  of  Judah  faced  many 
disappointing  and  disastrous  events  in 
their  lives,  but  they  held  to  the  hope  of 
that  glorious  day  when  their  faith  would 
be  vindicated,  and  the  Christ  would 
come  in  power  to  restore  them.  Sadly, 
many  of  them  then  and  now  and  many 


of  us  fail  to  recognize  that  Jesus  is  the 
Messiah.  He  came  to  earth  once  in 
grace  and  mercy  and  promised  to  come 
again  (John  14:2  and  3).  But  when  he 
comes  again,  it  will  be  in  judgment 
(Matthew  25:31-33).  "In  that  day"  those 
of  us  who  know  him  as  Saviour  will  go 
to  dwell  with  him  in  glory  forever 
(Revelations  21:1-4). 

Simeon  understood  the  identity  and 
the  mission  of  the  child  and  was  able  to 
raise  his  voice  in  thanksgiving. 

Perhaps  the  question  for  us  from 
this  lesson  is,  "Does  the  promise  of 
Jesus'  coming  again  fill  us  with  thanks- 
giving, fear,  or  indifference?"  The  hon- 
est answer  to  that  question  will  deter- 
mine the  way  we  face  the  obstacles  on 
our  journey  toward  spiritual  maturity. 
Thanksgiving  for  the  Lord's  past, 
present,  and  future  blessings  helps  keep 
our  eyes  focused  on  him  and  our  feet  on 
the  upward  path. 

Rosamond  C.  McCarty  is  a  member 
of  the  Royal  Oak  Church  in  Marion, 
Va.  She  is  presenting  the  Bible  study 
helps  from  a  layperson's  perspective. 


Belk  Catechism  Awards 


The  following  young  Presbyterians  have  received  certificates  and  monetary 
awards  for  reciting  the  Catechism  for  Young  Children  or  the  Shorter  Catechism. 
The  synod's  catechism  fund,  established  by  the  late  W.H.  Belk,  provides 
recognition  to  boys  and  girls  age  15  and  younger  who  recite  either  catechism. 

Collierstown  Church,  Lexington,  Va. — Courtney  Rhodenizer 

Ebenezer  Church,  Kenbridge,  Va. — Amanda  Sweetser 

First  Church,  Burlington,  N.C. — Elizabeth  Bass,  Jennifer  Davis,  Meredith 
Dickerson,  Logan  Garrison,  Brian  Hogan,  Loretta  Miller,  Virginia  McGowen, 
Amy  Parrott,  Ross  Pringle,  Randolph  Reynolds,  Elizabeth  Reynolds,  Mary 
Richardson,  Susan  Spaeth,  Matthew  Walton,  Stephanie  Wright,  and  Kristin 
Wolff 

First  Church,  Eden,  N.C. — Holly  Farmer  and  James  Click 
Gerrardstown  fW.Va.)  Church — ^Aaryn  Kopp  and  Samantha  Oe^^te^ 
Hickory  Grove  Church,  Charlotte,  N.C. — JenniferWiggandRobt 
John  Knox  Church,  Shelby,  N.C— Elizabeth  Doggett 

Little  Chapel  on  the  Boardwalk,  Wrightsville  Beach,  N.  C— Mi  :  her 


Page  12,  Mid-Atlantic  Presb3^erian,  September/October 


Presbytery  meets 

at  Westminister,  Raleigh 


The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope 
held  its  nineteenth  stated 
meeting  on  July  20  at  the 
Westminster  Church  in  Ra- 
leigh. In  attendance  at  the  sum- 
mer meeting  were  over  370 
persons,  including  115  minis- 
ters and  144  elders. 

The  Rev.  Ed  Stock  of  the 
First  Church,  Raleigh,  served 
as  moderator.  The  Rev.  Con- 
way Lanford,  pastor  of  the 
Westminster  Church,  wel- 
comed the  participants.  Wor- 
ship was  led  by  members  of  the 
presbj^ery's  Worship  Commit- 
tee, and  L3Tine  Manilla  gave 
the  sermon. 

Reports  included  the  report 
of  the  Administrative  Commis- 
sion of  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Hope  to  organize  and  incorpo- 
rate the  Korean  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Goldsboro.  (See  re- 
lated story  below.) 

Debbie  Taylor,  associate 
pastor  at  Kirk  of  Kildaire,  re- 
ported that  the  Reorganization 
Task  Force  is  currently  work- 
ing on  a  vision  statement  and 
is  requesting  input  from 
throughout  the  presbytery. 
The  present  time  table  calls  for 
the  committee  to  make  a  pre- 
liminary report  at  the  Novem- 
ber presbytery  meeting.  A  fi- 
nal report  will  follow  by  the 
April  meeting  of  presbytery. 

The  Presbytery  Council  rec- 
ommended that  the  presbytery 
set  its  1994  Mission  Budget  at 
$1,476,000.  New  items  in  the 
1994  challenge  budget  in- 
cluded an  additional  $25,000 
for  new  church  development 
in  Southwest  Wake  County; 


$26,000  in  additional  funding 
for  campus  ministries;  an  ex- 
tra $5,000  to  be  used  for  the 
1994  office  lease;  and  $5,000 
for  the  production  of  a  pro- 
posed presbytery  newsletter. 

The  report  of  the  Prepara- 
tion on  Ministry  Committee 
was  given  by  Bill  Klein,  com- 
mittee moderator  and  associ- 
ate pastor  of  First  Church,  New 
Bern.  Included  was  a  recom- 
mendation stipulating  that 
persons  wishing  to  come  un- 
der the  care  of  the  Preparation 
for  Ministry  Committee  must 
ordinarily  commit  to  receive  at 
least  one-half  of  their  semi- 
nary training  from  a  Presbyte- 
rian seminary.  The  recommen- 
dation was  approved. 

Candidates  received  by  the 
presbjrtery  included  Eric  Geil 
of  Trinity  Church  in  Raleigh, 
Mark  Harper  of  Northgate 
Church  in  Durham,  and  John 
Ralston  of  University  Church 
in  Chapel  Hill. 

David  Huffman,  pastor  of 
Trinity  Church,  Raleigh,  gave 
the  Committee  on  Ministry 
report.  Six  ministers  were  re- 
ceived into  the  presb3^ery:  Ri- 
chard Brand  as  pastor  of  First 
Church,  Henderson;  Mark 
Thomas  as  pastor  of  Peace 
Church,  Greenville;  William 
Hoyle  as  associate  pastor  of 
Hudson  Memorial  and  Lynne 
Manilla  as  pastor  of  Calvary, 
Swan  Quarter  and  First,  Ply- 
mouth. 

The  next  meeting  of  presby- 
tery will  be  held  on  Saturday, 
Nov.  20,  at  West  Haven  Church 
in  Rocky  Mount. 


9{czu  Hoipt  (Presbyten) 


station  Square,  Suite  136,  Rocky  Mount,  NO  27804 


(919)  977-1440 


White  Memorial  youth  visit  Northern  Ireland 

By  MIKE  SLAWSON 


After  having  spent  several  days 
this  summer  living  with  Pres- 
byterian families  in  Belfast, 
Ireland,  a  youth  mission  group 
from  White  Memorial  Church 
in  Raleigh  came  home  with  a 
much  deeper  appreciation  for 
the  culture  and  people  of  North- 
ern Ireland,  as  well  as  the  po- 
litical situation  there. 

The  group  consisting  of  four 
adult  advisors — Mike  and 
Paulette  Slawson,  John 
Grumpier  and  Karen 
Rectanus — and  13  high  school 
students  from  the  church's 
youth  group  spent  nine  days  in 
Belfast  and  the  countryside  of 
Northern  Ireland,  two  days  in 
Dublin  and  the  Republic  of  Ire- 
land,  and  three  days  in 
Edinburgh,  Scotland. 

The  group  lived  with  Irish 
families  representing  various 
churches  within  the  Presby- 
tery of  East  Belfast,  and  spent 
the  two-week  trip  engaged  in 
service,  educational,  spiritual 
and  recreational  activities. 

Stops  in  Belfast  included  the 
Friendship  House,  a  commu- 
nity and  social  outreach  cen- 
ter funded  by  the  Presbytery 
of  East  Belfast,  where  group 
members  assisted  in  such  tasks 
as  food  preparation  £ind  paint- 
ing the  facilities. 


White  Memorial  Church  youth  group  and  adult  advisors 
pose  for  the  camera  while  in  Belfast. 


In  an  effort  to  learn  more 
about  reconciliation  efforts  in 
Northern  Ireland,  group  mem- 
bers visited  Church  House, 
which  is  the  headquarters  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Ireland.  At  Church  House, 
church  leaders  introduced  the 
group  to  church  history  and 
some  of  the  peacemaking  ef- 
forts currently  being  under- 
taken by  the  church.  Group 
members  also  met  with  the 
Rev.  Finley  Holmes,  past  mod- 
erator of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Ireland  and  current 
moderator  of  the  Presb5^ery  of 


East  Belfast. 

Also  on  the  group's  itiner- 
ary were  visits  to  several  peace- 
making centers  in  the  area. 
The  centers  visited  included 
Corrymeela  on  the  Antrim 
Coast,  the  Lucan  Youth  Cen- 
tre near  Dublin  and  the  Salt- 
shaker  Community  Centre. 

The  trip  was  jointly  orga- 
nized by  the  Presb5rtery  of  East 
Belfast,  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Hope's  Committee  on  North- 
ern Ireland,  and  the  Youth 
Missions  committee  of  White 
Memorial. 


Goldsboro  Korean  church  organized 


On  June  20,  the  Korean  Pres- 
bsrterian  Church  of  Goldsboro 
was  organized  as  the  135th 
congregation  in  the  Presbytery 
of  New  Hope  with  the  Rev. 
Chang  M.  Kim  being  installed 
as  the  first  pastor  of  the  con- 
gregation. 

The  meeting  to  organize  the 
congregation  was  held  at  the 
congregation's  newly  con- 
structed building  in  Goldsboro. 
The  facility,  which  was  com- 
pleted in  December  of  1992, 
contains  over  4,000  square  feet 
of  space  and  includes  a  sanctu- 
ary, fellowship  hall,  kitchen, 
classrooms  and  office  space. 
Members  of  the  congregation 
assisted  in  many  phases  of  the 
construction  effort. 

The  church  building  sits  on 
nine  acres  of  land  which  was 
located  through  the  assistance 
of  First  Church,  Goldsboro,  and 
Richard  Moffett,  a  member  of 


First  Church,  Goldsboro.  Ko- 
rean congregation  members 
plan  to  use  a  portion  of  the 
spacious  acreage  to  grow  ori- 
ental vegetables  which  will  be 
sold  in  the  area  with  the  pro- 
ceeds being  used  to  support 
their  church  program. 

The  Korean  congregation 
has  had  a  long  relationship 
with  the  First  Church 
Goldsboro  congregation.  Prior 
to  the  construction  of  their 
building,  the  Korean  congre- 
gation would  hold  worship  ser- 
vices at  Goldsboro  First  on 
Sunday  afternoons  and,  on  the 
weekdays,  morning  devotion- 
als  beginning  at  4  a.m.  The 
two  congregations  would  also 
worship  together  at  Easter 
Sunrise  Services.  In  addition 
to  sharing  their  building  with 
the  Korean  congregation.  First 
Church  has  also  provided  fi- 
nancial support  over  the  years. 


Participating  in  the  organization  service  of  Goldsboro 
Korean  Church  were  Maxine  Fisher  of  Kinston;  Nathan 
Butler  of  New  Bern;  Daniel  Soo  M.  Woo  of  Raleigh, 
Yomigil  Cho  of  Raleigh;  Presbytery  Associate  Executive 
M.  McGeachy;  and  the  Rev.  Harriss  Ricks,  pastor  of 
ysi  ?t  €;hiirch,  Goldsboro. 


The  Rev.  Mark  Thomas 
(left)  with  Rick  Croskery, 
Building  Committee  Chair- 
man, break  ground  for  a 
new  5,000-square-foot 
fellowship  and  educational 
building  at  Peace  Church 
in  Greenville.  The  new 
construction  represents 
the  second  phase  of  a  three- 
phase  building  program. 


First,  Raleigh 
services  on  WYED 

Effective  the  first  Sunday  of 
August,  1993,  the  First  Church 
in  Raleigh  will  begin  to  broad- 
cast its  11  a.m.  worship  service 
on  Channel  17,  WYED-TV 
(cablevision  channel  21).  The 
station  is  located  in  Cla5rton 
and  has  an  85-mile  broadcast- 
ing radius. 

This  move  to  WYED,  which 
came  as  a  result  of  cost  factors, 
ends  an  18-year  relationship 
with  WRAL-TV  and  the  church 
is  appreciative  to  WRAL  for 
the  assistance  received  since 
1975. 

At  the  time  of  the  change  to 
WYED,  it  is  estimated  that 
23,000  television  sets  were 
tuned  to  the  Sunday  worship 
service. 


Spring  Street  Church  dissolved 


At  a  congregational  meeting 
on  June  13,  1993,  members  of 
the  Spring  Street  Church  in 
Wgike  Forest  voted  to  dissolve 
the  congregation. 

The  decision  followed  the 
death  last  December  of  the 
church's  pastor,  the  Rev.  Enoch 
Kearney. 

The  dissolution  of  the  con- 
gregation came  after  88  years 
of  Christian  witness  and  ser- 
vice in  the  Wake  Forest  com- 
munity. 

With  the  assistance  of  the 
Presbyterian  Mission  Board, 
the  congregation  was  orga- 
nized in  1905,  and  their  first 
building  was  constructed 
shortly  thereafter.  The  present 
church  building  was  con- 
structed in  1948. 

The  congregation  was  very 
active  and  organized  many 
groups  including  the  Young 
People's  Christian  Endeavor 
Society,  the  Light  Bearer's 
Society,  Westminster  Fellow- 
ship, Presbyterian  Women, 
and  the  Young  Adult  Chris- 


tian Association. 

Congregation  members 
were  also  active  participants 
in  General  Assembly,  synod, 
and  presbytery  events  and 
regularly  sent  members  to 
meetings,  conferences  and  con- 
ventions. 

The  church  was  served  by 
nine  different  pastors.  The 
most  recent  pastor,  the  Rev. 
Kearney,  served  the  congrega- 
tion from  the  late  forties  until 
his  death.  Kearney  was  a 
graduate  of  Shaw  University 
Divinity  School  and  is  survived 
by  his  wife,  Peggie  Mizelle 
Kearney. 

Even  with  the  dissolution  of 
the  congregation,  the  Spring 
Street  Church  will  continue  to 
live  on  in  the  Wake  Forest  com- 
munity through  the  lives  of 
the  many  persons  who  have 
been  influenced  through  the 
church's  ministry  in  the  com- 
munity. Several  members,  in- 
cluding the  oldest,  Mrs.  Duval 
Purefoy,  have  joined  the  newly 
formed  Wake  Forest  Church. 


Economic  justice  event  Oct.  15-17 


The  Women's  Economic  Jus- 
tice Conference  will  be  held 
Oct.  15-17  at  the  First  Church 
in  Durham. 

The  conference  begins  with 
registration  at  3  p.m.  Friday 
and  will  conclude  with  an  11 
a.m.  worship  service  Sunday. 

The  purpose  of  the  confer- 
ence is  to  assess  and  address 
the  poverty  of  women  and  chil- 
dren throughout  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic,  develop  lead- 
ership skills  for  women's  con- 
stituency    groups,  and 


strengthen  the  work  of  local 
ecumenical  networks  that  are 
addressing  economic  condi- 
tions in  the  synod. 

Speakers  will  include  econo- 
mist  Teresa  Amott  from 
Bucknell  University,  U.  S.  Con- 
gresswoman  Eva  Clayton,  and 
Lea  Wise  of  Southerners  for 
Economic  Justice. 

For  more  information  call 
the  Rev.  Rosalind  Banbury- 
Hamm  at  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  office  in  Richmond, 
Va.,  (804)  342-0016. 


New  Hope  Presbytery  News  on  page  12 


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For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


November/December  1993 


Vol.  LIX,  Number  9 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Council  approves 
mission  slatement 


RICHMOND,  Va.— The  Synod 
Council  unanimously  ap- 
proved on  Nov.  6  a  mission 
statement  which  emphasizes 
working  "with  presbyteries." 

This  mission  philosophy  ap- 
pears throughout  the  state- 
ment, but  is  perhaps  most  ob- 
vious in  the  area  of  campus 
ministries. 

Campus  ministries  will  re- 
main a  priority  .of  synod,  but 
the  work  will  be  done  in  part- 
nership with  presbyteries.  Lo- 
cal boards  will  have  oversight 
of  particular  campus  minis- 
tries. 

The  sjmod  will  also  work  in 
partnership  with  presbj^eries 
in  evangelism,  church  devel- 
opment and  racial  ethnic  min- 
istries. 

Other  mission  areas  men- 
tioned in  the  statement  are 
education,  justice  and  mercy 
issues,  ecumenical  ministries, 
and  communication. 

Conference  centers,  col- 
leges, and  career  counseling 
services  were  placed  in  a  cat- 
egory. Specialized  Ministries. 
While  the  synod  will  maintain 
ties  with  all  three,  the  details 
of  those  relationships  are  yet 
to  be  determined. 

Most  existing  synod  mission 
programs  were  included  in  the 
statement,  but  there  were  a 
number  of  exceptions. 

Global  mission,  seminaries 
and  synod  school,  were  omit- 
ted. Seminaries  are  now  sup- 
ported through  the  PC(USA)'s 
Theological  Education  Fund, 
and  the  synod  school  has  not 
been  held  since  1988. 

The  next  step  in  the  restruc- 
turing process  will  be  severeil 
.  meetings  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee with  the  Planning  and 


Evaluation  Committee.  The 
first  of  these  is  scheduled  for 
Dec.  7. 

At  that  time,  they  will  start 
working  on  the  details  of  how 
mission  will  be  done,  including 
budgets  and  staffing.  These 
proposals  will  be  made  to  the 
Synod  Council  on  Feb.  25-26, 
1994,  in  Richmond. 

Writing  a  new  mission  state- 
ment was  not  easy.  Profes- 
sional organizational  consult- 
ant, Will  Creed  of  Asheville, 
N.C.,  led  council  members 
through  an  arduous  process 
over  the  course  of  two  council 
meetings  and  several  interme- 
diate committee  meetings. 

Offering  best  ever 

In  other  business,  Jane 
Saunier,  representing  the 
Older  Adult  Ministries  Com- 
mittee, said  the  1993  Mother's 
Day  Offering  collected  more 
than  $70,000.  That  is  the 
offering's  highest  total  in  its 
history. 

Bicentennial  Fund 

Transitional  Associate  Ex- 
ecutive for  Partnership  Minis- 
tries Warren  Lesane  said  that 
for  every  $3  being  received  for 
the  synod's  Bicentennial  Fvmd 
prospectus,  $2  is  undesignated. 

Associate  Executive  for  Fi- 
nance/Treasurer Joe  Pickard 
said  that  approximately 
$167,000  had  been  received  to 
date.  Seven  synod  prospectus 
projects  with  goals  less  than 
$15,000  have  already  been 
fully  funded. 

In  a  related  matter,  the 
council  approved  a  motion  that 
the  first  $100,000  received  for 
(continued  on  page  3) 


Getting  the  Christmas  spirit 


A  resident  of  the  Presbyterian  Children's  Home  of  the  Highlands  (PCHH)  in  Wj^heville, 
Va.,  decorates  the  home's  Christmas  tree  with  the  assistance  of  a  staff  counselor  and 
her  son.  PCHH  provides  residential  care  for  teenagers  and  emergency  care  for 
younger  children.  The  home  is  one  of  five  children's  care  agencies  which  will  benefit 
fi'om  the  synod-wide  Thanksgiving  Offering  this  month.  (Photo  by  Randy  Lilly) 


Urban  congregation  vows  to  stay 
after  fire  destroys  liistoric  building 


WILMINGTON,  Del.— "We're 
still  here  and  we'll  be  back," 
reads  the  sign  on  the  chain- 
link  fence  surrounding  the 
burned-out  shell  of  West  Pres- 
bjrterian  Church. 

The  sign  stands  as  testimony 
to  the  determination  of  the  150- 
member  congregation  to  re- 
build after  a  Sept.  17  fire  gut- 
ted its  122-year-old  building. 

Pastor  Jeffrey  Krehbiel  said 
that  instead  of  attempting  to 
rebuild  the  large,  ornate  struc- 
ture, the  church  will  build  a 
new,  smaller  West  Church  on 


Kearns  to  lead  GA  national  ministries 


LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— The  Rev. 
Curtis  A.  Kearns  Jr.  of 
Gaithersburg,  Md.,  will  begin 
work  Jan.  1  as  director  of  the 
new  National  Ministries  Divi- 
sion of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.). 

That  division  includes 
churchwide  personnel  services 
and  professional  development, 
ministries  in  higher  education, 
mission  funding,  racial  ethnic 
and  women's  ministries,  evan- 
gelism and  church  develop- 
ment and  social  justice  con- 
cerns. 

Kearns,  a  member  of  Na- 
tional Capital  Presbytery  and 
graduate  of  Princeton  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  has  long  been 
active  in  Assembly-level  work. 

He  recently  completed  a  two- 
year  term  as  chair  of  the  Na- 
tional Committee  on  The  Self- 
Development  of  People,  and 
serves  on  the  synod's  SDOP 
committee. 

Kearns  is  an  executive  with 
the  Chesapeake  and  Potomac 


Telephone  Company. 

"We  decided  that  the  person 
we  chose  and  recommended  to 
the  GAC  would  be  one  who 
was  committed  to  the  church 
of  Jesus  Christ  and  who  had 
the  combination  of  strong  man- 


The  Rev.  Curtis  Reams 


agement  and  effective  leader- 
ship skills,"  said  the  Rev.  Floyd 
N.  Rhodes  of  Atlanta,  chair  of 
the  National  Ministries  search 
subcommittee.  "Curtis  Kearns 
is  such  a  person." 

Kearns  and  two  other  divi- 
sion directors  were  elected  by 
the  General  Assembly  Council 
on  Oct.  30,  completing  a  three- 
month  search  process. 

The  council  unanimously 
elected  the  Rev.  Clifton 
Kirkpatrick  to  be  director  of 
the  Worldwide  Ministries  Di- 
vision. Kirkpatrick  was  for- 
merly director  of  the  Global 
Mission  Ministry  Unit. 

The  Rev.  Eunice  Blanchard 
Poethig,  executive  presbyter 
of  Western  New  York  Presby- 
tery, was  elected  director  of 
the  Congregational  Ministries 
Division. 

Kirkpatrick  began  work 
Nov.  1,  and  Poethig  assumes 
her  new  position  Jan.  1.  All 
three  will  be  paid  $66,000  an- 
nually. 


the  same  location.  Some  archi- 
tectural features  of  the  old 
building  will  be  incorporated  if 
they  can  be  preserved. 

What  will  not  be  downsized 
is  the  church's  desire  to  put  its 
resources  into  continuing  an 
effective  urban  ministry. 

Early  morning  fire 

The  fire  began  about  4  a.m. 
in  the  attic  of  the  building  and 
burned  down  to  the  second- 
floor  sanctuary.  By  the  time 
the  fire  was  controlled  at  8 
a.m.,  only  a  brick  shell  re- 
mained. 

Church  members  and  neigh- 
bors who  knew  the  church  as  a 
mainstay  of  the  neighborhood, 
gathered  after  the  fire,  com- 
forting one  another  and  watch- 
ing in  disbelief 

Virtually  all  the  church's 
contents,  from  its  extensive 


music  library  to  Christmas 
decorations,  were  lost.  The 
Speer  Trust  also  had  its  offices 
in  the  church.  Records  there 
were  lost,  but  the  charitable 
organization  also  kept  files  at 
another  location. 

Food  supplies  for  a  Satur- 
day morning  breakfast  pro- 
gram for  the  homeless  were 
also  lost,  but  were  replaced  in 
time  to  feed  those  who  lined  up 
to  eat  the  next  day. 

Members  are  worshiping  in 
a  nearby  YMCA  until  their 
church  is  rebuilt. 

Organized  in  1868,  West 
Church  had  the  largest  con- 
gregation in  the  presb5d;ery 
during  the  1940s  and  1950s 
when  membership  reached 
about  1,600.  The  membership 
decHned  as  most  white  resi- 
dents left  the  inner-city  neigh- 
borhood during  the  1960s. 


Red  brick  walls  and  gothic  spires  are  about  aU  that 
remain  after  a  Sept.  17  fire  gutted  the  122.yea  West 
Church  building  in  Wilmington,  Del.  Meml >  i  tt  j- 

will  rebuild  in  the  same  location.  PhO''  Bolt 


Page  2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1993 


Like  the  good  shepherd  who  restores  souls 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

Christmas  is  a  season  for  children.  We 
celebrate  God  coming  to  earth  as  a 
"little  baby  thing."  If  we  want  to  recap- 
ture the  spirit  of  Christmas,  we  can 
usually  do  that  in  the  excitement  and 
wonder  of  a  little  child. 

I  experienced  this  again  recently 
while  visiting  in  a  home  where  a  young 
father  was  caring  for  his  two  sons. 
They  were  waiting  for  a  court  hearing 
which  would  determine  final  custody.  I 
had  to  admire  the  father  who  was  de- 
voted to  the  care  of  his  little  boys. 

Aaron,  age  3,  told  me  that  he  wanted 
to  recite  the  23rd  Psalm;  and  with 


amazing  ease  he  recited  those  precious 
words.  When  he  got  to  the  third  verse, 
he  said,  "He  'toreth'  my  soul."  It  was 
only  later  that  I  realized  he  had  said 
more  than  he  knew.  He  was  a  victim  of 
divorce,  soon  to  be  told  by  a  sober  judge 
in  a  cold  courtroom  that  he  would  live 
with  only  one  of  the  two  people  he  loved 
most  in  the  world. 

Aaron  reminded  me  of  another  little 
boy  in  a  Children  of  Divorce  group  I 
led.  Freddy  never  said  much,  but  just 
sat  in  silence.  When  I  asked  him  how 
he  felt  he  said,  "I  fsGl  sad  all  the  time. 

I'm  like  a  piece  of  paper  torn  in  two." 

Broken  children  from  broken  homes 
do  have  their  souls  torn  by  this  disrup- 


tion. God  doesn't  rear  our  souls,  but  life 
does.  Aaron's  plight  is  sad,  but  even 
sadder  are  the  endless  cases  of  child 
abuse,  where  children  are  punched  in 
the  stomach  or  stuffed  in  garbage  cans. 
An  even  more  subtle  abuse  is  parents 
who  mesmerize  children  with  Ninten- 
dos  and  toys  to  avoid  being  inconve- 
nienced by  them. 

This  is  the  season  when  we  remem- 
ber that  God  chose  to  enter  human 
history  as  a  child.  As  George  Macdonald 
expressed  it: 

They  were  all  looiiin,g  for  a  king, 

To  slay  their  foes  and  lift  them  high. 

Thou  earnest,  a  little  baby  thing 

Who  made  a  mother  cry. 

Jesus  embraced  the  little  children 
the  disciples  wanted  to  push  away.  He 
identified  himself  with  every  child  when 
he  said,  "Whoever  welcomes  one  such 
child  in  my  name  welcomes  me"  (Mark 
9:37).  He  warned  that,  "And  whoever 
causes  one  of  these  little  ones  who 


believe  in  me  to  stumble,  it  would  be 
better  for  him  if  a  millstone  were  hung 
around  his  neck,  and  he  were  thrown 
into  the  sea."  (Mark  9:42) 

Sociologist  Urie  Bronfenbrenner  says 
that  every  child  needs  at  least  one 
adult  who  is  absolutely  crazy  about 
him  or  heY.  They  need  someone  who 
loves  them  without  reservation,  and  is 
always  "there"  for  them. 

What  better  way  to  celebrate  the 
Christchild's  advent  than  to  show  love 
to  a  child.  Not  just  our  children  or 
grandchildren,  but  some  child  whose 
soul  has  been  torn  by  thoughtless, 
neglectful  adults.  How  much  better 
our  affirming  presence  than  all  these 
presents! 

In  that  way  we  will  be  like  the  good 
shepherd  who  restores  souls. 

Dr.  Richard  L.  Morgan  of  Lenoir, 
N.C.,  is  a  retired  Presbyterian  minis- 
ter, interim  pastor,  and  author  of  sev- 
eral hooks  on  aging. 


Commentary 


Letter  writer's  attitude  may  be  as  destructive  as  those  he  attacked 


John  McDaniel  of  Hendersonville,  N.C. , 
is  a  beloved  brother  in  Christ;  but  when 
he  composed  his  letter  which  appeared 
in  the  last  issue,  he  apparently  ne- 
glected to  consider  the  possibility  that 
his  attitude  might  be  as  destructive  of 
the  church  as  are  those  attitudes  he 
attacks. 

However,  Marj  Carpenter  did  not 
make  up  the  responses  to  the  report  on 
"Inactive  Presbyterians."  She  didn't 
even  interpret  the  results;  she  quoted 
from  the  Executive  Summary  which  is 
available  from  the  General  Assembly 
office  for  free. 

Marj  Carpenter  is  not  the  sinister 
influence  pulling  our  Church  to  shreds 
and  neither  are  the  contentious  liber- 
als and  conservatives  who  "can't  stand 
to  be. ..in  the  same  congregation."  My 
heart  goes  out  to  Mr.  McDaniel  if  this 
is  the  way  he  experiences  Christianity. 
In  our  congregation  both  extremes  are 
represented;  and  yet,  we  find  ways  to 
treasure  and  honor  each  other,  wor- 
ship together,  cry  and  have  fun  to- 
gether and  under  the  leadership  of  a 


new  pastor  are  beginning  to  search  for 
ways  to  grow  in  the  faith  together.  Our 
doors  are  open:  join  us! 

Catherine  Jackson,  also  of  N.  C, 
came  much  closer  to  the  cause  of  our 
woes  when  she  pointed  toward  the  pro- 
phetic message  of  scripture.  What  she 
seems  to  miss,  however,  is  that  each 
judgment  she  cites  came  in  response  to 
very  specific  historical  circumstances. 

Ms.  Jackson  v/rote  in  search  of  some- 
one who  would  heed  "the  warning  that 


Having  just  completed  the  reading  of 
my  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  for  Sep- 
tember, I  find  myself  compelled  to  ap- 
plaud Mr.  John  McDaniel's  letter  re- 
butting a  previous  article  on  inactive 
Presbjrterians. 

Quite  frankly,  I  don't  see  how  he 
could  have  expressed  himself  anymore 
clearly  than  he  has,  however,  I  would 
like  to  add  a  couple  of  observations  of 
my  own. 

Even  as  we  hear  inclusiveness  and 
understanding  from  our  pulpits  and  in 
our  publications,  in  reality  if  you  hold 
an  opinion  on  any  social  or  theological 
issue  that  is  to  the  right  of  Karl  Marx, 
you  are  categorized  as  "out  of  touch" 
and  not  in  concert  with  modern  day 

Letter  should  not 

Regularly  I  read  several  synod  news- 
papers, particularly  so  with  an  eye  for 
presbytery  and  synod  initiatives  in  glo- 
bal mission. 

In  the  latest  issues  (September/Oc- 
tober 1993)  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  Presby- 
terian I  was  troubled  to  read  a  letter 
submitted  by  Mr.  John  McDaniel  of 
Hendersonville,  N.C.  Mr.  McDaniel,  or 
anyone  else,  is  entitled  to  have  opin- 
ions diffierent  than  those  articulated  by 
Marj  Carpenter,  in  an  earlier  issue  of 
the  paper,  reference  the  decline  in 
membership  of  Presbs^erian  churches; 
and  it  is  appropriate  for  other  opinions 
to  be  expressed  in  Presbjderian  publica- 


George  P.  Williams  {Mid- Atlantic  Pres- 
byterian, September/October  1993, 
p.  2)  is  of  course  right:  the  gun  control 
legislation  of  the  past  40  years  has  not 
been  particularly  effective.  But  he  over- 
looks the  reason,  which  is  that  controls 
have  been  applied  at  the  state  level 
rather  than  at  the  federal. 

Guns,  particularly  handguns,  are 
lethal  instruments,  the  chief  purpose 
of  which  is  to  coerce  other  human  be- 
ings. Their  ownership  and  use  cry  out 


God  in  His  mercy  has  been  sending  us." 
The  more  fundamental  question  we 
should  be  asking  is:  Where  is  the 
Prophet  who,  in  the  unique  historical 
circumstances  of  the  dawn  of  the  21st 
Century,  will  fearlessly  sound  the 
clarion  Word  of  God  that  it  is  not  the 
Will  of  God  to  punish  us  when  we  are 
bad  but  to  reward  us  when  we  "keep 
His  commandments  and  walk  in  His 
ways." 

The  faint  breezes  of  reform  are  be- 


Presb3rterianism.  The  laity  (those  other 
Elders)  have  been  placed  on  the  back 
burner  in  lieu  of  clergy  who  sing  the 
"company  song"  and  support  the  secu- 
lar programs  Mr.  McDaniel  spoke  of. 
Men  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  have 
not  "just  gradually  drifted  away,"  as 
Ms.  Carpenter  states,  but  have  actu- 
ally been  driven  out  of  many  activities 
and  roles  of  responsibility  because  of  a 
well  intentioned  but  over  zealous  cam- 
paign to  be  inclusive  and  non-sexist. 

The  unfortunate  result  of  these  in- 
fluences on  many  of  us  is  not  depar- 
ture, but  rather  a  withdrawal  into  in- 
activity. Lowered  physical  and  finan- 
cial contribution,  luke  warm  witness- 


tions. 

However,  Mr.  McDaniel  moves,  in 
his  commentary,  from  his  different 
opinions  to  words  that  are  inflamma- 
tory and  very  likely  to  be  misunder- 
stood, as  he  talks  about  what  he  calls 
"exploitation  of  church  influence."  Fur- 
thermore, he  misconstrues  the  efforts 
of  Presbyterians  to  follow  through  on 
actions  of  the  General  Assembly,  ac- 
tions which  relate  to  political  matters 
that  have  a  bearing  on  our  practice  of 
the  Christian  faith. 

By  reference  to  a  questionable  quote, 
made  by  his  daughter  who  was  em- 
ployed in  the  former  Global  Mission 


for  regulation.  At  a  minimum,  the  piece 
itself  should  be  registered,  the  owner 
should  be  licensed  and  clearly  identi- 
fied (by  photographs  and  fingerprints), 
and  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  all 
firearms  should  be  tightly  controlled. 
If  this  were  done  at  the  federal  level, 
much  better  results  would  be  achieved; 
and  the  availability  of  the  instrument 
of  choice  for  most  crimes  of  violence 
would  be  substantially  reduced. 

continued  on  page  3 


ginning  to  stir  in  the  Church.  But  just 
as  the  reforms  of  Eang  Josiah  (II  Kings 
22: 1-23:30  and  II  Chronicles  34-35;  esp. 
II  Kings  23:26-27)  were  too  little,  too 
late  to  save  Judah;  so  too  will  these 
latter  day  reforms  be  too  little,  too  late 
without  the  Prophetic  Word  of  God. 

Beloved  of  Christ,  pray  fervently 
that  God  will  anoint  His  Prophet  for 
Our  Day,  and  that  right  early! 

David  Bremer 
Princess  Anne,  Md. 

on  Inactives 

ing  and  a  loss  of  zeal  for  committed 
Christian  living  are  the  legacy  of  a 
denomination  that  fails  to  see  the  real 
reasons  for  inactivity. 

I've  always  heard,  "if  you  don't  want 
to  hear  the  answer  don't  ask  the  ques- 
tion." It  seems  to  me  that  we  are  always 
asking  why  people  are  leaving  but  when 
the  answer  comes  back,  it's  not  politi- 
cally correct  and  therefore  not  the  right 
one.  It's  easy  to  see  why  one  would 
assume  that  there  are  "good  things" 
which  cause  a  drifting  away  from 
church,  but  only  if  you  don't  look  very 
closely. 

Michael  L.  Hodges 
Chesapeake,  Va. 


Unit,  he  suggests  that  "lobbying  and 
political  influence  peddling"  is  a  com- 
mon activity  in  the  General  Assembly 
offices,  and  that  we  do  this  in  order  "to 
promote  (our)  own  power,  position  and 
agenda."  That  is  a  very  unfair  indict- 
ment of  those  of  us  who  are  called  to 
serve  the  whole  church  from  the  pro- 
gram offices  of  the  General  Assembly. 

I,  as  one  General  Assembly  level 
staff  person,  very  much  regret  that  the 
editorial  staff  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  Pres- 
byterian felt  that  they  had  to  print  Mr. 
McDaniel's  letter. 

Homer  T.  Rickabaugh 
Louisville,  Ky. 

I  ■  

Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and  length. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 
Edith  Goodman  and  Laura  Jurman, 
Editorial  Assistants 
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Mailing  Address: 
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at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 

Vol.  LIX 
November/December  1993 

September/October  circulation 
171,935 


Applauds  writer's  rebuttal  of  article 


Gun  control  at  wrong  level 


have  be  printed  by  paper 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/Decem' 


Couple  has  'passion  for  stewardship' 


Professional  organizational  consultant  Will  Creed  of 
Asheville,  N.C.,  leads  the  Synod  Council  through  process 
of  writing  a  new  mission  statement. 

Davidson  site  for  '94  Synod  Assembly 


(continued  from  page  1) 
the  Synod  Conference  Minis- 
try project  be  distributed 
equally  between  Chesapeake 
Center,  Massanetta  Springs 
and  William  Black  Lodge  and 
be  used  for  program  develop- 
ment. 

1 994  Synod  Assembly 

Davidson  College  in  David- 
son, N.C.,  will  host  the  1994 
Synod  Assembly.  The  site  se- 
lection is  in  accordance  with 
the  1993  Synod  Assembly's 
action  requesting  that  Presby- 
terian-related institutions  be 
considered  as  possible  locations 
for  the  next  assembly. 

Council  changes 

The  Synod  Council  accepted 
"with  regrets"  the  resignation 
of  vice  chair  Bob  James,  rep- 
resentative from  Charlotte 


Gun  control 

(continued  from  page  2) 
No  reasonable  interpreta- 
tion of  the  Second  Amendment 
would  see  in  its  language  any- 
thing beyond  the  guarantee 
that  the  states  shall  not  be 
denied  by  the  federal  govern- 
ment the  right  to  maintain  an 
armed  militia.  Even  if  (in  my 
view,  perversely)  the  amend- 
ment were  construed  as  ex- 
tending the  right  to  bear  arms 
to  the  isolated  individual,  no 
legitimate  "right"  of  his  would 
be  significantly  "infringed"  by 
regulation. 

Arthur  F.  Stocker 
Charlottesville,  Va. 

Bible  study 
'right  on' 

Rosamond  McCarty's  Lesson  1 
for  the  Presbyterian  Women 
Circle  Leader's  Study  Guide, 
September  1,  1993,  is  right  on 
target.  How  can  we  claim  to 
live  a  Christ-centered  life  un- 
less we  also  believe  that  Christ 
cares,  and  that  he  guides  us  as 
we  relinquish  "our"  way  to  "his" 
way  through  regular  commun- 
ion-prayer. 

To  Ms.  McCarty's  insights  I 
say  a  resounding  Amen! 

Carole  Clark 
Stafford,  Va. 


Presbytery.  Peta  Patton  from 
Abingdon  Presbytery  was 
elected  vice  chair,  to  complete 
the  rest  of  James's  term. 


By  J.  RILEY  McDONALD 

The  voice  on  the  telephone  was 
brimming  with  enthusiasm. 
"Oh,  I  think  we  can  do  it!"  he 
said. 

We  had  been  in  similar  con- 
versations many  times  since 
we  first  met  in  1984,  usually 
regarding  projects  of  the  New 
Castle  Presbytery  SOAR 
(Stewardship  of  Accumulated 
Resources)  Committee. 

A  number  of  successful  semi- 
nars have  been  sponsored  by 
this  group  in  which  Tom 
Brockenbrough  had  one  lead- 
ership role  or  another.  Some- 
times, in  fact,  he  was  the  one 
who  handled  the  "loose  ends." 

We  would  often  ask,  "Tom, 
would  you  handle  the  parking 
or  the  refreshments  or  regis- 
tration?" With  that  gleam  in 
his  eye,  he  would  enthusiasti- 
cally move  forward  to  do  what 
needed  to  be  done. 

Mary  Lou  and  Tom  Brocken- 
brough don't  just  encourage 
others  to  give  and  to  do,  they 
back  their  stewardship  com- 
mitments with  actions  and  gifts 
of  their  own.  An  example  is  the 
Pooled  Income  Fund  they  es- 


tablished in  1990  through  the 
Presbyterian  Foundation, 
which  after  their  lifetimes  will 
provide  a  continuing  income 
in  perpetuity  to  the  First 
Church  of  Newark,  Del.  But 
after  all,  that  is  not  too  un- 
usual since  Tom  Brocken- 
brough served  for  years  on  his 
church's  stewardship  commit- 
tee and  led  many  of  their  an- 
nual financial  campaigns. 

During  this  same  period, 
Mary  Lou  was  teaching  Sun- 
day school.  As  a  matter  of  prin- 
ciple for  her,  she  always  taught 
classes  other  than  those  her 
two  children  attended.  Both 
Mary  Lou  and  Tom  lead  by 
example,  whether  in  steward- 
ship or  Christian  Education. 

Learned  early 

"Well,  Mary  Lou  and  Tom, 
where  did  your  sense  of  stew- 
ardship come  from?"  I  asked. 

"I  remember,  that  out  of  my 
weekly  allowance  of  $1.25,  I 
always  had  money  to  give  for 
Sunday  School,"  answered 
Mary  Lou. 

"When  I  had  a  serious  op- 
eration as  a  child  and  was  not 


expected  to  live,  my  grand- 
mother told  me  that  'the  Lord 
had  saved  me  for  a  purpose,'" 
Tom  told  me.  He  went  on  to 
say  that  it  is  often  parents  and 
grandparents,  as  in  his  case, 
who  set  the  example  for  good 
Christian  stewardship. 

With  donors  like  these,  what 
a  joy  it  is  to  be  in  the  work  of 
stewardship  development  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church! 

Area  representatives 

The  Presbj^erian  Founda- 
tion representatives  in  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  are: 

Doug  Aitken,  (919)  672- 
6042,  presbyteries  of  Charlotte, 
Salem  and  Western  North 
Carolina; 

Riley  McDonald,  (410) 
381-0689,  presbyteries  of  Bal- 
timore, National  Capital  and 
New  Castle; 

John  Pilutti,  (919)  231- 
9524,  presbyteries  of  Coastal 
Carolina,  Eastern  Virginia  and 
New  Hope; 

Jan  Schneider,  (703)  949- 
5590,  presb}i;eries  of  Abing- 
don, the  James,  the  Peaks  and 
Shenandoah. 


The  Highest  Retumlrom 
Our  Charitable  Gift  Annuity 
Isn't  The  Rate. 

When  you  give  to  the  Church  through  a  Charitable  Gift  Annuity, 
you  receive  a  guaranteed  lifetime  income  as  well  as  certain  income  tax  bene- 
fits. But  more  miportant,  you  get  the  personal  satisfaction  of  designating  that 
your  gift  be  used  to  help  carry  out  whatever  mission  is  most  special  to  you.  From 
helping  the  homeless  or  others  in  need  to  endowing  your  home  church.  For 
more  (fetalis  about  all  the  benefits  of  giving  through  a  Charitable  Gift  Annuity, 
including  the  high  rate  mm 

l-SOoSSm  ffl  Presbyterian Church(U.S.A.)Foundation 


Page  4,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1993 

Loans,  grants  available  from  synod  to  help 
small  churches  and  new  congregations 


The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
provides  two  methods  of  finan- 
cial support  for  small  or  devel- 
oping congregations  within  the 
region. 

The  Small  Church  and 
Manse  Loan  Fund,  with  as- 
sets of  just  over  $1  million, 
provides  low-interest  loans  for 
construction  or  renovation  of 
church  buildings  or  manses. 

To  be  eligible  for  a  loan,  a 
congregation  must  have  fewer 
than  250  members  or  be  a  new 
church  development.  Existing 
small  congregations  may  bor- 


row up  to  $25,000,  while  the 
maximum  loan  for  new  church 
developments  is  $50,000. 

The  New  and  Small 
Church  Grant  Fund  is  used 
to  make  one-time  grants  of  up 
to  $2,500  using  the  earnings  of 
two  trust  funds  dedicated  to 
the  support  of  home  missions, 
plus  other  sources  of  income 
identified  by  the  synod's  Fi- 
nance Committee. 

For  the  grants,  small  con- 
gregations are  also  defined  as 
those  with  250  or  fewer  mem- 
bers. 


Hurricane  Emily  spares 
Outer  Banks  churches 


Approximately  $11  million  in 
damage  due  to  Hurricane 
Emily  is  now  projected  by  the 
state  of  North  Carolina,  ac- 
cording to  Chuck  Noonan, 
staff  associate  for  finances  in 
New  Hope  Presbytery. 

Noonan  said  two  Presbyte- 
rian churches — Outer  Banks 
and  Roanoke  Island — were 
spared  damage  when  the 
storm  veered  east,  away  from 
the  northern  part  of  the  coast. 

Pastors  offering  counseling 
and  volunteer  work  crews  con- 
verged on  the  Outer  Banks 
after  the  storm,  according  to 
Larry  Edwards,  the  presby- 
tery  s  staff  associate  for  church 
and  society. 

Edwards  said  Presbyerian 


congregations  in  North  Caro- 
lina were  asked  to  volunteer 
for  clean  up  and  repair  and  to 
donate  money  for  flood  relief. 

Noonan  said  683  primary 
dwellings  were  damaged  by 
flooding,  with  168  of  those  de- 
stroyed. He  said  displaced 
people  are  permanent  resi- 
dents, not  summer  residents 
owning  beach  homes. 

The  denomination  has  set 
up  a  disaster  relief  account  for 
people  affected  by  Hurricane 
Emily.  The  account  number  is 
9-2000107,  and  checks  can  be 
sent  to  Central  Receiving  Ser- 
vice, 100  Witherspoon  St.,  Lou- 
isville, Ky.  40202-1396. 

—Alexa  Smith,  PC(USA)  News 


Grants  are  made  after  Oct.  1 
of  each  year.  Grant  applica- 
tions must  be  recieved  in  the 
synod  office  by  that  date.  Loan 
applications  are  accepted  all 
year. 

While  the  synod's  Finance 
Committee  approves  a  grant 
or  loan,  the  presbytery  in  which 
the  church  is  located  must  first 
review  the  application  and 
approve  the  request. 

Loans  are  secured  and  have 
a  maximum  term  of  12  years. 
The  annual  interest  rate  is  the 
greater  of  seven  percent  or  the 
prevailing  prime  rate  less  eight 
percent. 

During  its  most  recent  meet- 
ing, the  Synod  Council  ap- 
proved four  grant  requests. 

Grants  of  $2,500  each  were 
approved  for  three  churches  in 
Coastal  Carolina  Presbytery — 
Blandonia,  Grace  and  Snead's 
Ferry — for  the  purchase  of  fur- 
nishings and  equipment. 

The  council  also  approved  a 
$2,500  challenge  grant  to  Cov- 
enant Church  of  Kannapolis, 
N.C.,  in  Charlotte  Presbytery. 
If  the  congregation  meets  the 
challenge,  the  money  will  be 
used  to  help  purchase  a  heat- 
ing plant  for  its  sanctuary. 

For  more  information  about 
the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic's 
loan  and  grant  programs,  con- 
tact the  Rev.  Joseph  L.  Pickard, 
Associate  for  Finance/Trea- 
surer, Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlan- 
tic, P.O.  Box  27026,  Richmond, 
VA  23261-7026,  or  phone  (804) 
342-0016. 


Tke  Conferences  At  Montreat 
Last  Only  A  Few  Days,  But 
Tke  Experience  Will  Last  Forever. 


Wkatever  your  age  or  interest,  you'll  find  a  conference  tkat  presents  important  issues  to 

benefit  and  strengtken  your  life.  For  more  information  or  a  Lrockure  on  our  1994 
conferences,  retreats,  and  facikties  call  1-800-572-2257  or  write  Montreat  Conference 
Center,  Dept.  PN,  PO  Box  969,  Montreat,  NC  28757. 


CROP  walker 

Kathryn  Pryor,  a  member  of  Second  Church  of  Richmond 
(Va.),  was  one  of  the  walkers  during  the  city's  CROP  walk 
on  Oct.  3.  Throughout  the  nation,  church  members  put  on 
their  walking  shoes  this  fall  to  raise  money  to  improve 
the  lives  in  70  foreign  countries  through  the  Church 
World  Service-sponsored  event. 


African  American  mission 
conference  set  for  April  15-16 

RICHMOND,  Va.— "African 
Churches  Speak:  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic  World-Wide  Mis- 
sion Conference"  is  scheduled 
for  April  15-16,  1994,  on  the 
campus  of  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Virginia. 

The  mission  conference  is 
sponsored  by  the  synod's  Glo- 
bal and  Ecumenical  Ministries 
Committee  in  partnership  with 
UTS  and  the  Presbyterian 
School  of  Christian  Education. 

Friday  evening's  keynote 
speaker,  Marj  Carpenter,  cur- 
rently works  for  the  PC(USA) 
as  a  mission  interpreter  and 
reports  on  international  news. 
For  many  years  she  was  man- 


ager of  the  PC(USA)  News  Ser- 
vice. 

Friday  evening  will  also  fea- 
ture international  worship  and 
communion. 

Workshops  on  a  variety  of 
topics  fill  the  schedule  on  Sat- 
urday, complete  with  activi- 
ties for  youth. 

Brochures  with  registration 
forms  will  be  mailed  before  the 
Christmas  holidays. 

For  more  information, 
please  contact  the  Rev. 
Sylvester  H.  Bullock  at  the 
synod  office,  P.O.  Box  27026, 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026, 
phone  (804)  342-0016  or  (804) 
520-6345. 


Belk  Catechism  Awards 


The  following  young  Presbyterians  have  received  certificates 
and  monetary  awards  for  reciting  the  Catechism  for  Young 
Children  or  the  Shorter  Catechism.  The  synod's  catechism  fund, 
established  by  the  late  W.H.  Belk,  provides  recognition  to  boys 
and  girls  age  15  and  younger  who  recite  either  catechism. 
The  most  recent  recipients  are  from: 

First  Church,  Cherryville,  N.C. — ^Anna  Beam,  Andy  Davis, 
Katie  Davis,  Lindsey  Farris,  Elizabeth  Putnam,  and  Will 
Upchurch; 

First  Church,  Raleigh,  N.  C. — Robert  Leonard,  Virginia  Lyons, 
and  Alien  Thomas; 

Hickory  Grove  Church,  Charlotte,  N.C. — Casey  Workman; 

Raeford  Church,  Raeford,  N.C. — Brandon  Herron,  Feanna 
Jattan,  Lynn  Russell,  and  Tricia  Subaran; 

Shelby  Church,  Shelby,  N.C. —  Claire  Boyette  and  Anna 


^TszO/^  Rappahannock 
^VVU  Westminster- 


Westminster- 
Canterbury 


A  life  care  retirement  community  related  to  the  Presbyterian 
and  Episcopal  Churches,  located  in  historic  Tidewater  Virginia. 
Visit  us! 

10  Lancaster  Drive,  Irvington,  VA  22480  (804)  4384000 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  199:   P  j.£/e  5 


Union  Theolc^cal  Seminaiv 


IN  VIRGINIA, 

Genie  Addleton,  Editor     ffe^l  November  1993 


President  T.  Hartley  Hall  IV 
Announces  Retirement 


In  a  letter  to  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and 
in  a  called  meeting  of  the  faculty  on  September  30,  UTS 
President  T.  Hartley  Hall  IV  announced  that  he  plans  to 
retire  in  the  summer  of  1994.  He  came  to  Union  in  1981 
after  serving  almost  three  decades  in  the  pastorate  and  as 
a  member  of  the  faculty  of  Vanderbilt  Divinity  School. 

During  Dr.  Hall's  administration,  Union  has  broad- 
ened the  base  of  its  institutional  reach  and  its  constituen- 
cies. It  has  also  re-positioned  itself  as  a  national  and 
international  theological  institution  reflecting  its  relation- 
ship to  the  Presbyterian  Church  (USA),  the  new  denomi- 
nation created  by  the  1983  reunion  of  two  national 
branches  of  Presbyterianism. 

The  program  of  Union  Theological  Seminary'  has  con- 
tinued in  the  traditional  full-time  residential  model  of  edu- 
cation and  in  the  subject  matter  offered.  Emphasis 
continues  to  be  on  providing  students  with  a  solid  foun- 
dation for  the  ministry:  Biblical  languages,  the  history  of 
the  Christian  church,  Reformed  theology,  and  the  practical 
skills  of  ministry. 

The  seminary  has  also  responded  creatively  to  a 
changing  world  by  building  in  greater  flexibility  in  the 
curriculum.  Services  have  been  expanded  for  students' 
community  life  and  personal  growth,  and  global  aware- 
ness has  been  increased  through  travel-study  seminars  in 
the  Middle  East,  Central  America,  and  Africa. 


;  of  long-tenured  professors  have  also  in- 
troduced change  to  the  seminary's  distinguished  faculty. 
During  Dr.  Hall's  administration.  Union  has  replaced  14 
of  its  23  full-time  faculty.  Younger  faculty  members  have 
been  recruited  to  ensure  continuity  of  Union  tradition. 
"Appointment  of  younger  scholars  is  an  established  pat- 
tern here,"  Dr.  Hall  has  said.  "Most  of  our  distinguished 
scholars  in  the  past  were  new  to  teaching  when  they  ar- 
rived. Young  faculty  have  more  years  to  develop  an  insti- 
tutional loyalty  and  commitment." 

Through  improved  management,  new  investment 
strategies,  aggressive  board  leadership,  and  favorable  mar- 
ket conditions  of  the  1980s,  the  seminary's  endowment 
has  increased  from  less  than  $20  million  in  1981  to  over 
$70  million  today.  Union  has  also  accumulated  an  addi- 
tional $10  million  held  in  trust  by  others  on  behalf  of  the 
seminary. 

■With  such  resources.  Union  Theological  Seminary  has 
been  able  to  stay  the  course  during  a  time  of  fragmenta- 
tion and  polarization  in  the  church  and  also  to  clear  a 
backlog  of  deferred  maintenance,  investing  over  $2.5  mil- 
lion to  make  turn-of  the  century  buildings  energy  efficient 
and  to  provide  facilities  to  meet  today's  educational  and 
%  residential  needs. 


UTS  Professors  and 
Alumnus  Contribute 
to  HarperCollins 
Study  Bible 

Three  members  of  the  UTS  faculty  and  an  alumnus 
of  the  seminary  are  among  the  experts  on  the  Bible  and 
the  ancient  Near  East  who  provided  annotation  for  The 
HarperCollins  Study  Bible  to  be  released  this  fall  by 
HarperSanFrancisco,  a  division  of  HarperCollins 
Publishers.  Dr.  James  L.  Mays,  emeritus  professor  of 
Hebrew  and  Old  Testament  interpretation  and 
Distinguished  "Visiting  Professor  of  Old  Testament,  served 
as  consulting  editor  and  was  a  contributor.  Other  UTS 
faculty  members  involved  in  the  project  are  Dr.  S.  Dean 
McBride,  professor  of  Old  Testament,  who  was  a  member 
of  the  New  Revised  Standard  Version  (NRSV)  revision 
committee;  and  Dr.  "W.  Sibley  Towner,  The  Reverend 
Archibald  McFayden  Professor  of  Biblical  Interpretation. 
Dr.  Patrick  D.  Miller,  Jr.  (B.D.'59)  was  also  a  contributor 
to  the  Study  Bible.  Dr.  Miller,  who  was  professor  of 
Biblical  studies  and  dean  of  the  faculty  at  UTS,  is  now  on 
the  faculty  of  Princeton  Theological  Seminary. 

According  to  pre-publication  information  provided 
by  the  publisher.  The  HarperCollins  Study  Bible  (NRSV)  is 
designed  to  put  the  best  of  current  biblical  scholarship  at 
the  disposal  of  everyone  interested  in  the  Bible's 


meaning.  The  project  was  sponsored  by  the  Society  of 
Biblical  Literature,  which  is  the  oldest  and  largest  of  the 
learned  societies  devoted  to  biblical  study. 

The  HarperCollins  Study  Bible  draws  on  the  expertise 
of  men  and  women  who  have  devoted  their  entire  careers 
to  biblical  texts.  In  an  interview  published  in  the 
September  issue  of  Religious  Studies  News,  'Wayne  A. 
Meeks,  the  Study  Bible's  General  Editor,  said,  "[T]he 
project's  success  depended  on  the  quality  of  the  people 
whom  we  got  to  write  the  notes  and  introductions  to  the 
biblical  books.  And  we  agreed  .  .  .  that  we  ought  to  aim 
to  find  people  who  really  were  expert  in  the  particular 
documents,  who  had  shown  considerable  experience  in 
working  on  the  particular^ook  on  which  we  asked  them 
to  write.  At  the  same  time,  we  wanted  persons  who  had 
demonstrated  ability  in  communicating  to  others  than  peer 
scholars — in  communicating  without  condescension  to 
people  who  were  not  specialists." 

General  introductions  to  each  of  the  books  of  the 
Bible  provide  clarity  and  intriguing  insights  into  biblical 
archaeology,  geography,  important  figures,  and  ideas. 
Fascinating  and  precise  maps  were  prepared  exclusively 
by  Hammond,  a  leading  map  maker.  The  study  notes, 
which  are  cleariy  keyed  to  the  text,  facilitate  interpreta- 
tion, help  explain  difficult  concepts,  highlight  major 
themes,  and  point  out  fascinating  recent  discoveries,  and 
provide  authoritative  study  notes  by  leading  biblical 
experts.  "* 

The  HarperCollins  Study  Bible  (NRSV)  will  be 
available  in  the  UTS  bookstore,  which  is  located  in  Lingle 
Hall  on  the  campus  of  PSCE.  The  cloth  edition  is  $40.00. 
The  student  edition  (without  jacket)  is  $30.00. 


For  the  life  of  our  church, 

In  today's  society,  pastors  who  can  preach  and  teach  the  Gospel  of  Christ  are  more  important  than  e\'er. 
Through  your  gift  annuity  with  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia,  you  help  ensure  that  our  church  has 
courageous  leadership-men  and  women  trained  by  committed,  Christian  teachers  in  biblical  studies.  Reformed 
theology  and  ethics,  and  practical  ministry. 

A  lifetime  income  for  you. 

Through  assets  given  to  Union  Theological  Seminary,  a  gift  annuity  gives  you  the  benefit  of  interest  income 
(recently  in  the  range  of  7  to  10%  depending  on  your  age).  You  also  qualify  for  income  tax  deductions,  increased  in 
some  cases  by  the  1993  tax  law.  Your  gift  annuity  helps  secure  your  future  and  that  of  Union  Theological  Seminary. 

A  charitable  Gift  Annuity 

Union  Theological  Seminary  in  'Virginia 

A  Seminary  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (USA) 
Please  call  the  Office  of  Planned  Gifts  at  1  •  800  •  229  •  2990 
 or  write  3401  Brook  Road,  Richmond,  "Virginia  23227 


Dr.  Samuel  R.  Spencer,  Jr.,  chairman  of  the  seminary's 
Board  of  Trustees,  has  high  praise  for  Hartley  Hall.  Dr. 
Spencer  said,  "In  an  era  of  difficulty  for  most  similar  insti- 
tutions. Union  has  moved  into  the  1990s  with  an  excellent 
faculty  and  staff,  a  rising  tide  of  applications  for  admis- 
sion, and  strong,  well-managed  financial  resources. 
Thanks  to  Hartley's  leadership  and  faithfulness  to  the 
church.  Union  is  recognized  in  theological  education 
circles  across  the  country  as  one  of  the  nation  s  strongest 
seminaries." 


UTS  Presidential  Search  Is 
Underway 

The  process  of  selecting  Union  Seminary's  sixth 
president  has  already  begun  under  the  leadership  of 
Dr.  Samuel  Spencer,  chairman  of  the  seminary's  Board 
of  Trustees.  Immediately  after  President  T.  Hartley  Hall 
announced  his  retirement,  a  search  committee  was 
formed  to  screen  applicants  and  make 
recommendations  to  the  trustees,  who  will  elect  the 
new  president.  Trustee  "William  A.  'White,  Jr.,  of 
Charlotte,  North  Carolina,  has  been  appointed 
chairman  of  the  committee. 

Other  members  of  the  search  committee  are 
Michele  Allen,  president  of  the  Student  Government 
Association,  and  trustees  Roxanna  M.  Atwood,  Robert 
L.  Avinger,  Jr.,  Nancy  Gotrwald,  and  "W.  Taylor  Reveley 
III.  The  Alumni/ae  Association  is  represented  by 
Charles  "Williams,  and  the  administrative  staff  by  Jean 
Cooley,  director  of  student  life  and  associate  to  the 
dean.  Faculty  members  serving  on  the  committee  are 
"William  "V.  Arnold,  Jr.,  H.  McKennie  Goodpasture.  J. 
Frederick  Holper,  and  Douglas  F.  Ottati. 

As  a  first  step  in  the  search  process.  V<\o 
consultants  from  outside  the  seminary  communit>-  met 
with  trustees,  faculty,  staff,  and  students  to  gather 
opinions  about  the  type  of  leadership  the  seminars- 
needs  at  this  time.  Information  gathered  by  the 
consultants  will  be  compiled  in  a  report  which  will  be 
submitted  to  the  search  committee  and  the  Board  of 
Taistees. 

.applications  and  nominations  for  the  position  are 
being  widely  solicited.  Dr.  Spencer  said  the  process  of 
selecting  the  new  president  vv  ill  take  approximately  sLx 
months.  "We  expect  the  new  president  to  be  on  the 
job  before  the  opening  of  the  seminary's  183d  session 
in  September  of  1994. "  he  said. 

Nominations  from  alumni/ae  and  friends  of  the 
seminarv'  should  be  sent  to  the  Presidential  Search 
Committee  at  the  following  address: 

Presidential  Search  Committee 

Union  Theological  Seminary-  in  \'irginia 
3401  Brook  Road 
Richmond.  Virginia  2322" 


PAID  FOR  BY  FRIENDS  AND  SUPPORTERS  OF  UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  IN  VIRGINIA 


~  Page  6,  Mid-Atlantic  Presb5rterian,  November/December  1993 


Rick  Hill  (at  lower  left),  campus  minister  at  James 
Madison  University  in  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  leads  singing 
prior  to  "awesome"  worship  service  at  POWER  Student 
Leadership  Conference. 

Mid-Atlantic  students  consider 
P.O.W.E.R.  of  spirituality 

tured  13  workshops  in  which 
practical  skills  and  experien- 
tial knowledge  were  shared. 
Major  time  was  spent  in  small 
groups,  searching  for  an  un- 
derstanding of  spirituality  as 
it  is  found  in  the  world  of  the 
1990s.  As  in  the  past,  the  group 
found  its  center  in  building 
community  and  in  "awesome 
worship,"  reported  Gunn. 

As  the  small  groups  sought 
to  define  spirituality,  they  were 
led  to  a  deeper  perception  by 
their  involvement  in  hands-on 
service  in  the  city  of  Charlotte. 
Moving  outside  the  walls  of 
the  Church,  students  traveled 
one  day  to  eight  different  sites 
to  work  with  community  min- 
istry agencies. 

"In  their  witness  to  today's 
student  generation,  as  well  as 
to  the  church  of  which  they  are 
a  part,  these  student  leaders 
give  evidence  that  the  Spirit  is 
at  work  and  a  new  and  vital 
spirituality  marks  the  move- 
ment of  God's  people  on  cam- 
pus today,"  said  Gunn. 

HiftnemBer  the 

Cfinstmas 
Joy  Offering 


CHARLOTTE,  N.C.— More 
than  100  students  from  30  cam- 
puses in  the  Southeastern  U.S. 
gathered  here  Aug.  15-18  at 
Myers  Park  Church  for  the 
third  annual  POWER  Student 
Leadership  Conference. 

Under  the  theme  "Harness- 
ing the  Hurricane:  The 
POWER  of  Spirituality,"  stu- 
dent and  campus  ministry 
leaders  from  the  S5Tiod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic  were  joined  by 
students  from  campuses  in  four 
other  PC(USA)  synods. 

The  conference  has  become 
a  vital  link  in  the  equipping  of 
leadership  in  the  Presbyterian 
student  groups  at  colleges  and 
universities  across  the  region, 
according  to  George  Gunn, 
chaplain  at  Lees-McRae  Col- 
lege in  Banner  Elk,  N.C. 

The  acronym  P.O.W.E.R. 
reflects  the  breadth  of  the  event 
with  a  focus  on  Program,  Out- 
reach, Worship,  Education, 
and  Recreation. 

The  1993  conference  fea- 


PEW  REFINISHING  *  CARPET 
PEWS  *  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 


E.  C.  Moore  &  Co.,  Inc. 
P.O.  Box  524  -  Monroe,  N.C.  281 1 
704-289-5817'704-289-1599-Home 


'Hands-on'  event  planned  for  6th-8th  graders 

t 


By  JOHN  MAYES 

Conference  Director 


"Disciples  of  all  Nations"  will 
be  the  theme  for  the  1994  sum- 
mer 6th-8th  grade  "Hands-On" 
Conference  at  Massanetta 
Springs  Conference  Center  in 
Harrisonburg,  Va. 

Due  to  the  popularity  of  the 
1993  event,  there  will  be  two 
sessions:  Session  I  will  be  June 
17-20  and  Session  II  will  be 
June  22-25. 

Through  theme  presenta- 
tions, group  activities  and  ten 
cultural  workshops,  partici- 
pants will  explore  and  experi- 
ence the  diversity  of  the  people 
of  God.  Together  we  will  be 
challenged  by  different  per- 
spectives and  expressions  of 
the  Christian  faith  from  among 
"every  nation,  tribe,  people, 
and  language." 

These  experiences  among 
neighbors  and  strangers  will 
be  opportunities  to  discover 
that  in  diversity  we  are  one  in 
Christ.  It  is  through  Christ 
that  we  will  realize  our  call  as 
peace-makers  to  love  our  en- 
emies, build  up  God's  people, 
and  make  disciples  of  all  na- 
tions. 

As  at  last  summer's  "True 
Colors"  Conference,  "hands- 
on"  workshop  experiences  will 
be  the  most  inspirational  fea- 
ture in  developing  the  confer- 
ence theme.  Participants  will 
have  the  opportunity  to  expe- 
rience interrelated  elements  of 
faith,  art,  history,  cuisine, 
music,  and  other  aspects  of  two 
cultures  of  their  choice.  Cul- 
turally diverse  workshop  di- 
rectors from  Korea,  Italy, 
South  Africa,  Russia,  Mexico, 
China,  India,  Scotland,  the 
Middle  East,  and/or  others — 
as  well  as  Native  North  Ameri- 
cans — are  currently  being 
sought. 

Twenty  four  high-school- 
aged  enablers  are  also  being 
recniited  to  work  on  three  lead- 
ership teams.  One  workshop 
enabler  will  assist  each  work- 
shop director. 

Seven  activity  enablers  will 
work  with  the  activity  direc- 
tor, Bill  Chase  of  Alamance 
Church,  Greensboro,  N.C,  to 
develop  and  provide  organiza- 
tion for  free  time  and  social 
events. 


WislForTLePerfedRelir, 


our 


'emenit 


It  is  no  wonder 
that  so  many  people 
have  already  made 
King's  Grant  their 
home.  We  designed  the 
kind  of  caring  commu- 
nity that  seniors  have 
been  asking  for.  At 
King's  Grant  you  will 
enjoy  exceptional  ser- 


Mail  to:  1  King's  Way  Road,  Martinsville.  VA  24112-6610 


vices  and  amenities,  a 
choice  of  financial 
plans,  continuing  care, 
and  a  stable  ownership 
with  a  more  than  80- 
year  history  in  retire- 
ment care.  Selection  is 
limited,  so  please  write 
or  caU  703-634-1000  or 
800-462-4649  soon. 


IKing's  Grant' 

A  Sunnyside  Retirement  Community 

PNF-1093-O 


Participants  and  high  school  leaders  share  closing 
worship  during  the  1993  6th-8th  grade  event  at 
Massanetta  Springs.  The  success  of  this  first-time  event 
has  led  planners  to  schedule  two  sessions  for  1994. 


Two  theme  directors  and 
seven  theme  enablers  will 
jointly  create  and  produce 
theme  presentation,  worship, 
and  devotional  activities.  Each 
young  leader  will  have  the  op- 
portunity to  grow  through 
preparation  for  the  conference, 


personal  interaction  with  par- 
ticipants, and  individual  lead- 
ership training  and  guidance 
with  other  church  leaders. 

Conference  Director  John 
Mayes  of  Raleigh,  N.C,  may 
be  contacted  at  his  home,  phone 
(919)  781-0548. 


Former  presbytery  exec  dies 


The  Rev.  Clements  E.  Lam- 
berth  Jr.,  former  general  pres- 
byter of  Concord  Presbytery 
(now  Salem)  died  of  cancer 
Sept.  19  at  his  home  in  Wash- 
ington, Pa.  He  was  60. 

Memorial  services  were  held 
Sept.  22  at  Church  of  the  Cov- 
enant (where  he  was  pastor)  in 
Washington,  Pa.,  and  Sept.  25 
at  First  Church,  Statesville, 
N.C. 

Lamberth,  a  native  of 
Brownsville,  Texas,  graduated 
from  Austin  College,  got  his 
B.D.  from  Princeton  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  and  earned  a 
doctorate  from  McCormick 
Theological  Seminary.  He  was 
ordained  in  1958. 

Lamberth  went  on  to  serve 
churches  in  Grapevine, 
Coleman  and  Lubbock,  Texas, 
and  the  Church  of  the  Cov- 
enant. He  served  as  modera- 
tor of  two  presbyteries,  stated 
clerk  of  Palo  Duro  and  Con- 
cord Presbyteries,  and  for  13 
years  was  general  presbyter  of 
Concord  Presbytery. 

Lamberth  was  an  original 
member  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly Council  following  reunion 
in  1983.  After  completing  his 
term  on  the  council,  he  served 


Clements  E.  Lamberth 

as  chair  of  a  task  force  that 
devised  a  new  plan  for  mission 
partnership  funding  between 
the  General  Assembly  and  its 
16  synods. 

Surviving,  in  addition  to  his 
mother,  are  his  wife,  Bonnie 
Jean;  one  daughter,  Elizabeth; 
two  sons,  Jim  and  David;  one 
brother,  John;  one  sister,  Ora 
Lee  Allshouse;  one  niece  and 
two  nephews. 

—PC(USA)  News  Service 


Montreat  Stewardship  Conference 
April  17-20,  1994 

for  pastors  and  members  of  congregational  and 
presbytery  committees.  See  1994  Montreat  catalog. 

It's  a  Matter  of  Attitude 

Learn  the  nitty-gritty  about  how  to  do  Steward- 
ship in  the  congregation  and  presbytery. 

Co-Keynoters:  Isabel  Rogers  and  Tom  Tewell 
Individually  and  in  dialog 

Biblical,  Theological  Approach— Creative  Application 

Choose  five  workshops,  all  related  to  Stewardship: 
Attitude  Adjustment;  Theology  in  Congregations; 
Tithing;  Budget  Building;  Preaching;  Year-Round 
Education;  Choosing  the  Right  Campaign;  Genera- 
tions; Endowments;  Values  Clarification;  Multi-Year 
Planning;  Recruiting  &  Training  Volunteers;  Ethnic 
Context;  Small  Membership  Congregations;  Mission 
Interpretation;  and  more. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1993,  Page  7 


Ceanfagliones  serve  older  adults 
with  enthusiasm,  energy 


By  JAN  McGILLIARD 

As  he  grew  older,  wiser  and 
more  experienced,  Frank 
Ceanfaglione  began  to  ques- 
tion the  very  common  phrase: 
"The  youth  are  the  life  blood  of 
the  church." 

In  fact,  his  feelings  about 
the  vitality  of  people  his  age 
and  older  led  him  to  say  "yes" 
when  asked  to  serve  on  the 
Presbytery  of  Baltimore's  Edu- 
cation and  Nurture  Commit- 
tee. Since  then,  Frank  and  his 
wife,  Bette,  have  been  active 
enablers  of  older  adult  minis- 
try for  the  presb5^ery. 

The  fact  that  growing  num- 
bers of  older  adults  in  all  phases 
and  stages  of  life  are  partici- 
pating in  church  activities  con- 
vinced them  of  the  need  to  es- 
tablish a  specific  ministry  that 
would  emphasize  issues  of  ag- 
ing. 

Bette  and  Frank  are  excel- 
lent role  models  for  all  who 
work  with  them,  exhibiting 


enthusiasm,  energy,  a  don't- 
give-up  attitude,  and  leader- 
ship skills  that  draw  local  con- 
gregations into  a  growing  net- 
work. 

A  special  interest  of  the 
Ceanfagliones  is  the  "Older 
Adult  Experience,"  a  fall  re- 
treat for  seniors  held  at  Chesa- 
peake Center,  the  synod's  con- 
ference center  at  Port  Deposit, 
Md.  Every  year  about  40  per- 
sons gather  for  spiritual 
growth  and  fellowship,  thanks 
to  the  Ceanfagliones'  efforts  to 
coordinate  this  event. 

In  the  spring,  they  invite 
participants  back  for  a  "Re- 
union Picnic,"  providing  an 
opportunity  to  renew  friend- 
ships made  in  the  fall.  Being 
witnesses  to  the  community 
that  is  built  in  a  retreat  setting 
is  ample  reward  for  all  they  do 
to  create  a  meaningful  and 
mirthful  program. 

Of  70  churches  in  Baltimore 
Presbytery,  42  are  involved  in 
the  older  adult  ministry  net- 


Rogers,  Tewell  are  keynoters 


MONTREAT,  N.C.— Past  PC- 
(USA)  moderator  Isabel  Wood 
Rogers  and  Houston,  Texas, 
pastor  Thomas  KTewell  will 
be  co-kejntioters  for  the  annual 
national  Stewardship  Confer- 
ence, April  17-20. 

The  conference  theme,  "It's 
aMatter  of  Attitude,"  expresses 
the  planning  team's  definition 
of  effective  individual  and  con- 
gregational stewardship.  This 
year's  conference,  in  response 
to  evaluations  fi-om  earlier  con- 
ferences, will  focus  on  specific 
how-to's  for  pastors  and  laity 
who  are  members  of  congrega- 


Employment 


Pastor 

Conduct  religious  worship  and  perform  other 
spiritual  functions  associated  with  the  beliefs  and 
practices  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Provide 
spiritual  and  moral  guidance  and  assistance  to 
members  of  the  congregation. 

9a.m.  to6p.m.,  Wednesday-Sunday.  M.DIv. 
and  two  years  experience  as  Associate  Pastor 
required.  Must  be  ordained  Presbyterian  minis- 
ter. Annual  salary  $36,750. 

Mail  resume  and  copy  of  ad  to:  Department 
of  EconomicandEmploymentDevelopment,  1100 
N.  Eutaw  St.,  #212,  Baltimore,  MD  21201.  Job 
Order  No.  9248374.  Job  Location:  Bel  Air,  Md. 

Church  Educator 

Our  1 ,700-member,  multiple-staffed,  metropoli- 
tan church  is  looking  for  a  full-time  Certified  or 
qualified  CE  whose  primary  responsibility  will  be 
providing  leadership,  vision  and  support  for  all  CE 
programs.  This  position  will  report  to  the  Head  of 
Staff.  •  Fonward  applications  to:  Mrs.  Nora 
Andresen,  Chair,Search  Committee,  Westminster 
Presbyterian  Church,  1504  W.  13th  St., 
Wilmington,  DE 19806. 

Christian  Education/Small 
Group  Development 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Binghamton, 
N.Y.,  a  progressive,  growing  church  with  600 
members,  is  offering  a  full-time  position  for  some- 
one to  lead  Christian  Education  and  Small  Group 
Development.  Seeking  a  creative  person,  prefer- 
ably experienced  in  education,  volunteer  coordi- 
nation, and  group  development.  Competitive  sal- 
ary with  benefits.  EEO.  Send  resume  to  Sally 
Havens,  do  FPC,  42  Chenango  St.,  Binghamton, 
NY  13901 

PEW  CUSHIONS  = 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.  BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG,  VA  24502 

1-800-572-2283  - 


tional  and  presbytery  commit- 
tees. 

In  addition  to  five  periods 
with  the  keynoters,  partici- 
pants will  have  the  opportu- 
nity to  attend  five  of  15  work- 
shops offered. 

Workshop  leaders  will  in- 
clude Robert  Richardson,  Al 
Kissling,  David  McCreath,  Phil 
Williams,  Saundy  Templeton, 
Frank  Colclough,  Leslie 
Schrader,  Jay  Hudson,  Yvette 
Dalton,  Bruce  Chapman,  and 
Vicki  Poole. 

Registration  information  is 
in  the  1994  Montreat  catalog 
or  call  1  (800)  572-2257. 


Bette  and  Frank 
Ceanfaglione 

work,  meeting  on  a  regular 
basis  to  share  information, 
develop  programs,  and  raise 
awareness  about  issues  of  con- 
cern to  older  persons.  Their 
goal,  of  course,  is  to  involve  all 
the  churches  in  the  presb5^ery 
in  an  exciting  ministry  that 
involves  and  advocates  for 
older  adults. 

Another  goal  is  to  dispel  the 
many  stereotypes  of  aging  and 
to  encourage  the  generations 
to  become  more  involved  with 
one  another. 

Like  many  of  our  enablers, 
Bette  and  Frank  bring  with 
them  a  lifetime  of  experience 
through  their  involvement  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
through  raising  three  children 
and  nurturing  many  more. 

They  celebrated  their  50th 
wedding  anniversary  last  year, 
and  decided  they  still  make  a 
pretty  good  team. 

Jan  McGilliard  of  Blacks- 
burg,  Va.,  serves  as  staff  to  the 
synod's  Older  Adult  Ministries 
Committee  (formerly  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  Association  of  Minis- 
tries with  Older  Adults). 


Synod  youth  leadership 
training  event  attracts  180 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— One- 
hundred-and-eighty  youth  and 
adults  participated  in  the  an- 
nual Youth  Leadership  Train- 
ing Event  Oct.  1-3  at  Massa- 
netta  Springs. 

Senior  high  youth  who  are 
leaders  and  adults  who  work 
with  youth  participated  in  a 
variety  of  workshops  and 
events.  The  annual  event  is 
sponsored  by  the  synod's  Youth 
Council. 

A  variety  of  90-minute  work- 
shops included  topics  like  re- 
treat planning,  faith  develop- 
ment and  spirituality,  dealing 
with  human  sexuality  issues 
in  the  church,  racism,  and 
youth  empowerment. 

Dee  Koza  presented  the  key- 
note address  on  Ephesians 
4:12-13.  Dottie  Metropol  and 


Bill  Chase  enlivened  the  large 
group  sessions  with  music, 
mixers  and  games. 

Worship  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing, led  by  the  Worship  Work- 
out under  the  able  and  cre- 
ative direction  of  Edyth  Potter 
and  Jimmie  Hawkins,  was  a 
highpoint  of  the  weekend.  Dra- 
matic interpretation  of  scrip- 
ture, liturgical  dance,  prayer, 
music  and  the  celebration  of 
the  Lord's  Supper  ended  the 
weekend  event. 

An  offering  for  relief  efforts 
in  India  and  in  the  Midwest 
was  taken  totaling  $195.55. 

Several  participants  wit- 
nessed to  how  God  and  the 
church  helped  in  their  lives. 

Next  year's  Youth  Leader- 
ship Event  will  be  Oct.  7-9, 
1994,  at  Massanetta  Springs. 


Massanetta  offers  youth  ski  retreats 


Massanetta  Springs  Confer- 
ence Center  in  Harrisonburg, 
Va.,  will  offer  special  rates  for 
Presbyterian  church  youth 
group  ski  retreats. 

Twenty-three  groups  took 
advantage  of  the  special  rates 
in  1992.  The  center  offers  these 
rates  for  church  youth  retreats 
because  of  its  commitment  to 
providing  opportunities  for 
worship,  fellowship  and  ser- 
vice for  young  people. 

A  daily  rate  of  $30.68  per 
person  will  buy  three  meals, 
lodging  with  linens  in  the  mo- 
tel building,  and  evening 
snacks  around  the  fireplace.  A 
minimum  of  20  youth  is  re- 
quired for  this  special  rate,  and 
two  adults  stay  free  with  each 
20  pajdng  youth. 

Also  available  is  the  Wilson 
Cottage,  which  sleeps  up  to  25 
people  and  can  be  rented  with 


or  without  linens.  Purchase  of 
meals  from  Massanetta 
Springs  is  optional  for  those 
using  Wilson  Cottage,  which 
has  its  own  kitchen  facilities. 
Price  per  person  at  Wilson 
Cottage  starts  as  low  as  $10.90 
per  person  per  night. 

Groups  must  make  their 
own  reservations  for  ski  pack- 
ages at  Massanutten  Village 
Ski  Slopes  which  is  located 
approximately  seven  miles 
from  Massanetta  Springs. 

Massanetta  Springs,  which 
is  owned  and  operated  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic,  is 
located  near  1-81  and  is  a  two- 
and-a-half-hour  drive  from 
Washington,  D.C.,  or  Rich- 
mond, Va. 

For  more  information  call 
(703)  434-3829  weekdays  be- 
tween 9  a.m.  and  5  p.m. 


Our  Residents  Bring 
Some  Special  Views 
To  Retirement  Living. 

Whether  they're  on  the  patio  of  their  cottage 
enjoying  a  sunset  over  the  mountains,  in  the 
dining  room  enjoying  a  delicious  meal  or  visiting 
The  University  of  Virginia  for  a  concert  or  class, 
our  residents  have  a  great  view  of  life. 

And  they  should.  After  all,  in  addition  to  our 
location  and  spectacular  vistas,  two  aspects  set 
Westminster-Canterbury  of  the  Blue  Ridge  apart 
from  most  other  communities: 

•The  special  spirit  we  receive  from  an  affiliation 
with  the  Presbyterian  and  Episcopal  Churches. 

•The  fact  that  we  are  a  true  not-for-profit  full  life 
care  community  with  on-site  nursing  care  for  life. 

I  1 

I  Yes,  I  want  more  information. 

I  Call  to  set  an  appointment  for  me  to  visit. 

I  Rush  me  more  information. 

I  Name  

i  Address  

I  City  State  Zip. 


Phone ( 


)- 


-  Age_ 


Westminster-Canterbury  of  the  Blue  Ridge 
250  Pantops  Mountain  Road, 
Charlottesville,  Virginia  22901 

(804)980-9100  PN1193 


ofthe/ilueAidge 
A  timeless  setting  for  the  time  of  your  life. 


Page  8,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1993 

Presbytery  representatives  learn 
how  to  respond  to  clergy  misconduct 


By  ROSALIND  BANBURY-HAMM 

RICHMOND,  Va.— The  news 
of  clergy  sexual  misconduct  has 
hit  the  secular  press  in  recent 
months.  Courts  have  awarded 
large  cash  settlements  to 
women  abused  by  their  pas- 
tors. Yet  the  phenomenon  of 
clergy  sexual  misconduct  is  not 
well  understood. 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-At- 
lantic sponsored  a  training 
event  here  Oct.  11-14  for  pres- 
b5rtery  representatives  from 
Committees  on  Ministry,  staff 
or  other  appropriate  persons. 

The  trainer  was  Elizabeth 
Stellas  from  the  Center  for  the 
Prevention  of  Sexual  and  Do- 
mestic Violence,  Seattle,  Wash. 
The  three-and-one-half  day 
event  dealt  with  professional 
conduct;  the  issue  of  power  in 
the  ministerial  relationship; 
appropriate  "boundaries"  in 
the  ministerial  relationship; 
"sexualized"  behavior;  the  role 
of  the  presbytery  in  education, 
intervention  and  response  to 
accusations  of  clergy  miscon- 
duct. 

The  training  emphasized  a 
church  response  based  upon 
the  church's  understanding  of 


protecting  the  most  vulnerable 
in  our  society.  Just  as  Israel  in 
the  Old  Testament  was  to  ex- 
ercise special  care  for  widows, 
children,  and  strangers  who 
had  little  protection  in  that 
society,  the  church  is  called 
upon  today  to  protect  those 
who  are  physically  or  emotion- 
ally vulnerable. 

Examples  of  adults  who  are 
emotionally  vulnerable  are 
persons  whose  loved  one  is 
djdng,  those  undergoing  mari- 
tal conflict  or  divorce,  those 
experiencing  serious  illness, 
those  who  have  lost  jobs,  those 
who  as  children  were  victims 
of  child  abuse  or  molestation. 
Any  person  who  is  normally 
self-confident  and  competent 
may  become  emotionally  vul- 
nerable depending  on  the  cir- 
cumstances in  her  or  his  life. 
Clergy  have  access  to  people  in 
the  most  traumatic  and  inti- 
mate times  in  their  lives.  It  is 
of  supreme  importance  that  the 
clergy  not  violate  the  trust 
placed  in  them. 

The  role  of  the  clergy  is  one 
of  authority,  power  and  ser- 
vice to  the  members  of  a 
church.  Clergy  are  responsible 
for  interpreting  God's  word  and 


Seminary  scholarships  announced 


The  Racial  Ethnic  Ministries 
Committee  of  the  synod  has 
announced  creation  of  a  new 
scholarship  for  racial  ethnic 
persons  enrolled  in  Presbyte- 
rian theological  seminaries. 

The  Racial  Ethnic  Seminary 
Scholarship  is  intended  to  en- 
courage racial  ethnic  persons 
in  their  pursuit  of  a  master  of 
divinity  degree.  Four  $500 
scholarships  will  be  presented 
each  year  beginning  with  1993. 

Application  deadline  is 
March  15. 

The  Racial  Ethnic  Minis- 
tries Committee  will  award  the 
scholarships  using  the  follow- 
ing set  of  criteria. 

The  applicant  must  have 


successfully  completed  four 
years  of  college  or  the  equiva- 
lent. 

Preference  will  be  given  to 
Presbyterians  and  the  appli- 
cant must  be  a  racial  ethnic 
person. 

The  applicant  must  have 
been  accepted  in  an  accredited 
PC(USA)  seminary,  must  have 
applied  for  financial  aid  to  the 
specific  seminary  and  must 
have  demonstrated  his  or  her 
financial  need. 

For  more  information,  write 
to  the  Rev.  Warren  Lesane, 
attn:  Racial  Ethnic  Ministries 
Committee,  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic,  P.O.  Box  27026,  Rich- 
mond, VA  23261. 


STATEMENT  OF  OWNERSHIP.  MANAGEMENT  AND  CIRCULATION 


j!J:.Ll±Ni.l!::.:!: 


^^^^^ 


bringing  words  of  comfort  and 
healing  in  the  midst  of  crisis. 

Clergy  violate  the  trust  of 
congregants  when  they  use  the 
authority  and  power  of  their 
position  to  influence  congre- 
gants to  engage  in  sexual  ac- 
tivity. In  terms  of  the  conse- 
quences suffered  by  the  vic- 
tims, the  closest  parallel  to 
clergy  misconduct  is"  incest. 

Adults  experiencing  emo- 
tional crisis  or  personal  vul- 
nerability are  unable  to  give 
truly  informed  consent  to 
sexual  relationships  with  their 
pastors.  Adults  who  are  abused 
by  their  pastors  feel  betrayed, 
lost,  isolated  from  God  and  the 
church. 

Congregants  should  be  able 
to  expect  safety  and  sanctuary 
in  the  church  but  instead  it 
can  become  a  place  of  abuse. 
Clergy  are  responsible  for 
maintaining  appropriate 
boundaries  with  their 
congregants. 

Stellas  said  that  the  victims 
of  clergy  sexual  abuse  "ask  so 
little  of  us.  They  love  their 
church."  She  said  that  the 
victims  ask  for  four  things: 

1)  to  be  believed.  Often  the 
victims  are  not  believed  or  sup- 
ported by  the  church,  which 
supposedly  stands  for  justice 
and  compassion.  Only  in  rare 
cases  have  the  charges  against 
clergy  been  unfounded.  The 
Center  for  the  Prevention  of 
Sexual  and  Domestic  Violence 
has  dealt  with  approximately 
2,000  cases  of  clergy  sexual 
misconduct.  Fewer  than  10 
were  unfounded,  said  Stellas. 

2)  Victims  want  a  written 
apology  from  the  abuser  in 
which  the  abuser  acknowl- 
edges responsibility  for  the 
harm  done. 

3)  Victims  often  need  resti- 
tution in  the  form  of  some  fi- 
nancial help  in  paying  for  the 
cost  of  counseling.  Victims 
have  to  put  their  lives  back 
together.  Often  they  need  pro- 
fessional help  to  do  so. 

4)  Victims  want  some  assur- 
ance that  the  abuse  will  not 
happen  to  other  people.  Many 
pastors  are  "repeat  offenders": 
engaging  in  multiple  sexual 
relationships  with  congregants 
simultaneously  or  in  different 
congregations  over  a  period  of 
years.  Victims  do  not  want  oth- 
ers to  have  to  endure  the  abuse 
that  they  have  suffered. 

It  has  been  when  church 
officials  have  ignored  and  done 
nothing  about  the  charges 
brought  against  pastors  that 
victims  have  gone  to  the  civil 
courts. 

Civil  courts  have  awarded 
some  very  large  settlements  to 
victims  when  it  has  been 
proven  that  the  church  knew 
that  the  pastor  had  a  history  of 
sexual  abuse  of  congregants 
and  the  church  officials  did 
nothing  to  stop  further  abuse. 

Call  your  presbytery  office 
for  the  name  of  a  qualified  per- 
son to  offer  an  educational 
event  or  call  the  synod  office. 


REFINISHING 


Anna  Kelie  of  Curacao,  Andrew  Kerry  of  Guyana  and 
Peter  Kugba-Nyande  of  Sierra  Leon  prepare  for  a 
morning's  work  at  Peninsula  Habitat  for  Humanity 
project.  The  Christian  lay  center  directors  spent  a  week 
at  Makemie  Woods  prior  to  a  conference  at  Montreat. 

Centers  host  international  visitors 

In  late  August,  Massanetta  Springs  Conference  Center  in 
Harrisonburg,  Va.,  and  Makemie  Woods  near  Williamsburg, 
Va.,  hosted  participants  enroute  to  the  First  International 
Conference  of  Christian  Lay  Centres  at  Montreat,  N.C. 

Stan  Fedyszyn  of  First  Church,  Nofolk,  Va.,  sponsored  the 
group  of  four  conference  center  directors  who  visited  Makemie 
Woods,  which  is  operated  by  the  Presb3rtery  of  Eastern  Virginia. 
"It  is  World  Council  of  Churches  policy  to  have  people  spend  a 
week  in  the  continent  where  the  conference  will  be  held,  before 
they  sit  down  to  talk,"  said  Fedyszyn.  "It's  intended  to  give 
everyone  a  common  ground  for  discussion." 

The  group  at  Makemie  Woods  visited  a  variety  of  programs 
which  exemplified  the  conference  theme,  Weaving  Communi- 
ties of  Hope.  They  even  spent  one  morning  working  on  a  local 
Habitat  for  Humanity  house. 

"It  seems  that  most  of  the  projects  that  work  in  America  are 
those  in  which  the  church  cooperates  with  either  private  or 
public  sector  groups,"  said  Andrew  Kelly  of  Guyana.  "That 
would  never  happen  in  my  country.  Every  one  is  so  protective 
of  turf  that  they  would  never  cooperate." 

Vision  Awards  nominations  sought 

RICHMOND,  Va.— The  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Edu- 
cation (PSCE)  is  taking  nominations  for  its  1993-94  Vision 
Awards  for  excellence  in  Christian  education.  The  Tolly  Thomp- 
son Award  for  Excellence  in  Christian  Education,  the  Sarah  Hill 
Brown  Award  for  Early  Childhood  Education,  the  Elinor  Curry 
Award  for  Outreach  and  Social  Concern,  and  the  Katherine 
Hawes  Award  for  Effective  Youth  Ministry  are  made  annually. 
Each  recipient  church  receives  $1,000  to  enhance  or  expand  the  J 
recognized  program.  The  awards  are  presented  during  PSCE's  1 
annual  dinner  held  in  conjunction  the  General  Assembly.  " 

The  application  deadline  is  Feb.  1,  1994.  For  information 
write  to  the  PSCE  Communications  Office,  1205  Palmyra  Ave., 
Richmond,  VA  23227  or  phone  (804)  254-8049  and  ask  for  Nancy 
Fischer. 

IVIontreat  launches  $6  million  drive 

MONTREAT,  N.C— Montreat  Conference  Center  has  launched 
a  $6  million  "Second  Century  Fund"  drive  to  finance  a  50-room 
addition  to  the  Assembly  Inn,  the  center's  primary  housing 
facility.  The  addition  will  also  provide  a  meeting  room  for  150 
persons,  two  25-seat  meeting  rooms,  a  renovated  lower  lobby  to 
expedite  registration,  100  additional  dining  room  seats,  a  new 
kitchen  and  private  dining  room,  and  an  additional  meal  serv- 
ing line.  The  national  conference  center's  goal  is  to  complete  the 
fund  drive  by  1996  so  that  the  construction  can  be  completed  by 
1997,  when  Montreat  will  be  celebrating  its  centennial. 

Christian  educator  McWhorter  dies 

Ehzabeth  Lee  McWhorter,  71,  died  Aug.  23  in  Atlanta,  Ga.  A 
graduate  of  the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education,  she 
served  churches  in  Wilmington,  N.C,  and  Richmond,  Va., 
during  her  long  career  as  a  Christian  educator.  She  also  served 
on  the  curriculum  development  staff  of  the  PC(US)  General 
Assembly  Mission  Board  in  Atlanta.  After  her  retirement  in 
1977,  McWhorter  served  10  years  as  a  volunteer  writer,  editor, 
consultant,  and  teacher.  Since  1985,  she  had  been  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Task  Force  on  Disability.  A  memorial  service 
was  held  Aug.  29  at  Central  Church  in  Atlanta. 

St.  Andrew  Society  receives  grant 

BIG  ISLAND,  Va.— The  Presbyterian  Hunger  Program  has 
granted  $2,500  to  the  Society  of  St.  Andrew's  Harvest  of  Hope 
Program.  The  grant  will  be  used  to  feed  the  hungry  and  to  help 
educate  youth  and  adults  about  hunger  in  the  world  today, 
according  to  Harvest  of  Hope  spokesperson  Julie  Taylor.  Pres- 
bjd;erian  Hunger  Program  grants  are  funded  by  the  One  Great 
Hour  of  Sharing  offering.  Many  Christian  denominations  sup- 
port the  Society  of  St.  Andrew's  programs. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December 


Warren  Wilson  College  students,  faculty  and  staff  joined  with  community  volunteers 
this  past  summer  to  work  on  the  college's  archealogical  dig.  A  new  core  curriculum 
stresses  global  issues  and  intercultural  understanding  as  one  of  six  areas  of  focus. 

Warren  Wilson  educates  whole  person 


Editor's  note — This  article  from 
Warren  Wilson  College  arrived 
after  the  deadline  for  the 
Higher  Education  section  in 
the  September  /  October  issue. 

ASHEVILLE,  N.C.— Named 
by  the  Making  a  Difference 
College  Guide  as  one  of  "the 
most  innovative,  engaging,  and 
thoughtful  schools  in  the  na- 
tion," Warren  Wilson  College 
is  a  private,  liberal  arts  college 
that  combines  strong  academ- 
ics with  productive  work  and 
community  service  for  a  more 
involving,  more  meaningful 
education.  This  unique  "triad" 
teaches  students  to  make  con- 
nections, solve  problems,  and 
grasp  ideas  in  a  way  no  other 
program  can. 

Warren  Wilson  was  founded 
by  Presbyterians  as  the  Ashe- 
ville  Farm  School  in  1894  to 
provide  education  for  boys  from 
the  Appalachian  mountain 
area.  The  school  has  main- 
tained a  covenant  relationship 
with  the  church.  As  we  ap- 
proach our  centennial  in  1994, 
we  remain  dedicated  to  the 
concept  of  educating  the  whole 
person. 

We  are  500  students  from 
37  states  and  25  countries.  We 
provide  a  strong,  liberal  arts 
education:  there  are  14  majors 
and  19  minors,  including  tra- 


ditional studies  in  arts  and  sci- 
ences as  well  as  innovative  in- 
terdisciplinary and  individu- 
ally designed  programs. 

Classes  are  small,  averag- 
ing 11  students,  and  study 
emphasizes  how  we  learn — 
explaining  ways  that  humans 
have  created  or  found  mean- 
ing. Our  faculty  and  staff  are 
drawn  here  from  the  finest 
graduate  programs  in  the 
country  by  a  teaching  philoso- 
phy that  focuses  on  the  indi- 
vidual and  the  integration  of 
theory  and  practice. 

In  addition  to  academics,  our 
students  also  learn  the  value 
of  work  and  service.  Since  the 
college's  founding,  students 
have  been  the  work  force  for 
Warren  Wilson.  Each  student 
works  15  hours  a  week  on  one 
of  70  work  crews.  They  do  elec- 
trical work,  plumbing,  land- 
scaping, tend  the  animals  on 
the  300-acre  farm,  clean  build- 
ings, and  repair  gutters.  They 
constitute  chief  support  for 
many  offices,  including  alumni 
affairs,  admissions,  and  the 
work  program  itself 

Our  students  also  perform  a 
minimum  of  20  hours  of  com- 
munity service  for  each  year 
they  are  enrolled;  they  provide 
over  10,000  hours  of  service 
yearly.  They  work  with  the 
hungry,  the  homeless,  the  eld- 


Mary  Baldwin-VMI  link  proposed 


STAUNTON,  Va.— Mary  Bald- 
win College  announced  in  late 
September  that  its  faculty  had 
overwhemingly  approved  the 
college's  new  Virginia  Women's 
Institute  for  Leadership. 

The  program  has  made  news 
as  a  possible  solution  to  legal 
problems  facing  Virginia  Mili- 
tary Institute  (VMI)  in  nearby 
Lexington. 

A  state-funded,  males-only 
institution,  VMI  is  under  a  fed- 
eral court  order  to  remedy  dis- 

FREE  ESTIMATES 


A&H 

ART  &  STAINED  GLASS 
COMPANY,  INC. 


crimination  in  its  single-sex 
admissions  policy. 

The  Mary  Baldwin  leader- 
ship program  would  provide 
training  for  women  like  that 
offered  by  VMI.  In  return, 
Mary  Baldwin  would  receive  a 
state  subsidy  for  each  partici- 
pant, and  the  VMI  Foundation 
would  provide  a  $5.5  million 
endowment,  construction 
money,  and  a  $500,000  schol- 
arship fund. 

The  Fourth  U.S.  Circuit 
Court  of  Appeals  in  Roanoke, 
Va.,  will  consider  the  proposal 
in  January. 


t FIBERGLASS  STEEPLES  i 
CROSSES -BAPTISTRIES  /I 
WATER  HEATERS  ill 

LIHLE  GlANmKaURING  CO. 


erly,  AIDS  victims,  youth,  and 
the  differently  abled.  They 
reroof  homes,  hold  crack-ad- 
dicted newborns,  and  minister 
to  the  dying. 

Both  the  work  and  service 
programs  often  travel  abroad 
to  share  their  skills  and  con- 
cerns, from  building  medical 
clinics  in  the  Dominican  Re- 
public to  creating  seedling 
nurseries  in  the  cloud  forests 
of  Costa  Rica. 

At  Warren  Wilson,  we  be- 
lieve in  solving  problems  rather 
than  perpetuating  them,  in 
defining  and  understanding 
our  roles  in  social  growth  and 
justice  and  community  respon- 
sibility. 

Our  mission  is  "to  provide 
an  education  combining  study, 
work,  and  service  in  a  setting 
that  promotes  wisdom  and 
understanding,  spiritual 
growth,  and  contribution  to  the 
common  good."  With  your  sup- 
port, we  will  continue  to  make 
a  difference. 


Education  loans 
available  for  '94 

SYKESVILLE,  Md.— Spring- 
field Church  here  is  taking  ap- 
plications through  Jan.  15, 
1994,  for  interest-free  loans 
from  the  church's  Ruth  Gosnell 
Education  Fund. 

To  be  eligible,  a  student 
must  have  attained  a  junior 
status  in  an  accredited  institu- 
tion of  higher  education. 

First  priority  is  given  to  stu- 
dents who  are  members  of  the 
Springfield  Chiirch.  After  that, 
priority  is  given  to  members  of 
the  Sykesville  community,  stu- 
dents from  within  the  bounds 
of  Baltimore  Presbytery,  and 
students  from  within  the 
bounds  of  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid- Atlantic. 

To  receive  an  application 
form,  write  to  Springfield  Pres- 
byterian Church,  7300  Spout 
Hill  Rd.,  Sykesville,  MD  21784. 


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Campus  Notes 


Seminary  awards  scholarships 

RICHMOND,  Va.— Four  Union  Theological  Seminary  students 
from  within  the  synod  are  among  18  who  received  W.T.  Thomp- 
son Scholarships  for  the  1993-94  academic  year.  Those  from  the 
synod  who  received  the  awards  are  Brian  Stewart,  a  second- 
level  student  and  member  of  Alamance  Church  in  Greensboro, 
N.C.;  Robert  Snell,  a  rising  third-level  student  and  member  of 
First  Church  in  Lynchburg,  Va.;  Christopher  Scruggs,  a  rising 
third-level  student  and  member  of  Third  Church  of  Richmond, 
Va.;  and  James  Sledge,  a  rising  second-level  student  and 
member  of  Sharon  Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C.  The  scholarship 
was  established  in  1982  in  memory  of  Thompson,  a  former  dean 
of  the  seminary. 

'Yuletide  Treasures'  show  set 

RICHMOND,  Va.— The  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Edu- 
cation (PSCE)  has  scheduled  its  fourth  annual  Yuletide  Trea- 
sures Art  and  Craft  Show  at  Lingle  Hall.  The  show  will  be  open 
10  a.m.  to  4  p.m.  on  Dec.  2  and  noon  to  7  p.m.  on  Dec.  3.  Proceeds 
will  benefit  the  PSCE  Student  Scholarship  Fund. 

Wallace  acting  JCS  Seminary  dean 

ATLANTA,  Ga.— The  Rev.  Dr.  David  L.  Wallace  Sr.,  assistant 
dean  of  Johnson  C.  Smith  Theological  Seminary,  has  been 
appointed  acting  administrative  dean.  He  will  continue  the 
work  of  Dr.  Joseph  Alexander  Gaston,  who  retired  June  30. 

Davidson  receives  $1  million  gift 

DAVIDSON,  N.C— Davidson  College  received  a  $1  milUon  gift 
from  The  Duke  Endowment  recently  to  create  the  James  B. 
Duke  Scholarships.  The  first  merit  scholarships — valued  at 
$10,000  each — were  awarded  to  two  rising  freshmen — Laurie 
Greif  of  Lake  Oswego,  Ore.,  and  Rebekah  Peeples  of  San 
Antonio,  Texas.  Each  year  two  additional  Duke  scholars  will  be 
selected.  The  gift  establishing  the  scholarships  is  part  of  a 
special  $2  million  commitment  by  the  Duke  Endowment  to  The 
Campaign  for  Davidson. 

$300,000  grant  benefits  libraries 

ASHEVILLE,  N.C— The  Mountain  College  Library  Network 
Inc.  has  received  a  $300,000  grant  from  the  Charles  E.  Culpeper 
Foundation  to  purchase  and  install  computerized  library  tech- 
nology that  will  allow  it  to  combine  and  share  various  collec- 
tions. The  system  will  serve  more  than  6,000  library  users, 
including  students  at  Warren  Wilson  College,  Lees-McRae 
College  and  Montreat-Anderson  College. 

Israeli  peace  activist  visits  UTS,  WW 

Hanna  Knaz  (right),  Israeli  peace  activist 
from  the  Kibbutz  Gan  Shmuel  and  co-founder 
of  Women  in  Black,  was  one  of  10  interna- 
tional peacemakers  who  crisscrossed  the 
United  States  during  October,  visiting  pres- 
byteries and  Presbyterian  colleges  and  semi- 
naries. Sponsored  by  the  Presbj^terian  Peace- 
making Program,  Knaz  appeared  at  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  and  War- 
ren Wilson  College.  ttHMlHI 

Two  more  Hall  Fellows  selected 

LAURINBURG,  N.C— Two  more  Presbyterian  ministers  have 
visited  the  campus  of  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  as 
Warner  Hall  Pastoral  Fellows.  Tom  Byrd,  pastor  of  First  Church 
in  Smyrna,  Del.,  and  William  Weckerly,  pastor  of  Graham 
(N.C.)  Church,  were  on  the  campus  Oct.  17-22.  St.  Andrews  set 
up  the  Hall  Fellows  program  to  provide  opportunities  for 
research  and  reflection  for  ministers  from  within  the  synod.  For 
more  information,  contact  the  Rev.  David  Thornton  at  (919) 
277-5143. 

ITC  honors  Costen  for  leadership 

ATLANTA,  Ga.— The  Interdenominational  Theological  Center 
honored  its  fifth  president.  Dr.  James  Costen,  on  Oct.  7  with  a 
celebration  dinner  at  the  Christian  Fellowship  Baptist  Church 
in  College  Park.  The  ITC  Board  of  Trustees  cited  Costen  for  his 
"exemplary  leadership"  for  the  past  10  years. 

M-AC  honors  retiring  VP  Wilson 

MONTREAT,  N.C— Montreat-Anderson  College  honored  Dr. 
C.  Larry  Wilson  during  the  college's  homecoming  weekend  with 
an  Oct.  2  banquet.  Dr.  Wilson  retired  July  1  as  vice  president 
and  dean  of  the  college. 

Criminal  justice  group  honors  Ruth 

DAVIDSON,  N.C. — Bob  Ruth,  associate  professor  of  sociology 
at  Davidson  College,  has  been  named  Educator  of  the  Year  by 
the  North  Carolina  Criminal  Justice  Association.   Ruth  was 
honored  with  the  Margaret  Lang  Willis  Outstand: 
Justice  Educator  Award  at  a  recent  meeting  of  tl. 
in  Wilmington,  N.C. 


Page  10,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1993 


4^|ff    Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 


ACCREDITED 


This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCREDtTATION 
OF  SEIIVICES  FOR  FAMIUES 
AND  CHIIDREN.  INC 


Children  enjoy  summer  breaks 

Trips  alleviate  stress 


The  stress  of  today's  world  af- 
fects young  people  as  much  as 
it  affects  adults,  perhaps  even 
more.  This  is  especially  true 
for  the  young  people  at  Barium 
Springs. 

Though  stress  from  family 
problems  may  be  relieved  a  bit 
when  children  come  into  care 
here,  a  different  kind  of  stress 
is  introduced . . .  that  of  being  in 
a  strange  place,  surrounded 
by  different  people.  Also,  the 
old  stress  usually  returns 
rather  quickly,  for  two  main 
reasons. 

First,  being  away  from  home 
doesn't  eUminate  the  problems, 
and  second,  they  are  here  to 
try  to  begin  finding  solutions 
to  those  problems,  and  that 
means  thinking  about  them 
and  discussing  them  ...  just 
about  every  day. 

One  of  the  best  ways  to  alle- 
viate stress,  or  at  least  change 
it,  is  a  vacation!  One,  two  or 
three  days  away  from  school 


and  campus  can  do  wonders 
for  the  attitudes  and  self-es- 
teem of  these  young  people. 

The  trips  taken  this  sum- 
mer range  from  camping  over- 
night on  the  grounds  to  spend- 
ing three  days  at  the  beach. 
Most  of  the  girls  and  boys  went 
to  Carowinds  this  year. 

Some  went  to  Cherokee 
where  they  toured  the  Chero- 
kee Village,  went  Whitewater 
rafting,  tubing,  and  shopping, 
took  a  train  ride,  and  more! 

Others  went  the  opposite  di- 
rection and  spent  a  few  days 
on  the  coast  where  they  toured 
historic  sites  and  lazed  on  the 
beach. 

A  Pre-Adolescent  Center 
cottage  has  formed  its  own  Boy 
Scout  Troop  and  went  on  five 
camping  trips  this  past  year  to 
places  like  Grandfather  Moun- 
tain and  Gardner  Webb. 

Mini-trips  included  lunch 
and  a  ride  on  the  Catawba 
Queen  Paddleboat  on  Lake 


New  director  begins 


Mr.  Frank  D.  Stewart  was  wel- 
comed aboard  as  the  Director 
of  Residential  Services  on  Oct. 
25. 

Stewart  takes  the.  place  of 
Mr.  Abe  Wilkinson,  who  re- 
signed in  June  to  accept  a  posi- 
tion as  Executive  Director  of 
the  Aidmore  Children's  Cen- 
ter in  Conyers,  Georgia. 

Mr.  Robert  Pinkney,  a  staff 
member  of  the  Adolescent  Cen- 
ter since  1979,  was  the  Interim 
Director  of  Residential  Services 
from  June  until  October  25. 

Stewart  held  a  variety  of 

Thanksgiving 
Offering  near 

The  Annual  Thanksgiving  Of- 
fering for  the  Presbyterian 
Churches  in  the  S5mod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic,  PC(USA),  is  once 
again  at  hand.  Funds  from  the 
offering  are  to  be  divided 
among  Barium  Springs  Home 
for  Children,  Presbyterian 
Home  and  Family  Services, 
Inc.,  Presbyterian  Children's 
Home  of  the  Highlands,  Inc., 
Edmarc  Hospice  for  Children, 
and  Volunteer  Emergency 
Families  for  Children. 

Please  remember  that  the 
funds  raised  from  this  offering 
are  very  important  to  the  chil- 
dren at  Barium  Springs  and 
these  other  four  child  care 
agencies  within  the  Synod 
boundaries.  The  offering  will 
be  taken  up  through  local 
churches,  who  are  to  send  the 
monies  to  their  Presbytery 
treasurer  for  remittance  to 
Synod. 

Any  contributions  mailed 
directly  to  the  Home  which 
■:o'  'ain  ony  reference  to  the 
'  ' ;  a  n  k  -  ^1  ving  Offering"  will 
I '  ied  to  Synod. 


positions  at  Tri-County  Men- 
tal Health  for  ten  years,  and 
most  recently  has  been  a  Hu- 
man Resource  Specialist  in  the 
Personnel  Department  of  a  lo- 
cal manufacturing  company. 

He  has  a  Master  of  Divinity 
in  Pastoral  Studies  with  a  con- 
centration in  counseling  and 
administration  and  an  under- 
graduate degree  in  Education 
from  Appalachian  State  Uni- 
versity. 

His  excellent  experiences 
will  greatly  contribute  to  the 
children,  families,  and  staff  of 
the  Adolescent  and  Pre-Ado- 
lescent Centers. 


Slide  show 
available 

Need  a  30-minute  pre- 
sentation, including  a 
nine-minute  slide  pro- 
gram, at  your  Sunday 
night  suppers,  meetings 
of  the  Men's  and 
Women's  Church 
Groups,  Sunday  School 
classes,  etc.?  CallReade 
Baker,  Vice  President, 
Financial  Resources,  at 
(704) 872-4157  to  sched- 
ule a  presentation. 

Staff  members  are 
available  to  come  to  your 
church  or  organization, 
free  of  charge,  to  dis- 
cuss the  Home's  activi- 
ties and  answer  any 
questions.  On-campus 
tours  and  programs  are 
also  encouraged. 

You  need  to  see  this 
ministry  in  action  to 
fully  understand  how 
your  support  changes 
the  lives  of  children  and 
families. 


...Or  SO 
it  seems 


Norman,  a  day  at  Celebration 
Station  Fun  Park,  swimming 
in  Lake  Norman,  and  a  trip  to 
get  new  hair  cuts  and  styles. 

Some  of  these  young  people 
have  never  been  on  a  "real" 
vacation  with  their  families 
and  had  no  idea  what  to  ex- 
pect. Staff  make  sure  that  the 
youth  learn  new  skills  by  par- 
ticipating in  the  planning  and 
budgeting  aspects  of  a  trip. 
This  enables  the  youth  to  make 
reasonable  suggestions  for  pos- 
sible family  trips  or  activities 
when  they  return  home. 

Work  and  school  schedules 
make  it  difficult  to  plan  a  trip 
in  the  Home's  Preparation  for 
Adult  Living  Program.  They 
have  part-time  jobs  during  the 
school  year  and  usually  full- 
time  jobs  in  the  summer  (un- 
less they  are  attending  classes). 
Like  the  real  world,  it  is  very 
difficult  to  fit  a  vacation  into 
their  various  schedules.  Their 
solution  was  to  camp  out  over- 
night on  campus,  and  they  had 
a  grand  time! 

These  kinds  of  activities 
bring  a  group,  or  a  family, 
closer  together.  Going  white- 
water  rafting  gave  one  group 
of  boys  the  experience  of  work- 
ing together  as  a  team. 

This  experience  could  help 
them  participate  in  solving 
family  problems  in  group  coun- 
seling. It  also  helps  them  trust 
others  and  value  their  input. 

But  most  of  all,  everyone 
just  had  a  lot  of  fun!  They  had 
time  to  get  away,  and  come 
back  refreshed  and  ready  to 
start  anew. 

'New'  gift 
wish  list 

*  15-passenger  Van 

*  Automobiles 

*  Dining  Room  Table  (seats 

12) 

*  Washing  Machines  (2) 

*  Dryers  (2) 

*  2  Vacuum  Cleaners 

*  2  Twin  Mattresses 

*  2  Twin  Box  Springs 

*  Twin  Bed  Linens  and  Bed- 

spreads 

*  3  Couches 

*  2  Night  Stands 

*  1  Large  Bookcase 

*  Toiletries 

*  Towels  and  Wash 

cloths 

*  Sports  Equipment  (balls, 
gloves,  fris-bees,  bats, 
ping-pong  paddles,  balls 
&net) 

*  Copy  Machine 

*  New  Clothes  (girls  &  boys, 

10-18  years) 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, Post  Office  Box  1, 
Barium  Springs,  N.C.,  28010- 
0001,  phone  number  704/872- 
4157. 


Earie  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

The  cartoon  character,  Ziggy,    many  have  endured,  we  as- 
is  told  by  his  therapist,  "The 
good  news  is  that  you  are  well 
adjusted.  The  bad  news  is  that 
you  have  no  right  to  be." 

When  we  see  a  few  children 
and  young  people  having  prob- 
lems, it  is  easy  to  conclude  that 
the  younger  generation  is  hope- 
less. When  we  realize  what 


sume  them  to  be  permanently 
impaired.  Yet,  most  "come  to 
themselves"  and  build  produc- 
tive, satisfying  lives — whether 
they  have  a  right  to  or  not. 


Food  Lion  dates  set 


Will  you  help  make  Valentine's 
Day  special  for  the  children??? 
Food  Lion's  "Community  Way 
Days"  project  begins  on 
Valentine's  Day  in  1994.  Do 
your  normal  family  shopping 
at  Food  Lion  on  Feb.  14, 15  or 
16  and  be  our  sweetheart. 

North  Carolina  Presbj^eri- 
ans  may  shop  twice  at  any  North 
Carolina  Food  lion  duringthese 
three  days  in  February,  and  turn 
in  up  to  two  cash  register  receipts 
to  their  Presbyterian  church. 
Also,  each  Presbj^erian  may  ask 
one  friend  who  is  not  Presbyte- 
rian to  shop  at  Food  Lion  during 
those  three  days  and  turn  in  two 
of  their  friend's  receipts  as  well. 

It  is  as  simple  as  doing  your 
weekly  grocery  shopping  at 
Food  Lion  on  one  of  these  three 
days,  writing  your  name  and 
Barium  Springs  Home  for  Chil- 
dren on  the  back  of  your  re- 
ceipt and  turning  it  into  your 
Presbyterian  church.  If  you  are 
already  a  donor  to  the  Home, 
you  may  send  your  receipts 
directly  to  us.  Whichever  way 
you  choose,  it  is  an  easy  way  to 
help  the  children.  Food  Lion 
will  donate  5%  of  the  total  re- 
ceipts turned  in  (before  tax)  to 
the  Home. 

The  project's  rules  state: 

1)  only  North  Carolina 
Presbyterians  and  their 
friends  may  participate; 

2)  each  Presbyterian  must 
sign  his/her  name  and  Barium 
Springs  Home  for  Children  on 
the  back  of  their  Food  Lion 
cash  register  receipts  before 


turning  them  in  to  their  Pres- 
byterian church; 

3)  each  friend,  or  non-Pres- 
byterian, must  sign  their 
name,  the  name  of  the  Presby- 
terian friend  they  shopped  for, 
and  BSHC. 

North  Carolina  Presbyte- 
rian churches  will  receive  in- 
formation at  a  later  date  on 
how  to  collect  and  total  re- 
ceipts. Other  project  rules 
stipulate  that  Presbyterians 
are  not  to  solicit  receipts  from 
non-eligible  customers,  either 
inside  or  outside  the  store. 
Also,  no  boxes  are  to  be  placed 
inside  or  outside  the  store  to 
collect  receipts  from  their  mem-  i 
bers  and  friends.  Any  viola- 1 
tion  of  these  rules  could  dis-j 
qualify  the  Home  from  this^ 
project,  thus  denying  the  chil-; 
dren  of  this  valuable  opportu-  ; 
nity  for  support. 

Please  address  any  questions 
about  the  project  to  the  Home 
at  (704)  872-4157,  and  not  to 
Food  Lion  store  employees. 

The  Home  has  partici- 
pated in  this  project  for 
three  years,  generating 
three  generous  gifts  from 
Food  Lion  totaling  $31,000. 
The  check  we  receive  from 
Food  Lion  depends  directly 
on  your  participation,  so 
we  both  invite  you  and 
challenge  you  to  play  cu- 
pid  in  1994  for  the  girls  and 
boys  at  the  Home!  Please 
think  of  them  when  you 
think  of  your  loved  ones 
this  Valentine's  Day. 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


My  gift  of  $  

I  wish  to:   Honor 


_  is  enclosed 
 Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:  


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  _ 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1.  Barium  Springs.  NC  28010 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December 


Presbyterian  Women's  Circle  Leader's  Study  Guide — Lesson  Four,  December  1993 

A  Prayer  of  Praise  and  Adoration  Luke  1:46-55 


By  ROSAMOND  McCARTY 

Last  month  in  our  Bible  study  we  ex- 
amined two  prayers  of  thanksgiving 
for  the  Lord's  past,  present,  and  future 
blessings.  This  month  we  turn  to  an- 
other passage  in  Luke  to  study  Mary's 
h3min  of  praise  and  adoration. 

Thanksgiving  and  praise  often  flow 
back  and  forth  between  each  other, 
both  in  the  Bible  and  in  our  own  prayers, 
and  we  might  ask  what  is  the  differ- 
ence. Someone  has  said  we  thank  God 
for  what  He  has  done  and  praise  Him 
for  who  He  is,  but  ever,  those  tv/o  dis- 
tinctions are  hard  to  separate.  In  the 
prayer  we  are  studying  today,  Mary 
praises  God  as  the  Mighty  One  while 
reminding  her  listeners  of  the  great 
things  He  has  done. 

As  our  study  last  year  in  James 
taught  us,  what  we  do  reveals  what  we 
are  really  like;  and,  conversely,  who  we 
really  are  is  demonstrated  by  how  we 
live.  So  to  praise  God  for  who  He  is  also 
includes  thanksgiving  for  what  He  has 
done.  (See  Psalm  103  as  an  example.) 

Note  particularly  in  this  passage  in 
Luke  the  use  of  the  words  "mercy"  and 
"merciful"  (vs.  50  and  54).  God  is  mer- 
ciful; therefore,  he  extends  mercy  to 
His  people.  You  will  remember  the 
definition  of  mercy  and  grace:  mercy 
being  the  withholding  of  something  we 


deserve  (punishment),  and  grace  be- 
ing the  giving  of  something  we  don't 
deserve  (forgiveness). 

Mary  knew  that  "there  is  not  one 
righteous,  not  even  one"  (Romans  3:10) 
and  that  "the  wages  of  sin  is  death" 
(Romans  6:23);  but  she  also  knew  that 
God  was  providing  a  Savior  through 
her  who  would  be  the  means  of  extend- 
ing his  mercy  to  all 
Abraham's  true 
descendants.  (To  see 
who  those  real  de- 
scendants are,  see 
Romans  9:6-8).  No 
wonder  her  praise 
rang  forth  when  she 
considered  what 
God  was  doing;  be- 
cause He  is  a  God  of 
love,  righteousness,  ^^Bk 
and  mercy!  9IIHI  mi 

The  first  question 
in  the  Westminster  Rosamond 
Shorter  Catechism  McCarty 
asks,  "What  is  the 
chief  end  of  man?"  And  the  answer 
given  is,  "Man's  chief  end  is  to  glorify 
God,  and  to  enjoy  him  forever."  (Taken 
from  I  Corinthians  10:31;  Romans 
11:36;  Psalm  73:24-26;  John  17:22,24.) 
When  we  know,  like  Mary  knew,  that 
God  is  sovereign  and  that  his  plan  for 
us  is  merciful,  then  our  hearts  overflow 


with  joy  and  gratitude,  and  praise 
comes  naturally  to  our  lips. 

There  are  times,  however,  when 
praise  is  not  natural  because  our  hearts 
are  heavy.  The  writer  of  Hebrews  urges 
us  to  make  praise  a  sacrifice  (Hebrews 
13:15)  because  in  so  doing  our  faith 
overcomes  our  feelings.  Reading  the 
Scriptures,  particularly  the  Psalms, 
helps  us  to  focus  our  eyes  on  the  Mighty 
One  who  causes  "all  things  to  work 
together  for  good  to  them  that  love 
God"  (Romans  8:28).  Soon  our  praise  is 
no  longer  just  a  sacrifice  but  is  a  genu- 
ine expression  of  our  hearts. 

It  IS  interesting  to  note  Mary's  use  of 
the  words  "soul"  and  "spirit"  in  verses 
46  and  47.  We  tend  to  use  these  terms 
interchangeably,  and  their  usage  here 
could  be  a  cause  of  parallel  ideas  which 
is  seen  frequently  in  the  psalms.  How- 
ever, their  appearance  also  could  have 
a  deeper  significance.  Mankind  is  a  tri- 
partite being.  We  have  a  body  by  which 
we  interact  with  the  physical  world,  a 
soul  with  which  we  interact  with  other 
people,  and  a  spirit  through  which  we 
interact  with  God.  (See  I  Thessalonians 
5:23.)  Our  soul  is  composed  of  our  intel- 
lect, our  emotions,  and  our  will  and 
constitutes  our  personality.  Our  spir- 
its lie  dormant  until  we  accept  Jesus  as 
our  Savior.  At  that  point  his  Spirit 
comes  to  indwell  our  spirit,  and  we  are 


"born  again."  Now,  we  have  two  na- 
tures— our  new  spiritual  nature  and 
our  old  soulish  nature,  and  a  struggle 
begins  between  the  two.  The  process  of 
becoming  spiritually  mature  and  more 
like  Jesus  is  a  life-long  one  of  allowing 
our  new  spiritual  nature  to  control  our 
old  nature. 

Our  old  nature,  having  been  con- 
trolled either  by  our  physical  appetites 
or  our  self-centered  soul,  resists  the 
gentle  proddings  of  the  new  Spirit 
within;  and  we  often  act  like  spiritual 
adolescents,  mature  one  moment  and 
childish  the  next. 

Mary,  however,  had  reached  the 
moment  when  her  inner  Spirit  was  so 
controlling  her  soul  that  both  were  in 
harmony,  and  she  could  fully  rejoice  in 
God.  She  arrived  at  that  point  in  her 
spiritual  journey  when  she  responded 
to  the  angel,  "I  am  the  Lord's  servant. 
May  it  be  to  me  as  you  have  said."  (1:38) 

What  a  lesson  for  us  today  on  our 
own  spiritual  pathway  to  Christ-like- 
ness! When  we  can  submit  our  wills 
honestly  to  the  Lord  daily,  then  our 
soul  will  be  in  harmony  with  our  spir- 
its, and  we  will  be  able  to  glorify  the 
Lord  and  enjoy  Him  forever. 

Rosamond  C.  McCarty  is  a  member 
of  the  Royal  Oak  Church  in  Marion, 
Va. 


Presbyterian  Women  Circle  Leader's  Study  Guide — Lession  Five,  January  1994 


A  Prayer  of  Dedication 


II  Chronicles  6:12-42 


By  ROSAMOND  McCARTY 

Our  personal  and  corporate  faith  jour- 
ney toward  Christ-likeness  or  spiritual 
maturity  continues  this  month  as  we 
consider  Solomon's  prayer  of  dedica- 
tion of  the  beautiful  temple  he  had 
built  in  Jerusalem  to  honor  the  Lord. 

Since  this  column  is  intended  to  be 
an  adjunct  to  thfe  lessons  in  the  Hori- 
zons Bible  study  workbook  and  is  not 
intended  to  replace  that  material,  I 
propose  we  take  a  different  perspective 
of  this  passage  to  supplement  the  study 
in  our  book. 

About  40  years  ago  Robert  Boyd 
Munger  wrote  a  paper  entitled  "My 
Heart-Christ's  Home"  that  continues 
to  be  a  Christian  classic.  In  it  he  invites 
Christ  to  enter  his  heart  and  be  com- 
fortable in  every  room  there  as  his 
guest.  One  by  one,  heart  rooms  are 
entered  and  their  spiritual  inventory 
examined.  It  is  an  edifying  open-house 
tour  with  Jesus  Christ  Himself  finally 
being  given  the  title  to  the  whole  house. 

Is  there  scriptural  validity  to  such  a 
thought?  Indeed  there  is.  When  Jesus 
died  on  the  cross,  rose  from  the  dead 
and  ascended  into  heaven,  the  need  for 
animal  sacrifices  and  temples  where 
priests  interceded  for  the  people  was 
eliminated.  Jesus  is  now  our  High  Priest 
(Hebrews  8:1),  his  death  atoned  once 
and  for  all  for  our  sins  (Hebrews  10:10), 
and  his  Spirit  now  dwells  in  the  heart 
of  every  believer  (John  14:16,17).  We 
are  now  the  temple  of  the  living  God, 
both  individually  and  corporately  as 
the  church  (see  I  Corinthians  3:16,17 
and  II  Corinthians  6:16).  Before  Jesus 
died,  He  promised  his  disciples  that  He 
and  the  Father  would  come  to  all  who 
loved  them  and  make  their  home  with 
them  (John  14:23.  See  also  Ephesians 
3:16,17  and  Revelation  3:20). 

With  the  knowledge  that  our  hearts 
are  now  God's  temple,  let  us  look  at  the 
implications  for  us  personally  in  our 
scripture  passage  for  this  month's 
study." 

!l  Chronicles  6  : 14-21 

This  passage  begins  with  praise  to 
the  Lord  who  is  too  great  to  be  confined 
to  a  physical  edifice  made  with  human 
hands  but  not  too  awesome  to  be  inat- 
tentive to  the  prayers  of  each  believer. 


To  know  that  the  Creator  and  Sustainer 
of  the  universe  is  interested  in  every 
aspect  of  our  lives  is  the  foundation  for 
true  prayer. 

Many  Christians  have  the  feeling 
that  God  is  too  busy  to  be  burdened 
with  our  insignificant  troubles.  Accord- 
ing to  them,  God  gave  us  a  mind  to 
make  our  own  choices,  and  we  should 
only  go  to  Him  if  our  choices  get  us  into 
trouble  or  if  circumstances  beyond  our 
control  overwhelm  us.  But  nothing  in 
the  Bible  indicates  that  our  troubles 
have  to  measure  a  certain  degree  on 
the  seriousness  scale  before  we  bring 
them  to  the  Lord.  In  fact,  Philemon  4:6 
says  to  pray  about  everything  that  con- 
cerns us,  and  I  Peter  5:7  says  to  cast  all 
our  cares  upon  Him.  "Everything"  and 
"all"  are  inclusive  words  and  prove 
beyond  a  doubt  that  nothing  about  us  is 
unimportant  or  inconsequential  to  Him. 

The  seven  petitions  in  verses  22 
through  40  related  to  national  issues, 
but  also  to  personal  ones.  From  them 
we  can  get  a  perspective  on  the  various 
concerns  we  need  to  bring  before  the 
Lord.  When  we  have  voiced  our  bur- 
dens and  prayed  for  God's  interven- 
tion, then  our  inner  temple  of  the  heart 
is  opened  for  his  healing  presence  to 
fill. 

11  Chronicles  6  :  22-23 

We  have  already  noted  in  a  previous 
lesson  (no.  2)  the  healing  that  confes- 
sion of  sin  brings.  In  these  verses 
Solomon  pleas  for  mercy  and  forgive- 
ness when  we  sin  against  our  neigh- 
bor. Jesus  summarized  the  last  six  of 
the  commandments  when  he  told  us  to 
love  our  neighbor  as  ourselves.  Unfor- 
tunately, we  fail  to  obey  that  one  as 
often  as  we  fail  to  love  the  Lord  with  all 
our  heart,  mind,  soul,  and  strength. 
Our  sin  is  in  putting  our  own  self- 
interest  first.  Jesus  and  Solomon  call 
us  to  confess  our  short-comings  in  the 
areas  of  dealings  with  our  neighbor 
and  to  plead  for  mercy  and  forgiveness. 

II  Chronicles  6  :  24-25 

The  prayer  for  forgiveness  in  these 
verses  is  for  times  when  we  have  al- 
lowed the  enemy  to  defeat  us.  In  philo- 
sophical terms  the  phrase  "defeated 
Christians"  is  an  oxsmioron,  a  term 
bringing  together  two  contradictory 


ideas.  But  in  our  experience  we  know 
the  circumstance  is  real — we  are  Chris- 
tians, but  we  don't  always  have  the 
strength  to  be  victorious  over  the  en- 
emy. Oh,  yes,  the  strength  is  available 
through  the  indwelling  Holy  Spirit's 
power,  but  we  have  failed  to  appropri- 
ate it  through  carelessness,  laziness, 
or  indifference.  Repentance,  confession 
and  supplication  can  restore  our  vic- 
tory over  sin  and  Satan. 

II  Chronicles  6  :  26-27 

Who  among  us  has  not  experienced 
periods  when  God  seems  far  away  and 
the  heavens  are  shut  to  our  prayers? 
This  passage  speaks  of  those  dry  times 
when  our  entreaties  seem  to  fall  on 
deaf  ears,  and  we  feel  abandoned.  Verse 
27  implies  the  fault  is  not  with  the  Lord 
but  in  our  daily  walk  and  lack  of  confes- 
sion. 

II  Chronicles  6  :  28-31 

When  we  study  Job's  prayer  of  com- 
plaint we  will  look  at  our  limited  un- 
derstanding of  the  problem  of  pain  and 
affliction  of  God's  children.  In  these 
verses  the  king  recognizes  that  our 
only  help  comes  when  we  reach  out  to 
the  One  who  lives  within  us  and  let 
Him  search  our  hearts. 

II  Chronicles  6  :  32-33 

The  "foreigners"  who  come  to  us  in 
these  verses  could  represent  change 
which  we  all  experience.  We  lose  loved 
ones,  jobs,  and  friends.  We  move  or 
retire,  or  become  ill.  Change,  whether 
for  good  or  bad,  produces  stress,  and 


stress  creates  trouble  in  the  temple  of_ 
our  hearts.  When  we  bring  all  of  that  to 
the  Lord,  He  can  put  his  name  on  it.  In 
other  words.  He  can  assure  us  He  is  in 
the  circumstance  with  us  and  can  bring 
good  from  it.  (Romans  8:28) 

II  Chronicles  6  :  34-35 

It  is  no  secret  that  the  believer  will 
be  called  upon  to  fight  many  spiritual 
battles.  Being  prepared  is  half  the  vic- 
tory. Ephesians  6  tells  us  about  the 
forces  of  evil  we  face  and  the  armor  we 
need  to  protect  us.  With  the  armor  we 
are  told  to  "pray  in  the  Spirit  at  all 
times...  ,"  which  is  exactly  what  King 
Solomon  advises.  The  Lord  will  hear 
and  give  victory  to  the  one  who  prays. 

II  Chronicles  6  :  36-40 

This  sectiorb^^eaks  of  sad  times 
when  Israel  was  m  captivity.  When 
they  turned  their  backs  on  the  Lord,  he 
allowed  the  enemy  to  defeat  them  and 
take  them  to  strange  lands.  He  allows 
us,  through  our  own  choices,  to  become 
captive  to  addictive  behaviors,  foreign 
philosophies,  self-indulgent  life-styles, 
and  destructive  thought  patterns.  Our 
only  hope  of  freedom  lies  in  turning 
back  to  the  Lord  with  all  our  heart  and 
soul  (v.  38)  so  that  he  can  release  and 
restore  us. 

Robert  Boyd  Munger  echoes  verses 
41  and  42  when  he  concludes  his  essay 
on  "My  Heart-Christ's  Home"  by  pray- 
ing, "May  Christ  settle  down  and  be  at 
home  as  Lord  of  your  heart  ..."  When 
his  Spirit  fills  the  temple  of  our  hearts, 
we  are  well  on  the  way  to  spiritual 
maturity. 


Presbyterian  Women 

Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic 


1994  Summer  Gathering  June  9-12,  1994 

Theme:  'Christ  is  All— for  AW 

St.  Andrews  Presbjrterian  College 
Laurinburg,  N.C. 


Page  12,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1993 


Oxford  celebrates  1 75th 


station  Square,  Suite  136,  Rocky  Mount,  NC  27804        (919)  977-1440 


Mission  trip  aids  flood  victims 


The  mission  group  from  New  Hope  Church  of  Willow 
Springs  (1-r):  Sue  Stephenson,  Rudy  Seymour,  Ralph 
Strickland,  Tom  Westfall,  Fred  Fish,  Francis  Fish,  Sandy 
Ruble  and  Bill  Ruble. 


Sunday,  Sept.  26,  marked  a 
very  special  day  for  the  Oxford 
Church  as  over  300  members, 
friends  of  the  congregation  and 
guests  observed  the  175  years 
of  Christian  witness  and  ser- 
vice in  the  Oxford  community. 

Price  H.  Gwynn  III,  an  or- 
dained elder  and  the  former 
moderator  of  the  202nd  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  was  guest 
speaker  for  the  Sunday  ser- 
vice. Gwynn  is  known  and  re- 
spected throughout  the  de- 
nomination for  his  leadership 
and  commitment  to  his  local 
congregation  as  well  as  the 
larger  church  through  his  ser- 
vice on  numerous  presbytery, 
sjmod,  and  General  Assembly 
committees. 

Also  on  hand  were  numer- 
ous visitors,  former  church 
members,  representatives  from 
the  Grassy  Creek,  Geneva,  Oak 
Hill,  Hebron  Nutbush  and 
Henderson  First  churches,  as 
well  as  three  former  pastors  of 
the  congregation:  James 
McChesney  Jr.,  Thomas  T. 
Traynham,  and  Norman 
MacDowell. 

Many  things  have  changed 
since  1818  when  Thomas 
Littlejohn  along  with  several 
members  of  the  Grassy  Creek 
Church  requested  that  a  Pres- 
byterian congregation  be  orga- 
nized in  the  town  of  Oxford. 

The  first  building,  a  small 
red  brick  structure  with  green 
shutters,  was  constructed  on 
land  donated  by  Littlejohn  for 
a  sum  often  shillings.  The  con- 
gregation worshiped  in  this 
structure  until  the  existing 
building  was  completed  in 
1892.  As  the  church  grew,  there 
was  a  need  for  educational  fa- 
cilities which  were  added  in 
1941. 

Since  its  organization,  the 


Oxford  church  has  grown  from 
nine  members  to  its  present 
151  members;  36  ministers 
have  served  the  congregation 
over  the  years,  the  most  recent 
being  PhiUp  and  Jan  Butin. 

Some  things,  however,  have 
remained  the  same.  According 
to  Jan  Butin,  "The  people  here 
are  deeply  devoted  to  Christ. 
They  love  the  Church,  and 
serve  here  faithfully."  This  was 
readily  evident  in  the  warmth 
of  the  congregation  at  Simday 
service,  and  came  to  life  in  the 
pages  of  the  church  history 
booklet  given  to  each  person 
attending. 

The  day's  activities  con- 
cluded a  year-long  observance 
of  the  church's  175th  anniver- 
sary which  included  a  joint  ser- 
vice with  the  Grassy  Creek 
Church,  the  July  4th  obser- 
vance of  the  100th  anniversary 
of  the  present  structure  com- 
pleted in  1893,  and  the  printing 
of  a  175th  anniversary  cookbook 
with  proceeds  going  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  (U.S  A)'s  Bicen- 
tennial Fund. 

As  the  congregation  reflects 
upon  this  175th  anniversary 
celebration  which  represents  a 
rich  history  as  well  as  a  prom- 
ise for  tomorrow,  it  can  per- 
haps be  best  summed  up  by  the 
words  of  Thomas  B.  Littlejohn, 
ruling  elder  and  clerk  of  ses- 
sion at  the  Oxford  Church 
when,  in  1824,  he  said: 

"And  should  this  vine  ever 
attain  to  that  maturity  which 
we  cannot  but  hope  it  will  at- 
tain to,  it  will  be  peculiarly 
pleasing,  no  doubt,  to  those 
who,  some  fifty  or  one  hundred 
years  hence,  shall  have  shel- 
tered under  it,  to  know  how  the 
Lord  first  planted  and  watched 
and  watered  it,  until  it  had 
filled  the  land." 


"We  chose  to  go  to  the  Midwest 
because  we  felt  the  Lord  was 
calling  us  to  assist  the  flood 
victims."  This  was  the  cata- 
lyst, according  to  Tom  Westfall, 
pastor  of  New  Hope  Church  in 
Willow  SpniigS,  that  prOITipted 
members  of  that  congregation 
to  organize  a  mission  trip  to 
the  flood-damaged  Midwest. 

Church  members,  several 
using  vacation  time  and  one 
taking  a  leave  of  absence  with- 
out pay,  followed  that  call  to 
Ste.  Genevieve,  Mo.  The  town 
of  4,400,  the  oldest  permanent 
settlement  in  the  state,  re- 
ceived severe  damage  in  the 
flooding  which  began  in  April 
of  this  year. 

During  their  four-and-one- 
half-day  stay,  the  group 
brought  hope  to  the  three  fami- 
lies which  had  been  assigned 
to  them  by  the  local  relief  coor- 
dinator. The  families,  each  hav- 
ing been  forced  from  their 
homes  by  the  rising  waters, 
were  unable  to  retvu-n  to  their 
residences  until  necessary  re- 
pairs were  completed. 

Fortunately,  the  New  Hope 
group  possessed  the  type  of 
building  construction  skills 
that  proved  to  be  particularly 
valuable  in  repairing  the  dam- 
aged homes.  Equipped  with 
supplies  donated  by  building 
supply  concerns  in  Apex  and 
Fuquay-Varina,  the  New  Hope 
group  split  into  two  work  crews 
and  labored  throughout  the 
week  canying  out  the  neces- 
sary repairs  which  included 


Centennial  service  set 

Covenant  Church  in  Durham 
will  celebrate  its  100th  anni- 
versary on  Sunday,  Nov.  21, 
beginning  at  10:55  a.m.  A  lun- 
cheon will  be  held  following 
the  worship  service.  From  4-6 
p.m.,  written  records,  photos 
and  other  memorabilia  span- 
ning the  100-year  history  of 
the  church  will  be  on  display. 
You  are  cordially  invited  to  at- 
tend. 

Open  house  scheduled 

The  Presbj^ery  of  New  Hope 
Office  will  host  an  open  house 


sheetrock  and  electrical  wir- 
ing work. 

The  stories  of  these  three 
families  aided  by  the  New  Hope 
congregation  parallel  the  pUght 
of  many  of  the  midwesterners 
affected  by  the  flooding.  Over 
60,000  homes  have  been  dam- 
aged or  destroyed  throughout 
the  region  forcing  many  fami- 
lies to  spend  the  winter  away 
from  their  homes.  Repairs  on 
the  damaged  structures  will 
not  be  able  to  commence  until 
the  spring  of  1994. 

According  to  Westfall,  the 
flood  conditions  are  still  seri- 
ous. In  many  areas,  the  Missis- 
sippi has  yet  to  return  to  its 
banks  and,  with  rains  continu- 
ing to  fall  in  areas  already  satu- 
rated with  water,  many  locali- 


News  Briefs 


on  Tuesday,  Nov.  30,  from  11 
a.m.  to  3  p.m.  You  are  cordially 
invited  to  come  see  the  office 
and  get  to  know  the  staff.  Re- 
freshments will  be  served.  The 
office  is  located  on  301  S. 
Church  Street  at  Station 
Square,  Suite  136.  If  you  need 
additional  information,  please 
call  (919)  977-1440. 

GA  Moderator  to  visit 

The  Rev.  David  Lee  Dobler, 
moderator  of  the  205th  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  will  be  a  guest 
of  The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope 
Nov.  19-21.  Dobler  will  address 


ties  face  the  prospect  of  re- 
newed flooding. 

Their  journey  to  help  those 
in  need  carried  the  New  Hope 
mission  group  over  2,000  miles. 
Reflecting  on  the  recent  trip 
Westfall  stated,  "Just  knowing 
that  we  were  able  to  share 
Christ's  love  and  provide  a  Uttle 
hope  to  help  a  few  folks  after 
the  flood  of  the  century  made 
the  long  trip  and  hard  work  all 
worth  while." 

[If  your  congregation  is  in- 
terested in  sponsoring  a  mis- 
sion trip  to  the  Midwest  next 
year,  contact  Beth  Simpson, 
relief  coordinator  for  Missouri 
Union  Presbytery,  at  1  (800) 
399-7878.] 


the  presbytery  at  its  stated 
meeting  on  Saturday,  Nov.  20, 
at  the  West  Haven  Church  in 
Rocky  Mount. 

Dobler's  itinerary  includes 
several  other  stops  where  indi- 
viduals will  have  the  opportu- 
nity to  meet  and  talk  with  him: 
a  light  supper  Friday,  Nov.  19, 
7  p.m.  at  First  Church,  Green- 
ville; a  worship  service  Sun- 
day, Nov.  20,  at  Triangle 
Church,  Durham,  11  a.m.;  and 
two  receptions  Sunday  —  3 
p.m.  at  Glenaire  Retirement 
Center  in  Gary,  and  7  p.m.,  at 
Duraleigh  Church,  Raleigh. 


Participants  in  the  175th  anniversary  service  at  Oxford 
Church  were,  from  left,  the  Rev.  Thomas  T.  Traynham, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  James  M.  McChesney  Jr.,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Philip 
W.  Butin,  the  Rev.  Janet  Butin,  Price  H.  (Gwynn  III,  and 
the  Rev.  Norman  M.  MacDowell.  Photo  by  Kay  Beckmanti, 
courtesy  of  the  Oxford  Public  Ledger. 


Participants  rate  'Growing  Together  event  a  success 


By  MARILYN  HEIN 

On  Saturday,  Sept.  18,  indi- 
viduals throughout  The  Pres- 
bytery of  New  Hope  converged 
upon  First  Church,  Wilson  for 
the  annual  "Growing  To- 
gether" event  sponsored  by  the 
Congregational  Nurture  Min- 
istry Unit,  Nancy  Darter,  mod- 
erator. 

With  over  400  persons  in 
attendance,  the  "Growing  To- 
gether" staff  led  by  Bob 
McCully,  associate  pastor  of 
St.  Giles  Church  in  Raleigh, 
attended  to  every  detail  of  the 
well-planned  event. 

0*/er  30  courses  were  offered 
.  1  •  ants  covering  all  as- 
Church's  Ufe.  Topics 


addressed  included  worship, 
evangelism.  Christian  education, 
youth  ministries,  global  minis- 
tries, officer  training,  and  church 
administration. 

With  a  faculty  of  32  teach- 
ers, the  staff  included  clergy 
and  lay  leaders  throughout  The 
Presbytery  of  New  Hope  as  well 
as  individuals  serving  in  many 
capacities  throughout  the  de- 
nomination. 

Faculty  members  from  a- 
cross  the  church  included  the 
Rev.  Ben  Johnson,  professor  of 
Evangelism  and  Church 
Growth  at  Columbia  Seminary; 
the  Rev.  Elizabeth  Caldwell, 
professor  of  Educational  Min- 
istry at  McCormick  Seminary; 
General  Assembly  staff  mem- 


bers the  Rev.  Rita  Dixon,  the 
Rev.  David  Lewis,  Sara  Lisher- 
ness,  and  the  Rev.  Deborah 
McKinley;  the  Rev.  Betty 
Stribling,  associate  for  evan- 
gelism and  small  churches  for 
the  Presbytery  of  Greater  At- 
lanta; and  Jim  Rissmiller,  pas- 
tor of  Community  in  Christ 
Church  in  Greensboro. 

Faculty  serving  from  within 
the  presbytery  included  Mari- 
lyn Avent,  director  of  youth 
ministry  at  Mount  Pisgah, 
Rocky  Mount;  Doug  and  Sheila 
Barrick;  the  Rev.  Richard 
Boyd;  the  Rev.  Jan  Butin,  co- 
pastor  at  Oxford  and  Nutbush 
churches;  the  Rev.  Bill  Klein, 
associate  pastor  of  New  Bern 
First;  Sue  McCaughan,  DCE 


at  Westminster,  Durham;  the 
Rev.  Joe  Sayblack,  pastor  of 
Hollywood,  Greenville;  Martha 
Stevenson,  education  director 
at  White  Memorial,  Raleigh; 
Flo  Sthreshley,  global  mission 
advocate  for  New  Hope  Presby- 
tery; Dot  Temple,  New  Hope 
Presbytery  Hunger  Commit- 
tee moderator;  the  Rev.  Jim 
Tubbs,  retired  minister;  and 
the  Rev.  Larry  Edwards, 
Marilyn  Hein,  and  Chuck 
Noonan  of  the  presb3^ery  staff. 

With  comments  ranging 
from  "WOW"  to  "It  gets  better 
every  year,"  the  Growing  To- 
gether Committee  is  already 
at  work  planning  next  year's 
event.  Mark  your  calendar  for 
Sept.  17,  1994. 


Dr.  Ben  Johnson,  professor 
of  Evangelism  at  Columbia 
Theological  Seminary, 
Decatur,  Ga.,  delivering 
keynote  address. 


New  Hope  Presbytery  News  on  page  12 


For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


January/February  1994 


Vol.  LX,  Number  1 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Prison  chaplains  nninister  to  growing  population 


Remember  those  who  are  in 
prison,  as  though  in  prison 
with  them.         Hebrews  13:3 

In  a  society  which  is  locking  up 
an  ever-increasing  percentage 
of  its  population,  Christian 
ministry  to  those  in  prison  is 
talking  on  a  new  urgency. 

Through  two  of  its  prede- 
cessors, the  synods  of  Virginia 
and  North  Carolina,  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  inherited 
joint  responsibility  for  prison 
chaplain  programs  in  those 
states. 

The  largest  and  oldest  of 
these  is  the  Chaplain  Service 
of  the  Churches  of  Virginia, 
Inc.  Started  in  1920,  it  was 
directed  for  its  first  18  years  by 
the  Rev.  Richard  V.  Lancaster, 
a  former  Presbyterian  mission- 
ary to  China  and  college  presi- 
dent (see  related  story  below). 

The  ecumenical  service 
started  educational  programs 
and  sponsored  Alcoholics 
Anon5maous  and  other  support 
groups  in  the  prison  system. 
The  state  eventually  took  over 
sponsorship  of  these  programs. 

In  1934,  Lancaster  reported 
that  1,804  men  were  in 
Virginia's  prison  system!  Sixty 


years  later,  there  are  almost 
ten  times  that  many  men  and 
women  in  Virginia  prisons. 
Another  800  youth  are  also  in 
state  juvenile  institutions. 

Serving  all  of  these  are  four 
full-time  prison  chaplains  and 
another  22  part-time  chaplains 
under  the  direction  of  the  Rev. 
George  Ricketts. 

After  25  years  in  the  posi- 
tion, Ricketts  knows  the  Vir- 
ginia prison  system  well.  He 
also  has  served  more  than  21 
years  on  the  state's  crime  com- 
mission. 

"Until  we  deal  with  some 
other  issues,  we  will  not  solve 
the  crime  problems,"  he  said. 
"The  'lock  'em  up'  method  is 
not  working." 

Political  promises  to  elimi- 
nate parole  and  build  more 
prisons  will  only  take  more 
state  money  away  from  educa- 
tion and  other  programs  which 
the  public  needs,  he  added. 

The  skyrocketing  prison 
population — projected  to  top 
30,000  by  the  year  2000— is 
overwhelming  the  Chaplain 
Service.  "The  denominations 
can't  keep  up  with  the  need," 
said  Ricketts. 

Eleven  denominations  and 


A  chaplain  and  assistant  lead  singing  at  Virginia  Women's  Correctional  Center 


Church  Women  United  con- 
tribute more  than  $315,000 
annually  to  the  Chaplain  Ser- 
vice, which  also  receives  about 
$40,000  in  general  contribu- 
tions and  $14,000  from  a 


Christmas  Fund. 

Like  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A),  many  of  the 
other  denominations  are  hav- 
ing to  scale  back  their  contri- 
butions to  this  and  other  pro- 


grams at  a  time  when  more, 
not  less,  is  needed. 

Virginia  just  opened  two 
new  prisons,  and  a  third  is 
scheduled  to  open  in  Febru- 
continued  on  page  4 


The  Rev.  Bonnie  K.  Pettijohn,  North  Carolina 
Presbyterian  chaplain,  in  her  office 


Presbyterians  seek  to  break  cycle 


"...I  was  in  prison  and  you  came 
to  me."  Matthew  25:36 

The  North  Carolina  Presbyte- 
rian Chaplaincy  is  attempting 
to  break  the  cycle  which  re- 
sults in  women  inmates  re- 
turning to  prison  again  and 
again. 

According  to  Chaplain 
Bonnie  K.  Pettijohn,  a  typical 
female  prisoner: 

*  was  physically  (often  sexu- 
ally) and  emotionally  abused 
as  a  child; 

*  grew  up  and  continues  to 
live  in  poverty; 

*  suffers  from  drug  and/or 


alcohol  abuse; 

*  was  bom  to  an  adolescent 
and  became  a  mother  herself 
while  still  a  teenager; 

*  is  a  single  parent; 

*  lacks  education  and  job 
training;  and 

*  returns  after  prison  to  the 
same  conditions  and  problems. 

"Aftercare"  is  the 
chaplainc/s  program  that  is 
working  to  help  former  prison- 
ers escape  these  conditions  and 
stay  out  of  prison. 

"Aftercare  is  our  hope  and 
dream,"  said  Pettijohn,  who 
was  called  to  the  chaplaincy 
four  years  ago.  "We  hope  to 


involve  networks  of  volimteers 
to  support,  encourage  and  give 
structure  to  the  women's  hves 
within  a  commxinity  of  faith." 

Aftercare  is  stUl  in  the  de- 
velopmental stages,  but  the 
goal  is  to  build  a  permanent 
system  which  will  provide  con- 
sistent volimteer  support  state- 
wide. 

Pettijohn  said  there  are 
plans  to  hire  an  Aftercare  fa- 
cilitator who  wiU  be  able  to 
travel  across  the  state.  About 
$30,000  is  needed  for  this  posi- 
tion and  the  associated  office 
and  travel  expenses. 

continued  on  page  4 


Jefferson's  law  led  to  chaplain  service;  Lancaster  was  first  leader 


Two  Virginians  played  key 
roles  in  the  formation  of  the 
Chaplain  Service  of  the 
Churches  of  Virginia,  Inc. 

First,  Thomas  Jefferson 
wrote  the  section  of  the  Vir- 
ginia constitution  separating 
church  from  state.  Several 
commonwealth  attorneys  gen- 
eral— including  at  least  one 
Presbyterian — have  ruled  that 
the  law  prevents  Virginia  from 
hiring  prison  chaplains. 

While  this  puts  the  respon- 
sibility for  hiring  chaplains  on 
the  church,  it  also  has  its  ben- 
efits, according  to  Executive 
Director  George  Ricketts. 

Since  chaplains  are  not  paid 
employees  of  the  state,  they 
are  not  seen  by  the  prisoners 
as  agents  of  the  organization 
which  put  them  in  prison.  It's 
easier  to  gain  their  trust. 


Also,  some  states  which 
hired  chaplains  have  had  to 
discontinue  the  service  as  fi- 
nances became  a  problem. 
Church  groups  in  these  states 
are  now  looking  at  the  Chap- 
lain Service  of  the  Churches  of 
Virginia  as  a  model  for  ecu- 
menically supported  chaplain 
programs. 

The  second  Virginian  was 
Richard  V.  Lancaster,  the  first 
director  of  Religious  Work  in 
State  Institutions  in  Virginia, 
as  the  Chaplain  Service  was 
known  when  it  was  estabhshed 
in  1920. 

Bom  in  1863  in  Cumberland 
County,  he  was  educated  at 
Hampden-Sydney  College  and 
Union  Theological  Seminary. 

Lancaster  served  five  years 
as  a  missionary  to  China.  He 
returned  to  the  states  and 


served  several  pastorates  in 
North  Carolina  and  Virginia 
and  was  president  of  several 
educational  institutions  before 
taking  the  position  with  the 
chaplain  service. 

As  part  of  his  responsibili- 
ties, Lancaster  supervised  wor- 
ship at  the  state  penitentiary, 
prison  farms,  the  state  boys' 
school,  and  at  least  32  "road 
camps"  throughout  Virginia. 

Chaplain  Lancaster  inter- 
viewed all  new  prisoners  at 
the  state  penitentiary  in  Rich- 
mond and  devoted  long  hours 
to  visiting  and  counseling  the 
prisoners,  according  to  Dean 
K.  Thompson  in  Virginia  Pres- 
byterians in  American  Life. 

He  also  "urged  fellow  Pres- 
byterians to  help  reform 
Virginia's  system  for  handhng 
[convicts]  by  establishing  re- 


gional jail  farms." 

In  his  1935  report  to  the 
Synod  of  Virginia,  Lancaster 
said: 

The  men  are  taught  by  news- 
papers and  by  some  penolo- 


0>k 


Richard  V.  Lancaster 


gists  that  imprisonment  has 
only  one  justifiable  reason, 
namely,  the  reformation  of 
man.  Justice  is  called  ven- 
geance. And  since  the  sentence 
of  the  Court  and  the  discipline 
of  the  institutions  do  not  re- 
form, to  the  prisoner  everything 
is  all  wrong.  This  attitude 
makes  it  hard,  at  times,  to  sym- 
pathize with  the  man,  and  yet 
not  approve  of  the  man. 

The  Rev.  Lancaster  died 
May  12, 1938.  His  son,  the  late 
Lewis  Holladay  Lancaster, 
served  four  tours  as  a  mission- 
ary to  China  between  1916  and 
1950.  His  grandson.  Lew 
Lancaster,  was  a  missionary 
to  Japan,  served  in  the  Gren- 
eral  Assembly  Global  Mission 
Unit,  and  has  been  active  in 
promotion  of  Churches  in  Cov- 
enant Communion. 


Page  2,  Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1994 

Troubles  and  hope  go  together 


By  RICHARD  MORGAN 

The  late  Kenneth  J.  Foreman  tells  about 
recalling  a  little  series  of  pictures  in 
the  New  Yorker  magazine  showing  an 
interesting  event  at  a  small  bridge. 
Approaching  the  bridge,  plainly  marked 
"Load  Limit,  Eight  Tons,"  was  a  truck, 
also  plainly  marked  on  its  side,  "Eight 
Tons."  When  the  truck  approached  the 
middle  of  the  bridge,  a  bluebird  alighted 
on  it.  At  that  point  the  bridge  gave  way 
and  crashed  into  the  river,  carr3dng 
the  truck  with  it.  The  bridge  could  hold 
up  under  its  load  limit,  but  not  under 
eight  tons  and  one  bluebird. 

Of  course,  the  story  may  be  fictional, 
but  any  bridge  in  the  world  has  its 
breaking  point.  An3rway,  it  isn't  the 
bluebird  that  causes  the  breakdown, 
but  the  eight  tons  already  there. 
Troubles  come  to  everyone.  Job  says 


that  "Man  is  bom  for  trouble  as  the 
sparks  fly  upward"  (Job  5:9).  At  times 
we  do  break  under  the  pressure,  espe- 
cially when  our  load  exceeds  our  limit. 

It  seems  rather  strange,  at  first,  but 
the  prophet  Hosea  claims  that  troubles 
and  hope  go  together.  Speaking  for 
God  he  writes,  "I  will  make  the  Valley 
of  Achor  a  door  of  hope."  The  Valley  of 
Achor  (trouble)  formed  a  portion  of  the 
northwest  boundary  of  Judah  and 
marked  the  place  where  Achan  had 
been  stoned  to  death  for  his  disobedi- 
ence. Hosea  insists  that  this  valley  of 
trouble,  reminiscent  of  a  place  of  ter- 
rible and  swift  judgement,  would  be- 
come a  door  of  hope. 

It  is  strange  for  trouble  and  hope  to 
be  placed  in  close  proximity.  We  usu- 
ally say,  "In  spite  of  the  trouble,  we  are 
hoping  for  the  best,"  when  confronted 
with  some  problem  or  difficulty.  Hosea 


Commentary 


claims  that  the  two  are  interrelated, 
and  trouble  leads  to  hope. 

Through  his  own  personal  trouble 
with  an  adulterous  wife,  Gomer,  Hosea 
discovered  an  open  door  to  the  uncon- 
ditional love  of 
God.  Even  as  he 
could  not  give  up 
loving  this 
troublesome  wife, 
so  Yahweh  could 
not  give  up 
troublemaking  Is- 
rael. Our  troubles, 
whatever  they 
may  be,  can  be- 
come open  doors 
to  new  possibili- 
ties for  growth. 

A  medieval 
peasant  woman  happened  to  meet  a 
Benedictine  monk.  She  asked,  "Please 
tell  me,  holy  father,  what  do  you  men  of 
God  do  up  there  in  the  monastery  on 
the  hill?  It  appears  so  close  to  heaven. 
How  do  you  spend  your  days  and 
hours?"  He  answered,  "I  will  tell  you 
my  child:  We  fall  down  and  we  get  up!" 
So  our  valleys  of  Achor  become  doors  of 
hope. 


Dr.  Morgan 


Let's  get  rid  of  those  old  boxes 


By  the  Rev.  VENETTA  D.  BAKER 

There  are  times  when  the  most  com- 
forting fact  in  my  world  is  that  I  am 
Presbyterian.  I  live  in  a  world  that 
ascribes  boxes  to  everyone  and  the 
world  is  very  orderly  when  one  fits  into 
that  box,  stays  in  that  box  and  creates 
as  few  problems  as  possible.  Person- 
ally, there  are  no  boxes  for  persons 
with  my  qualifications  in  combination. 
I  seem  to  disrupt  the  system  when  I 
cannot  stay  in  just  one. 

I  remember  an  incident  at  Louisville 
Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary 
where  I  had  a  conversation  with  the 
president.  I  had  scheduled  an  appoint- 
ment to  talk  with  him  of  the  possibility 
of  putting  my  life's  story  down  into 
print.  I  had  always  pondered  writing 
my  story  and  I  finally  decided  that  this 
was  the  time. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 


Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to; 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN*  1071-345X 

Vol.  LX 
January/February  1994 

November/December  1993  circulation 
174,903 


I  was  going  to  prove  the  experts 
wrong  and  be  the  first  person  to  pub- 
lish an  autobiography  before  the  ripe 
age  of  35.  With  eyes  twinkling  with 
determination,  I  approached  his  office 
and  began  to  tell  him  what  I  wanted  to 
do.  He  nodded  his  head  figuratively 
and  asked  me  only  one  question:  "What 
makes  you  think  someone  would  want 
to  read  YOUR  story?" 

I  pulled  up  the  suspenders  of  my 
sagging  pride  and  told  him,  "There 
have  been  women  who  have  written 
books ;  and  African  Americans  who  have 
written  books.  There  have  been  semi- 
narians and  Presbyterians  who  have 
written  books.  There  have  been  blind 
people  and  former  Peace  Corps  volun- 
teers who  have  had  stories  to  write; 
and  on  and  on  ...  However,  I  cannot 
recall  any  book  that  has  ever  been 
written  by  someone  who  embodies  all 
of  these  characteristics." 

I  held  up  my  head  a  little  higher,  but 
deep  inside  I  was  crushed.  I  had  gone  to 
get  encouragement,  not  challenge.  I 
have  my  own  challenges  everyday.  I 
did  not  need  him  to  give  me  more.  I  did 
not  need  to  lie  down  and  bleed  to  have 
him  or  any  one  else  to  decide  whether 
or  not  my  red  blood  was  legitimate. 

The  story  continues  and  it  has  not 
changed  in  the  ten  years  since  I  have 
finished  seminary.  I  have  been  ordained 
for  nearly  ten  years  and  I  am  still  asked 
to  speak  only  at  Youth  Sunday  and  on 
Mother's  Day.  My  male  colleagues  are 
not  defined  by  the  Sundays  they  are 
asked  to  preach.  I  am  still  called  "newly 
ordained,"  as  though  the  ordination 
service  was  yesterday.  My  professional 
competence  is  still  questioned  when 
that  of  my  white  male  counterparts  is 
not. 

At  this  time,  I  am  a  member  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Western  North  Carolina. 
This  is  a  strange  land  for  some  of  us 
who  were  not  born  here.  This  is  a  place 
where  homogeneity  is  king,  and  the 
major  sin  is  to  be  different. 

Because  of  my  visual  disability,  I  do 
not  have  a  vehicle  and  thus  am  not  able 
to  cruise  across  these  mountains  to 
meetings  in  various  places.  Yet,  one 
becomes  a  complainer  when  question- 
ing the  nonexistence  of  public  trans- 
portation. This  transportation  prob- 
lem gets  complex  when  the  presbytery 
needs  to  insure  racial  and  ethnic  bal- 
ance and  places  us  on  several  commit- 
tees. Sometimes  equal  representation 
can  be  a  burden  when  you  are  the  one 
making  it  appear  inclusive.  The  chair 
of  one  committee  on  which  I  sit  in  my 
presbytery  said  that  he  was  glad  that  I 
was  on  this  committee  because  he 


dreaded  the  day  when  a  racial  ethnic 
person  comes  to  our  committee  and  all 
that  is  present  is  white  clergy  and  lay 
membership.  It  was  obvious  to  me  that 
I  was  a  nice  little  mannequin  to  dress 
the  window  of  this  committee.  I  feel 
that  my  presence  is  wanted,  not  neces- 
sarily my  mind,  spirit,  or  contribution. 

I  invite  you  to  hear  with  me  some  of 
the  comments  I  have  heard  in  the  past 
five  years:  "You  don't  LOOK  like  you're 
blind."  "I  don't  really  think  of  you  as  a 


black  person."  "Don't  you  feel  uncom- 
fortable at  a  white  Presbyterian 
church?"  "How  does  a  blind  person 
keep  her  hair  fixed  up  so  pretty?"  "Black 
women  are  so  strong."  "How  come  you 
don't  talk  like  most  black  people?" 
"You're  too  sensitive  ..."  "At  our  church 
we  don't  believe  in  lady  ministers,  you 
know."  "If  they  (meaning  racial  ethnic 
Presbyterians)  think  higher  education 
is  so  important,  why  don't  they  make 
up  their  own  fund?"  "You're  so  smart 
and  articulate."  "She  really  doesn't  want 
to  insult  you,  but  she  was  wondering  if 
you  could  leave  your  Seeing  Eye,  Inc., 
dog  at  home  when  you  come  to  the 
gathering,  your  presence  is  SO  impor- 
tant." "I  was  raised  by  a  black  woman 
and  she  never  failed  to  wear  us  out 
when  we  got  in  trouble."  "Oh!  So  you're 
ordained?  Where  did  you  go  to  semi- 
nary? Johnson  C.  Smith,  I  suppose."  "I 
just  LOVE  that  dress.  Black  people 
wear  orange  so  well."  "What  former 
stream  are  you  from?" 

Apparently,  I  did  not  fit  into  the  box 
to  which  each  of  these  persons  had 
assigned  me.  I  was  not  even  given  an 
opportunity  to  choose  the  most  com- 
fortable box  for  me. 

I  talk  like  a  black  person  because  I 
am  black.  I  look  like  a  blind  person 
because  I  am  blind.  Sometimes,  I  do  not 
want  to  be  a  strong  black  woman,  be- 
cause it  actually  hurts  too  much  when 
a  black  male  colleague  discounts  me 
because  he  is  insecure.  I  do  not  want  to 


Among  my  many  memories  of  former 
Senator  Sam  J.  Ervin,  none  is  as  vivid 
as  the  time  he  was  charging  a  new 
minister  at  the  First  Church, 
Morganton.  In  his  usual  humble  way, 
he  quoted  the  words  of  Annie  Johnson 
Flint's  poem: 

God  hath  not  promised 
skies  always  blue 
Flower  strewn  pathways 
all  our  lives  through 
God  hath  not  promised 
sun  without  rain 
Joy  without  sorrow, 

peace  without  pain. 
God  has  promised 

strength  for  the  day 
Rest  for  the  labor, 

light  for  the  way. 
Peace  for  the  trials, 

strength  from  above, 
Unfailing  sympathy, 
undying  love. 

Let  your  troubles  become  doors  of 
hope! 

Dr.  Richard  L.  Morgan  of  Lenoir, 
N.C.,  is  a  retired  Presbyterian  minis- 
ter, interim  pastor,  and  author  of  sev- 
eral books  on  aging. 


act  unintelligent  and  break  verbs  be- 
cause that  is  expected  of  me.  I  don't 
even  have  to  apologize  for  growing  up 
in  a  wholesome  family. 

God  made  me  woman  to  feel  life  in  a 
different  way.  God  made  me  black  to 
know  struggle,  and  my  skin  light  brown 
to  show  diversity.  God  made  me  blind 
to  know  real  beauty.  God  brought  me  to 
Western  North  Carolina  to  learn  to 
sing  the  song  in  a  foreign  land.  God 
gave  me  intelligence  to  make  sense  (or 
nonsense)  of  it  all.  God  gave  me  strength 
to  endure  some  of  the  pressure,  and 
hope  to  look  for  a  better  day  tomorrow. 
God  gave  me  love,  too,  and  only  those 
who  can  see  past  the  distractions  can 
find  it. 

The  entire  world  should  want  to 
read  my  story.  Not  because  I  am  a 
fourth-generation  Presbyterian,  or  a 
woman,  or  an  African  American,  or  a 
clergywoman,  or  a  chaplain  for  per- 
sons with  mental  retardation,  or  be- 
cause I  am  bhnd,  and  light-skinned, 
from  Charlotte,  and  speak  Spanish,  or 
because  I  am  a  returned  Peace  Corps 
volunteer,  am  fatherless  and  love  to 
vmte. 

The  world  should  want  to  know  my 
story  because  I  am  all  of  the  above  and 
more.  I  am  a  member  of  the  human 
race.  My  story  is  the  story  of  the  hu- 
man spirit.  I  belong  to  a  struggling 
church  that,  like  me,  seeks  to  find  its 
own  identity.  The  Presb5^erian  church 
wdll  not  truly  find  it  as  long  as  it  looks 
for  the  answer  in  boxes. 

The  Rev.  Venetta  D.  Baker  is  a  chap- 
lain at  the  Western  Carolina  Center,  a 
residential  institution  for  the  mentally 
retarded  in  Morganton,  N.  C.  She  serves 
on  three  presbytery  committees  and  a 
synod  task  force  on  African  American 
church  development. 


Letters 
to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and  length. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  l\j 


Synod  of  them 
Mid-Atlantic 


Foundation  helps 
'manse  equity  funds'  grow 


By  JOHN  PILUTTI 

Your  church  may  provide  a  manse  for 
the  pastor.  To  help  your  pastor  build 
some  equity  for  later  purchase  of  a 
home,  you  may  offer  a  manse  equity 
fund  as  part  of  the  terms  of  call.  The 
accrued  balance  of  the  manse  equity 
fund  is  then  given  to  the  pastor  either 
at  retirement  or  when  he  or  she  leaves 
for  a  new  call. 

This  deferred  benefit  is  a  good  idea. 
Many  clergy  have  a  series  of  pastoral 
calls  in  which  a  manse  is  provided; 
however,  these  pastors  suffer  the  defi- 
cit of  not  having  any  equity  in  a  home 
which  can  be  applied  to  a  home  in  a 
new  call.  The  manse  equity  idea  ad- 
dresses this  problem. 

Churches  utilizing  this  concept  of- 
ten choose  safe  investment  vehicles  for 
accumulation  of  these  funds,  such  as  a 
money  market  or  CD,  during  the  pas- 
torate. While  this  is  an  adequate  choice, 
these  investment  vehicles  provide  only 
a  modest  interest  rate,  often  even  less 
than  the  rate  of  inflation. 

Placing  the  Manse  Equity  Fund  in  an 
Investment  Management  Account  with 
the  Presb5^erian  Church  (USA)  Foun- 
dation is  a  much  better  choice.  Requir- 
ing only  a  $500  begiiming  balance,  the 
Foundation's  investment  accounts  have 
averaged  more  than  10  percent  total 
return  duringthe  last  decade.  So,  while 
providing  this  helpful  benefit  to  pas- 


Readers '  commentary  _ 


tors,  the  church  can  increase  the  benefit 
by  using  a  service  that  increases  the 
return  on  the  benefit. 

Abingdon  Presbytery  maintains  a 
master  account  for  churches  that  have 
Manse  Equity  Funds.  Each  church 
account  is  invested,  through  the  Pres- 
bytery Office,  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation. 

The  process  for  setting  up  an  invest- 
ment account  with  the  Foundation  only 
takes  about  90  minutes  with  your  re- 
gional representative — time  well  spent 
by  a  caring  committee  and  much  ap- 
preciated by  your  pastor. 

Contact  your  regional  representa- 
tive today  for  more  information  about 
this  and  other  helpful  Foundation  ser- 
vices. 

Area  representatives 

The  Presbyterian  Foundation  rep- 
resentatives in  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  are: 

Doug  Aitken,  (919)  672-6042,  pres- 
byteries of  Charlotte,  Salem  and  West- 
em  North  Carolina; 

Riley  McDonald,  (410)  381-0689, 
presbyteries  of  Baltimore,  National 
Capital  and  New  Castle; 

John  Pilutti,  (919)  231-9524,  pres- 
byteries of  Coastal  Carolina,  Eastern 
Virginia  and  New  Hope; 

Jan  Schneider,  (703)  949-5590, 
presbj^eries  of  Abingdon,  the  James, 
the  Peaks  and  Shenandoah. 


Federal  gun  control  won't  work 


I  write  to  reply  to  Arthur  F.  Stocker's 
letter  in  your  November/December 
1993  issue.  Mr.  Stocker  advocates  gun 
control  at  the  federal  level  as  being  an 
answer  to  violent  crime  and  implies 
that  individuals  do  not  possess  rights 
granted  under  the  Second  Amendment. 

Prohibition  [of  alcohol]  was  a  federal 
law  at  the  federal  level  and  it  was  a 
miserable  failure.  Federal  gun  control 
laws  will  also  be  a  failure.  Advocates  of 
the  Brady  Bill  even  admit  it  will  not 
reduce  violent  crime.  As  is  usually  the 
case,  so  much  for  federal  involvement. 

Most  constitutional  scholars  inter- 
pret the  Second  Amendment  as  apply- 
ing to  the  individual.  One  only  need 
read  the  writing  or  sayings  of  James 
Madison,  George  Mason,  Thomas 
Jefferson,  George  Washington,  Noah 
Webster  and  Supreme  Court  justices 
to  verify  this  conclusion. 

One  might  also  look  at  Supreme 
Court  decisions  to  further  solidify  this 
conclusion.  In  1886,  in  Presser  v.  Illi- 
nois; in  1939,  in  U.S.  vs.  Miller;  and  in 


Many  reasons  to  believe 


A  lot  of  times  in  todays  world,  people 
don't  know  why  you  should  believe 
what  you  should  on  many  issues.  I 
would  like  to  say  that  there  are  many 
reasons  to  believe  in  what  the  Chris- 
tian doctrine  professes.  When  you  just 
look  at  the  world  outside,  you  must 
begin  to  wonder  how  could  it  could 
have  been  created  the  way  it  was,  so 
complex  with  everything  intertwined 
together,  without  a  Creator  God.  But 
from  there,  what  leads  us  to  Christian- 
ity? 

The  Christian  faith  is  unique  from 
all  other  religions  because  of  the  aspect 
of  grace.  In  Christianity,  we  believe 
that  we  fall  short  of  God's  will  for  us, 
but  because  of  Christ's  sacrifice  every- 
thing will  be  okay.  The  stress  in  Chris- 
tianity is  putting  your  hope  on  a  higher 
power:  God  and  Jesus. 

By  the  way,  there  are  historical  ac- 


1990,  in  U.S.  v.  Verdugo-Urquidez,  the 
Supreme  Court  supported  individual 
rights. 

It  is  important  to  remember  of  the 
66  million  handguns  in  the  United 
States  today,  only  three  one-hundreths 
of  one  percent  will  be  used  in  a  homi- 
cide during  a  given  year.  At  the  same 
time,  estimates  range  as  high  as  one 
million,  and  at  least  600,000,  Ameri- 
cans will  use  their  handguns  to  defend 
themselves  against  violent  crime.  It 
doesn't  take  a  rocket  scientist  to  figure 
out  the  numbers  in  this  area. 

James  Madison  in  The  Federalist 
Papers,  No.  46  at  243-244,  said,  "Ameri- 
cans have  the  right  and  advantage  of 
being  armed — unlike  the  citizens  of 
other  countries  whose  governments  are 
afraid  to  trust  the  people  with  arms." 

As  Christians,  we  should  be  con- 
cerned about  possible  effects  on  our 
First  Amendment  Rights,  if  our  other 
granted  liberties  continue  to  erode. 

G«orge  P.  Williams 
Waynesboro,  Va. 


counts,  not  Biblical,  which  say  that 
Jesus  did  live.  Josephus,  an  ancient 
•historian,  wrote  on  Jesus'  coming  to 
Earth  and  being  more  than  a  man. 
Also,  in  Isaiah,  there  is  a  vivid  descrip- 
tion of  Jesus'  crucifixion  800  years  be- 
fore the  act  of  crucifixion  was  invented. 

Fred  Hoyle,  a  famous  astronomer, 
has  found  that  if  only  one  atomic  level 
had  been  varied  by  even  half  a  percent 
life  would  be  impossible.  Stephen 
Hawking,  the  most  well-known  genius 
of  our  time,  said  the  creation  of  the 
universe  had  to  have  religious  implica- 
tions. Finally,  even  though  Christians 
do  not  live  perfect  lives,  it  is  amazing  to 
see  the  difference  in  love  and  selfless- 
ness after  someone  has  accepted  Christ. 
Christianity  gives  us  hope,  power,  and 
sense  of  purpose. 

Jody  Moore 
Raleigh  N.  C. 


Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Mission  Statement 

(Adopted  by  the  Synod  Council  on  Nov.  6,  1993) 

Preamble 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  is  an  intermediate  governing  body  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  The  Synod  is  responsible  for  the  ministry 
and  mission  within  the  region  encompassing  North  Carolina,  Virginia, 
Maryland,  the  District  of  Columbia,  Delaware  and  a  section  of  West 
Virginia. 

We  are  a  people  of  God  who  joyfully  affirm  Jesus  Christ  as  our  Lord  and 
Savior.  We  are  of  different  ages,  genders,  races,  vocations,  abilities  and 
desires.  In  this  diversity  we  seek  wholeness. 

In  utilizing  this  diversity,  we  find  strength,  fellowship,  and  opportuni- 
ties for  supporting  ministry  in  our  region.  We  implement  much  of  our 
mission  and  ministry  in  the  region  in  coordination  with  the  General 
Assembly  and  in  partnership  with  and  through  the  thirteen  presbyteries. 

I.  Mission/Outreach 

A.  Evangelism/Church  Development 

1.  With  presbyteries  to: 

a.  assist  the  local  church  to  enable  people  to  understand  and 
accept  a  personal  relationship  with  Jesus  Christ 

b.  provide  seminars  (such  as  leadership  training) 

2.  To  provide  grants  and  loans. 

B.  Education/Equipping  The  Church 

1.  To  provide  resources  and  leadership  for: 

a.  Older  adult  ministry/Care  Agencies 

b.  Adult  ministry 

c.  Youth  ministry 

d.  the  eradication  of  racism 

C.  Justice  and  Mercy  Issues 

1.  To  respond  to  identified  quality  of  life  concerns, 
including  but  not  limited  to: 

a.  Women's  issues 

b.  Urban  ministries 

c.  Economic  justice 

d.  Criminal  justice 

e.  Child  care  agencies 

D.  Ecumenical  Ministries 

II.  Racial/Ethnic  Ministries 

A.  To  provide  resources  and  leadership  for: 

1.  Racial/ethnic  training  for  professional  leadership 

2.  Racial/ethnic  training  for  lay  leadership 

3.  Racial/ethnic  training  at  the  presbytery  level 

B.  With  presbyteries,  to  develop  models  for  church 
development  in  racial/ethnic  communities 

III.  Communication 

A.  To  communicate  the  mission  and  ministries  of  the  Synod 

B.  To  interpret  stewardship  opportunities 

C.  To  interpret  the  theological  rationale,  heritage  and  strengths 
of  the  connectional  church 

iV.  Campus  Ministries 

A.  With  presbyteries: 

1.  To  develop  a  regional  strategy  and  models  for  ministry 

2.  To  develop  and  communicate  interpretive  materials 
about  higher  education  ministries 

3.  To  provide  services  and  resources  for  ministry 

4.  To  develop  criteria  for  funding  and  oversight 

5.  To  develop  guidelines  for  presbyteries  and  local  boards 
in  calling  campus  ministers 

V.  Specialized  Ministries 

A.  Conference  Centers  are  a  ministry  of  the  Synod  available 
to  assist  the  Synod  in  carrying  out  its  mission. 

B.  Career  Counseling  Services  are  a  ministry  of  the  Synod 
available  to  assist  the  Synod  in  carrying  out  its  mission. 

C.  Colleges,  historically  begun  as  a  mission  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  fulfill  a  part  of  our  emphasis  on  higher  education.  The 
Synod  affirms  the  validity  of  covenant  relationships  with  those 


Page  4,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1994 

Prison  chaplains  serve  growing  numbers 


continued  from  page  1 
ary.  To  serve  the  648  prisoners 
each  will  hold,  Ricketts  said 
that  the  Chaplain  Service 
would  need  to  hire  three  part- 
time  chaplains  at  a  total  cost  of 
about  $25,000.  It's  money  the 
service  doesn't  have. 

Ricketts  said  most  of  the 
service's  budget  goes  "into  the 
field"  to  the  chaplains  and  their 
work.  The  agencj^s  office  is  in 
two  simply  furnished  rooms  of 
a  modest  Richmond  office 
building.  "We  keep  this  opera- 
tion lean,"  he  said. 

"In  the  field"  the  chaplains 
are  always  busy.  Most  of  the 
time  they  are  in  their  offices 
counseling  with  inmates. 
Ricketts  said  the  chaplains  are 
usually  overwhelmed  by  men 
and  women  seeking  their  help. 

"Once  [the  prisoners]  have 
your  confidence  and  know  you 
will  listen  to  them,  you  will 
have  more  than  you  can  do.  It 
may  take  a  chaplain  up  to  two 
weeks  to  see  a  prisoner  with  a 
non-emergency  request,"  said 
Ricketts.  "There  is  no  trust  or 
privacy  in  prison.  The  chap- 
lain's office  becomes  a  sanctu- 
ary where  the  prisoners  can 
talk,  cry,  or  get  mad  and  say 
things  they  can't  say  outside 
the  office." 

There  is  no  shortage  of  de- 


mand for  the  chaplains'  time. 
In  fact,  there's  much  more  than 
they  can  do  during  a  "regular" 
work  schedule.  "They  (the 
chaplains)  have  to  learn  to  stop 
and  go  home,"  said  Ricketts. 
"They  can't  do  it  all." 

In  addition  to  long  hours, 
being  a  prison  chaplain  does 
not  pay  well  and  has  few  fringe 
benefits,  he  said.  Most  prison 
chaplains  stay  in  the  profes- 
sion, however,  because  it  is 
"very  rewarding." 

"When  you  walk  in,  people 
want  to  see  you.  People  will 
wait  for  hours  to  see  you,"  said 
Ricketts.  Not  every  minister 
can  say  the  same. 

Ministry  to  juveniles 

The  highest  burnout  rate 
for  prison  chaplains  is  among 
those  who  work  with  juveniles. 
"Those  kids  are  so  needy. 
They've  been  through  some 
terrible  things,"  he  said. 

With  juveniles  the  best  help 
often  comes  from  college  and 
seminary  students  who  do  in- 
tern, field  and  summer  work 
for  the  Chaplain's  Service. 
"They  have  the  energy  to 
Handle  it." 

Ricketts  became  involved 
with  prison  chaplaincy  as  a 
seminary  student,  and  it  has 
been  his  career  ever  since. 


1^ 


Presbyterian  prison  chaplain  William  H.  Dent  Jr.  leads 
a  Bible  study  in  a  Virginia  correctional  center 


j^ND  HIS  GIFTS  WERE  THAT  SOME  SHOULD  BE  APOSTLES,  SOME  PROPHETS, 
SOME  EVANGELISTS,  SOME  PASTORS  AND  TEACHERS,  TO  EQUIP  THE  SAINTS 
FOR  THE  WORK  OF  MINISTRY 

FOR 

Building  Up 

THE 

^ODY 

O  F 

Christ 

Weekend  for  Theological  Inquiry 
March  10-13, 1994 


If  you  are  interested  in  exploring  your  gifts  for  ministry,  the  Weekend  for 
Theological  Inquiry  is  for  you.  During  the  weekend  there  will  be  occasions  to 
meet  students  and  faculty  with  whom  you  can  explore  your  faith  and  discuss 
your  future  in  pastoral  or  educational  ministry. 


For  more  infer. 
Carol  Ann  Moore  Harris 

Assistant  Director  of 

Admissions 
Union  Theological  Seminary 

in  Virginia 
3401  Brook  Road 
Richmond,  VA  23227 
1-800-229-2990 


Louisa  S.  Sheets 

Director  of  Admissions 
Presbyterian  School  of 
Christian  Education 
1 205  Palmyra  Avenue 
Richmond,  VA  23227 
(804)359-5031 


The  prison  chaplains  are 
also  assisted  by  up  to  5,000 
volunteers  annually  in  their 
work  throughout  the  state.  The 
volunteers  lead  worship  or 
Bible  study,  give  monthly 
birthday  parties,  tutor,  write 
letters,  present  special  pro- 
grams, or  just  listen.  "A  lot  of 
folks  are  being  touched  by  this 
work  in  very  significant  ways," 
said  Ricketts. 

"A  chaplain  may  only  have 
14  hours  per  week  to  work 
with  1,000  inmates,  but  thanks 
to  volunteers,  there  may  be  a 
program  in  that  prison  every 
day  of  the  week,"  he  added. 

Even  with  volunteer  help, 
prison  programs  are  often  lim- 
ited by  two  factors:  a  lack  of 
space  for  programs  and  a  short- 
age of  prison  employees.  Pris- 
ons built  to  house  500  inmates 
now  hold  twice  that  number. 
Space  which  might  have  been 
used  for  programs  is  no  longer 
available.  Also,  the  prisons  are 
understaffed.  Prison  employ- 
ees must  be  present  for  certain 
activities,  and  they  are  not  al- 
ways available. 

Volunteers  also  help  ex-pris- 
oners get  home  and  make  the 
transition  to  normal  life.  When 
Virginia's  male  inmates  are 
released,  they  get  $25,  a  new 
suit  and  a  bus  ticket  to  their 
hometown,  if  it's  in  the  state.  If 
not,  they  get  a  ticket  to  the 
station  nearest  the  state  line. 

Ricketts  said  many  former 
prisoners  keep  their  prison 
history  quiet  out  of  fear  of  los- 
ing their  jobs  or  being  ostra- 
cized by  society. 

Many  don't  return 

While  there  is  much  discus- 
sion about  criminals  who  com- 
mit more  crimes,  the  majority 
don't.  "Many  first  timers  don't 
come  back. ..as  many  as  80 
percent... but  you  don't  hear 
about  them,"  said  Ricketts. 

He  recalled  two  prisoners 
whom  he  counseled  during  his 
career.  One,  Wayne,  was  a 
loner  when  Ricketts  met  him 
at  the  Powhatan  Correctional 
Center.  "The  prisoners  were 
allowed  to  send  two  Christmas 
cards.  Wayne  sent  one  to  me 
and  didn't  send  the  other.  He 
said  he  had  no  one  else  to  send 
it  to,"  said  Ricketts. 

After  his  release,  Wayne  got 
a  job  with  the  city,  married 
and  raised  a  family.  He  was  an 
alcoholic  and  he  became  active 
in  Alcoholics  Anonymous. 

When  Wayne  died  not  so 
many  years  later,  about  200 
persons — firiends,  co-workers, 
and  fellow  AA  members — at- 
tended his  funeral. 

Years  after  counseling  with 
a  prisoner  named  David, 
Ricketts  received  a  phone  call 
from  him.  David,  who  has  since 
become  a  successful  commer- 
cial artist,  told  the  chaplain  to 
go  look  in  a  hall  of  a  Veteran's 
Affairs  building  in  Washing- 
ton, D.C. 

When  Ricketts  followed  the 
directions,  he  found  a  large 
painting  related  to  the  Viet- 
nam Veterans  Memorial. 
David  dedicated  it  to  the  chap- 
lain who  had  spent  many  hours 
counseling  him  in  prison. 


AUTHORS  WANTED 

Leading  subsidy  bool<  publisher  seeks  manuscripts 
of  all  types:  fiction,  non-fiction,  poetry,  scholarly, 
juvenile  and  religious  works,  etc.  New  authors 
welcomed,  Sendforfree  32-page  illustrated  booklet 
H-IOIVantage  Press,  516  W.  34  St.,  New  York, 
N.Y.  10001 


For  more  information  ... 


The  information  below  is  provided  for  individuals  or 
church  groups  which  might  want  to  know  more  about 
prison  ministry  or  want  to  offer  assistance. 

Chaplain  Service  of  the  Churches  of  Virginia,  Inc. 
The  Rev.  George  Ricketts,  Executive  Director 
2317  Westwood  Ave.,  Suite  i03A 
Richmond,  VA  23230 
(8040  358-7650 ' 

The  Rev.  Bonnie  Pettijohn,  Chaplain 
Raleigh  Correctional  Center  for  Women 
1201  South  State  Rd.,  Raleigh,  NC  27610 
(919)  733-2469 

The  Rev.  WiUiam  H.  Dent  Jr.,  Chaplain 
Powhatan  Correctional  Center 
State  Farm,  VA  23160 
(804)  784-3551,  ext.  3216 

The  Rev.  Etta  C.  Rossman,  Chaplain 
Virginia  Correctional  Center  for  Women 
Goochland,  VA  23014 
(804)  784-3582 

Volunteer  Chaplaincy  Program 

Eastern  (Maryland)  Correctional  Institution 

c\o  The  Rev.  Richard  C.  Hughes 

P.O.  Box  266,  Pocomoke  City,  MD  21851 

(410)  957-2383 

The  Rev.  Michael  Bryant,  Staff  Chaplain 
District  of  Columbia  Department  of  Corrections 
1901  D  St.  S.E. 
Washington,  DC  20003 

Presbyterian  Criminal  Justice  Program 
National  Ministries  Division 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
100  Witherspoon  St. 
Louisville,  KY  40202-1396 
(502)  569-5803 


Presbyterian  Women  started 
N.C.  Chaplain  program 


continued  from  page  1 
In  addition  to  the  Aftercare 
program,  Pettijohn's  responsi- 
bilities include  conducting 
worship  services  and  Bible 
study  at  the  Raleigh  Correc- 
tional Center  for  Women,  pro- 
viding pastoral  care  and  coun- 
seling to  the  prisoners,  and 
coordinating  volunteer  wor- 
ship leaders. 

While  numerous  organiza- 
tions and  church  groups  vol- 
unteer to  minister  to  prison- 
ers, most  of  the  volunteers  are 
not  Presbyterian,  according  to 
Pettijohn.  A  wide  variety  of 
Christian  denominations  par- 
ticipate in  prison  ministry, 
with  fundamentalist  groups 
the  most  active. 

She  said  she  would  encour- 
age persons  to  get  involved  in 
any  aspect  of  criminal  justice 
in  their  community  or  state. 
"There  are  more  prisoners  than 
ever  before,  and  there  is  a  great 
need  for  the  church  in  prison," 
said  Pettijohn.  "Volunteers 
who  work  vnih  this  ministry  at 
least  once  a  month  begin  to 
establish  a  real  relationship 
with  the  prisoners." 

North  Carolina  hires 
chaplains  for  its  prison  sys- 
tem, but  as  of  the  late  1970s 
did  not  provide  a  female  chap- 
lain to  serve  women  prisoners 
in  the  500-inmate  North  Caro- 
lina Correctional  Center  for 
Women  in  Raleigh. 

That  was  the  need  addressed 
in  1980  when  the  Rev.  Winona 
Jones  Ducille  was  called  as  the 
first  Presbyterian-sponsored 
chaplain  for  women.  Initial 
funding  for  the  position  was 
provided  from  the  Presbyte- 


rian Women's  Birthday  Offer- 
ing. 

Ducille,  a  native  of  Jamaica, 
served  seven  years  with  "highly 
successful"  results. 

North  Carolina  Presbyte- 
rian women  had  earlier  joined 
in  an  ecumenical  effort  to  build 
a  chapel  at  the  state  prison  in 
Raleigh. 

North  Carolina  eventually 
hired  its  own  woman  chaplain 
to  serve  in  the  maximum  secu- 
rity unit  of  the  women's  prison. 
At  the  suggestion  of  prison  of- 
ficials, the  Presb3^erian  min- 
istry was  moved  to  the  Raleigh 
Correctional  Center  for 
Women,  a  new,  experimental 
minimum  security  unit  which 
houses  about  140  women  who 
have  been  classified  as  ready 
for  work  release  programs. 

Primary  support  for  the 
North  Carolina  Prison  Chap- 
laincy comes  from  the  five 
North  Carolina  presbyteries. 
They  provide  a  total  of  more 
than  $35,000  annually  to  the 
ministry. 

The  former  Synod  of  North 
Carolina  provided  support 
starting  in  1981,  and  the  min- 
istry later  came  under  the 
synod's  care.  It  never  became  a 
synod-based  ministry,  but  in 
1992  a  new  covenant  was  ap- 
proved with  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic. 

The  synod  sent  $2,700  from 
its  Social  Justice  budget  to  the 
chaplaincy  in  1993.  The  Rev. 
Neil  Bane  of  Jacksonville,  N.C, 
represents  the  synod  on  the 
chaplaincy's  coordinating  com- 
mittee. The  Rev.  Timothy  Bird, 
pastor  of  North  Raleigh 
Church,  chairs  the  committee. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/Febru 


Union  Theolc^cal  Semtoiy 


IN  VIRGINIA 

Genie  Addleton,  Editor     'iBl^-  January  1994 


Barbara 

Campbell  Davis 
Elected  to 
Seminary  Board 
of  Trustees 


The  trustees  of  Union  Theological  Seminary  in 
Virginia  have  elected  Barbara  Campbell  Davis  to  a  three- 
year  term  on  the  Board  of  Trustees.  Ms.  Davis  is  executive 
presbyter/stated  clerk  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Hope 
(North  Carolina).  Her  term  on  the  seminary  board  begins 
this  month. 

Ms.  Davis  has  served  in  many  church-related 
leadership  capacities.  She  was  elected  Ruling  Elder  of  Pine 
Crest  Presbyterian  Church  of  Houston,  Texas,  and  has 
served  as  chair  of  the  Witness  Committee  of  the  Brazos 
Presbytery,  Presbyterian  Church  (US).  For  the  PC(US),  she 
also  served  on  the  Advisory  Council  on  Church  and  Race 
to  the  Ethnic  Affairs  Department  of  the  Division  of 
Corporate  and  Social  Mission,  on  the  Church  Employed 
Women's  Committee,  on  the  Committee  on  Racial  Ethnic 
Women,  and  on  the  Convenant  Renewal  Team  to  Zaire. 

In  1975,  Ms.  Davis  served  as  a  delegate  to  the  World 
Council  of  Churches  and  in  1975-1976  was  Moderator  of 
the  Synod  of  Red  River.  She  was  chair  of  the  General 
Assembly  Mission  Board,  PC  (US),  from  1983-1985  and 
chair  and  member  of  the  Stewardship  and  Communication 
Development  Ministry  Unit  from  1986  to  1991.  She  has 
made  contributions  to  various  church-related  publications 
and  in  1979  served  as  associate  editor  of  Presbyterian 
Outlook. 

Ms.  Davis  is  a  graduate  of  Texas  Southern  University, 
where  she  earned  a  degree  in  biology.  She  earned  a 
Master  of  Education  in  Science  Education  from  Tuskegee 
Institute.  She  has  done  further  study  at  Texas  A  &  M, 
Texas  Southern  University,  the  University  of  North  Texas 
State,  and  Perkins  School  of  Theology,  Southern  Methodist 
University.  For  several  years,  she  was  a  science  teacher  in 
the  public  systems  of  Houston  and  New  Boston,  Texas. 
She  has  also  worked  in  medical  research  at  the  Baylor 
College  of  Medicine  in  Houston  and  in  laboratory  research 
at  Miles  Laboratories  in  Elkhart,  Indiana.  She  is  the  mother 
of  two  sons:  Charles  and  Anthony,  who  is  deceased. 


Flcmiiiu^  coopemluv  reiiliires  tire  (left  to  right)  UTS  President  Hanley  Hall  and  Dean  Charles  Swezey  with  PSCE  Dean  Paul  Walaskay  and 
President  Wayne  Boulton. 

UTS  and  PSCE  Trustees  Say 
"Let's  Work  Together/ 


In  November,  the  trustees  of  Union  Theological 
Seminary  and  the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian 
Education  took  an  action  with  far-reaching  significance. 
Explaining  the  joint  action  of  the  boards,  UTS  President 
Hartley  Hall  said,  "Both  schools  have  been  directed  to 
look  for  ways  to  work  cooperatively.  If  we  can 
accomplish  the  same  goals  at  less  cost  by  pursuing  them 
together,  or  if  we  can  enhance  result  by  working  together, 
we've  been  charged  to  do  that." 

In  a  letter  to  members  of  both  campus  communities. 
President  Hall  and  PSCE  President  Wayne  Boulton  said, 
"Cooperative  planning  and  the  execution  of  projects  and 
programs  between  our  schools  now  have  the  explicit 
authorization  of  both  boards.  To  the  maximum  extent 
consistent  with  our  existence  as  free-standing  institutions, 
we  must  make  cooperation  and  mutual  endeavor  the 
order  of  the  day." 

Both  leaders  state  that  the  action  of  their  trustees  of 
both  schools  makes  "official"  the  direction  in  which  the 
schools  have  already  been  moving.  They  said,  "It  should 
serve  to  make  this  movement  more  effective  in  the  future, 
and  we  welcome  that  possibility." 

President  Hall  acknowledged  that  it  is  impossible  to 
know  now  what  the  ultimate  implications  of  this  policy 
will  be.  "We  know  what  the  boards'  joint  statement  says," 
he  noted,  "but  we  don't  yet  know  what  it  will  mean."  He 
pointed  out  that  while  there  are  many  areas  where  the 
two  schools  can  and  should  work  together,  there  will  still 
be  "pieces"  of  their  lives  best  addressed  separately.  "But, " 
he  added,  "I  do  know  that  we  will  be  called  upon  to 
account  for  our  degree  of  progress  in  cooperative  and 
joint  ventures." 

Staff  and  faculty  of  the  two  schools  have  been 
charged  to  begin  considering  implications  of  this  policy 
for  their  particular  areas  of  responsibility.  The  presidents 
noted  in  their  joint  communication,  "We  will  .  .  .  need  to 


initiate  campus  conversations  as  to  the  best  ways  we  can 
begin  moving  towards  the  implementation  of  these 
directives." 


Joint  Statement  of  The 
Boards  of  Trustees 

of  The  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian 
Education  and  Union  Theological  Seminary 
in  Virginia 

The  Boards  of  Trustees  of  PSCE  and  UTS  are 
convinced  that  the  futures  of  these  two  distinctive  in- 
stitutions of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  will  be 
enhanced  and  best  served  by  closer  collaboration  in 
as  many  areas  of  their  program  and  life  as  possible. 

Even  more  than  proper  stewardship  of  re- 
sources, the  responsible  stewardship  of  institutional 
mission  itself  lends  support  to  this  course  of  aaion. 

Recognizing  that  collaboration  and  deployment 
of  personnel  and  facilities  for  common  program  or 
mutual  support  is  best  accomplished  by  design  rather 
than  through  default,  or  by  the  pressure  of  circum- 
stance, the  Boards  of  these  two  schools  therefore 
instruct  the  presidents,  the  faculties,  and  administra- 
tive staffs  of  their  respective  institutions  to  plan  for 
and  actively  seek  occasions  and  avenues  for  coopera- 
tion and  mutual  endeavor  in  all  areas  of  the  life  of 
both  schools,  to  the  end  that  program,  personnel  and 
faculty,  effort  and  resources,  may  be  shared  to  the 
fullest  extent  feasible. 

Furthermore,  the  Boards  of  Trustees  of  the  two 
schools  will  seek  and  devise  a  suitable  way  in  which 
they  may  jointly  monitor  and  encourage  institutional 
progress  in  this  regard. 


Barbara  Campbell  Davis 


COMING  EVENTS  AT  UTS 


The  Sprunt  Lecture  Series 

January  24  -  26,  1994 

Featuring 

B.A.  Gerrish,  author  of  Grace  and  Gratitude:  The 
Eucharistic  Theology  of  John  Calvin 
With 

William  Bean  Kennedy,  alumni/ae  luncheon  speaker, 
and 

Laura  Shelton  Mendenhall,  preacher 

For  more  information,  contact  Elaine  C.  Grammer,  Office 
of  Institutional  Advancement.  (804)  278-4245. 


The  United  States  Holocaust 
Memorial  Museum 

Washington,  D.C. 
February  11,  1994 

led  by 

Dr.  Donald  Dawe.  professor  of  theology 

For  information,  contact  Rosemary  Holland,  Office  of 
Communications,  (804)  278-4265. 


PAID  FOR  BY  FRIENDS  AND  SUPPORTERS  OF  UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  IN  VIRGINIA 


*8ge  6,  Aiid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1994 


Queens  College  students  serve  coffee  and  sweetbuns  to  worshippers 

Moravian  Love  Feast  at  Christmas 

Queens  College  continues  tradition 


By  J.  DIANE  MOWERY 

Chaplain,  Queens  College 

CHARLOTTE,  N.C.— More 
and  more,  we  live  in  a  homo- 
genized culture.  Every  day  it 
seems  we  watch  as  the  par- 
ticular distinctiveness  of  re- 
gions and  towns  gives  way  to 
national  chains  that  bring  a 
familiarity  but  also  a  dull 
sameness  to  our  lives. 

A  "Ma  and  Pa"  diner  closes 
as  McDonalds  or  Burger  King 
opens,  and  something  unique 


^or  the  life  of  our 
churchy 

In  today's  society,  pastors  who 
can  preach  and  teach  the  Gospel 
of  Christ  are  more  important 
than  ever.  Through  your  gift 
annuity  with  Union  Theolog- 
ical Seminary  in  Virginia,  you 
help  ensure  that  our  church  has 
courageous  leadership— men  and 
women  trained  by  committed, 
Christian  teachers  in  biblical 
studies,  Reformed  theology  and 
ethics,  and  practical  ministry. 

a  Itfetime  income  for 
you. 

Through  assets  given  to  Union 
TTheological  Seminary,  a  gift  an- 
nuity gives  you  the  benefit  of 
interest  income  (recently  in  the 
range  of  7  to  1 0%  depending  on 
your  age).  You  also  qualify  for 
income  tax  deduaions,  increased 
in  some  cases  by  the  1993  tax 
law.  Your  gift  annuity  helps  se- 
cure your  ftiture,  and  that  of 
Union  Theological  Seminary. 

^charitable 
QiftS^nnuily 

Union  Theological 
Seminary  in\^iginia 

A  Sammry  of  ihe  Pmhyurtan  Church  (USA) 

Please  call  the  Office  of 
Planned  Gifts 
I  •  800  •  229  •  2990 


about  our  town  is  replaced  by  a 
restainrant  or  store  that  can  be 
found  in  any  other  town 
throughout  our  Synod. 

As  Christians,  though,  we 
need  to  resist  this  homogeniz- 
ing tendency  and  instead  find 
ways  to  celebrate  the  unique 
particulars  of  our  lives  and 
regions,  even  as  we  acknowl- 
edge and  celebrate  the  par- 
ticularity of  Jesus'  arrival  in 
our  midst  2,000  years  ago. 

At  Queens  College  we  have 
found  a  way  to  highlight  the 
religious  history  of  the  Pied- 
mont by  presenting  a  Moravian 
Love  Feast  as  part  of  our 
Christmas  celebrations. 

The  Love  Feast,  a  standard 
service  among  Moravians  since 
1735,  is  used  to  celebrate  great 
church  festivals  by  sharing 


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WATER  HEATERS  U\ 
FKCeCOLOIteD  BROCHURE 

LiniE  GIANT  MANUFACTURING  CO. 

Box  51 8  /  Orange,  Texas  77630 
DIAL  TOLL  FREE  1-800-231-6035 


REFINISHING 


together  a  simple  meal  of 
Moravian  sweet  buns  and  cof- 
fee. 

During  the  Christmas  sea- 
sons, the  love  feast  becomes  an 
integral  part  of  a  lesson  in 
Scripture  and  carols.  As  read- 
ers recount  the  birth  of  Christ, 
and  choirs  and  the  congrega- 
tion proclaim  Christ's  arrival 
in  song,  servers  pass  the  buns 
and  coffee  to  all  members  of 
the  congregation. 

This  simple  meal,  shared  in 
the  pews  as  a  family  commu- 
nity, is  followed  by  passing  out 
Moravian  beeswax  candles 
with,  red  paper  frills  around 
them.  To  the  music  of  the  last 
hymn  the  candles  are  lit,  and 
as  the  service  ends,  everyone 
leaves  the  church  taking  their 
hghted  candle  into  the  world 
as  a  reminder  that,  as  Chris- 
tians, we  are  to  let  our  Ught 
shine  before  all  the  world. 

The  Moravian  Love  Feast, 
now  a  long  tradition  at  Queens, 
offers  us  a  way  to  emphasize 
our  region's  unique  Moravian 
heritage.  The  beauty  and  sim- 
plicity of  the  service  affect  ev- 
eryone; consequently,  students 
experience  Christmas  a  little 
differently  than  before  by  hav- 
ing shared  in  the  lovely 
Moravian  tradition. 

Perhaps  we  all  need  to  look 
harder  for  ways  to  celebrate 
unique,  regional  traditions 
even  as  we  afRrm  the  common 
ground  of  our  faith  in  Christ. 


THE   PRESBYTERIAN    ASSOCIATION  OF 
MUSICIANS  SPONSORS 


The  1994 
Montreal  Conferences 
on  Worship  &  Music 
Montreal,  N.C. 

Week  L  June  19-24,  1994 
Week  II:  June  26-July  1,  1994 


CLINICIANS  &  LEADERS 


w,  Chile 


Choi 


Lecturer  in  Hymnody 
George  Guest.  Adult  Ch 
Rodney  Eichenberger, 
Senior  High  Choir 


•  Beth  Watson,  Handbells 

•  Judy  Henneberger,  Orff 

•  Anne  Goodrum, 
Lihjrgical  Dance 

•  Nancy  Chinn,  Vi 


Artist 


CONFERENCE  HIGHLIGHTS: 
on  theology  and  beauty  in  worship.  The  Book  of  Common 
erican  hymnody,  liturgical  dance,  visual  art,  and  Ihe  premi 
iem  by  John  Corigliano.  commissioned  by  this  conference. 
Registration  deadline:  June  1,  1994 
NO  ON-SITE  REGISTRATION 
REGISTRATION  CAP:  1,250  CONFEREES 
ichure,  registration  and  program  information,  write  to: 
sbyterian  Association  of  Musicians,  Montreat  1994 
)0  Witherspoon  Street  •  Louisville,  KY  40202-1396 
(502)  569-5288  •  Fax  (502)  569-5018 


WNC  mission  group  robbed 

A  group  of  12  persons  (nine  women  and  three  men)  from 
Western  North  Carolina  Presbytery  who  were  robbed  at  gun- 
point in  Nicaragua  recently  commented  on  the  experience  after 
returning  home.  Judy  Nebrig,  spokesperson  for  the  group,  said, 
"We  were  scared  and  very  sad  about  this  incident.  But  we 
believe  it  underscored  everything  else  we  learned  that  two 
weeks.  It  made  us  realize  the  seriousness  of  the  poverty  in 
Nicaragua." 

The  delegation  had  been  in  Nicaragua  for  10  days,  visiting 
projects  and  working  on  a  cooperative  farm  sponsored  by  Young 
Life  of  Matagalpa.  The  robbery  occurred  at  the  close  of  a 
gathering  in  the  home  of  Presbyterian  missionaries  Jim  and 
Sara  Hornsby. 

Nebrig  said,  "We  stayed  [outside]  with  two  men  guarding  us 
while  two  more  went  inside  and  gathered  money,  passports  and 
things  of  value.  After  being  checked  with  a  soft  touch  on  the  back 
of  our  necks  for  gold  chains,  we  were  told  to  go  back  inside. 

"We  later  learned  from  an  interpreter  that  they  had  said  'no 
tenga  miedo'  (don't  be  afraid)  as  we  were  going  inside.  They  left 
and  did  not  return." 

The  group  talked  and  prayed  after  the  experience,  sharing 
with  each  other  the  faith  experience  it  had  been  for  them. 
"When  the  sun  rose  the  next  morning,  we  sang  "When  Morning 
Gilds  the  Skies  ...  May  Jesus  Christ  Be  Praised'  like  we  had 
never  sung  it  before,"  said  Nebrig.  — Marj  Carpenter 

Magnuson  leaves  the  Peaks 

LYNCHBURG,  Va. — George  P.  Magnuson,  general  presbjrter  of 
the  Presbsrtery  of  the  Peaks  since  July  1989,  resigned  from  that 
position  effective  Dec.  31  to  become  executive  for  the  Presbytery 
of  Boston.  Magnuson  was  executive  for  Blue  Ridge  Presb3d;ery 
for  three  years  before  that  body  was  merged  with  others  to  form 
the  Peaks.  Prior  to  that  he  was  on  the  faculty  of  McCormick 
Theological  Seminary  in  Chicago  for  13  years. 

The  Presbytery  of  Boston,  which  includes  most  of  Massachu- 
setts, has  23  churches  with  more  than  3,100  members.  The 
Presbytery  of  the  Peaks  has  145  churches  and  24,300-plus 
members  in  south  central  Virginia. 

The  Peaks  presbs^ery  council  was  scheduled  to  meet  Jan.  8 
and  make  recommendations  concerning  an  interim  general 
presbyter  and  the  search  for  a  permanent  replacement.  The 
next  stated  presbytery  meeting  is  Feb.  5  in  Roanoke. 

Presbyterian  Home  hires  PR  director 

HIGH  POINT,  N.C— Ginger  J.  Smith  has  been  named  public 
relations  director  for  the  Presbyterian  Home  of  High  Point.  She 
will  oversee  the  marketing  and  public  relations  efforts,  includ- 
ing educational  meetings  with  churches,  civic  groups,  social 
clubs  and  professional  organizations.  She  holds  a  bachelor's 
degree  in  communications  from  North  Carolina  State  Univer- 
sity. Smith  recently  moved  from  Charlotte,  where  she  was  a 
public  relations  specialist  with  J.A.  Jones  Construction  Co.  The 
Presbyterian  Home  of  High  Point  is  a  part  of  Presbyterian 
Homes,  Inc.,  of  North  Carolina. 

King's  Grant  community  opens 

MARTINSVILLE,  Va.— King's  Grant,  a  new  "state-of-the-art" 
continuing  care  community  owned  and  operated  by  Sunnyside 
Retirement  Communities,  was  dedicated  on  Oct.  28,  1993. 
Participating  in  the  dedication  service  were  Synod  Executive 
Carroll  Jenkins,  Peaks  Presbytery  General  Presbyter  George 
Magnuson,  First  Church  Martinsville  Pastor  Dwight  O. 
Christenbury  Jr.,  Sunnyside  President  Richard  Lyons,  and 
Sunnyside  Chairman  Francis  Bell  Jr. 

Sunnyside  is  one  of  three  older  adult  care  agencies  which 
relate  to  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic  and  are  supported  by  the 
annual  Mothers'  Day  Offering. 

Japan  honors  former  missionary 

Virginia  Deter,  a  former  Presbyterian  missionary  to  Japan,  was 
recently  honored  by  that  country's  government  with  an  award 
called  the  Order  of  the  Sacred  Treasure.  For  some  40  years. 
Deter  taught  English  in  junior  and  senior  high  schools  and  at 
the  junior  college  of  Hokuriku  Gakuin.  Since  her  retirement  to 
Asheville,  N.C,  five  years  ago.  Deter  has  returned  to  Japan 
twice.  Many  of  her  former  students  attended  the  Nov.  11  award 
ceremony  in  Tokyo. 

Campbell  speaker  at  tent  meeting 

CARLISLE,  Pa.— The  Rev.  David  C.  Campbell,  pastor  of 
Kirkwood  Church  in  Springfield,  Va.,  was  one  of  three  speakers 
for  a  three-day  tent  meeting  which  drew  large  crowds  last  fall 
to  Carlisle  Presbytery.  A  committee  of  lay  persons  organized  the 
Oct.  22-24  event,  entitled  "Festival  of  Faith." 

Wyatt,  Simms  lead  synods 

Two  S3mods  elected  Presbyterians  with  connections  to  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  as  executives  this  past  summer.  The  Rev.  Richard  O. 
Wyatt  was  elected  executive  of  the  Synod  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains. Wyatt  was  formerly  vice  president  for  institutional  ad- 
vancement at  Barber-Scotia  College  in  Concord,  N.C.  The  Rev. 
Lowelle  Simms,  former  interim  executive  for  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic  and  executive  of  San  Gabriel  Presbytery,  was 
elected  executive  of  the  Synod  of  the  Covenant.  That  synod 
includes  11  presbyteries  and  824  churches  with  250,159  mem- 
bers in  Ohio  and  Michigan. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1 994,  I'age  7 


Editors  share  ideas,  hear  mission  speal<er 

Editors  from  nine  presbyteries  gathered  recently  at  the  synod  office  in  Richmond  to 
exchange  ideas  and  hear  a  presentation  by  Marj  Carpenter,  international  mission 
interpreter  with  the  PC  (USA)  and  former  News  Service  manager.  Those  attending  and 
pictured  above  are,  from  left:  Standing-Marj  Carpenter;  Chi-Chi  Kern,  Shenandoah; 
Sandra  Francis,  The  James;  Dale  Miller,  Coastal  Carolina;  Julie  Helms,  Baltimore; 
Midge  Mack,  Western  North  Carolina;  and  John  Sniffen,  synod  editor.  Sitting-Chuck 
Noonan,  New  Hope;  Sylvia  Maume,  Eastern  Virginia;  Bob  Bolt,  New  Castle;  and 
Katherine  Bamett,  Charlotte.  (Photo  by  Laura  Jurman) 


Retreat  set  for  families  of  medical  personnel 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— A 
weekend  retreat  for  physicians 
and  their  families  is  scheduled 
for  March  11-13  atMassanetta 
Springs  Conference  Center. 

Three  workshops  have  been 
designed  specifically  for  the 
families  of  medical  personnel. 

"Communication  Skills  and 
Family  Relationships"  will  fo- 
cus on  building  family  har- 
mony. "Deepening  Spiritual 


Life  without  Working  for  It" 
will  look  at  doing  this  in  the 
midst  of  a  busy  schedule. 
"Who's  on  First"  will  look  at 
setting  healthy  priorities  in  a 
profession  which  is  very  de- 
manding. 

The  weekend  will  also  offer 
plenty  of  free  time  for  families 
to  pursue  leisure  activities.  A 
children's  program  will  be  pro- 
vided during  the  workshop 


'Real  Women'  event  May  6-7 


STAUNTON,  Va.— Mary  Bald- 
win College  and  Shenandoah 
Presb5i;ery  will  co-sponsor  a 
May  6-7  conference  at  the  col- 
lege to  explore  the  relation- 
ship between  women's  spiritu- 
ality and  issues  they  face  daily. 

"Real  Women,  Real  World, 
Read  God:  Real  Different"  will 
seek  to  help  participants  un- 
derstand the  challenges  in 
their  lives,  find  spiritual  re- 
sources to  meet  them,  and  de- 
velop a  plan  to  support  each 
other  and  other  women  in  need. 

The  conference  will  begin 
Friday  with  dinner  and  wor- 
ship and  will  continue  with 
workshops  on  Saturday,  end- 
ing with  dinner  and  the  Lord's 
Supper.  Worship  and  work- 
shops will  focus  on  family  and 
parenting  needs,  family  con- 
flict, women  in  leadership,  and 
spiritual  needs. 

Conference  leaders  will  be: 

Miriam  Therese  Winter, 
a  medical  Mission  Sister,  pro- 
fessor at  Hartford  (Conn.) 
Seminary,  and  author  of  sev- 


eral books  including  The  Gos- 
pel According  to  Mary,  a  story 
of  Jesus  as  it  might  have  been 
revealed  through  the  eyes  of  a 
woman.  She  has  recorded  a 
dozen  albums  of  music,  includ- 
ing songs  from  her  book 
Woman  Prayer,  Woman  Song. 

Lillian  Taylor  was  a  long- 
time resident  of  Elkton  where 
her  husband,  David,  began  his 
ministry.  An  ordained  minis- 
ter, she  is  retired  as  associate 
director  of  continuing  educa- 
tion at  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary  and  is  a  widely-rec- 
ognized conference  speaker 
and  resource  person. 

A  registration  fee  of  $30  in- 
cludes four  meals;  an  addi- 
tional $10  reserves  a  room  Fri- 
day night  at  the  college. 

For  reservations,  contact 
Kay  Goodman  at  the  Shenan- 
doah Presbytery  office,  P.O. 
Box  1214,  Harrisonburg,  VA 
22801,  phone  (703)  433-2556. 
For  more  information  call  Kay 
or  Ginny  Francisco  at  (703) 
887-7031  (days). 


Belk  Catechism  Awards 


The  following  young  Presbyterians  have  received  certificates 
and  monetary  awards  for  reciting  the  Catechism  for  Young 
Children  or  the  Shorter  Catechism.  The  synod's  catechism  fund, 
established  by  the  late  W.H.  Belk,  provides  recognition  to  boys 
and  girls  age  15  and  younger  who  recite  either  catechism. 
Derita  Church,  Charlotte,  N.C. — Lindsay  Fowler,  Alexander 
McCauley,  Josh  Meffert,  Jose  Paul,  and  Jeremy  Poole 
First  Church,  Burlington,  N.C. — Emily  Davis 
First  Church,  Fairmont,  iV.C— Keith  McGirt 
First  Church,  Fayetteville,  N.C. — Jennifer  McFadyen  and 

Katherine  Noland 
lona  Church,  Fairmont,  N.C. — Devin  Davis 


times. 

For  more  information,  call 
the  Massanetta  Springs  Con- 
ference Center  at  (703)  434- 
3829  or  conference  directors 
Doug  and  Beth  Smith  at  (703) 
828-4172. 


Synod  women  plan 
1994  Summer  Gathering 


St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  Col- 
lege in  Laurinburg,  N.C,  will 
host  the  1994  Summer  Gath- 
ering of  Presbyterian  Women 
of  the  Synod. 

Scheduled  for  June  9-12,  the 
gathering  will  follow  the  theme 
"Christ  is  All  ...  For  All." 

The  1994  Horizons  Bible 
Study  for  Presbyterian  Women 
is  titled  "Who  is  the  Christ?" 
and  comes  from  the  Epistles.  It 
was  authored  by  R.  David 
Kaylor,  professor  and  chair  of 
religion  at  Davidson  College. 

The  Rev.  Carol  T.  "Pinky" 
Bender  will  be  the  Bible  study 
interpreter  for  the  gathering. 
Caroline  Gourley  Grissette,  ex- 
ecutive and  stated  clerk  for 
Western  North  Carolina  Pres- 
bytery, will  conduct  the  morn- 
ing worship  and  the  commun- 
ion service. 

Workshops  during  the  1994 
gathering  will  cover  a  broad 
scope  of  interests,  including 
missions,  the  Bible,  justice  for 
women,  spiritual  growth,  and 
some  fun  activities. 

Workshop  topics  are  cen- 


=  PEW  CUSHIONS  = 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG,  VA  24502 

-  1-800-572-2283  - 


tered  around  leadership,  pub- 
lic prayer,  ideas  for  newslet- 
ters, P.W.  ideas  for  beginners, 
breaking  barriers,  storytelling, 
faith,  humor  in  the  Bible,  com- 
munication, and  dealing  with 
grief  and  loss. 

There  will  also  be  a  time  for 
P.W.  moderators  to  exchange 
ideas  and  share  experiences. 
Time  will  be  provided  so  that 
you  may  chat  with  the  keynote 
speakers  and  workshop  lead- 
ers in  small  groups  or  on  an 
individual  basis. 

More  information  will  be 
available  soon. 

The  1994  gathering  is  being 
chaired  by  Hilda  Williams  of 
Western  North  Carolina  Pres- 
bytery. Other  members  of  the 
planning  team  are  Diane 
Hutchins,  Anna  Kreiner, 
Kathleen  Branch,  Jeanette 
Anderson,  Helen  Breckinridge, 
Annie  Bates,  Evelyn  Stradling, 
Debbie  Oxendine,  Mickey  Reid, 
Betty  Blue  Miller,  Betty 
Baldwin,  Mary  Sprow,  and 
Grace  Munro. 

— Mary  T.  Sprow,  reporter 


FREE  ESTIMATES  I 

•  Stained  Glaw  ImWallaUons  X 
Stained  GIa»8  Restoreuon 

Fibetj^a|8  Baptlslrtc*  8i  StCEptta 

A&H 

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COMPANY,  INC 

P.O.  Box  67  Wione 
Harmony,  N.C.  28634        (7t>4j  546-2687 


AFRICAN  CHURCHES 
SPEAK 

SYNOD  OF  THE  MID-ATLANTIC 
WORLDWIDE  MISSION  CONFERENCE 


1994-95 
Mission 
Emphasis 


1994-95 
Mission 
Empliasis 


April  15-16, 1994 

Union  Tlieological  Seminary,  Richmond,  Va. 

Keynote  Speaker:  Marj  Carpenter 

Mission  Interpreter,  Division  of  Worldwide  Ministries,  PC(USA) 


Registration 

$30  before  Feb.  28, 1994 
$35  thereafter 
Registration  deadline:  Marcln  31,  1994 

For  information  or  reservations,  contact  Sylvester  Bullock  at  the  Synod 
Office— (804)  342-0016  •  P.O.  Box  27026,  Richmond,  VA  2326  V  - 


Hotel 

Holiday  Inn  Central 
$40/night  Single  Or  Double 
Synod  office  will  make  reservations 


Page  S,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1994 


Schobel  named  Lees-McRae's  11th  president 


BANNER  ELK,  N.C.— Dr. 
James  A.  Schobel,  for  20  years 
the  president  of  Mayville  State 
University  in  North  Dakota, 
has  been  named  the  1 1th  presi- 
dent of  Lees-McRae  College. 

Schobel  has  "all  the  right 
characteristics  of  the  president 
we  are  seeking,"  said  Lees- 
McRae  Board  of  Trustees 
Chairman  Dr.  Daniel  W. 
Massie.  "He  is  a  proven  college 
president,  administrator,  edu- 


cator, leader  and  churchman." 

An  Ohio  native,  Schobel 
holds  doctorate,  masters  and 
bachelors  degrees  from  Ohio 
University.  He  has  worked  in 
both  the  public  and  private 
education  sectors  and  began 
his  career  as  a  research  associ- 
ate with  the  Ohio  Center  for 
Economic  Education  at  Ohio 
University. 

In  1973  he  became  the 
youngest  president  in  the 


North  Dakota  system  when  he 
took  the  reins  at  Mayville 
State.  During  his  tenure: 

*  student  enrollment  in- 
creased, 

*  the  college  was  involved 
in  a  computer  data-based  man- 
agement system, 

*  there  was  a  ten-fold  in- 
crease in  annual  giving, 

*  the  college  created  the 
state's  first  satellite  teaching 
network, 


YADs  learn  from  GA  experience 


By  SUSAN  D.  FRICKS 

Nurturing  the  future  leader- 
ship of  the  PC(USA)  is  one 
important  dimension  of  Pres- 
byterian Campus  Ministry.  It 
can  be  done  by  promoting  and 
encouraging  active  Presbyte- 
rian students  to  apply  for  and 
become  Youth  Advisory  Del- 
egates (YADs)  at  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  PC(USA). 

Two  members  of  the 
Westminster  Presbyterian  Fel- 
lowship at  Duke  University, 
Susan  Neely  and  Kara 
Cerveny,  were  among  the  167 
YADs  at  the  G.A.  in  Orlando, 
Fla.,  June  2-9, 1993.  Kara,  from 
Muskingum  Valley  Presby- 
tery, served  as  a  co-moderator 
of  the  '93  YADs.  Susan  is  from 
the  Charleston-Atlantic  Pres- 
bytery. 

The  highlight  of  the  '93  GA 
for  Susan  was  worship,  espe- 
cially the  opening  service  of 
Holy  Communion.  She  appre- 
ciated the  attempts  at  multi- 
culturalism  (a  big  Duke  em- 
phasis): the  Native  American 
dancers,  the  different  choirs, 
the  use  of  different  languages. 

And,  she  valued  the  at- 
tempts to  be  unified  even  in 
the  midst  of  a  misunderstand- 


PEW  REFINISHING  *  CARPET 
PEWS  *  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 


E.  C.  Moore  &  Co.,  Inc. 
P.O.  Box  524  -  Monroe,  N.C.  2811 
704-289-581 7« 704-289-1 599-Home 


ing  by  members  of  ACT  UP,  a 
homosexual  activist  group. 
Though  ACT  UP  did  not  get 
directions  to  bring  commun- 
ion bread  to  be  blessed  and 
shared  by  a  certain  time,  they 
were  allowed  anyway  to  bring 
their  loaves  forward  during  the 
service  itself. 

For  Kara,  the  highlight  was 
more  general.  She  really  ap- 
preciated "the  opportunity  to 
meet,  be  around,  talk  to,  and 
become  friends  with  so  many 
people  with  common  goals  for 
the  church,  all  167  YADs  try- 
ing to  do  God's  will  in  their 
lives.  It  was  an  awesome  expe- 
rience to  be  surrounded  by 
people  and  to  speak  on  the 
assembly  floor  on  the  closing 
day.  I  had  the  feeling  that  I 
could  make  a  difference,,  and  I 
could  see  the  governing  body 
at  work. 

Frustration  and  disillu- 
sionment were  also  part  of 
their  experiences.  Most  frus- 
trating for  Kara  was  the  focus 
on  minute  details.  As  she  put 
it,  "I  wish  that  everyone  could 
have  acknowledged  their  dif- 
ferences and  moved  on  to 
Christ's  basic  message  and  how 
to  get  it  out.  If  only  all  could 
have  agreed  on  the  main  pur- 
pose, that  they  were  a  body  of 
believers  with  the  role  of  help- 
ing to  portray  Christ's  life  as 
they  understood  it."  At  the 
point  when  Susan  was  most 
disillusioned,  she  found  en- 
couragement in  a  comment 


If  you  are  Columbia 
exploring  Theological 
a  call  Seminary 


into  the 
ministry.. 


in  Decatur,  Georgia,  invites 
you  to  its  Conference  on 
Ministry  February  25-27, 
1994.  An  opportunity  for 
you  to  take  a  fresh  look  at  the 
Vocation  of  Ministry... 
Yourself... 

Columbia  Seminary. 


Conference 
0"  Ministry 


For  further  information: 
The  Office  of  Admissions 
Columbia  Seminary 
P.O.  Box  520 
Decatur,  Georgia  30031 
404/378-8821 

A     i,..,M-  vnfthe  Presbyterian 


*  the  number  of  doctoral- 
degreed  faculty  tripled,  and 

*  a  summer  workshop  was 
initiated  for  exceptional  stu- 
dents. 

Schobel  succeeds  Dr. 
Bradford  L.  Crain,  who  was 
president  from  1985  to  1993. 
Dr.  David  Frazer,  former  presi- 
dent of  Peace  College,  served 
as  interim  president. 

Schobel  and  his  wife,  Jane, 
are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren. 


Dr.  James  A.  Schobel 


made  by  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners from  her  presbjrtery. 
This  person  told  her,  "Don't 
take  it  too  seriously,  changes 
can  always  be  made  next  year." 

Both  students  would  like  to 
go  back  to  another  GA.  Recog- 
nizing that  she  probably  could 
not  go  again  as  a  YAD,  Susan 
would  like  to  go  as  part  of  the 
service  corps  that  helps  be- 
hind the  scenes.  She  would 
especially  like  to  campaign  for 
campus  ministry  funding  and 
a  National  Presbyterian  Stu- 
dent Conference.  In  her  view 
the  Committee  on  Higher  Edu- 
cation is  too  ecumenically  in 
clined.  She  thinks  students 
need  reinforcement  in  what  it 
means  to  be  a  Presbyterian. 

Both  felt  the  impact  of  their 
experience  as  YADs  on  their 
understanding  of  the  church. 
It  is  not  so  conservative  as  the 
four  churches  Susan  has 
known,  none  of  which  would 
even  consider  ordaining  a  ho- 
mosexual. She  also  found  a 
deeper  sense  that  she  had  a 
place  in  the  church.  Kara  dis- 
covered first  hand  that  the 
PC(USA)'-s  bureaucracy  is  simi- 
lar to  that  of  the  federal  gov- 
ernment. She  also  found  rein- 
forcement for  her  prior  values 
when  she  was  forced  to  take  a 
stand.  She  found  reading  prior 
to  GA  was  good  preparation 
for  life  in  general.  Through  the 
experience  she  found  her  faith 
more  important  to  her  and  her 
values  stronger. 

Any  students  interested  in 
becoming  YADs  should  seek 
the  endorsement  of  the  pastor 
and  session  of  their  home 
church  and  contact  their  pres- 
bytery office  for  application  in- 
formation. 

The  Rev.  Susan  D.  Fricks  is 
Presbyterian  campus  minister 
at  Duke  University,  one  of  41 
campus  ministries  in  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 


Employment 


Secretary/Registrar 

Camp  Hanover,  The  Presbytery  of 
the  James's  camp  and  retreat  cen- 
ter, seeks  to  fill  the  position  of  sec- 
retary/registrar. Position  is  avail- 
able in  early  Spring  1 994.  Qualifica- 
tions include  computer  literacy,  an 
enthusiastic  telephone  communi- 
cator, office  management  skills,  and 
a  commitment  to  outdoor  ministry. 
Contact  Camp  Hanover  for  more 
detailed  information,  (804)  779- 
2811. 


Campus  Notes 


Amazing  90  min. 
Message! 


nada  5.95.  Foreign  7.95.  (US  funds] 
der  Now!  Shipped  1st  Class.  DaSans 
1122-B  Maple  Ave.  Verona  PA  15147 


$1  million  for  teacher  education 

DAVIDSON,  N.C— A  $1  million  gift  from  the  First  Union 
Foundation  will  be  used  to  create  an  endowment  for  a  new 
teacher  education  fund  at  Davidson  College,  according  to  Presi- 
dent John  W.  Kuykendall.  A  portion  of  the  gift  will  establish  a 
merit  scholarship  program  and  a  portion  will  be  used  to  support 
public  school  teachers  who  will  serve  as  instructors  and  mentors 
to  students. 

Dendy  named  to  PSCE  staff 

RICHMOND,  Va.— The  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Edu- 
cation has  named  Robert  S.  Dendy  Jr.  as  associate  director  of 
advancement  effective  Nov.  1,  1993.  Dendy,  an  elder  at  Second 
Church  of  Richmond,  was  formerly  mobile  operations  manager 
of  the  Hospital  Corporation  of  America.  The  son  and  grandson 
of  Presbyterian  ministers,  Dendy  will  spend  the  bulk  of  his  time 
traveling  on  behalf  of  the  school.  He  also  serves  onthe  Board  of 
Visitors  for  Montreat-Anderson  College. 

J.C.  Smith  Seminary  receives  grant 

ATLANTA— First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Fort  Worth,  Texas, 
has  approved  a  $100,000  grant  to  Johnson  C.  Smith  Theological 
Seminary  to  launch  a  targeted  $1  million  fund-raising  drive  for 
increased  scholarship  support  of  ministry  candidates. 

Hampden-Sydney  research  funded 

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY,  Va.— A  $60,000  endowment  of  the  Wil- 
liam C.  Boinest  Student  Research  Assistantship  in  Economics 
by  Craigie,  Inc.,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  has  been  announced  by 
Samuel  V.  Wilson,  president  of  Hampden-Sydney  College.  The 
endowment  was  made  in  recognition  of  Boinest's  35th  anniver- 
sary with  the  company;  Boinest  is  a  member  of  the  college's 
board  of  trustees. 

Barber-Scotia  student  fatally  shot 

CONCORD,  N.C— A  memorial  service  was  held  Dec.  2  in  the 
college  chapel  for  an  18-year-old  Barber-Scotia  College  student 
who  was  shot  and  killed  outside  off-campus  student  housing. 
Freshman  Shontel  Wright  of  High  Point,  N.C,  died  Thanksgiv- 
ing morning  in  what  Concord,  N.C,  poUce  are  saying  is  an 
apparent  case  of  mistaken  identity,  according  to  The  Charlotte 
Observer.  Five  men  were  charged  with  murder  and  were  being 
held  without  bond,  accused  of  firing  more  than  two  dozen  shots 
as  Wright  and  several  classmates  stepped  from  a  school  van. 
Barber-Scotia  President  Dr.  Joel  Nwagbaraocha  said  the  school 
has  requested  local  and  county  police  to  increasingly  patrol 
college-related  property  since  campus  security  officers  do  not 
carry  guns. 

Nicholson  is  development  director 

RICHMOND,  Va.— Roger  A.  Nicholson  has  been  named  direc- 
tor of  professional  development  and  doctor  of  ministry  studies  at 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia.  He  has  been  the 
seminary's  director  of  admissions  and  financial  aid  since  1986. 
An  ordained  Presbyterian  minister,  he  served  congregations  in 
three  southern  states.  From  1982  to  1986  he  was  Presbyterian 
campus  minister  at  Virginia  Commonwealth  University  and 
coordinator  of  ministries  in  higher  education  for  Hanover  Pres- 
bytery. 

1993  Ragan  Awards  presented 

LAURINBURG,  N.C— St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  pre- 
sented its  13th  annual  Sam  Ragan  Fine  Arts  Awards  to: 

Sally  Buckner,  professor  of  EngUsh  at  Peace  College  in 
Raleigh  and  co-director  of  the  Capital  Area  Writing  Project; 

Mary  Duke  Biddle  Trent  Semans,  chair  of  the  Duke  Endow- 
ment and  emeritus  member  of  the  Duke  University  board  of 
trustees;  and 

Marty  L.  Silverthome,  published  poet  and  1985  St.  Andrews 
graduate,  who  lives  in  Greenville,  N.C.  He  is  the  first  St. 
Andrews  alumnus  to  receive  the  Ragan  Award. 

Created  in  1981,  the  award  is  given  to  one  or  more  persons  for 
outstanding  contributions  to  the  fine  arts  of  North  Carolina. 


Peacemakinq  tour  to  Vietnam  scheduled 


The  first  Presbyterian-spon- 
sored study  delegation  to  Viet- 
nam in  nearly  30  years  will  be 
headed  to  Southeast  Asia  this 
spring,  according  to  Debbie  D. 
Vial  of  the  Presbyterian  Peace- 
making Program. 

Approximately  15  slots  are 
open  on  the  peacemaking  tour, 
which  will  be  conducted  from 
June  27  to  July  11.  It  will  be 
led  by  Vial  and  the  Rev.  Dan 
Wessner  of  Denver,  a  Presby- 
terian minister  who  just  re- 
turned from  2  and  1/2-years  as 
a  mission  diaconal  worker  in 
Vietnam. 

"The  war  still  is  not  re- 
solved," Wessner  said,  noting 
that  many  Americans  still 
grapple  with  the  spiritual  and 
psychological  legacies  of  a  war 
that,  technically,  ended  when 


U.S.  troops  pulled  out  of  Saigon 
in  1975.  "And  there  are  enor- 
mous spiritual  and  psychologi- 
cal gains  for  Americans  and 
for  Vietnamese  as  we  together 
process  a  past  of  pain,  looking 
forward  to  a  future  of  hope  and 
joy,"  he  said. 

More  Vietnamese  families 
have  been  forced  to  confront 
the  catastrophe  of  war, 
Wessner  said,  because  the  war 
occurred  in  their  front  yards. 

"It  affected  100  percent  of 
the  Vietnamese  population, 
plus  the  next  two  generations. 
The  contrast  is  that  a  smaller 
percentage  of  the  American 
populace  was  directly  involved, 
and  it  was  fought  a  great  dis- 
tance from  our  mainland.  So  it 
is  easier  for  us  to  distance  our- 
selves from  the  enduring  daily 


costs  of  a  war,"  he  said,  noting, 
however,  that  such  distancing 
is  not  true  for  veterans  who 
spent  time  in  Vietnam. 

Five  million  Christians  live 
in  Vietnam,  according  to 
Wessner.  Most  of  the  70  mil- 
lion Vietnamese  practice  spir- 
itism, or  ancestor  worship. 

Travel  study  seminars  are 
also  planned  for  the  former 
Yugoslavia,  May  23-June  6; 
South  Africa  and  Namibia, 
Nov.  7-21;  and  Northern  Ire- 
land, in  conjunction  with  the 
Northern  Ireland  Working 
Group,  Aug.  22-Sept.  4. 

For  registration  informa- 
tion, contact  the  Presb5rterian 
Peacemaking  Program  at(502) 
569-5786  or  (205)  650-5791. 

— Alexa  Smith 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


Three  endorsed  for  moderator 


LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— As  of  De- 
cember, three  candidates  had 
been  endorsed  for  moderator 
of  the  206th  (1994)  General 
Assembly. 

Bruce  Spence,  an  elder  in 
Mountain  View  Church  in 
Loveland,  Colo.,  and  former 
chair  of  the  General  Assembly 
Council,  was  endorsed  Dec.  4 
by  Boulder  Presbytery. 

He  joined  the  Rev.  Robert 
W.  Bohl,  pastor  of  First  Church 
in  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  and  Jean 
C.  Kennedy,  an  elder  in  East 
Liberty  Church  in  Pittsburgh, 
Penn.,  in  the  race. 

Bruce  Spence 

Spence,  48,  an  information 
technology  manager  for  the 
Hewlett-  Packard  Corporation, 
is  the  third  announced  candi- 
date for  the  moderatorial  post. 

In  accepting  the  nomination 
of  his  presbytery,  Spence  indi- 
cated that  he  intends  to  ask 
the  General  Assembly  to  con- 
sider "a  style  of  moderatorial 
leadership  that  might  be  called 
the 'citizen  moderator' — an  ap- 
proach that  barkens  back  to 
an  older  historical  pattern  for 
the  exercise  of  the  office." 

Spence  said  the  model  fo- 
cuses on  "the  primary  function 
of  the  office — and  the  one  for 
which  any  candidate  should  be 
best  qualified  —  to  preside  ef- 
fectively over  the  General 
Assembly's  deliberations  as  it 
carefully  shapes  its  ongoing 
mission." 

Spence,  a  fourth-generation 
Presbyterian,  has  served  in 
numerous  positions  in  his  con- 
gregation. Boulder  Presbytery, 
the  Sjmod  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains and  the  General  Assem- 
bly. He  is  currently  a  member 
ofthe  General  Assembly  Coun- 
cil, serving  on  the  Worldwide 
Ministries  Division  committee. 

On  the  public  role  of  the 
moderator,  Spence  stated,  "I 
believe  the  moderator  is  duty- 
I  bound  to  support  the  policies 
j  and  positions  of  the  General 
!  Assembly,  at  least  to  the  ex- 
i  tent  of  explaining  them  care- 
'  fully,  and  remaining  silent 
!  about  any  serious  personal  dis- 
agreements." 


He  said  he  doesn't  consider 
that  approach  a  constraint  on 
the  moderator's  freedom  of  con- 
science. "I  rather  think  it  rep- 
resents a  voluntary 
restriction... in  the  interests  of 
effectively  communicating 
with  and  about  the  church, 
and  in  maintaining  its  peace 
and  unity." 

Robert  Bohl 

Bohl,  55,  was  unaniniously 
endorsed  as  a  candidate  on 
Sept.  16  by  Grace  Presbytery. 

A  native  of  Oklahoma,  he 
has  been  at  the  Fort  Worth 
church  since  1980.  Prior  to  that 
Bohl  served  three  pastorates 
in  Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  gradu- 
ate ofthe  College  of  the  Ozarks, 
Princeton  Theological  Semi- 
nary and  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  where  he 
earned  a  Ph.D. 

In  1976,  while  serving  as 
pastor  of  Trinity  Church  in 
Berwyn,  Pa.,  he  received  the 
Valley  Forge  Freedom  Foun- 
dation Honor  Award  for  Out- 
standing Humanitarian  Activi- 
ties for  leading  his  church's 
effort  to  house  56  Vietnamese 
refugees  and  27  orphans  be- 
fore obtaining  jobs  and  homes 
for  the  refugees  and  adoptive 
parents  for  the  children. 

In  Fort  Worth  he  has  won 
two  distinguished  community 
awards  for  his  leadership  in 
establishing  the  Presbyterian 
Night  Shelter,  an  interfaith 
project  that  has  cared  for  some 
800,000  homeless  during  the 
past  10  years;  the  James  L. 
West  Presbyterian  Special 
Care  Center,  (endowed  by  a 
long-time  member  of  First 
Church)  the  first  facility  in 
Texas  designed  to  care  for  vic- 
tims of  Alzheimer's  Disease; 
the  church-owned  Trinity  Ter- 
race, a  life-care  residential 
complex  for  people  over  65;  and 
Westchester  House,  a  335-unit 
apartment  complex  for  low  in- 
come elderly  and  the  deaf 

Bohl  has  chaired  the  Bicen- 
tennial Fund  Campaign  since 
its  inception  five  years  ago. 
His  church  was  the  first  to 
make  a  $1  million  pledge  to  the 
campaign  and  has  oversub- 


scribed that  pledge  by  about 
$200,000.  First  Church  gives 
more  than  50  percent  of  its 
income  to  mission  outside  its 
doors,  reaching  a  goal  set  seven 
years  ago  three  years  early.  It 
has  now  set  a  goal  of  75  per- 
cent by  the  year  2000. 

Bohl  said  the  three  key  is- 
sues before  the  church  ("as  they 
always  are")  are  evangelism, 
mission  and  stewardship,  "and 
they  all  tie  together." 

Jean  Kennedy 

Kennedy,  50,  was  unani- 
mously endorsed  by  Pittsburgh 
Presbytery  in  early  November. 

She  is  currently  enrolled  in 
the  Master  of  Divinity  program 
at  Pittsburgh  Theological 
Seminary.  She  became  the  first 
woman  of  color  to  serve  as 
moderator  of  Pittsburgh  Pres- 
bytery, the  denomination's 
largest,  when  she  was  elected 
in  1989.  Shortly  thereafter,  she 
joined  the  presbjd;ery  staff  as 
interim  associate  for  evange- 
lism, church  and  community. 

Kennedy  was  a  commis- 
sioner to  both  the  1987  and 
1989  General  Assemblies,  serv- 
ing as  moderator  of  the  Assem- 
bly Committee  on  Worship  and 
Diversity  at  the  latter.  She  was 
also  a  member  of  the  General 
Assembly  Special  Committee 
on  Human  Sexuality.  At  the 
past  tv/o  assemblies,  Kennedy 
has  worked  as  a  committee 
assistant. 

She  recently  completed  a 
term  as  a  founding  member  of 
the  board  of  directors  of  Pres- 
byterians for  Renewal  (PFR), 
and  she  still  serves  on  the  board 
of  the  Presbyterian  Health, 
Education  and  Welfare  Asso- 
ciation (PHEWA). 

"Some  people  are  surprised 
that  I  have  served  simulta- 
neously on  the  boards  of  PFR 
and  PHEWA,"  Kennedy  said. 
"But  most  people  who  know 
me  seem  to  recognize  that  I  am 
more  interested  in  doing  the 
work  that  our  Church  needs  to 
do  than  in  conforming  myself 
to  someone  else's  labels." 

— Jeny  L.  Van  Marter 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1994,  Page  9 

Former  moderator  Davidson  dies 

NEW  YORK  CITY— The  Rev.  Robert  M.  Davidson,  moderator 
ofthe  193rd  General  Assembly  (1981)  ofthe  United  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  died  Nov.  27  at 
Roosevelt  Hospital  here  after  a  short  illness.  A  memorial  service 
was  held  Jan.  8  at  Fifth  Avenue  Church  here.  Davidson,  65, 
retired  in  October  as  pastor  of  West-Park  Church  in  New  York 
City,  where  he  had  served  since  1974.  His  wife,  Evelyn,  had  died 
some  months  earlier  of  Lou  Gehrig's  disease. 

An  impassioned  orator,  Davidson  was  a  commissioner  to 
General  Assembly  in  1955, 1967, 1979  and  his  moderatorial  year 
of  1981.  He  also  served  terms  as  vice  moderator  and  moderator 
of  New  York  City  Presbytery.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Assembly's 
human  sexuality  committee  that  produced  the  still-definitive 
1978  report  on  the  subject.  Davidson  was  long  active  in  criminal 
justice  ministries  and  was  an  outspoken  advocate  for  the  ordi- 
nation of  gay  and  lesbian  Presbyterians. 

He  is  survived  by  a  daughter,  Emily,  and  a  son,  John. 
Sympathies  may  be  expressed  to  them  at  151  West  86th  Street, 
New  York,  NY  10024.  -^erry  L.  Van  Marter 

Writers  workshop  scheduled 

Four  prominent  Presbyterian  authors  will  lead  a  writers  work- 
shop at  Louisville  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary  April  22- 
26.  Sponsored  by  the  seminary,  Westminster/John  Knox  Press, 
and  the  Presbyterian  Writers  Guild,  the  workshop  will  feature 
a  hymn  writer,  a  journalist,  a  poet,  and  a  practical  theologian. 

Jane  Parker  Huber  is  author  of  1 1  hymns  in  The  Presbyterian 
Hymnal  as  well  as  A  Singing  Faith  (Westminster/John  Knox). 
James  A.  Gittings,  onetime  Presbyterian  editor  for  A.D.  maga- 
zine, wrote  Company  of  Pilgrims  (John  Knox).  Ann  Weem's 
most  recent  book  of  poems  is  Kneeling  in  Bethlehem 
(Westminster/Knox).  Perry  Biddle  edited  Preaching  the 
Lectionary-Workbooks  for  Years  A,  B,  and  C  (Westminster/ 
John  Knox).  The  workshop  is  designed  for  published  writers. 
Preference  will  be  given  to  Presbyterians.  A  maximum  of  15 
participants  will  be  enrolled.  Part  of  each  day  will  be  spent  in 
conversation  with  guest  leaders;  part  will  be  spent  in  sharing 
works-in-progress.  An  editor  from  Westminster/John  Knox  will 
walk  participants  through  the  process  of  getting  a  manuscript 
published. 

The  workshop  has  been  made  possible  by  a  grant  from  the 
Lilly  Endowment  Incorporated.  For  more  information,  write  to 
John  C.  Purdy,  209  Rendon  Rd.,  Santa  Fe,  NM  87501. 

New  writer  award  established 

SANTA  FE,  N.M.— The  Presbyterian  Writers  Guild  has  estab- 
lished an  annual  "Jim  Angell  Award."  A  prize  of  $500  will  be 
given  to  the  Presbjrterian  judged  the  best  new  writer  to  appear 
in  print.  The  inaugural  prize  will  be  for  works  published  in  1993 
and  will  be  announced  at  the  guild's  luncheon  at  the  206th 
General  Assembly  ( 1994)  in  Wichita,  Kan.  To  be  eligible  a  writer 
must  have  been  published  for  the  first  time  in  1993  in  a 
commercial  publication.  Poems,  plays,  books,  essays,  articles 
and  sermons  will  be  considered. 

The  award  has  been  established  in  memory  of  James  W. 
Angell,  a  highly  successful  pastor  and  writer  who  died  in  1992. 
From  the  time  of  his  first  book  in  1970,  the  award-winning  Pu^ 
Your  Arms  Around  the  City,  until  his  death,  Angell  wrote  19 
books.  The  best  known  was  How  to  Spell  Presbyterian. 

More  information  about  the  award  is  available  from  John  C. 
Purdy,  209  Rendon  Road,  Santa  Fe,  NM  87501. 

New  York  liaison  office  to  close 

The  Haison  office  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  in  New 
York  City  officially  closed  Dec.  23,  according  to  Frank  Diaz, 
associate  director  for  General  Assembly  Council  operations.  All 
correspondence  to  the  council  should  now  be  directed  to  100 
Witherspoon  St.,  Louisville,  KY  40202-1396.  Closing  out  opera- 
tions at  475  Riverside  Drive  is  the  denomination's  ecumenical 
staff,  which  will  now  be  lodged  within  the  Worldwide  Ministries 
Division  in  Louisville.  Continuing  work  at  the  New  York  City 
address  will  be  staff  to  the  Jarvie  Commonweal  Service  Pro- 
gram and  the  Synod  ofthe  Northeast  women's  ministries  staff. 

Second  urban  mission  site  chosen 

New  Brunswick  Presbytery,  based  in  Trenton,  N.J.,  has  been 
chosen  as  the  second  site  for  an  "urban  missioner"  project  ofthe 
Evangelism  and  Church  Development  work  area  of  the  Na- 
tional Ministries  Division.  The  urban  missioner  program  was 
begun  two  years  ago  by  the  Urban  Ministry  Support  Team  ofthe 
former  Evangelism  and  Church  Development  Ministry  Unit. 
The  first  project  was  launched  in  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery  in 
Rochester,  N.Y.  That  effort  is  being  led  by  the  Rev.  Fritz 
Longabaugh.  Using  a  grant  from  the  work  area,  the  project  pulls 
together  a  team  of  ministers  and  laypersons  to  focus  on  urban 
ministry  in  a  specific  location. 

Son  of  PFR  head  killed  in  car  crash 

FLORENCE,  S.C.— William  (Billy)  Moore,  28,  son  of  Presbyte- 
rians for  Renewal  executive  director  Betty  Moore,  died  Dec.  19 
in  a  fiery  automobile  accident.  Moore,  a  trauma  doctor,  was 
traveling  alone  when  his  car  struck  an  embankment  and  burst 
into  flames.  He  was  killed  instantly.  Services  were  held  Dec.  22 
at  John  Calvin  Church  in  Florence.  The  family  has  requested 
that  memorial  contributions  be  sent  to  the  John  Csi  ^ 
for  forwarding  to  the  Presbyterian  Mission  Hospital  . , 
where  Billy  Moore  served. 


Page  iO,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1994 


^  Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 


ACCREDITED 


This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCREDdATION 
OF  SERVICES  FOR  FAMILIES 
AND  CHILDREN.  INC 


Trust  provides  for  holidays 


Once  again  funds  from  the  Jo- 
seph F.  Cannon  Christmas 
Trust  enabled  the  girls  and 
boys  of  the  Home  to  have  a 
sensational  Christmas! 

At  the  residential  centers, 
staff  had  the  funds  to  decorate 
the  cottages,  buy  each  of  the 
young  people  a  nice  gift,  have 
a  pizza  lunch  for  them,  and 
take  them  out  bowling.  Funds 
were  also  used  to  purchase 
items  for  the  children  to  enjoy 
in  the  cottages  and  school. 

The  L.  C.  Wagner  Family 
and  Child  Development  Cen- 
ter used  its  funds  to  purchase 
decorations  for  the  center  and 
to  buy  a  nice  gift  for  each  child. 
The  gifts  were  distributed  to 
the  children  by  "Santa"  at  the 
Christmas  Open  House.  Addi- 
tional funds  were  used  to  pur- 
chase classroom  and  play- 
ground equipment  for  the  en- 
joyment of  the  children. 

Joseph  F.  Cannon,  in  a  Will 
dated  1932,  set  up  a  trust  nam- 
ing 10  North  Carolina  institu- 
tions, including  Barium 
Springs,  to  receive  10  percent 
of  the  trust's  annual  income. 
The  only  stipulation  of  the 
funds  is  that  they  be  used  to 
bring  "happiness  and  cheer"  to 
the  children  at  Christmas  time 
...  a  stipulation  which,  quite 
honestly,  staff  have  a  good  time 
carrying  out. 

"Sometimes  I'm  not  sure 
who  enjoys  it  more,  the  staff  or 
the  children,"  said  Fran  Oliver, 
Director  of  the  L.  C.  Wagner 
FCDC.  Oliver  explained  that 
the  staff  have  a  great  time  pick- 
ing out  the  toys,  wrapping 
them  and  decorating  the 
rooms.  "It  brings  such  joy  to 
our  hearts  to  be  able  to  watch 


'New'  gift 
wish  list 

*  15-passenger  Van 

*  Automobiles 

*  Dining  Room  Table 

(seats  12) 

*  Washing  Machines  (2) 

*  Dryers  (2) 

*  2  Vacuum  Cleaners 

*  2  Twin  Mattresses 

*  2  Twin  Box  Springs 

*  3  Couches 

*  2  Night  Stands 

*  1  Large  Bookcase 

*  Toiletries 

*  Towels  and  Wash 

cloths 

*  Sports  Equipment  (balls, 
gloves,  frisbees,  bats, 
ping-pong  paddles,  balls 
&  net) 

*  New  Clothes  (girls  &  boys, 

10-18  years) 

*  Twin  bed  linens  and  bed- 

spreads 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
so'v  ces.  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium 
-  ,1.1  NC  28010-0001, 
.    -  704)872-4157. 


These  children  visit  with 
Christmas  Open  House 

the  fascination  on  a  child's  face 
as  he  or  she  helps  decorate  the 
tree  ...  the  concentration  as 
that  child  makes  a  Christmas 
gift  for  mom  or  dad .. .  the  j  oy  at 
ripping  open  a  beautifully 
wrapped  Christmas  present 
and  finding  a  very  carefully 
chosen  treasure.  I  have  to  ad- 
mit that  we  do  enjoy  it  just  as 
much  as  they  do!" 

In  addition  to  the  Cannon 


Santa  during  the  FCDC's 

Trust,  many  other  friends  of 
the  Home  also  very  generously 
helped  the  girls  and  boys  here 
have  a  healthy,  happy,  holi- 
day. To  those  friends,  we 
haven't  forgotten  you  ...  and 
we  plan  to  thank  you  publicly 
in  the  next  issue  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  Presbyterian. 


AnENTION 

North  Carolina 
Presbyterians! 

Shop  at  Food  LfON 

ON 

Feb.  14,15,  &  16,  1994 

and  your  receipts  can  help 
the  girls  and  boys 
AT  Barium  Springs 

For  DETAILS,  CONTACT  YOUR 

North  Carolina 
■  Presbyterian  Church 

OR 

Call  Lisa  Crater 
AT  Barium  Springs 
(704)872-4157 


Slide  show 
available 

Need  a  30-minute  pre- 
sentation, including  a 
nine-minute  slide  pro- 
gram, at  your  Sunday 
night  suppers,  meetings 
of  the  Men's  and 
Women's  Church 
Groups,  Sunday  School 
classes,  etc.?  Call  Reade 
Baker,  Vice  President, 
Financial  Resources,  at 
(704) 872-4157  to  sched- 
ule a  presentation. 

Staff  members  are 
available  to  come  to  your 
church  or  organization, 
fi-ee  of  charge,  to  dis- 
cuss the  Home's  activi- 
ties and  answer  any 
questions.  On-campus 
tours  and  programs  are 
also  encouraged. 

You  need  to  see  this 
ministry  in  action  to 
fully  understand  how 
your  support  changes 
the  lives  of  children  and 
families. 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $  is  enclosed 

I  wish  to:   Honor   Remember 

Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


of  (address)  

On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  .  

Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1.  Barium  Springs,  NC  28010 


..,Orso  > 
it  seems  :  i  • 


Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 


Questions  often  asked  about 
Barium  Springs: 

Q:  Where  is  Barium 
Springs? 

A:  Barium  Springs  is  lo- 
cated five  miles  south  of 
Statesville  and  35  miles  north 
of  Charlotte  in  Iredell  County. 

Q:  Where  did  that 
name  come  from? 

A:  There  was  a  series  of 
springs  producing  water  with 
a  high  barium  content.  For 
many  years  water  was  bottled 
and  sold.  Also,  there  was  a 
hotel  where  people  came  to 
drink  the  water  and  bathe  in 
the  belief  that  it  cured  every- 
thing from  dandruff  to  hemor- 
rhoids. 

Q:  Are  the  children 
who  live  there  orphans? 

A:  No.  Since  the  dread  dis- 
eases were  conquered  some  60 
years  ago,  there  have  been  fewer 
and  fewer  orphaned  children. 

Q:  Are  the  children 
Presbyterians? 

A:  Not  all  are  Presbyte- 
rian although  Presbyterian 
referrals  are  given  preference 
in  the  Residential  Centers. 

Q:  Well,  what  kind  of 
children  are  there? 

A:  Since  1977,  Barium 
Springs  has  served  "troubled 
children"  and  their  families. 
This  term  avoids  the  common 
labels  we  tend  to  apply  to  chil- 
dren— "emotionally  dis- 
turbed," "delinquent,"  "learn- 
ing disabled,"  etc.  They  come 
from  varying  situations  which, 
for  one  reason  or  another,  make 
it  best  that  the  family  be  sepa- 
rated for  a  time. 

Q:  Does  the  state  pay 
for  the  children  to  stay 
there? 

A:  No.  For  children  in  the 
custody  of  Departments  of  So- 
cial Services,  we  receive  ap- 
proximately 50  percent  of  the 
cost.  Families  who  have  cus- 
tody pay  according  to  their 
ability  to  pay.  Most  can  afford 
only  a  token  amount. 

Q:  Then  where  does  the 
money  come  from? 

A:  The  Presbyterian 
churches  provide  approxi- 
mately five  percent  through 
Synod's  Benevolent  Budget, 
the  Thanksgiving  Offering, 
and  gifts  from  church  groups. 
Investments  provide  approxi- 
mately 19  percent,  trusts  ap- 
proximately 26  percent,  fees 
approximately  24  percent  and 
individual  gifts  approximately 
19  percent. 

Q:  Well,  how  much 
does  it  cost  for  a  child  to 
stay  there? 

A:  Approximately  $100/ 
day,  which  includes  food,  cloth- 
ing, shelter,  recreation,  school- 
ing and  special  support  as 
needed  such  as  psychological 


testing  and  counseling. 

Q:  Isn't  that  awfully 
expensive? 

A:  Yes.  However,  of  five 
agencies  in  the  Carolinas  pro- 
viding "specialized  services," 
Barium  Springs  has  the  low- 
est cost  according  to  The  Duke 
Endowment,  which  supports 
most  agencies  in  the  Caroli- 
nas. 

Q:  Well,  for  all  of  that 
money,  what  are  you  try- 
ing to  do? 

A:  The  first  goal  is  to  give 
children  and  families  the  skills 
to  live  together  successfully 
and  get  them  back  together  as 
quickly  as  possible.  When  this 
is  not  possible,  the  goal  is  to 
help  children  get  prepared  to 
live  on  their  own. 

Q:  Is  Barium  licensed 
by  the  State? 

A:  Yes.  Barium  is  licensed 
by  the  Division  of  Social  Ser- 
vices annually.  In  addition,  all 
services  are  accredited  by  the 
Council  on  Accreditation  of 
Services  for  Families  and  Chil- 
dren which  is  a  national  ac- 
crediting body. 

Q:  Are  the  children 
sent  there  by  the  courts? 

A:  No.  Some  are  referred 
by  the  courts,  but  the  courts 
cannot  "send"  children  here. 

Q:  Then  how  do  they 
get  there? 

A:  Children  are  referred 
by  Departments  of  Social  Ser- 
vices, parents,  pastors,  mental 
health  centers,  schools,  private 
counselors,  psychologists,  psy- 
chiatrists, courts,  etc.  The  staff 
gathers  information  to  deter- 
mine if  there  is  a  possibiUty 
that  we  can  help.  If  so,  the 
child  is  admitted.  If  not,  he  or 
she  is  referred  to  another 
source  of  help. 

Q:  Do  the  children  at- 
tend public  schools? 

A:  No.  We  have  a  school 
on  campus  approved  by  the 
state  as  a  special  education 
unit.  This  helps  children  "catch 
up"  and  also  gives  us  24-hour 
supervision  which  has  proven 
very  effective.  Children  usu- 
ally make  two-months  progress 
for  each  month  in  our  school. 

Q:  Can  people  from  our 
church  visit  the  campus? 

A:  Yes.  All  you  need  to  do 
is  call  (704)  872-4157  and  make 
an  appointment  so  we  can  be 
sure  to  have  someone  to  show 
you  aroimd. 

Q:  By  the  way,  how  can 
you  drive  around  in  that 
big  Mercedes  and  ask 
people  for  money? 

A:  Very  comfortably!  The 
Mercedes  was  given  to  the 
Home  by  a  board  member  in 
late  1990.  It  is  not  quite  old 
enough  to  vote  and  has  been 
driven  over  250,000  miles. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1994,  Page  11 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Guide  -  Lesson  6,  February  1994 


The  Lord's  Prayer 


Matthew  6:9-13;  Luke  11:2-4 


By  ROSAMOND  McCARTY 

Before  we  begin  this  month's  study  of 
the  model  Jesus  taught  his  disciples  by 
which  to  pattern  their  prayers,  let  us 
review  where  we  are  in  our  spiritual 
journey.  We  have  boarded  the  prayer 
bus  that  will  take  us  to  our  destination 
of  spiritual  maturity  as  we  look  through 
Scripture  windows. 

We  began  our  pilgrimage  by  study- 
ing Hannah's  prayer  of  supplication 
and  noted  that  the  first  step  toward 
Christlikeness  for  us  is  also  a  prayer  of 
supplication,  "Lord,  save  me!"  Closely 
following  that  first  cry  for  help  was 
confession  of  sin,  "...  for  I  am  a  sinner 
and  cannot  save  myself."  A  prayer  of 
David's  helped  us  realize  our  need  for 
cleansing.  Following  those  two  steps 
were  prayers  of  thanksgiving  and  ado- 
ration for  what  the  Lord  has  done  and 
for  who  he  is.  Last  month  we  asked  him 
to  enter  the  temple  of  our  hearts  and 
dwell  there.  This  month  we  learn  how 
to  pray  in  order  to  keep  his  presence 
ever  before  us. 

The  Lord's  Prayer  should  properly 
be  called  the  Disciples'  Prayer  because 
it  was  at  their  request  that  Jesus  gave 
them  this  pattern.  All  of  the  elements 
we  have  studied  thus  far  are  contained 
in  this  brief  prayer.  It  begins  and  ends 
with  adoration  and  praise  and  includes 
six  petitions  that  contain  confession 
and  supplication.  Philip  Keller  in  A 
Layman  Looks  at  the  Lord's  Prayer 
says  that  the  salutation  "Our  Father  in 
heaven"  brings  us  into  the  presence  of 


our  loving  heavenly  parent  who  has 
evidenced  his  unconditional  love  in 
II  Corinthians  5:19,  "God  was  in  Christ, 
reconciling  the  world  to  himself,  not 
counting  their  trespasses  against 
them." 

The  order  in  which  the  petitions 
come  reveal  what  should  be  our  priori- 
ties in  prayer.  The  first  three  petitions 
concern  God  and  his  glory,  and  the  last 
three  concern  man  and  his-  needs. 

"Hallowed  be  your  name"  is  a  prayer 
that  God  be  recognized  as  sovereign 
and  holy  by  all  people,  beginning  with 
us.  We  pray  that  petition  so  glibly,  but 
our  lives  fail  to  back 
up  our  words.  We 
are  so  prone  to  put 
other  things  before 
the  Lord,  family,  ca- 
reers, reputations, 
pleasure,  financial 
security,  etc.  When 
anything  other  than 
the  Lord  takes  pri- 
ority in  our  lives,  we 
dethrone  him  and 
are  guilty  of  idola- 
try. To  pray  this  pe-  , 
tition  is  to  ask  for 
his  help  in  putting  McCarty 
him  first. 

To  pray  "your  kingdom  come"  is  to 
ask  that  God's  reign  be  received  now  by 
us  and  that  it  be  extended  throughout 
this  earthly  sphere.  The  kingdom  ex- 
ists wherever  men  and  women  make 
him  ruler.  This  does  not  happen  until 
we  can  pray  "your  will  be  done  on  earth 


Ik  I 


as  it  is  in  heaven." 

When  a  person's  heart  is  yielded  to 
the  Lord  so  that  her  life  is  lived  in 
submission  to  God's  will,  the  kingdom 
is  in  existence  wherever  that  person  is. 
The  characteristics  of  the  kingdom  will 
be  evident  in  her  relationships  with 
others  and  in  her  personality  traits  of 
love,  joy,  peace,  patience,  kindness, 
goodness,  faithfulness,  gentleness,  and 
self-control.  (Galatians  5:22-23) 

Establishing  the  kingdom  and  hav- 
ing the  Lord's  will  done  on  earth  was 
Jesus'  primary  mission  (Luke  4:43 )  and 
should  be  our  as  well  (Matthew  6:33). 
It  should  motivate  everything  we  do 
since  we  know  his  will  is  perfect  and 
the  source  of  all  our  blessings.  To  pray 
these  first  three  petitions  then  is  to 
acknowledge  God's  lordship  in  our  lives 
and  to  be  willing  to  help  extend  his 
influence  throughout  the  world. 

"Give  us  today  our  daily  bread"  is  a 
request  for  everything  necessary  to 
sustain  life — food,  clothing,  shelter, 
work,  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord's  pres- 
ence, and  his  guidance.  We  are  admit- 
ting our  helplessness  and  dependence 
upon  God  a?  our  provider.  As  Keller 
points  out,  all  the  natural  resources  of 
this  earth  are  supplied  by  God  and  are 
more  than  adequate  for  our  basic  needs. 
We  are  asking  him  to  help  us  expend 
ourselves  wisely  in  meeting  those  needs 
as  we  pray  this  petition. 

"Forgive  us  our  debts..."  acknowl- 
edges our  sinfulness  and  asks  for  God's 
mercy.  All  "miss  the  mark,"  and  we 
need  to  confess  our  sins  of  omission  and 


commission.  We  have  already  noted  in 
Lesson  2  how  the  experience  of  confes- 
sion and  forgiveness  begins  a  healing 
process.  But  observe  that  this  request 
for  forgiveness  presupposes  our  for- 
giveness of  others.  This  is  the  only 
aspect  of  this  prayer  that  Jesus  ex- 
pounded further.  In  verses  14  and  15 
he  explains  that  we  are  responsible  for 
the  Lord's  withholding  his  forgiveness 
from  us  when  we  fail  to  forgive  others. 
(See  also  Mark  11:25  and  Matthew 
18:21-35)  Thus,  we  release  his  mercy  to 
us  when  we  release  ours  to  others. 

"And  lead  us  not  into  temptation, 
but  deliver  us  from  the  evil  one"  is  a 
prayer  for  protection  from  Satan,  the 
evil  one.  According  to  many  biblical 
scholars,  the  word  "tempt"  should  be 
translated  "test,"  and  Keller  notes  that 
testing  is  part  and  parcel  of  our  Father's 
plan  for  producing  people  of  strong 
character  and  Christ-like  qualities. 
Testing  is  not  designed  to  make  us  fail 
but  to  make  us  stronger  and  better. 
"Our  characters  are  the  sum  total  of 
the  choices  we  make  in  a  life  fraught 
with  temptation."  (Keller  p.  135) 

The  closing  doxology  is  only  found  in 
about  half  of  the  translations  but  is  a 
fitting  climax  of  praise  to  our  Father 
who  is  interested  in  every  aspect  of  our 
lives  and  who  longs  to  be  in  fellowship 
with  us.  Our  journey  toward  spiritual 
maturity  proceeds  as  we  pray  this 
prayer  sincerely  and  humbly. 

Rosamond  C.  McCarty  is  a  member 
of  the  Royal  Oak  Church  in  Marion, 
Va. 


Presbyterian  Women's  Circle  Leaders  Study  Guide — Lesson  Seven,  March  1994 

A  Prayer  of  Complaint      Job  10:2-22 


By  ROSAMOND  McCARTY 

In  this  month's  lesson  we  come  to  the 
most  difficult  time  on  our  spiritual 
journey  when  God  seems  far  away  and 
even  indifferent  to  our  deep  distress. 
All  of  us  have  had  periods  in  our  life 
when  we  have  cried  out,  "Why  me, 
Lord?"  The  story  of  Job  gives  us  some 
insight  into  how  we  should  respond  at 
such  times,  but  it  also  fails  to  give  us 
concrete  answers  to  many  of  our  ques- 
tions about  the  problem  of  pain.  We  are 
left  knowing  that  our  finite  minds  can- 
not understand  all  of  God's  ways  and 
that  all  that  we  can  really  do  is  to  trust 
in  Him. 

Our  circle  workbook  gives  the  back- 
ground and  the  content  of  Job's  prayer 
of  complaint.  In  this  column  let  us  look 
at  three  aspects  of  his  prayers. 

First  of  all,  note  that  Job  turned  to 
the  Lord  in  his  distress,  and  even 
though  he  believed  God  had  sent  the 
treatment  he  was  receiving,  he  did  not 
turn  away  from  Him.  His  friends,  while 
trying  to  be  helpful,  only  made  his 
situation  worse.  His  wife  also 
compoimded  his  problems  (2:9),  so  Job 
went  directly  to  the  Lord  with  his  com- 
plaint. Do  you  know  someone  who  has 
blamed  God  for  her  problems  and  in 
bitterness  has  turned  away  from  him? 
How  sad  to  deny  oneself  the  only  real 
comfort  we  can  receive.  As  Peter  said, 
"Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go?  You  (alone) 
have  the  words  of  eternal  life."  (John 
6:68) 

Secondly,  note  Job's  honesty  before 
the  Lord.  We  have  remarked  that  hon- 
esty in  our  prayers  is  of  primary  impor- 
tance. Hannah  thought  God  had  for- 
gotten her  and  told  him  so.  Job  thought 
God  was  punishing  him  unjustly  and 
complained  loudly.  The  Lord  knows 
what  we  are  really  feeling  anyway  and 
desires  our  total  openness  with  him. 
Such  transparency  often  reveals  things 
about  ourselves  we  have  not  seen  be- 
fore and  requires  a  deeper  soul-search- 
ing. 

The  third  aspect  of  Job's  prayers  we 
should  note  is  their  persistence. 


Throughout  the  book  we  see  him  knock- 
ing on  the  door  of  heaven  and  demand- 
ing God's  attention.  Jesus  tells  us  to 
keep  on  asking,  keep  on  seeking,  and 
keep  on  knocking,  and  he  commends 
our  persistence  in  prayer  through 
parables  of  the  unjust  judge  and  the 
neighbor  seeking  bread  for  his  guest. 
What  is  the  value  of  persistence? 
Doesn't  God  know  what  we  need,  any- 
way? Why  should  we  have  to  keep 
telling  him? 

George  Mueller  who  lived  a  life  of 
dependence  upon  God  through  prayer 
said,  "Prayer  is  not  overcoming  God's 
reluctance  but  is  lasdng  hold  of  God's 
willingness."  He  does  not  need  to  be 
coaxed;  his  desire  is  for  his  highest 
blessings  to  be  poured  out  upon  his 
children.  We  do  not  twist  God's  arm 
with  our  ceaseless  praying  nor  do  we 
wear  him  down  with  our  whining.  The 
need  is  not  in  him  but  in  us.  The  more 
we  go  to  the  Lord  in  prayer,  the  more 
our  prayers  are  refined  and  the  more 
they  begin  to  conform  to  his  will.  Lewis 
Maclachlan  says  that  prayer  is  the 
education  of  desire,  the  purification  of 
the  heart. 

Job's  prayers  began  with  complain- 
ing, moved  into  deep  faith  ("Though  he 
slay  me,  yet  will  I  hope  in  him."  13:15), 
on  into  humility  and  profound  rever- 
ence, (42:2-6)  and  finally,  to  complete 
obedience  as  he  prayed  for  his  friends 
(42:8-10).  Our  persistent  prayers  re- 
fine us  and  help  us  walk  by  faith,  not  by 
sight. 

A  second  reason  for  persistent  prayer 
is  that  it  is  used  in  the  cosmic  battle 
between  the  forces  of  good  and  the 
forces  of  evil.  Daniel  10  tells  us  how 
prayer  overcomes  the  resistance  of  Sa- 
tanic foes.  Paul  tells  us  in  Ephesians  6 
that  "our  battle  is  not  against  flesh  and 
blood ...  but  against  the  spiritual  forces 
of  wickedness  in  the  heavenly  places." 
Prayer  is  not  only  part  of  our  defensive 
armor  but  is  also  an  offensive  weapon 
with  which  we  reclaim  territory  sur- 
rendered to  Satan. 

Job  was  not  aware  of  the  cosmic 
battle  being  waged  over  him  (see  Job  1 


and  2),  but  we  should  be  cognizant  of 
the  warfare  over  us.  Just  note  a  few  of 
the  places  in  the  New  Testament  where 
we  are  alerted  to  be  on  our  guard.  Jesus 
warned  his  disciples  about  "the  prince 
of  this  world"  (John  12;31),  and  Paul 
urges  us  to  put  on  the  whole  armor  of 
God  so  that  we  can  stand  against  the 
devil  (Ephesians  6:10-11).  Peter  tells 
us  to  resist  the  enemy  who  prowls 
around  like  a  roaring  lion  seeking  whom 
he  can  devour.  (I  Peter  5:8)  John  says 
we  can  overcome  the  one  who  accuses 
us  before  God  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb 
and  the  word  of  our  testimony  (Revela- 
tions 12:10-11). 

Our  confidence  is  not  in  ourselves 
but  is  in  the  authority  Jesus  gave  his 
disciples  to  overcome  all  the  power  of 
the  enemy  (Luke  10:19).  If  the  first 
step  for  victory  in  battle  is  being  pre- 
pared, then  we  should  be  "more  than 
conquerors!" 

Knowing  that  a  cosmic  battle  is  be- 
ing waged  for  our  souls  is  scant  com- 
fort, however,  when  we  are  in  the  midst 


of  trouble.  Even  understanding  that 
testing  strengthens  us  spiritually  fails 
to  inspire  us.  And  of  what  real  help 
would  it  be  to  believe  that  our  problems 
(and  Job's)  are  not  God's  intentional 
plan  for  us  but  are  within  his  permis- 
sive will?  Something  more  than  head 
knowledge  is  required. 

At  this  point  in  our  spiritual  journey 
the  only  thing  that  keeps  us  going  is 
our  faith  in  the  One  who  has  promised 
to  keep  us  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand  and 
never,  never  forsake  us.  Job  knew  that 
his  Redeemer  lived  and  that  he  would 
see  him  face  to  face  someday  (19:25- 
27).  Today,  we  not  only  have  that  as- 
surance, but  we  also  "know  that  in  all 
things  God  works  for  the  good  of  those 
who  love  him,  who  have  been  called  to 
his  purpose"  (Romans  8:29). 

This  "heart"  knowledge  keeps  us  on 
the  prayer  bus  even  when  the  going  is 
bumpy  and  the  road  blocks  threaten  to 
detour  us.  The  Driver  is  skillful  and 
assures  us  that  around  the  next  bend  is 
our  destination  of  spiritual  maturity. 


Presbyterian  Women 

Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic 


1994  Summer  Gathering 
June  9-12,  1994 

Theme:  'Christ  is  All— for  AW 

St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College 
Laurinburg,  N.C. 


Page  12,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1994 


Chuck  Noonan,  Interim  Editor 


A\  \Nest  Haven  Church 


Moderator  Dobler  speaks  to  presbytery 


West  Haven  Church  hosted  the  20th 
Stated  Meeting  of  The  Presbytery 
of  New  Hope  on  Nov.  20.  Over  300 
ministers,  elders  and  guests  at- 
tended the  meeting,  including  a 
special  guest,  the  Rev.  David 
Dobler,  moderator  of  the  General 
Assembly.  Dobler' s  attendance  at 
the  meeting  was  in  conjunction 
with  a  three-day  visit  to  the  presby- 
tery. 

Highlighting  the  day's  activities 
was  the  worship  service  which  in- 
cluded a  sermon  given  by  Dobler. 
-  Participating  in  the  worship  service 
as  liturgists  were  the  Rev.  Jeanette 
Stokes,  the  Rev.  Joe  Ward,  the 
Rev.  Albert  Moses,  and  the  Rev. 
Curtis  Christian.  The  Lord's  Sup- 
per was  administered  by  the  Rev. 
Bonnie  Pettijohn  and  the  Rev.  Erich 
Thompson  with  elders  from  vari- 
ous churches  assisting.  Ms.  Velaine 
Bonebright  of  West  Haven  Church 
served  as  the  organist. 

As  is  customary  at  the  Novem- 
ber presbytery  meetings,  the  ne- 
crology of  elders  was  given  by  the 
presbytery's  general  pastor,  the 
Rev.  Sandy  McGeachy. 

Committee  on  Ministry 

Included  in  the  Conunittee  on 
Ministry  report  was  action  concern- 
ing several  calls  and  transfers. 

The  call  to  the  Rev.  C.  Wiley 
,  Smith  to  be  pastor  of  Milner  Memo- 
rial in  Raleigh  was  approved.  Smith 
comes  to  Milner  from  Coastal  Caro- 
lina Presbytery  where  she  served  as 
the  pastor  of  Faith  Church  in 
Laurinburg,  N.C. 

Also  approved  were  calls  to  min- 
isters  already  serving  in  the 
presbytery. 

The  Rev.  Madeline  Peacock, 
formerly  associate  pastor  of  Trinity 
Church  in  Raleigh,  has  become  the 


pastor  of  the  St.  Barnabas  Church 
in  Raleigh,  and  the  Rey.  Debbie 
Taylor,  formerly  the  associate  pas- 
tor at  Kirk  of  Kildaire  in  Cary,  has 
assumed  the  pastorate  at  the 
Hillsborough  Church. 

The  presbytery  approved  the 
honorable  retirement  of  several 
ministers.  The  Rev.  Bronson 
Matney,  who  served  the  Meadow- 
brook  and  Snow  Hill  congregations, 
was  honorably  retired  effective 
Nov.l,  1993.  Matney,  a  graduate 
of  Columbia  Theological  Semi- 
nary, has  ministered  to  congrega- 
tions since  his  ordination  in  1956. 

Retiring  as  of  Nov.  30,  1993, 
was  the  Rev.  James  Brown,  who  is 
serving  as  the  interim  pastor  at  Mt. 
Pisgah  in  Rocky  Mount.  Brown's 
years  of  service  include  a  pastorate 
at  Davie  Street  Church  in  Raleigh. 
Brown  is  a  graduate  of  Johnson  C. 
Smith  Seminary  and  was  ordained 
in  1959. 

Other  members  of  presbytery 
approved  for  retirement  include  the 
Rev.  Fran  Phillips-Olson  and  the 
Rev.  Roland  Rainwater. 

Phillips-Olson,  a  1978  graduate 
of  Duke  Divinity  School,  has  served 
the  church  in  many  capacities  in- 
cluding service  on  the  PCUS  Mis- 
sion Board  and  service  as  interim 
pastor  to  congregations  in  New 
Hope  and  Salem  presbyteries.  Rain- 
water, who  was  ordained  in  1943, 
served  as  a  chaplain  and  clinical 
pastoral  education  supervisor  until 
his  retirement  in  August  of  1993. 

Preparation  for  Ministry 

The  Committee  on  Preparation 
for  Ministry  (the  Rev.  Bill  Klein, 
moderator)  recommended  the  ap- 
proval of  several  individuals  for  the 
candidacy  process. 

Those  received  as  candidates  for 


Senior  high  retreat  held 


By  MARILYN  HEIN 

CROSSROADS,  the  fall  senior  high 
retreat,  held  Oct.  29-31,  1993,  at 
Camp  Seafarer,  emphasized  that 
God  is  with  us  in  our  decision  mak- 
ing. 

As  stated  in  the  small  group 
manual  used  at  the  retreat,  "When 
we  are  in  the  Crossroads,  we  are  in 
a  sacred  moment.  We  are  in  the 
presence  of  Christ.  Making  a  deci- 
sion is  a  holy  moment — a  time  when 
the  barrier  between  us  and  Christ  is 
thinning,  maybe  even  coming 
down." 

Retreat  leaders  Aimee  Wallis, 
Jodi  Martin  and  Bill  Buchanan,  a 
member  of  White  Memorial,  are 
students  at  the  Presbyterian  School 
of  Christian  Education  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Theological  Expressions 
in  Arts  Ministry  (T.E.A.M.).  The 
leadership  team  used  many  educa- 
tion methods  to  explore  the  Cross- 
roads theme.  The  retreat  began  with 
many  group-building  exercises 
which  are  often  left  out  in  local 
churches.  Included  in  the  weekend 
activities  were  charting,  values  clari- 
fication, forced  choices,  case  stud- 
ies, Bible  study,  role  playing,  draw- 
•      and  personal  sharing.  High- 


lighting the  retreat  were  testimoni- 
als given  by  youth  and  adults  de- 
scribing decisions  each  had  made 
in  whether  or  not  they  had  recog- 
nized God's  help.  (It  made  this 
cold  cynical  heart  glad  I  had  dedi- 
cated my  life  to  the  church  and  it's 
youth.) 

Each  small  group  meeting  was 
ended  utilizing  a  different  kind  of 
prayer:  basket  weave  prayer  (every 
other  person  in  the  circle  holds 
hands,  arms  are  slowly  raised  over 
the  heads  and  placed  on  shoul- 
ders), squeeze  prayer  (praying 
around  the  circle  squeezing  the  next 
person's  hand  when  you  are  ready 
to  move  on),  silent  prayer,  and 
phrase  prayers  (each  person  says  a 
word  or  phrase  that  describes  their 
experience  during  the  weekend). 

The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope's 
Youth  Committee  sponsors  four 
retreats  each  year  for  middle  school 
and  high  school  youths.  Scheduled 
retreats  for  1994  include  the  middle 
school  youth  retreats  on  May  6-8  at 
Camp  New  Hope  and  Oct.  28-30  at 
Camp  Seafarer. 

High  school  youth  retreats  are 
scheduled  for  April  15-17  at  Camp 
New  Hope  and  Oct.  7-9  at  Camp 
Seafarer. 


the  ministry  included  Lisa  Nance 
of  First  Church  in  Raleigh,  John 
Grotz  of  Trinity  Avenue  in  Durham, 
Jim  Wilken  and  Bob  Inskeep  of 
Trinity  Church  in  Raleigh,  Neal 
Carter  of  Northgate  in  Durham, 
and  Ingram  Hedgpeth  of  White 
Memorial  in  Raleigh. 

Persons  approved  for  the  inquiry 
phase  of  the  candidacy  process  in- 
clude Robert  Price  of  Mt.  Olive, 
Betsy  Haynes  of  White  Memorial 
in  Raleigh,  Tim  Filston  of  Blacknall 
Memorial,  Lauren  Moore  of  Cov- 
enant in  Wilson,  Elizabeth  Saye  of 
University  Church  and  Suzanne 
Smith  of  Durham  First. 

Including  these  individuals,  the 
presbytery  currently  has  60  persons 
in  the  candidacy  process. 

Council  Report 

Highlighting  the  council  report 
was  the  re-election  of  Marilyn  Hein 
as  staff  associate  for  congregational 
nurture.  Hein,  who  has  served  on  the 
presbytery  staff  since  1989,  staffs  the 
Congregational  Nurture  and 
Women's  Ministry  Units  as  well  as 
serving  as  Christian  education,  youth 
ministries,  and  leadership  develop- 
ment consultant  to  churches  through- 
out the  presbytery. 

Jim  Carr,  moderator  of  the  Evan- 
gelism and  Church  Development 
Unit,  presented  certificates  of  rec- 
ognition to  Faith  Church  and  the 
Korean  Church  of  Goldsboro  in 
acknowledgement  of  their  charter 
and  organization. 

Faith  Church  (the  Rev.  Antonio 
Lawrence,  pastor)  is  a  newly 
formed  congregation  resulting  from 
a  merger  of  the  St.  Matthews  and 
Shiloh  churches.  The  Korean 
Church  (the  Rev.  Chang  Kim,  pas- 
tor) was  organized  in  the  fall  of 
1993  and  meets  in  a  newly  con- 
structed facility  in  Goldsboro. 

In  other  business  the  presbytery 
voted  to  establish  a  master  insur- 
ance policy  through  Preferred  Risk 
Insurance  Company.  The  master 
policy  program  will  allow  all 
churches  in  the  presbytery  to  par- 
ticipate in  a  group  coverage  pro- 
gram if  they  so  choose. 

The  presbytery  also  authorized 
the  presbytery  council  to  act  as  an 
administrative  commission  to  ap- 
prove routine  sales  or  encumbrance 
of  property  by  congregations.  This 
action  will  allow  presbytery  to 
quickly  respond  to  church  requests 
to  sell  or  encumber  property. 

The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope 
will  meet  next  on  Feb.  19  at  the 
West  Raleigh  Church. 


Presbytery  Executive  Barbara  Campbell  Davis,  GA  Moderator 
David  Dobler  and  West  Haven  Church  Pastor  Erich  Thompson  pose 
in  front  of  the  church  during  the  November  meeting. 


Cotton  Memorial  marks  105th  year 


Cotton  Memorial  Church  celebrated 
its  105th  anniversary  on  Nov.  6-7, 
1993,  through  activities  which  in- 
cluded a  banquet  and  a  special  Sun- 
day worship  service. 

Cotton  Memorial  enjoys  a  very 
rich  history  of  Christian  witness  in 
the  Henderson,  N.C,  community. 
Records"  show  that  the  congrega- 
tion was  organized  with  six  charter 
members  by  the  Rev.  S.  S.  Sevier  as 
a  congregation  in  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  America  in  1 888 . 

The  congregation  was  later  re- 
ceived into  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  of  North  America  in  1898. 
Cotton  Memorial,  which  was  for- 
merly known  as  the  First  United 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Henderson, 
played  an  important  role  in  a  multi- 
faceted  mission  enterprise  in  the 
Henderson  area. 

Dr.  John  Adam  Cotton,  who 
served  the  congregation  shortly  af- 
ter the  turn  of  the  century,  provided 
leadership  in  this  mission  field 
which  included  the  Cotton  Memo- 
rial Church,  the  Townsville  United 


Church,  the  Henderson  Institute  and 
the  Jubilee  Hospital. 

In  the  1930's,  the  Rev.  John  R. 
Dungee,  a  teacher  of  Bible  and 
social  science  at  the  Henderson 
Institute,  assumed  the  pastorate  of 
the  church  and  served  in  that  capac- 
ity until  1942,  when  he  accepted  a 
commission  as  an  army  chaplain. 

The  Rev.  St.  Paul  Epps  served 
the  congregation  until  Dungee's 
return  in  1946.  Dungee  continued 
to  provide  leadership  in  the  First 
United  and  Townsville  United  con- 
gregations until  his  retirement  in 
1968.  During  his  tenure,  Dungee 
assisted  with  the  merger  of  the  two 
congregations  which  became  the 
Cotton  Memorial  Church  in  1963. 
Other  pastors  who  have  served  the 
Cotton  Memorial  congregation  in- 
clude the  Rev.  William  Johnson, 
the  Rev.  John  Henry  Wilson,  the 
Rev.  Robert  Louis  Craghead,  and 
Dr.  Vemie  Bolden. 

The  Rev.  Albert  Moses  presently 
serves  the  Cotton  Memorial  con- 
gregation. 


Adult  mission  trip  scheduled 

Belfast,  Dublin,  and  Edinburgh  will  be  the  destinations  of  an  adult 
group  from  New  Hope  Presbytery  this  coming  summer.  Respond- 
ing to  an  invitation  from  East  Belfast  Presbytery,  our  sister 
presbytery  in  Northern  Ireland,  the  Social  Justice/Peacemaking 
Committee  is  sponsoring  a  two-week  visit  in  late  June/early  July. 

While  in  Belfast,  members  of  the  group  will  be  hosted  by 
individual  Presbyterian  families.  In  addition  to  getting  to  know  the 
people  and  places  of  EastBelfast,  there  will  be  opportunities  to  learn 
about  the  challenges  confronting  Northern  Ireland  at  this  crucial 
stage  in  its  history. 

There  will  also  be  trips  to  the  beautiful  countryside,  and  several 
day  s  will  be  spent  at  the  renowned  peacemaking  center  of  Corrymeela 
on  the  North  Antrim  coast.  The  group  will  also  visit  Dublin  and 
Edinburgh  before  returning  home. 

Total  package  price  has  not  been  set  but  should  be  under  $2,000. 
The  size  of  the  group  is  limited  to  15.  To  receive  further  informa- 
tion, write  to  Mrs.  Mary  Rose  Raufer,  103  Montgomery  Street, 
Raleigh,  NC  27607,  or  telephone  her  at  (919)  831-9679. 

— Bob  Cain 


Presbytery  chosen  for  older  adult  ministry  project 


The  Older  Adult  Ministries  Office 
of  the  General  Assembly  has  se- 
lected The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope 
for  the  implementation  of  an  older 
adult  ministries  pilot  project. 

This  project  will  involve  the  cre- 
ation of  ten  older  adult  ministries  in 
congregations  of  varying  size 
throughout  the  presbytery.  The 
presbytery  was  notified  of  its  selec- 
tion by  Marian  Dunson,  associate 
for  older  adult  ministries. 

New  Hope's  selection  is  the  re- 


sult of  a  proposal  submitted  by 
Marilyn  Hein,  the  presbytery's  as- 
sociate for  congregational  nurture. 
According  to  Hein,  "The  strong 
points  that  influenced  the  selection 
of  New  Hope  Presbytery  for  the 
older  adult  ministry  pilot  program 
were  the  skills  and  talents  of  the 
presbytery '  s  Older  Adult  Ministries 
Committee  and  the  great  variety 
and  spread  of  our  churches." 

Leading  this  project  will  be  John 
Rhea,  a  volunteer  in  mission  with 


the  General  Assembly.  Rhea  will 
spend  approximately  six  months  in 
the  presbytery  developing  older 
adult  ministries  leadership  skills  and 
programs  in  the  selected  congrega- 
tions. 

The  process  of  selecting 
churches  to  participate  will  begin  in 
January  with  the  selection  being 
made  by  the  presbyteiy's  Older 
Adult  Ministries  Committee.  Con- 
gregations selected  will  begin  the 
program  in  February. 


New  Hope  Presbytery  News  on  page  12 


For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Vol.  LX,  Number  2 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Relief  needs  great 
in  wake  of  earthquake 


John  Wimberly  in  front  of  the  new  Western  Church  sanctuary  on  Virginia  Avenue 

Western  Church  contests 
ruling  against  honneless  program 


By  JOHN  SNIFFEN 

WASHINGTON,  D.C.— Just 
uphill  from  the  Watergate  com- 
plex, a  sinall-but-active  Pres- 
byterian congregation  seeks  to 
continue  its  breakfast  program 
for  the  homeless. 

Western  Church,  a  140- 
year-old  congregation,  has 
sponsored  the  program  for  the 
past  10  years  in  its  building  at 
1906  H  St.,  four  blocks  north- 
west of  the  White  House.  About 
200  homeless  people  benefit 
daily  fi-om  the  program  known 
as  Miriam's  Kitchen. 

On  March  6  the  congrega- 
tion celebrates  its  move  from 
H  Street  to  a  new  location  on 
Virginia  Avenue,  near  the 
Kennedy  Center  and  the 
Watergate  com- 
plex. 

Four  days 
prior  to  that, 
however,  city 
administrators 
will  rule 
whether  the 
church  has  the 
right  to  feed  the 
homeless  at  the 
new  location. 

A  city  zoning  administrator 
ruled  last  September  that  feed- 
ing the  homeless  is  not  a  "nor- 
mal activity^'  for  a  church  and 
that  Western  Church  would 
have  to  apply  for  a  variance  in 
order  to  move  Miriam's 
Kitchen. 

Instead  of  applying  for  a 
variance,  Western  appealed 
the  zoning  ruling.  Pastor  John 
Wimberly  and  others  support- 
ing Western's  cause  made  their 
case  before  the  zoning  board  in 
January. 

They  argued  that  helping 
the  oppressed  is  something  the 
Christian  church  has  been  do- 
ing for  2,000  years.  According 
to  Wimberly,  at  least  100 
churches  in  the  district  have 


D  o  not  neglect  to 
show  hospitality  to 
strangers,  for  there- 
by some  have  enter- 
tained angels  un- 
awares. 

Hebrews  13:2  (R.S.V.) 


similar  feeding  programs. 

Western's  new  location  in 
the  Foggy  Bottom  area  is  sur- 
rounded by  high-rise  condo- 
miniums. Most  are  private,  but 
one  provides  subsidized  hous- 
ing for  the  elderly. 

Opponents  of  moving  the 
feeding  program  cite  a  poten- 
tial for  increased  crime. 
Wimberly  said  the  homeless 
are  not  going  to  cause  such  an 
increase,  adding  that  crime 
statistics  do  not  support  their 
claims. 

Some  of  Western's  new 
Foggy  Bottom  neighbors  also 
say  that  the  homeless  will  loi- 
ter in  the  neighborhood. 
Wimberly  has  pointed  out  that 
the  homeless  are  already  there. 
Many  of  the  pictures  we  see  of 
homeless  sleep- 
ing over  grates 
are  taken  in  the 
neighborhood. 

He  added 
that  the  home- 
less don't  hang 
around  after 
breakfast  be- 
cause he  has 
warned  them  of 
the  conse- 
quences. 

"Our  old  area  is  more  con- 
gested and  we've  had  no  prob- 
lems [with  loitering],"  said 
Wimberly.  "I  tell  the  homeless 
this  program  is  not  a  matter  of 
right  ...  we  are  called  by  our 
faith  to  do  it,  and  we  can't  do  it 
if  they  create  a  big  problem. 

"I  tell  them,  'We  need  your 
cooperation.  Don't  hang 
around.  If  not,  then  we'll  shut 
it  down'." 

Western  has  not  been  alone 
in  its  struggle.  Churches  of 
many  denominations — as  weii 
as  National  Capital  Presbytery 
and  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  PC(USA)— have  lent  their 
support  to  Western's  appeal. 
A  report  on  ABC's  World 


News  Tonight  resulted  in  many 
supportive  letters  and  phone 
calls  from  across  the  nation. 
Some  even  sent  donations. 

"We  have  people  living  in 
$400,000  condominiums  and 
they  want  somebody  living  on 
the  street  to  not  have  break- 
fast. I  don't  get  it,"  Wimberly 
said  on  the  broadcast. 

He  said  he  is  optimistic,  even 
if  the  local  authorities  rule 
against  the  church.  "If  we  lose, 
the  next  step  is  to  appeal.  I  feel 
quite  confident  that  at  the  fed- 
eral court  level  a  judge  will 
rule  in  our  favor.  If  not,  we  are 
fully  prepared  to  begin  feeding 
the  homeless  and  let  the  chips 
fall  where  they  may." 

A  church  that  stayed 

Like  many  urban  congrega- 
continued  on  page  4 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

How  to  fund  temporary  shel- 
ters and  long-term  repairs  are 
the  dilemmas  facing  the  ap- 
proximately 30  Presbyterian 
churches  damaged  in  the 
Southern  California  earth- 
quake— while  ongoing  dam- 
age from  aftershocks  is  con- 
tinually being  assessed. 

According  to  church  spokes- 
persons within  the  Synod  of 
Southern  California  and  Ha- 
waii, most  of  the  affected  con- 
gregations have  no  earthquake 
insurance — and  those  who  do 
are  faced  with  high 
deductibles,  when  some  con- 
gregations already  have  sig- 
nificant indebtedness. 

"We  are  faced  with  our  great- 
est need  for  mission  giving  for 
church  damage  at  a  time  when 
mission  giving  is  on  a  down- 
ward trend,"  said  the  Rev.  Dan 
Rift,  disaster  relief  coordina- 
tor for  Presbj^erian  World  Ser- 
vice. "We  can't  let  these  folks 
just  wait ...  Some  have  to  rent 
temporary  facilities.  They  need 
money  to  make  repairs." 

Rift  said  $55,000  has  already 
been  released  for  use  in  San 
Fernando,  Santa  Barbara  and 
Pacific  presbyteries  collec- 
tively. Denominational  staff 
are  now  working  across  pro- 
gram lines  to  free  up  dollars 
for  immediate  relief.  Rift  said, 
and  are  strategizing  on  how  to 
move  volunteers  into  South- 
ern California  to  help  with 
cleanup  and  repair. 

"The  only  way  out  of  this 
dilemma  is  for  congregations 
not  faced  with  this  terrible 
damage  to  stand  with  those 
that  are,"  Rift  said. 

"The  crisis  is  definitely  not 
over,"  said  David  Varga,  vol- 


untary agency  coordinator  for 
the  Federal  Emergency  Man- 
agement Agency.  "But  it  is 
dwarfed  by  more  traditional 
recovery  efforts,  more  compre- 
hensive assistance." 

Varga  said  over  208,000 
people  applied  for  federal  as- 
sistance in  the  14  days  after 
the  earthquake  and  that  $50 
million  in  housing  awards  had 
already  gone  out — dollars  for 
relocation  or  repair. 

At  least  18  churches  and 
church-related  buildings  are 
damaged  in  San  Fernando 
Presbytery,  according  to  the 
Rev.  Steve  Frank,  earthquake 
relief  coordinator.  The  most 
serious  are  First  Church  of 
North  Hollywood,  St.  James 
Church  in  Tarzana  and  First 
Church  of  San  Fernando.  He 
said  pastors  are  still  trying  to 
find  parishioners  who  relo- 
cated after  the  earthquake  hit. 

"There  are  so  many  un- 
known factors,"  Frank  said. 
"People  are  asking:  Are  we 
going  to  be  able  to  repair  our 
sanctuary?  Will  the  cost  of 
repair  be  affordable?  And  those 
continued  on  page  4 


Where  to  send 
donations 

Donations  may  be  sent  to 
"California  Earthquake 
Relief,"  #  2000110.  Do- 
nations only  for  the  re- 
pair of  church  buildings 
may  be  sent  to  "Church 
Repair,  Cal.  Earth- 
quake," #2000111.  Both 
accounts  are  located  in 
Central  Receiving  Ser- 
vice, 100  WitherspoonSt., 
Louisvifle,  KY40202-1396. 


Hubler  named  Massanetta  Springs  executive  director 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— Dave 
Hubler  of  Chico,  Calif.,  has 
been  named  executive  director 
of  the  Massanetta  Springs  Con- 
ference Center. 

The  Synod  Council  and  the 
Massanetta  Springs  Commit- 


Dave  Hubler 


tee  approved  Hubler's  selec- 
tion in  January.  He  is  sched- 
uled to  begin  in  the  new  posi- 
tion in  March. 

Hubler's  selection  completes 
a  six-month  search  process 
which  involved  a  review  of  43 
applicants  from  18  states.  He 
will  succeed  Interim  Execu- 
tive Director  June  Patterson 
Bucy. 

"We  are  delighted  to  have 
found  someone  with  the  gifts 
and  experience  Dave  brings  to 
us,"  said  Massanetta  Springs 
chairperson  Fred  Holbrook. 
"We  are  particularly  excited 
about  his  business  background, 
as  well  as  his  dedicated  com- 
mitment to  the  Presbjrterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)." 

For  the  past  five  years 
Hubler  has  been  employed  as  a 
real  estate  agent  in  Chico.  Prior 
to  that  his  primary  work  has 
been  management  of  student 
unions  at  Parsons  College,  the 


University  of  Illinois,  and  the 
University  of  Maryland.  He 
was  involved  in  management 
of  personnel,  facilities,  and  fi- 
nances, as  well  as  participat- 
ing in  fund-raising  activities. 

The  son  of  a  Presbyterian 
minister,  Hubler  has  been  ac- 
tive in  the  church  and  served 
on  sessions  in  five  different 
congregations.  He  has  also 
served  on  presbj^ery  commit- 
tees, including  the  Committee 
on  Ministry  of  Baltimore  Pres- 
bytery. 

Hubler  said  he  and  his  wife, 
Tamara,  "are  very  excited 
about  the  opportunity  to  come 
to  Massanetta  Springs.  I  am 
particularly  struck  by  the  role 
that  Massanetta  Springs  has 
played  in  the  lives  of  virtually 
everyone  I've  met,  and  that 
kind  of  love  and  enthusiasm 
will  be  invaluable  lo  both  my 
personal  success  j  . 
cessful  future  of  ll 


Page  2,  Mi'J-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1994 


What  it  means  to  be  a  Presbyterian 


Editor's  Note — Starting  this  month  a 
series  of  guest  columnists  from  within 
the  synod  will  be  writing  about  what  it 
means  to  them  to  be  Presbyterians. 

By  ROBERT  G.  BOLT 

One  of  my  favorite  memories  of  Presby- 
terian ministry  is  of  the  first  service  of 
the  new  church  development  that  I 
served  as  the  organizing  pastor. 

The  construction  of  the  church  build- 
ing had  reached  the  point  where  the 
walls,  roof  and  floor  were  finished,  but 
there  was  no  heat  and  there  were  no 
windows.  It  seemed  right  to  start  the 
New  Year  with  worship.  We  invited 
people  to  a  15-minute  standing  service 
in  the  new,  unfinished  building  with 
donuts,  coff"ee  and  hot  chocolate  to  fol- 
low. Fifty-five  people  came  out  in  15- 


degree  temperature  to  that  first  ser- 
vice, and  afterwards  said:  "Can  we  do 
this  again  next  week?" 

We  organized  11  months  later  with 
117  members.  The  excitement  and  joy 
of  that  first  service  remains  firmly  en- 
trenched in  my  memory.  It  also  repre- 
sented a  culmination  of  the  work  of  the 
presbytery,  synod  and  General  Assem- 
bly as  well  as  involving  my  own  efforts 
in  ministry  and  the  efforts  of  those  who 
responded  to  the  call  of  God  in  that 
particular  congregation. 

I  was  born  and  baptized  a  Presbyte- 
rian. Presb3rterianism  is  the  branch  of 
the  Christian  church  that  nurtured  me 
as  a  child,  challenged  me  as  a  youth. 
Through  the  promise  of  an  earthly 
parent,  and  through  the  call  of  God,  I 
responded  and  entered  upon  the  Pres- 
bjrterian  ministry  as  a  young  adult. 


Commentary 


During  my  12  years  in  the  pastoral 
ministry,  in  a  small  country  church,  a 
large  multiple-staff  suburban  church, 
and  as  organizing  pastor  of  a  new 
church  develop- 
ment, the  Presby- 
tierian  Church  sup- 
ported my  ministry 
through  the  order,  ■■••'1  *  1 
fellowship  and  dis-  H  / 
cipline  of  the  pres-  ^»^«i>«- 
b5^ery;  and  through 
a  denomination 
that  was  constantly 
developing  new  re- 
sources for  the  wor-  Robert  Bolt 
ship,  mission,  edu- 
cation and  stewardship  ministries  of 
the  life  of  the  congregations  I  served. 

The  issues,  controversies  and  ac- 
tions of  various  presbyteries,  synods 
and  General  Assembly  reminded  me 
that  the  Presbyterian  Church  is  a  Re- 
formed Church  and  that  it  is  also  a 
Reforming  Church.  The  spirit  of  the 
Reformation  is  alive  and  well  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church  today. 

I  served  on  synod  staff  for  five  years. 


and  for  the  last  20  years  on  the  staff  of 
New  Castle  Presb3ntery.  I  have  seen  the 
effective,  enthusiastic,  exciting  minis- 
try of  numerous  pastors  impact  the 
lives  of  thousands  of  Presbsrterians.  I 
have  seen  dedicated  men  and  women, 
elders,  deacons,  trustees  and  plain  or- 
dinary members  give  freely  of  their 
time,  money  and  their  sensitive,  caring 
expertise  to  make  informed  decisions 
on  difficult  and  controversial  topics. 

Is  the  Presbjrterian  Church  perfect? 
Thank  God  it  is  not,  because  a  perfect 
church  would  have  no  earthly,  living 
members  and  no  need  for  my  ministry. 
The  less-than-perfect  Presbyterian 
Church  of  which  I  am  a  delighted  and 
devoted  member  and  minister  has  room 
in  it  for  imperfect  pastors  and  imper- 
fect people  who  as  committed  Presby- 
terian Christians  can  discuss  and  ar- 
gue and  wrestle  over  what  it  means  for 
the  Presbyterian  people  of  God  to  reach 
out  in  mission  to  hurting  people  in 
today's  highly  imperfect  world. 

The  Rev.  Robert  G.  Bolt  is  associate 
executive  and  stated  clerk  for  New 
Castle  Presbytery. 


George  Denning  Jackson  — He  pursued  a  gentle  ministry 


By  the  Rev.  ROBERT  E.  BUTTON 

If  George  Denning  Jackson  could  have 
control  of  what  was  being  written  here 
it  would  consist  of  this  one  simple  line: 

"On  Jan.  12,  1994,  George  Denning 
Jackson,  Presbyterian  pastor,  entered 
into  the  glory  of  his  Lord.  May  God's 
name  be  praised!  Amen." 

The  facts  concerning  the  life  of 
George  Denning  Jackson  are  in  the 
record  for  all  to  see.  Born  in  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  on  Aug.  5,  1917;  a  graduate  of 
Southwestern  (Rhodes)  in  Memphis;  a 
1943  graduate  of  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Virginia,  he  earned  a  doc- 
tor of  theology  degree  from  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary  in  1948. 

George's  ministry  began  as  a  chap- 
lain in  the  United  States  Navy  during 
World  War  II,  then  as  pastor  of  Ashe- 
boro  (N.C.)  Church,  First  Church, 
Winchester,  and  First  Church, 
Danville.  He  concluded  his  active  min- 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Sjmod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 

John  Sniffen,  Editor 

Edith  Goodman  and  Laura  Jurman, 
Editorial  Assistants 

Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Kichmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond.  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 


w/February  1994 
lation  174,792 


istry  as  president  of  Glade  Valley  (N.C . ) 
School.  Upon  retirement  in  1982  he 
began  his  "second"  ministry — serving 
as  interim  pastor  of  13  different  con- 
gregations on  17  different  occasions. 

But  facts  do  not  tell  the  story  of  his 
gentle  ministry  within  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church.  How  can  you  tell  with 
facts  the  way  in  which  he  trusted  a 
young  man  in  his  congregation  to  trim 
the  tall  hedge  that  lined  his  yard?  How 
can  facts  tell  about  the  Sunday  morn- 
ing he  came  to  worship  with  an  un- 
shaven chin  because  he  had  spent  the 
night  at  the  hospital  with  a  family 
keeping  vigil  over  their  dying  loved 
one?  How  can  you  count  and  quantify 
the  time  he  would  come  to  youth  group 
and  spend  time  with  the  teens  who 
would  become  the  next  generation  of 
leadership  for  the  church? 

Oh  yes,  he  served  on  presb3rtery  and 
synod  committees  and  on  the  General 
Assembly's  World  Mission  Committee. 
But  the  strength  of  this  man  was  the 
way  in  which  he  stood  in  the  pulpit  and 
skillfully  expounded  the  elements  of 


the  Reformed  Faith  in  such  a  way  that 
they  quietly  became  a  part  of  your  own 
faith  system.  I  did  not  fully  appreciate 
the  caliber  of  preaching  I  had  been 
privileged  to  experience  until  I  was 
many  years  past  seminary. 

Those  of  us  who  were  fortunate  to 
have  known  George  during  his  12  years 
in  Winchester  can  attest  to  his  influ- 
ence in  our  lives.  This  man  could  move 
easily  among  the  leadership  of  the  com- 
munity, and  then  meet  with  a  group  of 
hungry  and  disenfranchised  indigents. 
At  one  of  the  most  crucial  turning  points 
of  our  nation's  history,  this  man  stood 
for  what  was  right  and  just  and  hu- 
mane for  all  of  God's  children.  His 
stand  brought  him  into  conflict  with 
the  conservative  white  power  struc- 
ture of  his  community  and  his  church. 

I  have  special  reason  to  be  thankful 
to  God  for  the  life  of  George  D.  Jackson. 
For  it  was  through  his  ministry  that  I 
was  challenged  and  called  into  the  min- 
istry of  Christ.  And  you  know,  I  do  not 
believe  that  he  ever  said  to  me,  "Rob- 
ert, why  don't  you  consider  becoming  a 


minister?"  Rather,  the  way  he  worked 
was  through  others. 

George  and  Helen  did  something  else 
for  me.  They  loved  me  as  they  would 
their  own  child.  They  trusted  me  ...  and 
I  wasn't  the  only  one.  Countless  other 
youngsters  from  the  congregations  they 
pastored  can  point  to  personal  experi- 
ences with  George  and  Helen. 

Dr.  David  Taylor,  speaking  at  the 
memorial  service  for  George  on  Jan.  14 
at  Lumberton  Church  said  this:  "George 
...  never  pushed  himself  out  front  to 
receive  the  accolades.  He  never  desired 
personal  recognition.  He  simply  wanted 
those  who  knew  him  to  come  to  know 
the  Lord  whom  he  served.  That  would 
be  enough  reward  for  George." 

And  for  those  of  us  who  knew  George 
Denning  Jackson,  that  was  indeed 
enough. 

(The  Rev.  Robert  E.  Button  of  Greens- 
boro, N.C,  tentmaking  pastor  of  Pine 
Hall  and  Sandy  Ridge  churches,  was  a 
member  of  First  Church,  Winchester, 
and  entered  the  ministry  under  the 
tutelage  of  George  D.  Jackson.) 


Reader's  comments. 


Editor's  note — due  to  the  number  of  letters 
received,  they  cannot  all  be  printed  in  this 
space.  The  following  are  excerpts  from  let- 
ters. Elipses  indicate  where  copy  has  been 
omitted  and  brackets  indicate  that  a  word 
has  been  subsituted  for  a  longer  phrase  or 
inserted  for  explanation. 

On  gun  control 

Mr.  George  Williams  [letters,  Jan./Feb. 
issue]  properly  disposes  of  the  igno- 
rance of  a  previous  letter-writer  who 
had  the  ...  opinion  that  the  Bill  of 
Rights  (including  the  Second  Amend- 
ment) applies  to  the  states  rather  than 
to  the  people.  But  he  did  not  mention 
an  essential  fact:  the  role  of  God. 

Neither  the  Constitution  nor  any 
(jrovernment  grants  rights  to  us,  the 
People.  As  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence says:  "...  all  Men  ...  are  endowed 
by  their  Creator  with  certain  inalien- 
able Rights  ..."... 

[Repealing]  the  Second  Amendment 
...  would  not  repeal  our  God-given  right 
to  bear  arms. 

J.  Edgar  Williams 
Carrboro,  N.C. 

...  Guns  were  never  a  problem  until 
drug  dealing  became  so  lucrative  that 
rivals  began  shooting  each  other  and 
anyone  else  who  got  in  the  way.  Why  in 
the  world  would  these  people  obey  any 
gun  law  ...  ?  James  Boyd 

Wilmington,  N.C. 


A  tough  moderator? 

Is  there  any  way  we  can  push  for  a 
moderator  of  the  206th  General  As- 
sembly whom  we  know  has  the  courage 
to  handle  the  onslaughts  of  the  mili- 
tant gays,  not  allowing  them  into  the 
Assembly  in  the  first  place  and  having 
them  arrested  if  [they]  force  their  way 
in  and  put  on  a  demonstration?  ... 

Our  church  cannot  afford  to  allow 
itself  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  ambitious 
people  who  run  for  this  office  as  if  it 
were  a  political  high  office  and  who 
bring  with  them  looseness  of  morals 
and  theology. 

Let's  seek  the  leading  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  bring  us  out  of  the  mire  we 
have  allowed  ourselves  to  wade  in  and 
once  again  be  a  strong  force  for  evange- 
lism, missions  and  Biblical  education. 

Bill  Livingston 
Yorktown,  Va. 

'Inactive'  a  code  word 

Noting  the  cogent  comments  by  Mr. 
Hodges  {Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  No- 
vember/December 1993)  regarding  Mr. 
McDaniel's  recent  letter,  I  must  add 
that  parishioners  often  become  "inac- 
tive" due  to  creeping  apostasy  endemic 
to  most  Christian  religions  (Christian 
at  least  in  name).  Inactive,  however,  is 
often  a  code  word  meaning  a  member 
has  left  the  church  (as  an  organization) 
not  to  return. 


Many  of  the  "inactive"  saints  refuse 
to  compromise  God's  Word  by  condon- 
ing neo-Christianity  ... 

I  thank  the  Lord  Christians  are 
awakening;  no  longer  supporting  the 
aims  of  those  who  preach  an  altered 
and  alien  gospel  of  ecumenical  social- 
ization (secular  humanism)  ... 

...  Nearly  everything  is  condoned 
and  encouraged  except  the  sane,  sen- 
sible and  sacred:  civil  liberties  have 
replaced  common  sense  and  decency. 
...  "Wherefore  come  out  from  among 
them,  and  be  ye  separate,  saith  the 
Lord,  and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing: 
and  I  will  receive  you"  (II  Cor.  6:17-18). 
Inactive  may  be  tantamount  to 
proactive. 

Lowell  Anson  Kenyon 
Bethesda,  Md. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and  length. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1994,  Page  3 


Summer  Camp  and  Conference  Opportunities 


Chesapeake  Center  offers  discounts 


Scholarship  fund  honors  Buoy 

June  Patterson  Bucy,  interim  executive  director  of 
Massanetta  Springs  Conference  Center  since  February 
1992,  was  honored  Jan.  21  when  the  center's  committee 
created  a  scholarship  fund  in  her  name.  Presenting  Dr. 
Bucy  with  a  resolution  of  thanks  on  behalf  of  the 
committee  is  its  chair,  the  Rev.  Fred  Holbrook.  The  Bucy 
Scholarship  Fund  will  provide  partial  scholarships  to 
youth  and  children  who  would  otherwise  be  unable  to 
attend  programs  sponsored  by  Massanetta  Springs. 

Long  to  lead  Bible  studies 
at  Massanetta  conference 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— Dr. 
Thomas  G.  Long,  The  Francis 
Landey  Patton  Professor  of 
Preaching  and  Worship  at 
Princeton  Theological  Semi- 
nary, will  be  the  Bible  study 
leader  for  the  7 1st  Annual  Bible 
Conference  at  Massanetta 
Springs  July  31-Aug.  6. 

Long,  well  known  as  a 
teacher  and  speaker  through- 
out the  PC(USA),  has  been  at 
Princeton  since  1983.  Prior  to 
that  he  taught  at  Columbia 
Theological  Seminary  and 
Erskine  Theological  SeminEiry . 
From  1971  to  1973  he  was  a 
pastor  in  Atlanta,  Ga. 

The  theme  for  the  Bible 
study  will  be  "Living  God's  New 
Righteousness,  A  Study  of 
Matthew's  Gospel." 

Tony  Campolo,  Ph.D.,  a 
speaker  who  is  especially  popu- 
lar with  young  adults,  will 
preach  during  the  opening 
night  service  in  Hudson  Audi- 
torium. A  sociology  instructor 
from  Eastern  College  in  St. 
Davids,  Perm.,  Campolo  is  per- 
haps best  known  for  his  work 
with  inner-city  youth. 

Others  who  will  preach  dur- 
ing the  weeklong  conference 
include: 

Thomas  L.  Are  Jr.,  pastor 
of  Seen  Oaks  Church  in  Co- 
lumbia, S.C.,  and  a  popular 
speaker  at  events  like  the  Mon- 
treat  Youth  Conference; 

Rosalind  E.  Banbury- 
Hamm,  associate  executive  for 
synod  ministries  with  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic; 

Linda  K.  Bridges,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  faculty  at  the  Baptist 
Theological  Seminary  in  Rich- 
mond, Va.; 

Ernest  Campbell,  the  re- 
tired former  pastor  of  New 
York  City's  Riverside  Church 
who  has  also  taught  homilet- 
ics  and  publishes  Campbell's 
Notes,  a  collection  of  musings 
and  answers  to  questions  he 
receives; 

Robert  L.  Hock,  pastor  of 
St.  John  Lutheran  Church  in 
Winter  Park,  Fla.; 


James  H.  Logan,  pastor  of 
South  Tryon  Church  in  Char- 
lotte, N.C.,  who  is  well  known 
for  his  preaching;  and 

Douglas  W.  Oldenburg, 
president  of  Columbia  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  Decatur,  Ga. 

Pat  D.  McGeachy,  pastor 
of  the  Downtown  Church  of 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  will  lead  the 
morning  worship  and  congre- 
gational singing. 

Afternoon  forums  will  in- 
clude a  Preacher's  Clinic,  in- 
teractive skills  workshops,  and 
a  roundtable  for  ministers' 
spouses. 

Outstanding  leaders  will 
provide  instruction  for  choir 
directors,  organists,  and  bell 
choir  directors  during  the 
Church  Music  Workshop 
which  runs  concurrently  with 
the  Bible  Conference.  Carol 
Lown,  Ceil  Frazier,  and  Dou- 
glas Sensabaugh  are  directing 
the  workshop. 

A  full  schedule  of  activities 
is  also  planned  for  children 
and  youth.  Beth  Smith,  Skip 
Hastings  and  John  Mayes  will 
direct  these  programs. 

June  Bucy,  past  interim 
executive  director  for  Mas- 
sanetta Springs,  is  director  for 
the  1994  Bible  Conference. 


Dr.  Thomas  G.  Long 


PORT  DEPOSIT,  Md.— Chesa- 
peake Center,  the  synod's 
camping  facility  on  rolling  hills 
overlooking  Chesapeake  Bay, 
continues  to  offer  price  breaks 
for  early  registration  for  its 
summer  camp. 

For  its  traditional  resident 
camp  sessions,  the  center  is 
cutting  the  cost  to  $265  per 
session  if  registration  is  made 
by  April  15.  Thereafter,  the 
cost  will  be  $290  per  session. 

"Early  registration  is  good 
stewardship,"  said  Executive 
Director  Bill  Deutsch,  "because 
it  saves  money  for  the  camper 
families  and  it  helps  the  center 
plan  its  staffing  and  supplies 
more  responsibly." 

He  also  noted  that  synod's 
support  and  the  assistance  of 
volunteers  make  it  possible  to 
offer  for  $265  a  week-long 
camping  experience  that  would 
cost  $600  at  a  for-profit  camp. 

Chesapeake  Center  has  con- 
tracted with  a  riding  academy 
to  offer  "English"  riding  les- 
sons for  campers  in  1994.  These 
lessons  will  be  available  (for  an 
additional  fee)  at  the  first  two 
camping  sessions. 

Traditional  resident  camp 
sessions  will  be  offered  June 
26-July  2,  July  3-9,  July  10-16, 
July  17-23,  July  24-30,  July 
31-Aug.  6,  and  Aug.  7-13. 

A  Family  Camp  is  sched- 
uled for  the  Fourth  of  July 
Weekend.  The  purpose  is  to 
give  children  and  families  a 
taste  of  Chesapeake  Center, 


By  BILL  CHASE 

High  school  youth  usually  have 
several  opportunities  to  expe- 
rience PC(USA)  summer  con- 
ferences like  the  Montreat 
Youth  Conference  or  the  Pres- 
bjrterian  Youth  Triennium. 

Unfortunately,  6th-8th 
grade  youth  had  fewer  oppor- 
tunities until  last  summer's 
"True  Colors"  conference  spon- 
sored by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic.  Following  up  on  its 
success,  plans  are  underway 
for  another  6th-8th  grade  con- 
ference at  Massanetta  Springs 
Conference  Center  in  Harri- 
sonburg, Va. 

This  year  there  will  be  two 
sessions:  June  17-20  and  June 
22-25. 

Entitled  "Disciples  of  All 
Nations,"  the  conference  is  a 
hands-on,  multicultural  event 
designed  to  help  participants 
grow  in  faith  through  experi- 
ences and  varied  perspectives 
on  the  world  and  Christianity. 

It  is  easy  to  be  out  of  touch 
with  the  rest  of  the  world;  but 
four  days  in  Massanetta 
Springs  will  lead  participants 
to  new  faces,  stories,  and  ac- 
tivities that  will  help  them 
understand  how  the  living 
Christ  has  got  the  "Whole 
World  In  His  Hands." 

The  nuts  and  bolts  of  this 
conference  are  being  as- 
sembled by  Conference  Direc- 
tor John  Mayes  of  Raleigh,  N.C . 

Keith  Harris,  the  conference 
theme  director,  has  been  work- 
ing in  youth  ministry  for  12 


while  offering  the  family  an 
opportunity  for  some  fun,  qual- 
ity time,  according  to  Deutsch. 

Chesapeake  Center  will  of- 
fer two  Leaders  in  Develop- 
ment sessions  for  first-year 
participants  and  one  for  sec- 
ond-year participants.  There 
will  also  be  a  session  focusing 
on  soccer  (July  3-9)  and  an- 
other for  choir  members  (July 
10-16). 

The  center  benefited  from  a 
good  number  of  volunteer 
workers  in  1993  and  Deutsch 
hopes  more  will  donate  their 
time  this  summer.  "A  volun- 
teer with  skills  we  particularly 
need  may  designate  a  child  to 
receive  a  full  camp  scholar- 
ship," he  said.  Especially 
needed  this  year  are  registered 


years  at  the  local  church,  pres- 
bytery and  synod  levels.  He 
will  be  bringing  all  his  talents 
to  us  from  the  suburbs  of  Kan- 
sas City,  Mo. 

As  director  of  Christian  edu- 
cation and  youth  ministry  at 
Alamance  Church  in  Greens- 
boro, N.C,  I  join  with  these 
and  other  leaders  in  planning 
for  "Disciples  of  All  Nations"  to 
be  a  unique  educational  and 
faith  challenging  experience 
for  all  participants  to  enjoy. 

Last  summer  I  had  the  won- 
derful opportunity  to  serve  as 
the  recreation  workshop  direc- 
tor at  the  "True  Colors"  confer- 
ence. I  was  thrilled  and  im- 
pressed at  the  many  things 
that  were  offered  for  young 
people  at  the  event.  Together 
the  leadership  team  brought 
the  biblical  story  to  life  through 
theme  presentations  involving 
energized  music,  singing,  and 
drama. 

Computer  graphics  and 
video  technology  were  com- 
bined for  dramatic  impact  in 
the  theme  presentations.  The 
workshop  directors  were  a 
wonderful  collection  of  folks 
with  an  obvious  love  for  teen- 
agers working  to  help  these 
young  people  grow  through 
their  faith  in  God.  It  still 
amazes  me  how  much  was  ac- 
complished in  that  four-day 
event. 

As  the  "Disciples  of  All  Na- 
tions" activities  director,  I  will 
be  working  with  a  team  of  high 
school  youth  to  provide  an  in- 
ternational flare  to  the  confer- 


nurses  and  chaplains  for  each 
camping  session. 

Many  individuals  and 
church  groups  performed  work 
projects  at  the  center  last  year. 
Their  labor — valued  in  excess 
of  $10,000— accomplished 
many  things,  including  criti- 
cal building  repairs,  new  decks 
on  the  dining  room,  landscap- 
ing, new  program  spaces  and 
fire  circles. 

Chesapeake  Center  is  invit- 
ing interested  persons  to  at- 
tend open  houses  it  will  host 
from  2  to  4  p.m.  on  April  10  and 
23  and  May  5. 

For  more  information  call 
the  center  at  (410)  378-2267  or 
write  to  Chesapeake  Center, 
50  Happy  Valley  Rd.,  Port  De- 
posit, MD  21904. 


be  filled 
music,  crafts 

ence  activities  and  recreation. 

First,  a  passport  will  be  is- 
sued to  each  participant  to 
guide  them  on  their  interna- 
tional journey  of  activities  and 
spiritual  growth.  A  variety  of 
interest  groups  will  fill  the  af- 
ternoons by  including  cultural 
experiences  in  international 
folk  dances  Uke  Sevila  Se  Bella 
Loza  and  Hava  Nagila. 

Participants  may  choose  to 
experience  musical  instru- 
ments and  crafts  from  around 
the  world,  or  two  special  movie 
options  with  an  international 
slant.  Worldvidde  table  games 
and  other  recreation  choices 
vidll  also  be  available. 

As  a  highlight  of  the  confer- 
ence, we  will  explore  the  play 
of  God's  children  all  over  the 
globe  through  an  "Interna- 
tional Game  Day,"  including 
games  like  "Ikri-kukri"  (an 
Indian  hopscotch  game)  and 
"Quien  Es"  (a  name  game  fi*om 
Chile). 

An  opening  night  "Festival" 
with  decorations  and  snacks 
from  the  four  corners  of  the 
earth  will  help  teens  break  the 
ice  and  feel  welcome. 

A  "Surprise  Night"  is  also 
planned  to  provide  a  night  of 
laughter  and  fun  on  the  stage. 

The  "Earth  Dance"  will  defi- 
nitely shake  the  ground  as 
participants  move  to  both  con- 
temporary and  international 
tunes. 

For  more  information  see 
page  7  or  contact  the  Mas- 
sanetta Springs  Conference 
Centerofficeat(703M34-3829. 


Campers  relax  at  Chesapeake  Center 


6th-8th  grade  conference  to 
with  international  activities, 


Page  4,  Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1994 


Church  fights  to  keep 
feeding  the  homeless 


continued  from  page  1 
tions,  Western  lost  members 
to  the  suburbs  during  the 
middle  of  this  century.  The 
present  building  was  com- 
pleted in  1930  for  a  congrega- 
tion of  600  members,  just  in 
time  for  the  Great  Depression. 

"Six  months  after  it  was 
built,  the  bank  foreclosed  on 
it,"  said  Wimberly.  "The  church 
never  really  recovered.  It  sta- 
bilized, but  then  people  started 
moving  to  the  suburbs." 

When  Wimberly  was  called 
to  serve  Western  11  years  ago, 
the  congregation  included 
many  members  age  60  and 
older.  During  his  pastorate,  the 
number  has  not  increased 
greatly — it's  around  180 — but 
the  current  average  member 
is  much  younger. 

"We  have  120  for  worship 
on  a  normal  Sunday,"  said 
Wimberly.  "A  goodly  number 
live  in  the  District  and  ride  the 
Metro  to  church." 

What  the  congregation  of 
Western  Church  does  the  other 
six  days  of  the  week  is  remark- 
able. 

In  addition  to  Miriam's 
Kitchen,  the  church  is  assist- 
ing a  church  in  Ghana,  a  semi- 
nary in  China,  and  a  new 
church  development  in  Na- 
tional Capital  Presbytery.  An 
Ethiopian  Christian  congrega- 
tion also  uses  the  building,  as 
do  many  self-help  programs. 

The  reason  Western  Church 
is  able  to  do  all  this  is  also  the 
reason  its  64-year-old  building 
almost  never  gets  direct  sun- 
light in  the  winter:  the  Inter- 
national Monetary  Fund 
(IMF),  its  neighbor  since  1944. 
Western  Church  is  literally 
surrounded  by  the  IMF  build- 
ing. Given  the  scarcity  of  avail- 
able property,  there  was  never 
much  doubt  the  IMF  would 
want  the  remaining  land  West- 
ern occupies. 

In  1971  the  IMF  offered  $1 
million  for  the  land,  but  West- 
ern rejected  the  offer. 

Several  years  ago  the  con- 


gregation took  stock  of  its  situ- 
ation and  found  many  things 
needed  fixing.  Wiring  and 
plumbing  are  more  than  60 
years  old,  inadequate,  and  in 
bad  repair.  Much  of  the  facility 
is  not  accessible  to  the  handi- 
capped. Meeting  space  is  se- 
verely limited. 

The  cost  to  renovate  the  old 
building  would  have  been  as 
much  as  $1  million,  and  the 
congregation  didn't  have  that 
kind  of  money.  Western 
Church  approached  the  IMF 
again.  They  struck  an  agree- 
ment in  which  the  IMF,  in 
addition  to  buying  the  old  prop- 
erty, paid  the  cost  of  building  a 
new  church  of  similar  archi- 
tecture. 

The  total  price  for  the  buy- 
out, purchase  of  new  land,  ar- 
chitects' fees,  construction, 
moving,  and  legal  fees  (includ- 
ing the  cost  of  fighting  the  zon- 
ing issue)  is  about  $24  million. 
That  includes  a  $4  million  en- 
dowment that  allows  the  con- 
gregation to  engage  in  mission 
projects  like  those  mentioned 
above. 

Prior  to  the  current  zoning 
battle,  neighborhood  oppo- 
nents tried  to  block  the  move 
by  having  the  1930  building 
declared  a  historic  landmark. 

A  new,  brighter  future 

During  February  workmen 
were  busy  putting  the  finish- 
ing touches  on  Western's  new 


Built  in  1930,  the  present  Western  Church  on  H  Street  is 
surrounded  by  tall  office  buildings. 

added. 

Over  a  fireplace  in  a  central 
meeting  room,  the  following 
scripture  from  Hebrews  13:2 
will  be  inscribed: 

Do  not  neglect  to  show 
hospitality  to  strangers,  for 
thereby  some  have  enter- 
tained angels  unawares. 
"I  think  that  summarizes 
what  we  are  doing  and  what 
we  are  about,"  said  Wimberly. 

After  starting  the  March  6 
Sunday  morning  worship  in 
its  old  sanctuary,  the  congre- 
gation will  go  to  the  new  loca- 
tion and  finish  the  service  in 
the  basement  facility  which 
will  house  Miriam's  Kitchen. 
The  new  sanctuary  will  not  be 
ready  for  several  months. 

"For  about  seven  months, 
we'll  be  worshiping  in  the  same 
place  where  the  homeless  are 
being  fed.  I  like  the  imagery  of 
that,"  said  Wimberly. 


building  at  2401  Virginia  Ave., 
four  blocks  west  of  the  old  loca- 
tion. . 

As  promised  the  new  church 
will  replicate  the  old  one.  The 
limestone  for  the  walls  of  the 
sanctuary  came  from  the  same 
quarry  which  supplied  the 
stone  in  1930. 

A  tour  of  the  new  building 
revealed  many  improvements 
over  the  old  facility:  more 
restrooms,  more  room  for  pro- 
grams and  services,  elevators, 
ramps,  and  even  an  under- 
ground parking  garage. 

A  large,  well-equipped 
kitchen  and  spacious  dining 
room  will  easily  accomodate 
the  Miriam's  Kitchen  program. 
There  is  also  designated  space 
for  college  student  and  older 
adult  programs. 

"We  have  designed  a  build- 
ing that  we  think  will  carry  us 
through  the  21st  century,"  he 


Gwynn,  Wilson  to  address  Presbyterian  IVIen  of  synod 

Former  General  Assembly 
moderators  Price  H.  Gwynn 
III  of  Charlotte  and  WiUiam  H. 
"Bill"  Wilson  of  Kerrville, 
Texas,  will  be  the  keynote 
speakers  for  the  1994  confer- 
ence of  the  synod's  Presbyte- 
rian Men. 

The  theme  for  the  July  15- 
17  event  at  Massanetta  Springs 
Conference  Center  is  Presby- 
terian Men:  Christian  Values 
in  Life. 


Massanetta  Springs  ^ 


;  Center  for  the  Sync 


!  Mid-Atlantic.  PC(USA) 


Disciples  of  All  Nations 
Middle  School  Conference 

June  17-20  and  22-25 

Synod  Presbyterian  Men 

July  15-17 

71st  Annual  Bible  Conference 
and  Church  Music  Workshop 

July  31 -Aug.  6 

Camp  Massanetta  (4-6th  grades) 

Aug.  7-12 

Synod  Youth  Leadership  Workout 

Oct.  7-9 

Synod  Recreation  Workshop 

Oct.  21-23 

F/ir  information  and  brochures  write  to: 
iprings,  P.O.  Box  1286,  Harrisonburg,  VA  22801 
(703)434-3829 


Gwynn  Wilson 

Gwynn,  moderator  of  the 
1990  General  Assembly,  is 
president  of  the  recently 
formed  Presbyterian  Publish- 
ing Corp.  The  son  and  grand- 
son of  Presb3rterian  ministers, 
he  has  a  long  history  of  church 
service. 

He  retired  in  1990  as  vice 
president  and  director  of 
Lance,  Inc.  He  is  an  elder  at 
Steele  Creek  Church  in  Char- 
lotte. 

Wilson,  moderator  of  the 
1985  General  Assembly,  is  "re- 
tired" but  still  works  as  a  con- 


sultant geologist  in  oil  and  gas 
exploration. 

He  has  been  very  involved 
in  the  establishment  of  pasto- 
ral care  programs  for  church 
professionals.  Active  at  all  lev- 
els of  the  church,  he  served  on 
the  PCUS  Mission  Board  from 
1979  to  1982. 

Conference  fliers  will  be 
mailed  to  past  participants, 
churches  and  presbyteries  in 
the  near  future. 


PEW  CUSHIONS 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128.  LYNCHBURG,  VA  24502 

=  1-800-S72-2283  = 


Quake 

damages 

churches 

continued  from  page  1 
questions  are  going  to  take  a 
while  to  answer." 

Frank  said  hone  of  the  dam- 
aged structures  in  San 
Fernando  Presbytery  has 
earthquake  insurance. 

The  Rev.  Linda  Culbertson, 
executive  presbyter  of  Pacific 
Presbytery,  said  some  congre- 
gations' ability  to  borrow  is 
compromised  already  by  in- 
debtedness with  existing  prop- 
erty loans — even  if  the  build-  _ 
ings  are  insured. 

"Taking  care  of  immediate 
needs  is  one  thing,"  she  told 
News  Services.  "Long  range, 
what  is  problematic  are  prop- 
erty issues." 

She  said  the  deductible  is  10 
percent  of  the  property's  value; 
and  with  the  cost  of  real  estate 
in  Southern  California,  that 
quickly  amounts  to  a  lot  of 
money. 

Three  church  buildings  are 
badly  damaged  in  Pacific  Pres- 
bj^ery,  Culbertson  said,  with 
two  others  having  lesser  prob- 
lems. Most  significantly  dam- 
aged are  the  Good  Samaritan 
Church  in  Los  Angeles,  a  small 
Korean  congregation  that  is 
currently  worshiping  in  its 
parking  lot;  the  Westminster 
Church  in  Los  Angeles;  and 
the  Bel  Air  Church. 

The  Rev.  Kenneth  Working, 
executive  presbjrter  in  Santa 
Barbara  Presbytery,  said  the 
Simi  Valley  Presbyterian 
Church  is  still  waiting  assess- 
ment and  Trinity  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Camarillo  will  need 
to  repair  its  present  building. 
He  said  four  to  five  families  are 
currently  displaced  in  the  pres- 
bytery. 

Hanmi  Presbytery  is  report- 
ing damage  to  the  Han  Yang 
Church  in  Arleta;  the  Wilshire 
Korean  Church  in  Los  Angeles 
and  the  Valley  So  Mang 
Church  in  Chatsworth. 


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Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1994,  Page  5 


Union 


Seminaiy 


IN  VIRGINIA 

Genie  Addleton,  Editor 


Interpreting  the 
Faith  Summer 
Conference  Set  for 
June  27-July  8 

The  UTS  Office  of  Professional  Development  (for- 
merly Continuing  Education)  has  announced  the  schedule 
for  its  1994  Interpreting  the  Faith  Conference,  set  for  June 
27-July  8,  1994. 

The  first  week  of  the  conference  includes  New  Testa- 
ment studies  with  Adele  Yarbro  Collins,  University  of 
Chicago.  Studies  in  theology  will  be  offered  by  Donald 
Dawe,  UTS  professor  of  systematic  theology.  David  Barlett 
of  Yale  Divinity  School  will  lead  studies  in  homiletics. 
Preachers  for  the  first  week  include  Barbara  Campbell 
Davis,  New  Hope  (North  Carolina)  Presbytery,  who  is  a 
member  of  the  UTS  Board  of  Trustees,  and  David  Bartlett. 

During  the  second  week  of  the  conference,  William 
Brown,  UTS  assistant  professor  of  Old  Testament,  will  lead 
studies  in  that  area.  Ethics  will  be  offered  by  Timothy  F. 
Sedgwick  of  Seabury  Western,  and  Christian  education  by 
Sonja  Stewart  of  Western  Theological  Seminary.  Agnes 
Norfleet,  a  UTS  alumna  and  pastor  of  the  North  Decatur 
(Georgia)  Presbyterian  Church  will  preach  during  the 
week,  as  will  Sibley  Towner,  UTS  professor  of  biblical 
interpretation. 

To  learn  more  about  the  program  and  registration, 
please  call  or  write  the  Office  of  Professional  Development 
and  Doctor  of  Ministry  Studies,  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  Virginia,.  3401  Brook  Road,  Richmond,  Virginia 
23227.  Local  telephone:  (804)  355-0671.  Toll  free:  (800) 
292-2990 


/.•  Mr.  O.  L.  Ligon,  Clerk  of  the  Session;  Dr.  Charles  M.James,  Elder:  Dr.  Ben  Lacy  Rose:  Mr.  J.  William  Doswell,  Elder 


Hebron  Presbyterian  Church 
Endows  Ben  Lacy  Rose  Scholarship 


Seminarians  from  Synod 
Earn  Fellowships 

Two  UTS  students  from  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
are  among  seven  recipients  of  faculty  fellowships  for 
graduate  study.  They  are  Florence  E.  Canada  of  Richmond 
and  Robert  Terrell  Snell  of  Lynchburg. 

Ms.  Canada  is  a  graduate  of  Virginia  Commonwealth 
University.  She  also  has  a  master's  degree  from  the  Presby- 
terian School  of  Christian  Education.  Mr.  Sfiell  is  a  graduate 
of  The  University  of  Virginia. 

The  UTS  faculty  fellowships  are  awarded  by  the  fac- 
ulty in  recognition  of  the  quality  of  the  recipients'  studies 
at  the  seminary  and  their  promise  for  usefulness  in  the 
ministry.  Other  recipients  are  William  C.  Gipe,  John  Spen- 
cer Randolph  Harris,  Martha  Lane  Moore  -Keish,  Timothy 
A.  Verhey,  and  Amy  Camille  Merrill  Willis. 


Hebron  Presbyterian  Church  in  Goochland,  Virginia, 
has  endowed  a  scholarship  fund  at  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Virginia  to  honor  Dr.  Ben  Lacy  Rose.  Dr.  Rose, 
who  has  served  the  church  as  stated  supply  for  12  years,  is 
professor  emeritus  at  the  seminary.  The  scholarship  was 
announced  during  activities  celebrating  the  church's 
sesquicentennial  anniversary. 

Mr.  O.L.  Ligon,  Jr.,  clerk  of  the  session  at  Hebron, 
was  among  a  group  of  church  members  who  organized 
the  scholarship  fund.  He  said,  "During  our  church's  150th 
anniversary  year,  we  wanted  to  honor  Dr.  Rose  and 
celebrate  the  life  and  vitality  he  has  brought  to  our  con- 
gregation." He  noted  that  during  Dr.  Rose's  tenure  as 
stated  supply,  attendance  has  grown  from  25-30  at  Sunday 
morning  worship  to  over  100,  and  a  new  fellowship  hall 
has  been  constructed  to  accommodate  increasing 
congregational  activities.  "Word  has  gotten  around  that  if 
you  want  to  hear  a  good  sermon,  go  to  Hebron,"  Mr. 
Ligon  said. 


Mr.  Ligon  explained  that  the  congregation  has  asked 
Dr.  Rose  to  work  with  the  seminary's  administration  to 
establish  criteria  for  awarding  the  scholarship.  It  is  likely 
that  the  funds  will  be  used  to  encourage  the  study  and 
practice  of  preaching,  a  gift  for  which  Ben  Lacy  Rose  is 
revered. 


UTS  Study  Excursion  Set  for  June  18 

Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  has  announced  the  third  in  a  series  of  one-day  study 
excursions.  "The  Scots-Irish  and  Early  American  Presbyterianism"  is  set  for  Saturday,  June  18,  at 
the  Museum  of  American  Frontier  Culture  in  Staunton,  Virginia.  Dr.  James  Smylie,  UTS  professor 
of  church  history,  and  Dr.  Katherine  Brown,  the  museum's  director  of  research  and  collections,  will 
each  lecture.  The  travel  seminar  also  includes  a  docent-guided  tour  of  the  museum's  Scots-Irish 
farmstead,  a  hearty  picnic  lunch,  and  ample  opportunity  to  roam  the  museum  compound,  which 
includes  other  working  farm  sites  and  an  outstanding  orientation  center  and  museum  store. 

Registration  fee  for  the  program,  including  round-trip  bus  transportation  from  Richmond  (and 
from  Winchester  and  Roanoke  if  there  Is  sufficient  interest)  is  $25.00  per  person.  For  those  who 
live  close  to  the  museum  and  wish  to  provide  their  own  transportation,  the  cost  is  $20.00. 

Payment  is  due  June  3,  1994.  For  more  information  about  the  program  and  travel  arrange- 
ments, or  to  reserve  your  space,  please  write  or  call  Rosemary  Holland,  Office  of  Communications, 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia,  3401  Brook  Road,  Richmond,  VA  23227.  Local  telephone: 
278-4265.  Toll-free:  {800)-292-2990. 


JOHN  CALVIN 
AND  REFORMED 
PROTESTANTISM 


[A  Catalogue  of Stxteentfj  ancfCEarfy Seventeentfj 
Century  Imprints  in  tfjeJjSrary  of 
iJLnion  c[f)eo(ogica( Seminary  in  Virginia 

Published  in  January  1994  by  Union  Theological 
Seminary,  this  catalogue  by  Associate  Librarian  Robert 
Benedetto  and  Martha  Moore-Keish.  a  third-level 
student,  introduces  works  in  the  seminar>''s  rare  books 
collection  by  leading  figures  of  the  Refoirnation  and 
post-Reformation  period.  The  authors  of  the  catalogue 
have  included  103  items  covering  the  period  1499- 
1640.  Forty-rs\'o  of  the  works  are  by  John  Calvin  and 
are  the  core  of  the  seminary's  rare  book  collection. 

The  catalogue  is  available  in  the  UTS  bookstore 
for  $5.00.  Copies  may  be  ordered  by  mail  by  calling 
the  LITS  Office  of  Communications. 

Office  of  Communications 

Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia 

Local:  804-278-4265 

Toll  free:  800-292-2990 


■J■^l.lJ.l=l=vld=nj>M.w.^.M.l■^lNJ.l=^ij:k^.lJlKUt.^^l^d^lJ.lI.IdWl^.^JJJk^H=t^JlJMl=ld^^ 


Page  6,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1994 

From  synod's  portion  of  earnings 


Speer  Fund  grants  $95,000  for  1993 


Thirty-six  grants  totaling 
$95,000  were  made  by  the 
SjTiod's  Speer  Fund  Commit- 
tee last  year,  according  to  com- 
mittee chairperson  Barbara  Y. 
McEwing  of  Wilmington,  Del. 

The  grants  were  awarded  to 
projects  which  meet  the  fol- 
lowing criteria: 

•  Help  the  poor  and  op- 
pressed gain  power  over  their 
own  lives; 

•  Address  the  root  causes  of 
poverty;  and 

•  Transform  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.),  its  self- 
imderstanding  and  its  relation- 
ship to  the  community. 

Grants  from  the  synod's  por- 
tion of  the  Speer  Trust  Fund 
normally  range  from  $1,000  to 
$13,000,  depending  on  need, 
sources  of  funding  and  the 
number  of  grant  proposals 
which  receive  highest  ranking 
by  the  committee.  In  1993  there 
were  76  requests  totaling 
$651,241. 

Applications  for  1994  will 
be  mailed  to  the  churches  in 
the  synod.  These  must  be  re- 
turned to  the  synod  office  by 
September.  The  committee  will 
review  the  applications  in  the 
fall  and  payments  will  start  in 
January  1995. 

The  Speer  Trust  is  a  be- 
quest from  the  estate  of  George 
I.  and  Lizzie  F.  Speer  of 
.  Wilmington,  Del.  Received  in 
1985,  it  has  grown  to  over  $9.5 
million  and  yields  more  than 
$500,000  per  year.  Fifty-five 
percent  of  the  annual  earnings 
are  awarded  to  projects  in  New 
Castle  Presbs^ery .  The  remain- 
der is  distributed  through  the 
PC(USA)  and  the  synod. 

The  programs  receiving 
synod  grants  for  1993  were: 

Extended  Day  Care  Outreach 
sponsored  by  Sargent  Memorial  Church 
of  Washington,  D.C.,  and  Saint  Mark's 
Church  of  Rockville,  Md.,  (National 
Capital),  $5,000; 


Cypress  Summer  Enrichment, 

Cameron,  N.C.,  (Coastal  Carolina), 
$1,000; 

Partners  for  Empowerment, 

Light  Street  Church,  Baltimore,  Md., 
(Baltimore),  $1,200; 

"Inside  At  Last!"  Campbell  Me- 
morial Church,  Weems,  Va.,  (James), 
to  provide  inside  toilet  facilities  for 
families  in  rural  areas,  $1,000; 

Serve,  Inc.,  Manassas,  Va.,  (Na- 
tional Capital),  life  skills  training  pro- 
gram, $2,500; 

Charles  City/New  Kent  Bi- 
County  Council,  Providence  Forge, 
Va.,  (James),  Taking  Unlimited  Lit- 
eracy to  Individual  People  (TULIP), 
$4,000; 

Downtown  Cluster  of  Congre- 
gations, Washington,  D.C.,  (National 
Capital),  Homeless  Service  Unit, 
$3,000; 

WomenVictim  Assisted  Hous- 
ing Project,  Ginter  Park  Church,  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  (James),  $4,000; 

Interfaith  Infant  Mortality  Pre- 
vention Project,  Virginia  Council  of 
Churches,  Richmond,  Va.,  (James), 
$1,000; 

Oakland  Tutoring  Program, 

Oakland  Church,  Laurel,  Md.,  (Na- 
tional Capital),  $2,000; 

Family  Care  Center,  Hickory, 
N.C.,  (Western  North  CaroUna),  $5,000; 

Rowan  Helping  Ministries  Bud- 
get Counseling,  First  Church, 
Salisbury,  N.C.,  (Salem),  $1,000; 

Latchkey  Care  Program, 
Crestwood  Church,  Richmond,  Va., 
(James),  $5,000 

Young  Women's  Presbyterian 
Fellowship  Group,  Saint  Paul's 
Church,  Laurinburg,  N.C.,  (New  Hope), 
Challenge  grant  of  $3,000  if  church  can 
raise$l,500; 

Bethesda  Interfaith  Housing 
Coalition,  Bethesda,  Md.,  (National 
Capital),  $5,000; 

Tazewell  County  Holistic  Lit- 
eracy Education  Program,  Lebanon, 
Va.,  (Abingdon),  in  partnership  with 
United  Way  of  Southern  Virginia, 
$5,000; 

Good  Samaritan  House,  Grove 
Church,  Aberdeen,  Md.,  (Baltimore), 
$1,800; 

A-STEP  Program,  Churches  for 
Urban  Ministries,  Lynchburg,  Va., 
(Peaks),  $1,000; 

Roanoke  Island  Presbyterian 
Day  Care  Home,  Manteo,  N.C.,  (New 
Hope),  $2,500; 


/"Tv^/O  Rappahannock 
^VVU  Westminster- 
Canterbury 


A  life  care  retirement  community  related  to  the  Presbyterian 
and  Episcopal  Churches,  located  in  historic  Tidewater  Virginia. 
Visit  us! 

10  Lancaster  Drive,  Irvington,  VA  22480  (804)  438-4000 


Phoenix  House,  Durham  (N.C.) 

Council,  (New  Hope), 
$2,500; 

Loaves  and  Fishes  Parent  Sup- 
port Group,  Saint  Andrew's  Church, 
Raleigh,  N.C,  (New  Hope),  $1,000; 

Youth  Outreach  Program, 
Westminster  Church,  Washington, 
D.C.,  (National  Capital),  $4,000; 

Salvation  Army  Day  Care  Cen- 
ter for  Homeless  Children, 
Charlottesville,  Va.,  (James),  $3,000; 

Job  Services  Program,  Good 
Shepherd  Ministries,  Wilmington,  N.C, 
(Coastal  Carolina),  $2,000; 

Vietnamese  Refugee  Adjust- 
ment Assistance  Program,  Korean 
Church,  Rockville,  Md. ,  (National  Capi- 
tal), $1,000; 

Hospitality  House  of  Asheville, 
Inc.,  Asheville,  N.C,  (Western  North 
Carolina),  $3,000; 

Grace  Presbyterian  Church 
Tutoring  Program,  Baltimore,  Md., 
(Baltimore)  $1,000; 

Latino  Outreach  Project,  Com- 
munity Ministries  of  Rockville,  Md., 
(National  Capital),  $3,000; 

Hay-Branson  Bridges  II,  High- 
land Church,  Fayetteville,  N.C, 
(Coastal  Carolina),  $3,000; 

Project  Emmaus,  Urban  Minis- 
tries of  High  Point,  Inc.,  First  Church, 
High  Point,  N.C,  (Salem),  $4,000; 

Homeless  Shelter  Support 
Transitional  Housing,  First  Church, 
Cumberland,  Md.,  (National  Capital), 
$2,000; 

Intervention  Housing,  First 
Church,  Cumberland,  Md.,  (National 
Capital),  $2,000; 

Covenant  Homes  Interfaith 
Partnership  for  Transitional  Hous- 
ing, (jrovans  Ecumenical  Development 
Corporation,  Baltimore,  Md.,  (Balti- 
more), $2,000; 

Parent  Training  for  Low-In- 
come Families,  Sycamore  Pre-School, 
Chapel  Hill,  N.C,  (New  Hope),  $3,000; 

Presbytery  of  the  Peaks  Clus- 
ter II  Habitat  Program, 
Christiansburg  Church,  Christian- 
sburg,  Va.,  (Peaks)  $3,500;  and 

Interfaith  Advisory  Council  to 
Superintendent  of  Charlotte/ 
Mecklenburg  (N.C.)  Schools, 
Mecklenburg  Ministries,  (Charlotte), 
$1,000. 

Members  of  the  synod's 
Speer  Trust  Fund  Committee 
are:  The  Rev.  Kenneth  Steal- 
ing (Charlotte),  Mr.  Murray 
Milner  (James),  Mr.  Jay 
Barton  (Peaks),  the  Rev.  Tho- 
mas Hay  (Abingdon),  Ms.  Ethel 
Purvis  (Coastal  Carolina),  the 
Rev.  Eugene  Soud  (Eastern 
Virginia),  Ms.  Mary  Jane 
Patterson  (National  Capital), 
Ms.  Mary  Scott  Best  (New 
Hope),  Mr.  Arthur  Edington 
(Western  North  Carolina), 
Mrs.  Barbara  McEwing,  chair 
(New  Castle). 

Currently  there  are  vacan- 
cies on  the  committee  from 
Baltimore,  Salem  and  Shenan- 
doah presbyteries.  The  Rev. 
Rosalind  Banbury-Hamm 
serves  as  staff. 


Chesapeake  Center  is  a  ministry  of  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic,  PC(USA). 


Chesapeake  Center 

means  Christian  camps  and 
conferences.  It  is  a  place  where,  by 
the  Grace  of  God,  individuals  come 
together  in  community.  It  is  a  place 
apart  from  daily  routine  and 
responsibility,  where  they  may 
Study,  work  and  play  toward  a 
greater  realization  of  their  skills  and 
potentials. 

For  more  information,  contact 
Chesapeake  Center, 
50  Happy  Valley  Rd. 
Port  Deposit,  MD  21904 
Phone  (410)  378-2267 


Youth  from  three  presbyteries  participate  in  pilot 
program  to  help  them  prepare  for  career  counseling. 

Counseling  service  starts 
pilot  program  for  youth 


BROWN'S  SUMMIT,  N.C— 
Fifteen  youth  from  three  pres- 
bs^eries  recently  participated 
in  a  pilot  program  designed  to 
help  prepare  them  for  career- 
counseling. 

Sue  Setzer,  associate  direc- 
tor of  the  Career  and  Personal 
Counseling  Service  (CPCS), 
initiated  the  program.  The 
youth,  seventh  through  tenth 
graders,  came  from  Charlotte, 
Salem  and  Western  North 
Carolina  presbyteries. 

"Public  schools  often  pres- 
sure young  people  to  select 
career  paths  long  before  they 
are  ready,"  said  Setzer.  "The 
church  has  a  unique  opportu- 
nity to  invite  youth  to  reflect 
on  their  God-given  gifts,  to 
examine  the  needs  in  the  world, 
and  to  explore  ways  to  connect 
their  faith  with  life  decisions, 
both  now  and  in  the  future." 

Setzer  met  in  May  1993  with 
youth  leaders  from  the  three 
presb5^eries.  They  agreed  to 
design  and  test  a  vocational 
readiness  retreat  that  could  be 
revised  and  used  by  presbji;er- 
ies  and  congregations. 

During  the  Jan.  28-29  pilot 
retreat,  the  15  youth  went 
through  the  program  and  of- 
fered critiques  that  will  be  used 
to  revise  it. 

A  GIFTS  acrostic  focused 
creative  learning  experiences 
around  "Finding  Your  Gifts," 
according  to  Setzer.  The  five 
steps  were  summarized  in 
these  terms:  Go  to  God;  Iden- 
tify your  gifts;  Find  the  needs; 
Test  the  values;  and  Seize  the 
day! 

Music,  games,  collages, 
Bible  study,  group  discussions, 


and  crafts  were  used  to  help 
the  youth  consider  God's  call 
in  their  gifts  and  the  world's 
needs. 

Copies  of  the  GIFTS  cur- 
riculum will  be  available  in 
May  through  the  CPCS  offices 
in  Charlotte  and  Laurinburg, 
N.C. 

While  targeted  to  ninth 
graders,  adpated  materials 
have  been  used  effectively  with 
eighth  and  tenth  graders. 
Setzer  said  the  pilot  program 
discovered  the  importance  of 
keeping  age  groups  together. 

The  retreat  can  be  used  to 
help  any  group  of  young  people 
understand  their  vocation  now 
and  in  the  future.  Also,  it  can 
help  prepare  them  for  the 
CPCS'  more  intensive,  indi- 
vidualized, two-day  program 
of  career  counseling  from  a 
Christian  perspective. 

In  addition  to  Setzer,  those 
who  planned  the  program  are 
Jacqueline  Hada  of  Newell 
(N.C.)  Church,  the  Rev.  Rob- 
ert Hinman  of  Lowell  (N.C.) 
Church,  Ed  Lutz  of  Third 
Church  of  Charlotte,  Ida 
McCaskill  of  Highland  Church 
in  Winston-Salem,  and  Lynn 
Thomas  of  Rocky  River  Church 
in  Concord. 

For  more  information  con- 
tact any  of  the  planners.  Mrs. 
Setzer's  office  phone  number 
in  Charlotte  is  (704)  523-7751. 
The  address  is  4108  Park  Rd., 
Suite  200,  Charlotte,  NC 
28209. 

The  Career  and  Personal 
Counseling  Service  is  a  minis- 
try of  the  Ssmod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic. 


The  nr 


X  his  summer — or  any  time  you're  at 
Montreat  for  a  conference,  retreat  or 
vacation — consider  stajong  at  the 

William  Black  Lodge 

For  more  information,  write  or  call 
P.O.  Box  819,  Montreat.  NC  28757  •  (704)  669-6314 


§  filled  with  events  with  a  multicultur£m^^n|iiiDpening  night  participants  will  be  welcomed  with  a  Festival  to  break 
rations  and  snacks  from  the  four  corners  of  the  earth.  A  conference  highlight  will  be  our  exploration  of  the  play  of  God's 
Ifthrough  International  Games  Day.  This  event  will  include  games  like  "Ikri-kukri"  (an  Indian  hopscotch  game)  or"Quien  Es" 
JFiile).  Everyone  is  sure  to  have  a  great  time  playing  some  less  known  games  like  these  and  learning  about  the  people  and 
^from.  A  night  of  on-stage  laughter  and  fun  is  part  of  Surprise  Night.  During  afternoon  Interest  Options,  international  folk  dance, 
music  and  instruments  from  around  the  world,  foreign  films,  and  worldwide  recreation  will  be  offered.  Participants  may  also  have  the  opportunity  to  play 
Softball,  tennis,  or  basketball  or  swim  in  the  pool  during  the  afternoons.  The  Earth  Dance  will  definitely  shake  the  ground  as  participants  move  to  both 
contemporary  and  international  tunes.  Back  Home  groups  will  process  their  experiences  daily  at  Evening  Devotions. 


'Hands-on'Workshops  will  be  the  most  exciting  feature  of  the  conference  developing  the  theme.  Youth  and  adult  participants  will  have  the  opportunity 
to  experience  interrelated  elements  of  faith,  art,  history,  food,  language  and  music,  as  well  as  other  aspects  of  several  cultures  of  their  choice. 
Participants  will  also  have  the  opportunity  to  relate  with  workshop  directors  who  are  natives  of  the  nations  they  represent.  Before  each  session, 
conferees  will  gather  for  a  Theme  Presentation  after  which  they  will  attend  their  individually  selected  workshops. 


AljciaWilson-Eagletown,OK 

Where  do  Native  Americans  live  today?  How  are 
tribes  different?  Explore  Native  American  history 
through  stories,  songs,  games  and  dances  like 
the  Choctaw  Snake  Dance.  Learn  Native 
American  hymns  sung  in  traditional  languages. 

Jerman  Disasa  -  Columbia,  SC 

Gain  insights  into  the  Ethiopian  people  through 
their  Oromo  and  Kushiti  languages,  traditional 
stories,  spiritual  songs  and  games.  These  cultural 
and  biblical  perspectives  will  guide  our  exploration 
of  environmental  interdependence. 


Hui  Bing  Kennedy  -  Atlanta,  GA 

Practice  the  art  of  Chinese  character  writing,  learn 
to  eat  with  chopsticks,  and  explore  the  Great  Wall 
and  other  elements  of  China's  history.  Through 
Chinese  paper  cuts  and  a  Chinese  hymn  discover 
today's  church  in  China. 


Fiammetta  Rivers  -  Chicago,  IL 

Create  Venice  Carnival  masks  for  20  regions  of 
Italy.  While  exploring  the  differences  between 
northern  and  southern  Italy,  discover  how  the 
Catholic  Church  has  influenced  Italian  Culture. 


COLUM.'Bm 

Rori  Corales  -  Bloomfield,  NJ 

Greet  each  other  with  basic  Spanish  phrases  and 
taste  a  variety  of  foods.  Through  geographic 
games  discover  the  other  America  in  this  overview 
of  Hispanic  cultures.  Explore  the  identity, 
personality,  and  theology  of  Latin  Americans. 

Dorothy  Akoto  -  Atlanta,  GA 

Through  the  game  of  Oware,  the  craft  of  making 
paper  beads,  and  foods  like  Jollof  Rice  or  Wache, 
experience  this  West  African  Nation.  In  song  and 
story,  share  in  their  Ewe  language. 


Marianna  Kiraly  -  Princeton,  NJ 

Enjoy  Gulyas  soup.  Sing  some  familiar  hymns 
in  Hungarian.  Explore  painting  techniques  and 
symbols  used  on  church  ceilings.  Hear 
traditional  folk  tales  and  learn  Hungarian  folk 
dances  like  Csards  and  Mezosegi. 

Eunyoung  Kim  -  Davis,  CA 

Through  singing,  dancing,  games,  arts  and 
crafts  experience  the  5,000-year  Korean  history 
and  culture.  Also  hear  the  story  of  "Tok-gai- 
be,"  make  traditional  gargoyle  masks,  and  be 
challenged  by  Korean  puzzles. 


SidditionaC  Worl<:sfiops 
to  Be  announced! 


High  School  and  College  students  are  being  sought  for  important 
support  leadership  positions  in  this  conference.  Youth  Enabler 
Applications  are  available  from  the  Massanetta  Springs  Office.  The 
deadline  for  applying  is  Tuesday,  March  15th.  Each  Youth  Enabler 
accepted  will  need  to  pay  or  be  sponsored  $80.00  to  supplement 
expenses.  Applicants  will  be  notified  as  to  their  acceptance  by  March 
31  St.  The  Enabler  Team  will  arrive  on  June  1 5th  and  must  be  present  at 
both  sessions  of  the  conference.  Each  young  leader  will  have  the 
opportunity  to  grow  through  preparation  for  the  conference,  personal 
interaction  with  participants,  and  individual  leadership  training  and 
guidance  amongst  church  leaders. 


Publicity  Fliers  and  Registration  Materials  are  available  from  the  Massanetta 
Springs  Conference  Center  Office.  The  Registration  Deadline  is  Tuesday, 
May  1 7th,  1 994.  Registrations  accepted  after  the  deadline  will  require  an  additional 
$10.00  late  fee.  No  walk-in  registrations  at  the  conference. 

Participants  are  students  completing  the  6th,  7th  or  8th  grade  during  the 
school  year  before  the  conference.  Each  group  will  need  to  send  one  Adult 
Advisor  for  every  7  or  less  youth  participants.  Participating  Groups  are 
encouraged  to  help  us  build  an  ethnically  diverse  group  of  conferees. 


Contact    9v[assanetta    Springs    for    Registration  Materiats! 


S'£SSIOC\l  09CL 

Fri.  June  17th 
'til 

Mon.  June  20th 


Wed.  June  22nd 
'til 

Sat.  June  25th 


$150.00 

(includes  conference  t-shirt  .  program 
expenses.  4  days  /  3  nights  lodging.  & 
dinner  day  1  thru  breakfast  day  4) 


Massanetta  Springs  Office 

703-434-3829 
Presbynet  /  Internet 

JOHN_MAYES@pcusa.org 


Massanetta  Springs 
Conference  Center 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 


Page  8,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1994 


President  Albright  leaving  JCSU 

CHARLOTTE,  N.C.— Robert  L.  Albright,  president  of  Johnson 
C.  Smith  University,  resigned  Feb.  28  to  become  executive  vice 
president  for  research  and  programs  at  the  Educational  Testing 
Service.  Albright  has  been  at  Johnson  C.  Smith  since  1983. 
During  that  time  the  university  has  never  faced  a  deficit,  and  its 
endowment  has  grown  from  $2  milhon  to  more  than  $15  miUion. 

"For  me,"  Albright  told  the  Chronicle  of  Higher  Education, 
"this  has  probably  been  the  most  painful  decision  I've  had  to 
make.  I  really  love  my  job." 

Legerton  is  church  relations  director 

ASHEVILLE,  N.C.— Fitzhugh  (Fitz)  M.  Legerton  has  been 
named  director  of  church  relations  at  Warren  Wilson  College, 
succeeding  Dr.  Alfred  O.  Canon,  who  retired  last  fall.  Senior 
pastor  of  the  Oglethorpe  Church  in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  for  41  years, 
Legerton  served  as  moderator  of  the  Greater  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery and  president  of  the  Greater  Atlanta  Presbyterian  Minis- 
ters Association.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  Virginia  and  Princeton  Theological  Seminary. 

Benson  named  college  president 

LAURINBURG,  N.C.— Dr.  Thomas  L.  Benson,  executive  vice 
president  of  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College,  has  been  named 
president  of  Green  Mountain  College  in  Poultney,  Vt.  He  had 
been  with  St.Andrews  since  1986,  serving  as  dean  of  the  college 
and  vice  president  of  academic  affairs  before  being  named 
provost  in  1992  and  executive  vice  president  last  year.  Benson 
founded  the  Scottish  Heritage  Center  at  St.  Andrews  and 
developed  a  satellite  program  at  nearby  Sandhills  College  which 
allows  adult  students  to  return  to  college  and  complete  their 
four-year  degrees. 

African-American  scholarship  set  up 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.— Nanette  Rohan  Bearden  has  created  a 
scholarship  for  young  African  American  artists  at  Davidson 
College  in  memory  of  her  late  husband,  internationally  known 
artist  Romare  Howard  Bearden.  She  is  president  of  the  Romare 
Howard  Bearden  Foundation.  Two  $10,000  scholarships  will  be 
awarded  to  two  students  beginning  in  the  fall  of  1995. 

Former  PSCE  dean  Cook  dies 

Mary  Bascom  Cook,  60,  died  Jan.  2  at  her  home  in  Highlands, 
N.C.,  after  a  long  illness.  From  1962  to  1970,  Cook  served  as 
dean  of  students  at  the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Educa- 
tion, where  she  also  earned  a  master's  degree  in  1962. 

Schools  report  grants,  pledges 

The  Duke  Endowment  made  a  $725,000  year-end  grant  to 
Davidson  CoUege.  The  grant  will  fund  numerous  projects, 
including  renovation  of  the  Dana  Science  Building  and  further 
support  for  the  James  B.  Duke  Scholarship. 

The  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education  (PSCE) 
received  an  anonjrmous  gift  of  $160,000  designated  for  its 
general  endowment.  By  the  donor's  request,  interest  from  the 
gift  will  be  allocated  annually  for  student  scholarships,  build- 
ings and  grounds  maintenance,  and  PSCE's  Annual  Fund. 

PSCE  also  reported  that  its  board  of  trustees  has  pledged 
$150,000  to  the  annual  fund  as  a  challenge  to  others. 

Clarification:  Roger  A.  Nicholson  was  named  director  of 
professional  development  and  doctor  of  ministry  studies  at 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia. 


Customized  Tours  \ 


A  Lot  of  Scotland  and 
A  Wee  Bit  of  London 

June  13-24,  1994 

D-Day  50th  Anniversary  Tour 

August  13-27,  1994 
Retrace  the  steps  of  the  Allied  forces  on  the  Western 
Front  from  mobilization  in  England  to  the  invasion  of 
Normandy,  through  the  Battle  of  the  Bulge  and  down 
the  Rhine  into  Germany. 


Church  presents  gift  to  St.  Andrews 

John  Gilmore,  right,  pastor  of  First  Church  of  Milford,  Del.,  presents  a  $15,000  check 
from  the  church  to  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  President  Thomas  L.  Reuschling. 
Looking  on  are,  from  left,  St.  Andrews  Chaplain  David  B.  Thornton;  Lisa  Richardson, 
a  student  from  Metairie,  La.;  and  Kim  Robeson,  a  student  from  Hockessin,  Del. 


Davidson-JCSU  joint  effort  builds  community 


By  SEAN  McGREW 

Located  just  20  miles  from  each 
other,  Davidson  College  and 
Johnson  C.  Smith  University 
are  close  educational  neigh- 
bors in  many  ways,  but  worlds 
apart  in  other  ways. 

They  are  both  small  liberal 
arts  colleges  with  ties  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  and  both 
receive  significant  support 
from  the  Duke  Endowment. 
But  Davidson  is  predominantly 
white  and  Johnson  C.  Smith  is 
predominantly  black. 

There  has  traditionally  been 
little  interaction  between  stu- 
dents at  the  two  schools,  but 
this  year  professors  at  both 
schools  tried  to  begin  that  pro- 
cess through  a  jointly  spon- 
sored academic  course  in  "Com- 
munity Building:  Charlotte." 

Early  last  spring,  Davidson 
professors  Clark  Ross,  chair  of 
the  economics  department,  and 
Janet  Shannon,  assistant  pro- 
fessor of  sociology,  approached 


Bob  Sulek,  rector  of  the  Hon- 
ors College  at  Johnson  C. 
Smith,  about  creating  a  jointly 
sponsored  interdisciplinary 
class. 

Sulek  recruited  Maxine 
Moore,  a  specialist  in  African- 
American  literature  and 
Johnson  C.  Smith's  vice  presi- 
dent for  academic  affairs,  to 
round  out  the  teaching  team 
from  Smith. 

The  interdisciplinary  semi- 
nar course,  which  currently 
enrolls  13  students  from  Dav- 
idson and  eight  from  Johnson 
C.  Smith's  Honors  Program, 
focuses  on  the  needs  and  re- 
sponses of  Charlotte  residents 
and  is  intended  to  promote  in- 
teraction between  Davidson 
and  Johnson  C.  Smith  by  ad- 
dressing a  common  interest. 

The  professors  felt  that  the 
course  should  be  practical  and 
involve  students  in  the  com- 
munity which  they  would 
study.  The  course  was  designed 
with  the  further  purpose  of 


presenting  the  students,  who 
are  potential  community  lead- 
ers, with  perspective  and 
understanding  of  urban  issues. 

The  seminar  involves  lec- 
ture and  discussion  sessions 
led  by  the  professors  of  both 
schools  and  visiting  lecturers. 
Through  shared  class  time  and 
group  assignments,  Davidson 
and  Smith  students  have  de- 
veloped a  rapport  and  growing 
friendships. 

Most  enjoy  the  academic 
study  of  the  emotional  human 
issues  they  are  experiencing 
first  hand  in  Charlotte. 

Ross  emphasized  the  double- 
school  nature  of  the  program, 
which,  he  said,  is  "clearly  a 
success."  He  continued,  "I  thdnk 
we've  shown  that  you  can  over- 
come 20  miles  of  distance. 

"Students  from  different 
universities  can  work  in  the 
same  classroom  and  benefit.  It 
just  takes  a  little  bit  of  extra 
initiative,"  said  Ross. 


Campus  ministry  corner 


Building  trust  over  time  pays  dividends 


By  BOB  HAYWOOD 

Trust — isn't  it  incredible  how 
important  trust  is?  Nineteen 
ninety-three  brought  one  small 
but  significant  dividend  to  13 
years  of  building  relationships 
at  the  University  of  North 
Carolina  at  Wilmington 
(UNCW)  by  the  staff  of  the 
United  Christian  Campus  Min- 
istry. 

I  came  to  UNCW  in  1980 
and  from  the  very  beginning 
sought  to  become  acquainted 
with  students,  faculty  and 
staff.  For  a  while  I  was  the  only 
full-time  campus  minister  at 
UNCW  wliich  made  access 
much  easier.  It  also  helped  that 
I  was  an  interdenominational 
campus  minister  and  did  not 
represent  one  certain  agenda. 

The  result  is  that  over  the 
years  members  of  the  univer- 
sity staff,  faculty  and  adminis- 
tration have  come  to  under- 
stand what  United  Campus 
Ministry  is  all  about  and  to 
trust  not  only  me  but  the 
agenda  of  United  Christian 
Campus  Ministry  (UCCM). 


They  know  that  UCCM  is  con- 
cerned for  the  well-being  of  the 
university  and  its  people. 

In  1993,  the  university's 
chancellor,  Dr.  James  Leutze, 
resolved  to  deal  head-on  with 
race-related  issues  that  were 
surfacing  on  the  UNCW  cam- 
pus. He  selected  eight  persons 
to  bring  to  him  within  six  weeks 
specific  recommendations 
about  how  university  policies 
and  procedures  could  be 
changed  to  allow  minority  stu- 
dents to  feel  more  included, 
comfortable  and  accepted. 

I  was  invited  to  be  one  of 
those  task  force  members  and 
have  participated  in  what  has 
become  a  two-stage  effort  to 
address  the  systemic  issues  re- 
lated to  racial  problems.  These 
include  not  only  hiring  policies 
but  also  hiring  procedures; 
which  include  faculty  attitudes 
in  establishing  the  classroom 
environment;  which  include 
the  way  residence  hall  students 
are  assigned  their  rooms  and 
minority  students  are  assigned 
their  classes. 

An  African-American  cul- 


tural center  is  in  the  works, 
and  I  am  involved  in  that  pro- 
cess. 

In  addition,  the  vice  chan- 
cellor of  student  affairs  is  de- 
termined to  begin  a  campus- 
wide  conversation  among  fac- 
ulty, staff  and  students — all 
the  way  from  the  chancellor  to , 
the  grounds  keepers — discuss- 
ing and  creating  a  university 
values  statement.  Dr.  Bryan, 
vice  president  for  student  af- 
fairs, has  asked  me  to  serve  as 
coordinator  of  that  effort. 

The  point  is  that  one  way  of 
doing  campus  ministry  is  to  in- 
vest years  in  one  place  that  will 
allow  the  development  of  the  kind 
of  trust  which  opens  doors  to 
places  where  decisions  are  made 
affecting  the  lives  and  values  of 
students.  This  is  only  one  piece  of 
ministry,  but  it  is  a  piece  that  has 
come  of  age. 

Bob  Haywood  is  campus 
minister  at  UNC -Wilmington, 
one  of  42  campus  ministries 
supported  through  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 


For  informotion  and  reservations,  contact: 
Brace  Frye  at  (800)  672-6696 

Travel  Time,  Inc. 

M|pQ  S.  Main  St.,  Laurinburg,  NC. 28352 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March 


Jane  Spahr  to  speak  in  Asheville 

ASHEVILLE,  N.C. — Jane  Adams  Spahr  will  be  keynote  speaker 
for  a  symposium  to  be  held  Saturday,  March  19,  at  Grace 
Covenant  Church  in  Asheville.  The  Asheville  Religious  Net- 
work for  Gay  and  Lesbian  Equality  (ARNGLE)  will  sponsor  the 
event.  Henry  Hansen,  a  retired  PC(USA)  minister  and  chair  of 
ARNGLE,  said  the  organization  invited  Dr.  Spahr  to  speak  in 
hopes  that  Presbyterian  ministers,  ministers  of  other  denomi- 
nations, rabbis,  church  leaders,  and  gay  and  lesbian  persons 
and  their  families  might  engage  in  the  type  of  dialogue  recom- 
mended by  the  205th  General  Assembly  of  the  PC(USA). 

Dr.  Spahr,  a  Presbyterian  minister  and  a  lesbian,  was  called 
to  serve  the  Downtown  Church  of  Rochester,  N.Y.,  in  November 
1991.  Appeals  to  presbytery  and  synod  upheld  her  call,  but  it 
was  set  aside  last  year  by  the  Permanent  Judicial  Commission 
of  the  General  Assembly.  The  session  of  Downtown  Church  of 
Rochester  then  created  and  funded  a  new  position  for  Dr.  Spahr 
so  that  she  might  travel  across  the  nation  and  speak  on  the 
issues  facing  the  church  and  the  homosexual  community,  espe- 
cially the  ordination  of  homosexuals. 

While  in  the  Asheville  area.  Dr.  Spahr  is  also  scheduled  to 
preach  March  20  during  the  Sunday  morning  service  at  Trinity 
Church  in  Hendersonville. 

Recreation  Workshop  is  May  2-7 

MONTREAT,  N.C— The  Annual  Recreation  Workshop  (ARW) 
of  the  PC(USA)  will  celebrate  41  years  of  training  people  in  the 
area  of  recreational  ministry  here  May  2-7.  Basic  leadership 
skills  in  the  area  of  recreation  leadership,  puppetry,  stor3d;elling, 
song  leading,  camping,  folk  dancing  and  crafts  will  be  taught. 
Additional  courses  in  theology,  church  family  recreation,  recre- 
ation with  children  and  the  recreative  spirit  vdll  also  be  offered. 

The  workshop  is  cosponsored  and  planned  by  the  ARW 
Steering  Committee  and  the  Montreat  Conference  Center. 
Glenn  Q.  Bannerman  of  Montreat  is  this  year's  director.  Regis- 
tration is  limited  to  200. 

For  more  information  contact  Kathy  Emerson,  registrar,  at 
1535  Alexander  Rd.,  Rock  Hill  SC  29732,  or  Bannerman  at  P.O. 
Box  399,  Montreat,  NC  28757,  phone  (704)  669-7323. 

Self-Development  seeks  proposals 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic's  Self-Development  of  People 
(SDOP)  Committee  is  seeking  grant  proposals  for  1994.  These 
must  come  from  grassroot  community  groups  which  are  en- 
gaged or  would  like  to  be  engaged  in  disassembling  poverty  and 
oppression  and  empowering  those  who  are  poor,  oppressed  and 
disadvantaged. 

SDOP  funds,  which  come  from  a  percentage  of  the  One  Great 
Hour  of  Sharing  Offering,  are  approved  only  for  projects  de- 
signed and  controlled  by  the  communities  that  benefit  from  the 
projects.  The  deadline  for  1994  funding  proposals  is  March  30. 
For  more  information  contact  the  Rev.  Warren  L.  Lesane  Jr.  in 
the  synod  office,  phone  (804)  342-0016. 

CROP'S  first  director  Metzler  dies 

John  D.  Metzler,  first  executive  director  of  Christian  Rural 
Overseas  Program  (CROP),  died  Dec.  20  in  Beaverton,  Ore.,  at 
the  age  of  95.  He  oversaw  the  collection  of  tens  of  millions  of 
dollars'  worth  of  bulk  quantities  of  grain  and  other  foodstuff's  in 
America  to  help  meet  the  most  urgent  needs  in  World  War  II- 
damaged  countries. 

CROP  was  founded  in  1947  as  an  historic  effort  between 
Catholic  Relief  Service,  Lutheran  World  Relief  and  Church 
World  Service.  In  1952,  sponsorship  reverted  to  the  latter 
organization,  which  is  affiliated  with  the  National  Council  of 
Churches.  Metzler  headed  CROP  from  1947  to  1954.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Church  of  the  Brethren. 

Lay  ministry  conference  April  24-27 

MONTREAT,  N.C— Participants  in  the  Ministry  of  the  Laity  in 
Daily  Life  Conference  here  April  24-27  will  seek  to  discover  how 
God  is  at  work  in  their  lives  and  in  the  world.  "Conference 
leadership  and  conferees  will  discover  how  the  world  is  a 
seamless  tapestry  of  work,  home,  leisure,  church  and  commu- 
nity, and  how  God  calls  them  to  minister  in  all  aspects  of  their 
lives,"  said  Montreat  spokesperson  Pat  Winebrenner. 

Keynote  speakers  for  the  event  are  Beth  Johnson,  associate 
professor  of  New  Testament  at  New  Brunswick  Theological 
Seminary;  Rodger  Nishioka,  associate  for  youth  leadership 
development  with  the  PC(USA);  and  Nan  White,  pastor  of  Mt. 

Ii  Horeb  Church  of  Lexington,  Ky.  For  more  information,  contact 
the  Montreat  Program  Office  at  (800)  572-2257. 
'Beeman  named  ambassador 

President  Bill  Clinton  has  appointed  Josiah  Beeman  U.S.  Am- 
bassador to  New  Zealand  and  Western  Samoa.  Beeman  was  an 
original  member  of  the  General  Assembly  Council  following 
Presbyterian  reunion  in  1983.  He  is  a  political  consultant  in 
Washington,  D.C 

McMillan  chairs  national  group 

The  Rev.  Charles  E.  McMillan  of  Washington,  D.C,  director  of 
:the  Presbyterian  Council  for  Chaplains  and  Armed  Forces 
Personnel,  has  been  elected  chairperson  of  the  National  Confer- 
ence on  Ministry  to  the  Armed  Forces.  More  than  230  religious 
bodies  participate  in  the  national  conference,  which  was  founded 
[an  1982. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 

GAC  responds  to  'Re-Imagining' 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 

Presbyterian  News  Service 

DALLAS,  Texas— Working 
late  into  the  night  of  Feb.  15, 
the  General  Assembly  Council 
voted  36-20  to  adopt  a  response 
to  the  Re-imagining  Confer- 
ence. 

The  six-page  statement, 
with  seven  recommendations, 
was  approved  with  only  minor 
editorial  changes  and  one  de- 
letion. A  sentence  reading 
"When  we  reflect ...  on  certain 
statements  and  rituals  of  the 
Re-imagining  Conference  and 
some  of  the  responses  to  it,  we 
are  clear  that  the  boundaries 
of  the  Reformed  faith  have  been 
stretched  or  exceeded." 

That  sentence  was  chal- 
lenged by  several  council  mem- 
bers as  ambiguous  and  pejora- 
tive. Ecumenical  delegate 
StuaH  Brown  reminded  the 
council  that  one  of  the  pur- 
poses of  ecumenical  gatherings 
is  to  stretch  the  thinking  of 
participants.  By  a  wide  mar- 
gin, council  members  voted  for 


the  deletion. 

The  statement  recommends: 

•  a  review  of  procedures  for 
Bicentennial  Fund  allocations 
and  greater  involvement  by  the 
council  in  allocation  decisions; 

•  a  review  of  personnel  poli- 
cies with  particular  attention 
to  provisions  governing  the 
relationship  between  staff 
members'  personal  views  and 
General  Assembly  policy; 

•  that  the  aforementioned 
review  give  special  attention 
to  the  role  of  staff  members  in 
the  ongoing  debate  about  the 
place  of  gay  and  lesbian  per- 
sons in  the  church; 

•  identification  of  resources 
that  will  assist  the  church  in 
studying  and  talking  about 
theological  issues  raised  by  the 
controversy  about  the  confer- 
ence; 

•  establishment  of  listening 
teams  that  will  fan  out  across 
the  church  to  conduct  "a  min- 
istry of  listening  and  dialogue 
with  members  and  groups 
throughout  the  church;" 

•  that  all  Presbyterians 


"study  and  make  diligent  use 
of  the  Guidelines  for  Presbyte- 
rians During  Times  of  Dis- 
agreement;" and 

•  that  the  council  call  on  all 
Presbyterians  to  pray  for  the 
peace,  unity  and  purity  of  the 
church. 

Earlier  the  same  day,  after 
an  executive  session  lasting 
more  than  two  hours,  the  GAC 
voted  32-31  to  take  no  action 
on  an  executive  committee  rec- 
ommendation that  a  review  be 
undertaken  "to  ascertain  the 
suitability  of  Mary  Ann  Lundy 
to  continue  in  her  present  po- 
sition." The  vote  was  taken  by 
secret  ballot. 

Lundy,  associate  director  of 
planning  for  the  General  As- 
sembly Council  and  former  di- 
rector of  the  Women's  Minis- 
try Unit,  has  been  the  Presby- 
terian national  staff  member 
most  under  fire  by  critics  of 
denominational  involvement 
in  the  conference. 

She  served  as  a  liaison  to 
the  ecumenical  conference 
planning  team. 


'Re-lmagininc 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— They 
sound  like  they  attended  two 
different  events.  And,  in  a  way, 
they  did. 

For  Marjorie  Mackey,  a 
member  of  Calvin  Church  in 
Louisville  and  a  leader  in  Pres- 
byterian Women  (PW)  in  her 
church  and  presbytery,  and  the 
Rev.  Sharon  Sauer,  associate 
pastor  of  Carmichael  (Calif.) 
Church,  the  Nov.  4-7  "Re- 
Imagining"  conference  in  Min- 
neapolis couldn't  have  been 
more  different. 

With  the  uproar  over  Pres- 
byterian involvement  in  the 
ecumenical  conference  grow- 
ing in  volume  and  intensity, 
the  Presbyterian  News  Service 
spoke  with  Mackey  and  Sauer 
in  separate  interviews  Jan.  14. 

Mackey,  who  has  served  on 
Louisville  Presbytery's  PW 
Coordinating  Team  for  more 
than  10  years,  described  a  gath- 


'  experiences 

ering  in  which  there  was  "only 
one  voice  and  if  you  were  in 
disagreement  you  were  made 
to  feel  out  of  place."  She  said 
she  felt  "not  only  uncomfort- 
able but  ostracized." 

Sauer,  on  the  other  hand, 
said  she  "grew  immensely,"  de- 
scribing the  event  as  "a  model 
of  inclusion  for  those  who  feel 
excluded.  It  was  a  powerful 
experience  to  be  in  a  place 
where  everyone's  story  counts 
and  everybody's  journey  is  part 
of  the  answer"  in  the  search  for 
meaningful  Christian  faith. 

Mackey  said  she  attended 
the  conference  to  be  informed 
about  current  trends  in 
women's  theological  thought. 

Sauer  went  "out  of  my  own 
Reformed  tradition  to  learn 
more  about  how  to  be  faithful 
in  the  midst  of  all  this  social 
and  theological  ferment." 

While  Mackey  said  she 


vary  greatly 

doesn't  use  words  like  'pagan' 
and  'heres/  (descriptions  that 
have  often  been  used  by  critics 
of  the  conference),  she  de- 
scribed the  worship  services  of 
the  conference  as  avant-garde 
and  creative. 

"The  intention  may  have 
been  to  blend  radically  new 
and  traditional  images  of  God 
and  Christianity,  but  I  don't 
see  how  it  can  be  done,"  Mackey 
said.  She  heard  "sweeping 
changes  proposed  that  would 
fundamentally  alter  the  na- 
ture of  Christian  faith  and 
which  are  also  against  the  Soo^ 
of  Order." 

Sauer  agreed  that  the  con- 
ference "pushed  people  to  the 
edges,  but  it  solidified  my  faith 
and  ministry."  The  conference 
"challenged  folk  to  do  the  deep 
exploration  of  Christian  faith 
that  the  church  usually  isn't 
very  good  at  doing  ... ." 


Peacemaking  plans  'Alternatives  to  Violence' 


Building  skills  to  address  vio- 
lence in  families,  in  churches, 
in  communities  and  in  the  in- 
ternational arena  is  the  focus 
of  the  13th  annual  peacemak- 
ing conference  this  summer, 
according  to  Richard  Killmer, 
director  of  the  Presbyterian 
Peacemaking  Program. 

"Peacemaking:  Alternatives 
to  Violence"  will  take  place  Aug. 
14-18  at  the  Montreat  Confer- 
ence Center  and  will  feature 
presentations  by: 

Marie  Fortune,  executive  di- 
rector of  the  Center  for  the 
Prevention  of  Sexual  and  Do- 
mestic Violence  in  Seattle, 
Wash.; 


PEW  REFINISHING  *  CARPET 
PEWS  *  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 


E.  C.  Moore  &  Co.,  Inc. 
P.O.  Box  524  -  Monroe,  N.C.  281 1 
704-289-581 7  •  704-289-1 599-Home 


Hanna  Knaz,  an  Israeli 
peace  activist  and  co-founder 
of  Women  in  Black;  and 

George  Tinker,  a  Native 
American  theologian  and  as- 
sociate professor  of  cross-cul- 
tural ministries  at  Iliff  School 
of  Theology  in  Denver. 

Peace  education  programs 
will  be  available  for  children 
and  youth.  Hedda  Sharapan, 
associate  producer  of  "Mister 
Rogers'  Neighborhood,"  will 
lead  "Building  Our  Neighbor- 
hood," a  three-day  workshop 
for  parents  and  children  on 

FREE  ESTIMATES 

•Custom  Aluminum  Frames 

•  Fiberglass  Baptistries  &  Steeples 

•Church  Furniture 

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COMPANY,  INC. 

P.O.  Box  67  Phone 
Harmony.  N.C.  28634         (  704J  546-26t*7 


creating  a  non-violent  neigh- 
borhood. 

Worship  leaders  will  be 
Sibley  Towner,  professor  of  bib- 
lical interpretation  at  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  Vir- 
ginia; and  Tinker. 

The  registration  deadline  is 
June  20  with  discounts  avail- 
able for  those  who  register  be- 
fore June  1.  Registration  bro- 
chures are  available  now  by 
calling  Distribution  Manage- 
ment Services  at  (800)  524- 
2612,  specifying  item  #259-93- 
943. 

Amazing  90  min.  rfATiTri 
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Message! 

Discover  the  best  way  to  study  the 
scriptures.  NEW  instructive  cassette 
satisfies  desire  for  deeper  understanding. 
God's  secrets  revealed.  Helpful  drawings 
&  notes  too!  Entire  package-  only  4.95. 
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FageiO,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1994 


Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 

-.4.- 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCREDtTATION 
OF  SEIfVICES  FOR  FAMIUES 
AND  CHIIDKN.  INC 


Special  people  spread  cheer 


The  children,  staff  and  Board 
of  Regents  would  like  to  say  a 
special  thanks  to  all  of  the 
people  who  helped  make  the 
Holiday  Season  so  wonderful. 
They  are: 

Ruth  Alexander 
John  M.  Berry 

Bethpage  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Kannapolis — 
Senior  High  School  Group 

Carolina  Medical  Center 
Nursing  School 

Covenant  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Charlotte 

Estes  Express  Lines 

Shana  Johnson 

Penkse  Racing  in  Mooresville 

Pleasant  View  Baptist  Church 
of  Harmony 

Sue  Sherrill 

St.  Paul  Presbyterian  Church 

of  Greensboro 
Alberta  Thiele 
TPI  Restaurants,  Inc. 
Lee  Weidenhammer 
Wesley  Chapel  School 


The  gifts  in  this  photo  were  brought  to  the  front  of  the 
church  during  the  closing  hymn  on  a  Sunday  in  December 
by  members  of  the  congregation  at  St.  Paul  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Greensboro.  Church  members  (front,  1  to  r) 
Matt  Coleman  and  Matt  Thomas  and  (back)  Shannon 
Knight  and  St.  Paul's  pastor,  Dr.  David  Leininger, 
delivered  the  gifts  to  the  Home. 


...Or  SO 
it  seems 


Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

Donna  isn't  walking  this  morn- 
ing. 

Most  mornings  when  I  ar- 
rive. Donna  is  walking — shed- 
ding a  few  extra  poimds — walk- 
ing about  the  campus — but  not 
today. 

Donna  isn't  helping  the 
young  people  in  the  Prepara- 
tion for  Adult  Living  Cottage 
learn  how  to  balance  a  check- 
book, purchase  groceries,  plan 
for  getting  a  job,  apply  for  col- 
lege—not today. 

Donna  won't  come  bouncing 
through  the  office  with  that 
"ain't-life-great-smile"  and 


ANNUAL  REPORT 

FISCAL  YEAR  1993 


:r  30,  1993  $10,742,271 


SERVICES  TO  CHILDREN  AND  FAMILIES 

Residemial  Services'  FCDC  ■ 


ngth  of  Slav  (month; 
It  Center  &  Pre-Adolt 


New  tax  law 
began  Jan.  1 

For  cash  and  non-cash  gifts  of 
$250  or  more,  the  IRS  now 
requires  donors  to  have  a  "writ- 
ten acknowledgment"  or  their 
charitable  deduction  will  be 
disallowed.  Cancelled  checks 
are  no  longer  adequate. 

Also  required  in  the  "writ- 
ten acknowledgment"  is  a  state- 
ment indicating  if  the  donor 
"provided  any  goods  and  ser- 
vices in  consideration,  in  whole 
or  in  part,"  for  the  cash  or  non- 
cash contribution. 

Your  Barium  Springs  receipt 
meets  this  new  requirement.  If 
you  are  eligible  to  claim  deduc- 
tions for  charitable  gifts,  be 
sure  to  save  receipts. 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 


Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $  is  enclosed 

I  wish  to:   Honor   Remember 

Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  . 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  J,  Barium  Springs,  NC  2H0I0 


Slide  show 
available 

Need  a  30-minute  pre- 
sentation, including  a 
nine-minute  slide  pro- 
gram, at  your  Sunday 
night  suppers,  meetings 
of  the  Men's  and 
Women's  Church 
Groups,  Sunday  School 
classes,  etc.?  Call  Reade 
Baker,  Vice  President, 
Financial  Resources,  at 
(704) 872-4157  to  sched- 
ule a  presentation. 

Staff  members  are 
available  to  come  to  your 
church  or  organization, 
free  of  charge,  to  dis- 
cuss the  Home's  activi- 
ties and  answer  any 
questions.  On-campus 
tours  and  programs  are 
also  encouraged. 

You  need  to  see  this 
ministry  in  action  to 
fully  understand  how 
your  support  changes 
the  lives  of  children  and 
famihes. 


^  _4 

Donna  Elizabeth  Forte 

'New'  gift 
wish  list 

*  15-passenger  Van 

*  Automobiles 

*  Dining  Room  Table 
(seats  12) 

*  Washing  Machines  (2) 

*  Dryers  (2) 

*  2  Vacuum  Cleaners 

*  2  Twin  Mattresses 

*  2  Twin  Box  Springs 

*  Twin  Bed  Linens  and  Bed- 
spreads 

*  3  Couches 

*  2  Night  Stands 

*  1  Large  Bookcase 

*  Toiletries 

*  Towels  and  Wash 
cloths 

*  Sports  Equipment  (balls, 
gloves,  frisbees,  bats,  ping- 
pong  paddles,  balls  &  net) 

*  New  Clothes  (girls  &  boys, 
10-18  years) 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, Post  Office  Box  1, 
Barium  Springs,  N.C.,  28010- 
0001,  phone  number  704/872- 
4157. 


"let's-get-it-done-demeanor" — 
not  today. 

No — Donna  isn't  walking  j 
today — Donna  Forte,  colleague  ' 
and  friend,  died  in  her  sleep 
last  night  of  a  massive  heart 
attack.  She  was  thirty-three. 

In  the  midst  of  our  grief,  we 
must  remember  to  give  thanks 
for  her  six  years  with  us — for  if 
we  fail  to  remember,  Donna 
will  never  walk  this  campus  ; 
again. 


Donna  Elizabeth  Forte 

Donna  Elizabeth  Forte  was 
born  Aug.  11, 1960,  in  Nassau 
Co.,  N.Y.  She  died  Jan.  19, 
1994,  in  Barium  Springs,  N.C. 

A  1978  graduate  of  North- 
west Cabarrus  High  School, 
she  attended  Piedmont  Com- 
munity College  and  graduated 
in  1983  with  a  sociology  degree 
from  UNC-Chariotte. 

Donna  started  working  at 
Barium  Springs  in  October 
1988.  She  served  as  Life  Skills 
Coordinator  in  the  Prepara- 
tion for  Adult  Living  Program 
until  her  death. 

She  is  survived  by  two  broth- 
ers, Christopher  Forte  of  Char- 
lotte and  Randy  Ezell  of  Balti- 
more; and  three  nieces,  all  of 
Charlotte. 


Administrative 
positions  filled 

As  mentioned  in  the  Novem- 
ber/December 1993  page  of 
Presbs^terian  Family  Minis- 
tries, Frank  Stewart  was  wel- 
comed to  the  position  of  Direc- 
tor of  Residential  Services  in 
September.  Since  then,  one 
vacant  administrative  position 
has  been  filled  and  another  has 
been  added  to  provide  neces'- 
sary  support. 

These  two  positions  have 
been  filled  with  present  staff. 
Robert  Pinkney,  former  Night 
Supervisor  and  Interim  Direc- 
tor from  June  until  Septem- 
ber, has  assumed  the  position 
of  Assistant  Director  of  Resi- 
dential Services. 

Vaughn  McAlister,  former 
Title  I  Resource  Teacher,  has 
assumed  the  new  position  of 
Assistant  Director  of  Educa- 
tional Services. 

Joyce  Taylor,  employee  for 
six  years,  has  been  appointed 
to  the  position  of  Night  Super- 
visor. 

The  search  continues  for  a 
Title  I  Resource  Teacher. 

Stewart  said  he  looks  for- 
ward to  working  with  Pinkney, 
McAlister  and  Taylor  in  these 
new  positions,  and  feels  that 
they  will  provide  valuable 
knowledge  and  support  to  him. 


Mid-Atiantic  Presbyterian,  March 


Presbyterian  Women's  Circle  Leaders  Study  Guide— Lesson  Eigtit,  April  1994 

A  Prayer  of  Intercession 


By  ROSAMOND  McCARTY 

We  come  on  our  journey  toward  spiritual  matu- 
rity to  the  unselfish  aspect  of  our  prayers — 
intercession.  So  often  our  prayers  are  con- 
cerned with  "me  and  mine,"  but  the  Bible  spe- 
cifically urges  us  to  pray  for  others,  (see  I  Tim. 
2:1-4.) 

Harry  Emerson  Fosdick  gives  this  defini- 
tion: "Intercession  is  taking  on  your  heart  the 
same  burden  that  God  has  on  His;  it  is  joining 
our  demand  with  the  universal  desire.  In  this 
system  of  personal  life  which  makes  up  the 
moral  universe,  we  take  our  places  alongside 
God  in  an  urgent,  creative  out-pouring  of  sacri- 
ficial love." 

Intercession  is  co-operation  with  God.  George 
Mueller  has  said,  "Our 
prayers  don't  persuade  God 
to  work,  they  permit  Him 
to."  Through  the  channel  of 
prayer,  God's  power  is  re- 
leased in  a  dynamic  way  upon 
the  person  or  situation  for 
which  we  are  praying.  Con- 
versely, our  failure  to  pray 
often  blocks  that  power. 

We  are  studying  this 
month  the  greatest  interces- 
sory prayer  ever  prayed,  that 
of  Jesus  the  night  of  his  be- 
trayal and  arrest.  While  time  Rosamond 
and  space  don't  permit  an  in-  McCarty 
depth  study,  we  vidll  high- 
light several  areas  especially  pertinent  to  us. 

First  of  all,  for  whom  was  Jesus  praying?  (vs. 
2,  6-10,  20)  As  he  was  preparing  to  surrender 
his  earthly  ministry,  Jesus'  prayer  was  for 
those  who  would  continue  His  work,  the  11  He 
had  trained  and  those  throughout  the  ages  who 
would  follow  in  their  steps.  These  are  the  people 
that  God  chose  and  called  (see  6:44),  who  obeyed 
and  accepted  his  words,  and  who  believed  Jesus 
was  the  Christ.  While  our  finite  minds  cannot 
comprehend  the  interaction  between  election 
and  free  will,  we  have  the  biblical  record  that 
both  are  true.  Believing  both,  we  are  filled  with 
a  sense  of  gratitude  and  a  sense  of  responsibil- 
ity. 

Let  us  look  first  at  what  Jesus  did  not  pray 
for  His  disciples.  He  did  not  ask  that  they  be 
taken  out  of  the  world,  but  that  they  would  be 
protected  while  in  the  midst  of  it  (vs.  11, 14-16). 
As  Jesus  used  the  term  here,  the  world  is 
"human  society  organizing  itself  without  God" 
(William  Barclay).  It  does  not  refer  to  the  people 
of  the  world,  nor  to  the  created  universe,  but 
rather  to  any  system  of  thought  that  excludes 
God.  Mankind  is  trapped  in  that  dark  world 
kingdom  until  Jesus  liberates  us  and  transfers 
us  to  His  kingdom  of  light  (Col.  1:12,  13). 

We  now  have  a  new  citizenship  with  all  its 
rights  and  privileges,  but  we  also  have  a  re- 
sponsibility to  live  as  citizens  of  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven  inside  the  kingdom  of  this  world.  The 
reason  for  leaving  us  on  this  earth  after  we 
have  been  saved  is  two-fold.  First,  we  need  to 
mature  spiritually  (v.  19),  and,  secondly,  we  are 
to  be  witnesses  to  the  world  of  the  Lordship  of 
Jesus  (vs.  21  &  23). 

Now,  let's  turn  our  attention  to  what  Jesus 
did  pray  for  His  disciples.  We  have  already 


noted  that  he  prayed  for  their  protection  from 
the  evil  one  (vs.  11  &  15).  The  protection  we 
need  is  summed  up  in  the  power  of  the  "name" 
of  God,  that  is  in  His  authority  and  being.  As 
citizens  of  His  kingdom  we  can  use  the  power 
of  that  name  in  rebuking  Satan  and  in  exerting 
the  force  of  God's  love  to  destroy  hate  and  evil 
(Luke  10:19  &  Eph.  6:10-18). 

Secondly,  Jesus  prays  for  His  followers  to 
have  the  full  measure  of  his  joy  (vs.  13  &  14). 
The  world  is  consumed  with  the  pursuit  of 
happiness  which  is  based  on  external  circum- 
stances, but  the  joy  of  Jesus  is  the  inward 
satisfaction  and  abiding  peace  that  comes  in 
doing  the  Father's  will.  That  joy  is  not  dis- 
turbed by  outward  events  or  the  harassment  of 
the  world  but  becomes  even  deeper  as  we 
experience  the  world's  hate.  How  different  are 
our  prayers  for  our  loved  ones  whose  focus  is 
primarily  for  their  happiness! 

Next,  Jesus  prays  for  our  sanctification  or 
spiritual  maturity  (v.  17-19).  Sanctification  is 
both  a  setting  apart  for  service  and  a  growth 
process  that  equips  the  disciples  with  the  quali- 
ties of  mind,  heart  and  character  necessary  for 
that  service. "...  We  are  to  grow  up  into  him  who 
is  the  Head,  that  is,  Christ"  (Eph.  4:15.  See  also 
I  Peter  2:2  and  II  Peter  3:18). 

Jesus  now  prays  for  all  believers  down 
through  the  ages  to  be  one  with  Him  and  the 
Father  and  with  all  other  disciples  (vs.  20-23, 
26).  This  prayer  is  not  about  organizational 
unity,  but  is  about  a  unity  of  spirit  and  purpose. 

Richard  Foster  states  that  "union  with  God 
does  not  mean  loss  of  our  individuality.  Far 
from  causing  any  loss  of  identity,  union  brings 
about  full  personhood.  We  become  all  that  God 
created  us  to  be."  (Prayer:  Finding  the  Heart's 
True  Home,  p.  159) 

Anabel  Gillham  in  "A  Woman's  Strength" 
has  this  illustration:  "Go  get  three  envelopes  of 
graduated  sizes  and  a  small  slip  of  paper.  Now, 
on  the  largest  of  the  envelopes,  print  GOD.  On 
the  next  size  down,  print  JESUS.  On  the  small- 
est of  the  three,  print  your  name.  Then,  on  your 
slip  of  paper,  print  JESUS.  Now  take  your 
large  GOD  envelope  and  place  your  JESUS 
envelope  inside  it.  Take  the  envelope  with  your 
name  on  it  and  place  it  inside  the  JESUS 
envelope.  Now  take  the  slip  of  paper  with 
JESUS  printed  on  it  and  drop  it  into  that 
envelope  with  your  name  on  it  ...  What  an 
incredible  concept  of  God  and  His  relationship 
with  us!  Look  where  you  are!  Secure.  Safe. 
Sheltered.  Hidden.  Surrounded  by  love." 

Such  unity  with  God  the  Father  and  Jesus 
the  Son  is  bound  to  result  in  a  unity  of  love  with 
other  Christians. 

Lastly,  Jesus  prays  that  those  whom  the 
Father  has  given  Him  will  share  in  His  eternal 
glory  and  be  with  Him  forever  and  ever  (see  II 
Tim.  2:11,  12). 

In  this  lesson  we  see  there  is  no  limit  to  God's 
love  for  us.  In  perfect  obedience  to  the  Father's 
will,  Jesus  placed  us  in  His  Father's  hand  and 
went  to  the  cross  for  us.  We  take  giant  steps  on 
our  journey  toward  spiritual  maturity  when 
we  can  submit  our  wills  to  Him  and  put  others' 
welfare  before  our  own,  and  that  includes  pray- 
ing sacrificially  for  them. 

Rosamond  C.  McCarty  is  a  member  of  the 
Royal  Oak  Church  in  Marion,  Va. 


Presbyterian  Women's  Summer  Gathering  June  9-12 


The  Summer  Gathering  of  the 
Presbyterian  Women  of  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  will 
be  held  June  9-12  at  St. 
Andrews  Presbyterian  College 
in  Laurinburg,  N.C. 

This  year's  theme  is  "Christ 
is  All— For  All."  The  Rev.  Carol 
T.  (Pinky)  Bender  is  the  Bible 
study  leader.  The  Bible  study 
theme  is  "Who  is  the  Christ?," 
a  study  from  the  Epistles. 
The  gathering  seeks  to: 
•  Provide  training  and  nur- 
ture for  areas  of  leadership 
and  responsibility  within  the 


Organist  Wanted 

Organist  position  available. 
Pilcher  pipe  organ.  Wallace  Pres- 
byterian Church,  Wallace,  N.C. 
Call  (910)  285-7694. 


presbyteries  and  local  PWs; 

•  Help  women  grow  spiritu- 
ally through  Bible  study,  wor- 
ship and  prayer; 

•  Provide  linkage  to  part- 
nership in  mission; 

•  Explore  issues  of  justice 
and  peace  with  action  plans; 
and 

•  Learn  to  create  commu- 
nity among  ourselves  as  we 
understand  God's  plan  for  each 
woman. 

Activities  for  your  partici- 
pation include  worship,  mu- 


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sic,  Bible  study,  workshops, 
speakers,  and  fellowship/fun 
time. 

Registration  brochures  vnW 
be  available  in  March.  Hilda 
Williamson  from  Western 
North  Carolina  Presbytery  is 
director  for  the  1994  Summer 
Gathering.   —Mary  T.  Sprow 


New  Resources 


Ain't  Gonna  Study  War  No  More 

By  Albert  Curry  Winn,  Westminster/ John  Knox  Press, 
1993,  pp  236 

Review  by  Stan  Fedyszyn 

If  you're  into  good,  old-time,  European-style  scholarship  with 
footnotes,  cross  references  and  erudite  discussions  about  the 
cultural  and  linguistic  differences  that  have  evolved  around 
ideas  like  Shalom,  Albert  Curry  Winn's  book  will  be  a  delight.  In 
fact,  it'll  prove  so  succulent  that  a  good  Calvinist  will  feel 
compelled  to  resist  the  book  on  The  Lord's  Day.  Add  a  forward 
by  Walter  Brueggemann  and  even  the  Blue  Law  might  be 
forgotten,  after  sunset. 

"Ain't  Gonna  Study  War  No  More"  (title  with  apologies  to  a 
Negro  Spiritual  and  Micah)  offers  the  premise  that  over  the 
years  the  church  has  never  focused  on  the  abolition  of  war. 
Rather,  it  has  worked  to  find  ways  to  go  to  war  justly  (jus  ad 
bellum)  or  to  fight  a  war  in  a  just  manner  (yws  in  hello).  The 
confusion  is  rooted  in  Scripture  itself 

First,  there's  the  ambiguity  of  Jesus  Himself  Always  at  the 
center  of  conflict,  in  Matthew  10  He  notes  that  we  should  not 
assume  that  He  has  come  to  bring  peace  to  the  earth,  but  rather 
a  sword.  In  Matthew  26  He  tells  Peter  to  put  away  the  sword  for 
those  who  live  by  the  sword  will  also  perish  by  it.  Winn  offers 
that,  on  balance,  Christ  comes  down  on  the  side  of  peace,  but 
there  is  ambiguity. 

There's  the  arnbiguity  of  faith  and  practice  of  the  nation  of 
Israel.  The  history  of  Israel  is  the  story  of  a  warlike  people. 
Yahweh,  on  one  hand  the  Warrior  God,  is,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
Giver  of  Shalom.  The  prophetic  literature  promises  peace  but 
incessantly  predicts  war  and  warns  the  people  to  be  prepared. 

The  early  church  added  to  the  paradox.  Christ's  peaceful 
people  are  exhorted  by  writers  no  less  than  Paul  to  offer  loyal 
obedience  to  the  tyrannical,  military,  Roman  state.  One  Timo- 
thy and  Romans  13  are  among  many  citations  exhorting  obedi- 
ence to  civil  authorities.  Then  he  cites  the  bellicose,  invective 
Paul  regularly  heaped  on  persons  he  considered  "false  proph- 
ets." Ambiguity  everywhere! 

Unfortunately,  Winn's  conclusions  are  equally  unsatisfac- 
tory. He  begins  by  noting  that  the  history  of  the  early  church 
shows  no  evidence  of  actual  participation  in  warfare.  (Christians 
were  not  eligible  for  military  service.)  With  the  conversion  of 
Constantine,  Christians  were  asked  to  help  destroy  the  enemies 
of  the  church/emperor,  and  they  did  so  with  fervor.  Even 
Augustine  wrote  that  Christians  should  serve  in  the  legions  of 
the  Christian  emperor. 

That  opinion  persists  to  the  present,  leaving  us  with  limited 
alternatives:  adopt  a  stance  of  passive  resistance  (which  does 
little  to  actually  stop  war);  follow  Vernard  Eller  and  accept  the 
church  as  a  rock  in  a  whirlpool,  which  by  its  mere  existence 
deflects  the  currents  and  changes  the  vectors  of  the  swirling 
waters;  or  create  a  whole  new  world  ambiance  based  on  torah 
(instruction),  adjudication  of  human  world  conflict,  conversion 
of  the  weapons  of  war  and  economic  justice. 

Since  it's  noted  that  detailed  explanation  of  just  how  the  third 
alternative  can  be  implemented  is  not  the  subject  of  the  present 
book,  one  can  only  assume  that  a  profound  companion  volume 
will  follow. 

Stan  Fedyszyn  is  director  of  singles  ministries  at  First  Church 
in  Norfolk,  Va. 


Violence  against  women  is  topic 

A  Conference  on  Women,  Faith  and  Violence  will  be  held  March 
18-19  at  Christ  United  Methodist  Church  in  Greensboro,  N.C. 
The  event  is  sponsored  by  the  North  Carolina  Covmcil  of  Churches . 
Particular  attention  will  be  given  to  rape,  domestic  violence, 
child  abuse,  sexual  harassment  and  professional  misconduct. 

The  keynote  speaker  will  be  Dr.  Mary  Pellauer,  a  feminist 
ethicist  and  theologian.  She  is  the  author  of  Sexual  Assault  and 
Abuse:  A  Handbook  for  Clergy  and  Religious  Professionals. 

The  event  is  designed  to  help  people  of  faith  and  local 
congregations  understand  the  causes  of  violence  and  find  ways 
to  support  victims,  promote  healing,  and  reduce  the  incidence  of 
violence  today. 

For  more  information,  contact  Bridget  B.  Johnson  at  (910) 
282-2970  or  the  Resource  Center  for  Women  and  Ministry  in  the 
South  at  (919)  687-0408. 

Hesse!  at  land  stewardship  event 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Dieter  T.  Hessel  v^dll  be  the  featured  speaker  at  the 
annual  conference  of  the  North  CaroUna  Land  Stewardship 
Council,  April  12-13  at  Duke  University  in  Durham.  Hessel  will 
speak  April  12  on  "God,  Nature  and  Justice:  Learning  to  Meet 
the  Environmental  Challenge."  On  April  13  his  topic  will  be 
"Theological  Education  for  Ecojustice." 

From  1965  to  1990  Hessel  served  on  the  national  staff  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  as  associate  for  social  education 
and  director  of  social  witness  poUcy.  He  developed  programs  on 
war  and  peace,  hunger,  economic  and  community  development, 
energy  policy,  lifestyle  change,  and  environmental  integrity. 

Theme  for  the  conference  will  be  God  &  Nature:  Responding 
to  the  Environmental  Challenge.  For  more  information  contact 
the  N.C.  Land  Stewardship  CouncU,  P.O.  Box  257  n  :'  4_igli, 
NC  27611-5716,  or  phone  (919)  836-1990. 


i^age  12,  x*»lid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1994 


Summer  camps  offer 
many  opportunities  in  '94 


Station  Square,  Suite  136,  Rocky  Mount,  NC  27804  (919)977-1440 


Salem-New  Hope  Outdoor  Minis- 
tries is  offering  a  strong  summer 
camping  program  for  1994  which 
promises  to  offer  opportunities 
for  fun,  Christian  fellowship,  and 
personal  growth  to  youth  through- 
out the  area. 

Commenting  on  the  34  camps 
which  will  be  offered  this  sum- 
mer, Paul  Ransford,  staff  director 
for  Outdoor  Ministries,  says,  "The 
1994  summer  camping  season 
promises  to  be  the  best  ever  with 
seasoned,  mature  staff  at  all  posi- 
tions and  more  program  offerings 
than  ever  before." 

The  Joint  Program  Committee 
of  New  Hope  and  Salem  presby- 
teries has  planned  carefully  for 
the  1994  summer  season  and  is 
pleased  to  offer  a  variety  of  new 
programs.  Their  work  reflects  the 
committee's  deep  convictions  of 
the  importance  of  Christian  camp- 
ing for  the  young  people  who  are 
growing  up  in  an  increasingly  dif- 
ficult world. 

The  Salem-New  Hope  Outdoor 
Ministries  program  will  be  offered 
through  the  Camp  Albemarle, 
Camp  New  Hope  and  Presbyte- 
rian Point  facilities.  Camp  New 
Hope  and  Presbyterian  Point  are 
jointly  owned  by  New  Hope  and 
Salem  presbyteries. 

Camp  Albemarle 

Camp  Albemarle  is  the 
presbytery's  coastal  camping  fa- 
cility. Located  on  39  beautiful 
acres  of  land  adjacent  to  pictur- 
esque Bogue  Sound,  the  camp  con- 
tinues to  be  a  favorite  place  for 
the  many  individuals  who  have 
enjoyed  special  times  at  this  facil- 
ity over  the  past  forty  years. 

With  a  waterfront  setting  and 
steady  ocean  breezes.  Camp 
Albemarle  offers  campers  the  op- 
portunity to  develop  their  sailing 
skills  in  calm  tidal  waters.  The 
camp's  "Vesper  Dell"  area,  which 
is  the  site  of  Bible  study  and  wor- 
ship, offers  a  breathtaking  view 
of  Bogue  Sound  and  serves  as  a 
moving  reminder  of  the  camp's 
mission. 

The  Camp 
Albemarle  Program 

The  outdoor  ministries  pro- 
gram at  Camp  Albemarle  provides 
a  structured  daily  program  in  a 
close-knit  Christian  community. 
John  McKinnon,  who  has  been 
involved  with  the  presbytery's  out- 
door ministries  program  for  sev- 
eral seasons  and  who  recently  di- 
rected the  summer  program  for 
Peaks  Presbytery,  will  direct  the 
program  and  provide  supervision 
for  counselors  who  will  each  have 
responsibility  for  six  to  eight 
campers. 

Volunteers  are  a  vital  part  of 
the  camp's  summer  program. 
Serving  as  counselors  and  Bible 
study  leaders  during  the  summer 
months,  many  area  pastors  regu- 
larly spend  a  week  at  the  camp 
leading  Bible  studies  while  volun- 
teer counselors  assist  the  staff 


counselors  in  guiding  campers 
through  their  activities. 

The  camp's  program  will  offer 
eight  camps  serving  youth  from 
grades  four  through  eleven.  In 
addition  to  an  expanded  sailing 
program,  daily  activities  will  in- 
clude Bible  study,  arts  and  crafts, 
all-camp  games  including  "cap- 
ture the  flag"  and  Bible  verse 
games,  volleyball,  baseball  and 


Camp  New  Hope 

Camp  New  Hope,  located  on 
NC  86  north  of  Chapel  Hill,  hes 
nestled  among  165  acres  of  rolling 
pine  and  hardwood  forest.  This 
retreat  and  conference  center  of- 
fers an  olympic-size  pool,  two 
fresh-water  lakes,  basketball  and 
volleyball  courts  and  nature  trails 
which  are  enjoyed  by  individuals, 
families  and  groups  throughout 
the  year. 

The  Camp 

New  Hope  Program 

Camp  New  Hope  offers  a  beau- 
tiful and  protected  setting  in  the 
middle  of  the  Piedmont  area,  and 
has  played  an  important  role  in 
raising  and  nurturing  Presbyteri- 
ans since  the  mid-fifties  through 
its  summer  camping  programs. 

Camp  New  Hope  will  offer  pro- 
grams for  our  younger  campers 
(2nd  through  5th  grades).  Four 
senior  counselors,  assisted  by  pro- 
gram staff,  will  work  with  groups 
consisting  of  24  campers.  The  pro- 
gram will  use  the  spacious  Dog- 
wood Lodge  which  has  inside  bath- 
rooms, kitchen,  air-conditioning 
and  over-sized  bunk  beds. 

The  summer  program  will  of- 
fer three  week-long  camps  as  well 
as  a  session  lasting  four  days  and 
three  nights  for  those  who  are  not 
quite  ready  to  spend  an  entire 
week  away  from  home. 

Activities  will  include  age-spe- 
cific Bible  studies;  arts  and  crafts 
activities  in  the  "Hole  in  the  Wall" 
crafts  building;  swimming  in  the 
camp's  pool  under  the  close  su- 
pervision of  certified  lifeguards; 
"camps  in  the  woods"  activities 
which  will  make  use  of  the  beau- 
tifully wooded  acres;  and  numer- 
ous spirited  games.  All  activities, 
of  course,  will  be  conducted  under 
trained  supervision. 

Presbyterian 
Point 

Presbyterian  Point,  which  is 
located  north  of  Henderson  on  NC 
39,  sits  on  250  scenic  acres  of 
hardwoods,  meadows,  thickets 
and  pine  forests  adjacent  to  Ken- 
Lake.  The  camp's  proximity  to  the 
lake  allows  opportunities  for  ex- 
perienced power-boaters  as  well 
as  peaceful  paddlers.  Its  blue- 
green  waters  also  make  it  ideal 
for  fishing,  skiing,  and  swimming 
in  three  designated  swim  areas. 


The  Presbyterian  Point 
Program 

The  Presbyterian  Point  pro- 
gram will  be  led  by  the  Rev. 
Ransford  and  will  feature  a  vari- 
ety of  camps  with  each  emphasiz- 
ing Bible  study  and  Christian  fel- 
lowship. 

The  Seekers  Camps,  serving 
rising  2nd-5th  graders,  will  have 
one  senior  counselor  and  one  vol- 
unteer counselor  for  each  group  of 
six  campers.  Activities  will  in- 
clude swimming,  pontoon  boat 
rides,  evening  campfires,  song 
fests  in  the  dining  hall,  carnivals, 
and  treasure  hunts. 

The  Voyager  Camps  and 
Voyager  Adventure  Camps  will 
serve  rising  6th-8th  graders  with 
camp  activities  which  are  planned 
to  take  advantage  of  high  energy 
levels  and  different  rates  of  matu- 
rity. A  well-trained  staff,  includ- 
ing carefully  selected  chaplains, 
qualified  program  staff,  and  cer- 
tified medical  personnel  and  life- 
guards, will  assure  the  top  level  of 
quality. 

The  camps  will  offer  late-night 
vespers  and  age-specific  Bible 
studies  designed  to  explore  new 
concepts  of  faith  and  living  to- 
gether as  Christians.  Other  ac- 
tivities planned  for  the  Voyager 
Camps  include  saiHng,  dances  in 
the  Rec  Hall,  volleyball  in  the 
sand  and  lots  of  beach  time. 

The  Voyager  Adventure 
Camps  will  add  the  flavor  of  ad- 
venture as  campers  begin  their 
week  by  venturing  to  a  distant 
point  on  Kerr  Lake.  They  will 
spend  the  balance  of  the  week 
camping  in  state  parks,  paddling, 
swimming  and  exploring  their  way 
back  to  Presbyterian  Point  in  time 
for  the  Thursday  night  festivities 
at  camp. 

The  Pathfinder  Camps  and 
Pathfinder  Adventure  Camps 
will  serve  rising  9th- 12th  grad- 
ers. A  caring  staff  which  has  been 
trained  to  listen  to  their  younger 
brothers  and  sisters  in  the  faith 
will  help  these  young  people  to 
reach  new  levels  of  understand- 
ing of  what  it  means  to  call  Jesus 
Christ,  Lord. 

Activities  for  the  Pathfinder 
Camps  will  include  overnight 
sailouts  on  22-foot  sailboats,  vol- 
leyball in  the  sand,  vespers  on  the 
shore,  cookouts  with  cabin  groups, 
a  Thursday  night  dance  and  a 
closing  vesper  service. 

The  Pathfinder  Adventure 
Camps  will  begin  the  week  by 
setting  sail  on  Kerr  Lake  on  a  22- 
foot  sailboat  headed  for  distant 
ports.  Campers  will  spend  the 
week  swimming  in  secluded  la- 
goons and  camping  in  state  parks 
and  will  return  to  Presbyterian 
Point  for  Thursday  night  dances 
and  bonfires  before  putting  back 
to  "sea." 

The  Adult  Handicapped 
camp  is  for  mentally  handicapped 
adults  who  are  accustomed  to  a 
group  setting.  This  popular  camp, 
which  is  characterized  by  a  re- 
laxed atmosphere  and  schedule, 
features  caring  counselors  (4-1 
ratio  of  campers  to  counselor), 
plenty  of  rest  periods,  lots  of  good 
food,  a  registered  nurse  on  duty 
and  carefully  planned  activities. 

The  Counselor  in  Training 
Program  is  designed  for  youths 
16  years-old  and  up.  This  camp 
focuses  upon  a  leadership  devel- 
opment program  that  provides  an 
excellent  setting  for  spiritual 
growth  as  well  as  leadership  train- 
ing and  skills  development.  This 
rigorous  program  includes  group 
living  skills,  Bible  studies  on  the 
nature  of  the  church  and  disciple- 
ship,  outdoor  living  skills  and 
training  in  the  care  of  younger 
campers. 


Out  Trips 

In  addition  to  the  programs 
offered  at  the  Camp  Albemarle, 
Camp  New  Hope  and  Presbyte- 
rian Point  facilities,  several  off- 
site  trips  will  be  offered  as  a  part 
of  the  summer  camping  program. 

The  New  River  Canoe  Trip, 
which  is  open  to  6th- 11th  grad- 
ers, will  offer  campers  the  oppor- 
tunity to  spend  four  days  on  the 
beautiful  New  River.  The  group 
will  camp  in  state  campgrounds 
along  a  pastoral  flat  waterway 
that  features  good  fishing,  great 
swimming  holes  and  wildlife 
sightings.  Senior  staff  will  lead 
Bible  studies  and  devotionals  that 
tie  in  with  the  river  theme. 

The  High  Country  Adven- 
ture Trip,  which  is  available  to 
youth  14  years  old  and  up,  will 
feature  hiking  in  the  Smokey 
Mountains  and  rafting  on  the 
Nanthahala  River.  Experienced 
back-country  counselors  will  lead 


the  trip  using  state  of  the  art 
camping  gear  and  outfitted  rafts. 
Whitewater  canoes  will  also  be 
available  for  those  wishing  to  learn 
a  new  sport. 

The  Algonquin  Adventure 
Trip  will  take  a  small  group  of 
carefully  selected  adults  and 
young  adults  (15  years  and  up)  to 
Canada  for  eight  days  of 
backcountry  travel  through  crys- 
tal clear  lakes.  Campers,  using 
lightweight  canoes,  will  paddle 
near  grazing  moose,  listen  to  the 
call  of  the  loon  and  wolf  and  par- 
ticipate in  campfire  devotionals 
led  by  Ransford  and  camp  staff. 

Parents  wishing  to  enroll  their 
children  in  the  Outdoor  Minis- 
tries summer  program  should  do 
so  as  soon  as  possible  since  the 
camps  tend  to  fill  up  quickly.  For 
registration  information  concern- 
ing the  Salem-New  Hope  Outdoor 
Ministries  program,  please  con- 
tact Debbie  Pearson,  camp  regis- 
trar, at  (919)  942-4716. 


1994  Camping  Schedule 


Weekl 

CNH 

New  Hope  I 

Grades  2-5 

June  12-17 

ALB 

Albemarle  I 

Grades  4-6 

June  12-17 

PPT 

Voyager  Adv.  I 

Grades  6-8 

June  12-17 

PPT 

Adult  Handicapped 

June  12-17 

PPT 

Coun.  in  Training 

16  yrs/up 

June  12-July  8 

Week  2 

OT 

New  River 

13  yrs  &  up 

June  19-24 

ALB 

Albemarle  2  , 

Grades  6-8 

June  19-24 

PPT 

Voyager  I 

Grades  6-8 

June  19-24 

PPT 

Pathfinders  I 

Grades  9-12 

June  19-24 

PPT 

Seekers 

Grades  2-5 

June  19-24 

Week  3 

CNH 

New  Hope  2 

Grades  2-5 

June  26-July  1 

ALB 

Albemarle  3 

Grades  7-9 

June  26-July  1 

PPT 

Voyager  2 

Grades  6-8 

Jime  26-July  1 

PPT 

Seekers  2 

Grades  2-5 

June  26-July  1 

Week  4 

CNH 

New  Hope  3 

Grades  2-5 

July  5-8 

ALB 

Albemarle  4 

Grades  3-4 

July  5-8 

PPT 

Seekers  3 

Grades  2-5 

July  5-8 

PPT 

Voyager  3 

Grades  6-8 

July  5-15 

PPT 

Pathfinders  2 

Grades  9-12 

July  5-15 

Weeks 

CNH 

New  Hope  4 

Grades  2-5 

July  10-15 

ALB 

Albemarle  5 

Grades  4-6 

July  10-15 

Week  6 

ALB 

Albemarle  6 

Grades  9-11 

July  17-22 

PPT 

Voyager  Adv.  2 

Grades  6-8 

July  17-22 

PPT 

Seekers  4 

Grades  2-5 

July  17-22  ' 

PPT 

Pathfinders  3 

Grades  9-12 

July  17-22 

Week  7 

OT 

High  Country  Adv. 

14  yrs  &  up 

July  24-29 

ALB 

Albemarle  7 

Grades  5-7 

July  24-29 

ppi> 

Seekers  5 

Grades  2-5 

July  24-29 

PPT 

Voyager  4 

Grades  6-8 

July  24-29 

Week  8 

ALB 

Albemarle  8 

Grades  5-8 

July  31 -Aug.  5 

PPT 

Seekers  6 

Grades  2-5 

July  31-Aug.  5 

PPT 

Voyager  5 

Grades  6-8 

July  31-Aug.  5 

PPT 

Pathfinders  Adv. 

Grades  9-12 

July  31-Aug.  5 

Week  9 

OT 

Algonquin 

16  yrs  &  up 

Aug.  7-19 

AI,.B=Camp  Albemarle  CNH=:Camp  New  Hope 

PPr=Presbyterian  Point  OT=Out  Trips 


New  Hope  Presbytery  News— see  page  8 


For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


April  1994 


Vol.  LX,  Number  3 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Racial  ethnic  ministry 
tops  new  structure 


RICHMOND— Racial  ethnic 
ministry  is  a  major  emphasis 
of  the  new  mission  structure 
approved  by  the  Synod  Council 
here  Feb.  25-26. 

The  council  will  have  an- 
other opportunity  to  fine  tune 
the  plan  at  its  May  6-7  meet- 
ing. A  final  proposal  goes  to  the 
June  23-25  Synod  Assembly  at 
Davidson  College. 

In  addition  to  establishing  a 
21-member  racial  ethnic  min- 
istry standing  committee,  the 
proposed  structure  includes 
creation  of  a  new  executive- 
level  position  for  racial  ethnic 
ministry.  Only  adminstration, 
finance  and  racial  ethnic  min- 
istry have  executive-level  staff 
in  the  proposed  structure. 

There  will  also  be  standing 
committees  for  administration 
and  coordination,  partnership, 
justice  and  mercy  issues,  cam- 
pus ministry,  and  communica- 
tion. Adminstration  and  coor- 
dination (which  will  oversee 
the  functions  now  assigned  to 
the  finance,  executive,  and  per- 
sonnel committees)  will  have 
22  members.  The  other  stand- 
ing committeess  will  have  13 
members,  one  from  each  pres- 
bytery. 

While  campus  ministry  will 
have  a  standing  committee,  the 
long-range  goal  is  to  transfer 
oversight  of  the  synod's  40  cam- 
pus ministries  to  presbyteries 
or  coalitions  of  presbyteries. 

Local  boards  already  have 
direct  responsibility  for  the 
campus  ministries.  The  synod 
provides  some  funding, 
resourcing,  and  continuing 
education  events. 

Sjrnod  made  pa3mtients  to- 
taling $362,643  to  campus  min- 
istries in  1993.  That  accovmted 
for  22.5  percent  of  the  synod's 
$1.6  million  mission  budget. 

During  a  long — and  some- 
times tempestuous — session, 
the  Synod  Council  approved 
the  restructuring  plan.  Last 
year's  Synod  Assembly  man- 
dated that  a  new  structure  be 
brought  to  the  1994  assembly. 

Synod  Council  Chair  Lanny 
Howe  told  members  at  the  start 
of  the  meeting  that  they  must 
produce  a  restructuring  plan 
during  the  two-day  meeting. 
"We  must  take  action.  If  a  mo- 
tion is  made  to  table  ...  it  must 
be  defeated,"  said  the  minister 
fi*om  Snow  Hill,  Md. 

The  new  structure  was  ap- 
proved with  a  few  modifica- 
tions and  minimal  debate.  The 
staffing  recommendations, 
however,  were  approved  after 
about  four  hours  of  executive 
session. 

Semiannual  assembly 

The  adopted  plan  calls  for 
only  one  representative  gov- 
erning body,  a  96-commis- 
sioner  synod  assembly  which 
will  meet  twice  annually. 

Each  presbytery  will  have 
six  to  12  commissioners  de- 


pending on  membership.  The 
commissioners  will  be  divided 
equally  between  clergy  and  el- 
ders. 

Under  this  plan  eight  pres- 
byteries (Abingdon,  Baltimore, 
Eastern  Virginia,  James,  New 
Castle,  Peaks,  Shenandoah 
and  Western  North  Carolina) 
would  have  six  delegates,  two 
(Coastal  Carolina  and  New 
Hope)  would  have  eight,  two 
(National  Capital  and  Salem) 
would  have  10,  and  one  (Char- 
lotte) would  have  12. 

Each  presbytery  would  have 
one  youth  advisory  delegate 
who  would  serve  a  three-year 
term.  Six  of  the  YADs  will  at- 
tend one  of  the  semiannual 
meetings  and  the  other  seven 
will  attend  the  other. 

The  first  election  of  commis- 
sioners will  include  one-,  two- 
and  three-year  terms  by 
classes.  Thereafter,  all  com- 
missioners will  be  elected  for 
three-year  terms. 

Each  commissioner  will  also 
serve  on  one  of  the  six  stand- 
ing committees. 

Justice  and  Mercy 

Justice  and  mercy  was  not 
one  of  the  standing  commit- 
tees recommended  by  the  Plan- 
ning and  Evaluating  Commit- 
tee. It  was  added  through  a 
motion  from  the  Justice  for 
Women  Committee. 

The  justice  and  mercy  com- 
mittee will  deal  with  "the  com- 
pelling social  issues  of  our  time 
as  they  relate  to  faith."  These 
include  ecumenical  concerns, 
prophetic  witness,  environ- 
mental concerns,  social  justice 
and  justice  for  women. 

Under  the  existing  struc- 
ture, the  annual  synod  assem- 
bly numbers  about  250  com- 
missioners, YADs  and  council 
members.  The  44-member 
council  meets  five  times  a  year. 

By  eliminating  the  council 
and  its  meetings,  and 
downsizing  the  synod  assem- 
bly, it  is  hoped  that  meeting 
and  travel  costs  will  be  de- 
creased accordingly. 

The  smaller  assembly  will 
also  be  more  able  to  make  use 
of  synod-related  conference 
facilities. 

Existing  synod  groups  in- 
cluded in  the  new  structure 
include  the  Committee  on  Rep- 
resentation and  the  Permanent 
Judicial  Commission  (both 
mandated  by  the  Book  of  Or- 
der), Trustees,  the  Speer  Fund, 
the  Reynolds  Fund,  the 
McCallum  Trust,  and  Self-De- 
velopment of  People. 

Three  other  related  bodies — 
the  Black  Caucus,  the  Korean 
Caucus  and  the  Committee  of 
Women  of  Color — will  continue 
and  report  to  the  synod  through 
the  Racial  Ethnic  Ministries 
standing  committee. 

The  partnership  standing 
committee  will  carry  on  the 
continued  on  page  2 


Lee  and  Marie  Childress  Lucas  stand  in  the  Buffalo  Mountain  Church  cemetery  with 
its  namesake  landmark  looming  in  the  background.  She  is  a  daughter  of  the  late 
Robert  W.  Childress  Sr.,  subject  of  the  book  The  Man  Who  Moved  a  Mountain. 

'IVIountain  man'  moved  people 


By  JOHN  SNIFFEN 

People  were  poor  and  had  few 
opportunities  to  improve  their 
lives.  The  manufacture  and 
consumption  of  illegal  sub- 
stances was  widespread.  Con- 
flict often  led  to  violence  and 
murder.  Others  gave  up  and 
committed  suicide. 

It  may  sound  like  an  urban 
ghetto  of  the  1990s,  but  it's  a 
description  of  life  in  the  Blue 
Ridge  Mountains  of  southern 
Virginia  in  the  1920s. 

Just  as  persons  of  faith  are 
trying  to  stem  the  tides  that 
are  engulfing  today's  urban 
poor,  a  big  man  chose  to  tackle 
what  seemed  like  a  hopeless 
task  in  1926.  The  Rev.  Robert 
W.  Childress  Sr.  literally 
picked  up  residents  of  this  sce- 
nic-but-poor region  and  gave 
them  reasons  to  live  and  love 
each  other. 

By  his  own  example  and 
with  his  forceful,  energetic  per- 
sonality, Childress  moved  the 
mountaineers  to  overcome 
their  poverty  and  become  their 
"brother's  keeper." 

Childress  knew  the  situa- 
tion well.  He  grew  up  in  the 


Robert  W.  Childress  Sr. 
as  a  seminary  student 


area  and  his  early  life  was  typi- 
cal of  that  of  his  neighbors.  He 
survived  the  pitfalls  of  youth 
and  by  his  30s  he  was  a  black- 
smith with  a  growing  family. 
But  there  was  something  else 
he  wanted  to  do:  he  wanted  to 
preach. 

Union  Theological  Seminary 
in  Richmond  was  reluctant  to 
admit  a  32-year-old  father  of 
five  with  an  eighth-grade  edu- 
cation and  only  one  year  of 
college.  Childress  asked  to  be 
allowed  to  attend  classes  any- 
way. 

Childress  worked  hard 

to  make  up  for  his  lack  of  for- 
mal education.  He  excelled  in 
all  his  classes.  Seminary  Presi- 
dent Walter  W.  Moore  offered 
him  not  one  but  two  scholar- 
ships and  a  rent-free  house. 
First  Church  of  Richmond  also 
gave  Childress  several  hun- 
dred dollars  annually  during 
his  years  at  Union. 

While  in  seminary, 
Childress  refined  his  preach- 
ing. He  had  a  natural  ability  to 
use  humor,  often  poking  fun  at 
the  ways  and  manners  of  his 
neighbors  in  the  Blue  Ridge. 
By  softening  his  tone  and  in- 
corporating this  humor,  he 
became  a  pohshed  speaker  who 
was  sought  out  by  churches 
throughout  the  region. 

Upon  graduation,  Childress 
received  a  call  from  a  North 
Carolina  church.  The  offer  in- 
cluded a  manse,  a  car  and  a 
good  salary.  He  also  received  a 
call  from  Buffalo  Mountain  up 
on  the  Blue  Ridge.  Peter 
Cunningham  Clark  of  Mont- 
gomery Presbytery  made  it 
clear  that  life  in  the  shadow  of 
the  humpbacked  mountain 
would  not  be  easy. 

"We've  got  a  field  in  the 
mountains,"  said  Dr.  Clark, 
"where  they're  shooting  each 
other,  the/re  ignorant,  they 
don't  have  a  chance,  they  have 
no  schools  or  Sunday  schools. 
There's  enough  work  there  to 


kill  you,  but  we'll  furnish  you  a 
living  while  you're  at  it." 

Childress'  response  as  re- 
ported in  the  book  The  Man 
Who  Moved  a  Mountain  (Rich- 
ard C.  Davids,  Fortress  Press, 
1970)  was  simple:  "I'm  a  moun- 
tain man,  Dr.  Clark.  I  believe 
that's  where  the  Lord  wants 
me  to  go." 

He  moved  his  family  to  Bvif- 
falo  Mountain  and  started  his 
ministry  there  on  June  3, 1926. 
For  the  next  30  years  he  gave 
his  all  for  the  Lord  in  that 
place. 

Childress  did  much  more 
than  just  preach  and  visit  the 
sick.  He  worked  to  improve 
the  lives  of  his  neighbors. 

Mountaineers  lived  in  a 
tight-knit,  closed  society.  They 
looked  after  family  members 
but  refrained  from  going  out- 
side that  circle.  By  his  own 
example,  Childress  gradually 
convinced  his  parishioners  that 
they  should  care  about  all  their 
neighbors. 

Bob  Childress  hated  boot- 
legging and  what  the  whiskey 
did  to  his  people.  However,  he 
did  not  advocate  breaking  up 
the  stills.  "He  wouldn't  bother 
the  stills,"  says  his  son  Bryan. 
"He  tried  to  encourage  the  boot- 
leggers to  change,  but  he  knew 
how  they  felt.  The  stills  were 
their  property." 

He  drove  miles  out  of  his 
way  to  bring  one  or  two  more 
members  to  church  or  Sunday 
school.  Other  times,  he  took 
people  he  barely  knew  to  hos- 
pitals hundreds  of  miles  away. 

His  pastorate  grew  as  other 
mountain  communities  asked 
for  his  services.  At  its  height, 
he  had  a  four-church  field  and 
was  also  preaching  at  two  to 
four  others. 

A  trademark  of  his  churches 
was  their  stone  facades.  The 
Buffalo  Mountain  Church, 
dedicated  in  1929,  1. 
with  stone  waUs.  T;  e  (  pt 
continued  <  ,  .  ^ 


Page  2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1994 


Commentary 


An  angel  unaware 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

The  moment  I  walked  into  her  room  at 
the  nursing  home  she  welcomed  me 
with  a  warm  smile.  Her  face  beamed 
when  I  told  her  I  was  a  Presbyterian 
minister,  and  without  a  moment's  de- 
lay she  began  to  point  to  an  array  of 
family  pictures  in  her  room. 

"That's  my  husband,"  she  said.  "He 
was  an  attorney  and  died  30  years  ago 
...  there's  my  mother."  It  was  as  if  she 
were  trying  to  reweave  the  threads  of 
her  life  story  and  reassure  herself  she 
was  still  a  person. 

In  a  creaky  voice  she  told  me  that 
she  would  be  100  years  old  soon,  al- 
though "I  can't  remember  if  I  was  bom 
in  1896  or  1897."  She  talked  on.  Her 
ageless  fingers  pointed  to  an  old  desk, 
where  she  directed  me  to  a  faded  photo 
album. 

"This  book  tells  my  story,"  she  whis- 
pered as  she  fingered  a  picture  of  a 
beautiful,  young  woman,  featured  on  a 
1924  society  page.  "That's  me,"  she 
said,  "a  long  time  ago  when  I  was 
human.  But  now  I  am  falling  apart, 
and  feel  so  worn  out  and  useless." 

She  asked  the  proverbial  question, 
"Why  has  the  Lord  left  me  here  so 
long?"  Softly  I  replied,  "Perhaps  so  I 
would  have  the  opportunity  to  listen  to 
you." 

She  told  me  about  her  son  who  had 
died  a  few  months  earlier  at  the  age  of 
67.  "He  had  suffered  a  stroke  several 
years  ago,  but  he  made  it  possible  for 
me  to  enjoy  the  comfort  of  this  room." 
Although  I  never  knew  her  son,  I  felt 
silent  admiration  for  one  who  cared  for 
his  mother,  even  when  his  own  health 
failed.  She  praised  her  other  son,  who 
cared  from  a  distance. 

"My  preacher  is  a  busy  man,  and 
can't  be  here  too  often,  but  I  wish  some 
of  the  members  would  visit  an  old 
woman  who  used  to  be  so  active."  My 
heart  ached  for  her  loneliness  and  all 
the  forgotten  older  persons  whom  the 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Sjmod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

CaiToll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 

Edith  Goodman  and  Laura  Jurman, 
Editorial  Assistants 
Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address; 
P.O  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 

Vol.  LX 
i:-pT'ii  1994 


church  often  bypasses  in  its  mad  pur- 
suit of  productivity  and  success.  Her 
plea  reminded  me  of  that  classic  an- 
swer of  the  little  girl  who,  when  asked 
by  her  Sunday 
school  teacher  why 
the  priest  and 
Levite  had  passed 
by  the  poor,  hurt 
man,  replied,  "Be- 
cause they  saw  he 
had  already  been 
robbed!" 

Recently  an  aged 
man,  a  resident  of  a 
nursing  home  for 
years,  told  me  that 
no  one  from  the 
church  had  visited 
him  for  years,  but 
that  he  had  received  a  letter  from  that 
same  church  asking  him  to  visit  five 
inactive  members!  We  need  to  remem- 
ber Jesus'  rebuke  to  those  who  put 
"religious"  duties  above  the  needs  of 
mothers  and  fathers  in  the  congrega- 
tion. 

As  I  departed  with  a  prayer,  the 
woman  said,  "You  are  an  angel."  "No," 
I  replied,  "You  are  an  angel.  Being  with 
you  is  standing  on  holy  ground.  You 
have  blessed  me." 

As  America  grows  grayer  and  grayer, 
there  will  be  more  and  more  like  her, 
older  women  living  beyond  90,  often 
alone,  forgotten,  crjdng  inside.  Life 
extended  beyond  limits  but  drained  of 
its  substance.  What  if  she  were  your 
grandmother?  Or  your  mother?  Or  you? 

Dr.  Richard  L.  Morgan  of  Lenoir,  N.  C, 
is  a  retired  Presbyterian  minister,  interim 
pastor,  and  author  of  several  books  on 
aging.  His  next,  "Meditations  for  the  Sick 
and  Their  Caregivers,"  will  be  published 
by  Upper  Room  Press  next  fall. 


Bryan  and  Polly  Childress  in  front  of  the  Indian  Valley  Church 

Sons  carry  on  father's  ministry 


continued  from  page  1 
caught  on  and  others  had  stone  added. 

The  Childress  home,  just  up  the  hill 
from  Buffalo  Mountain  Church  and 
already  filled  with  the  pastor  and  his 
large  family,  was  always  open  to  guests. 
Some  were  teachers  at  the  nearby 
school.  Others  were  refugees  from  fam- 
ily violence. 

"My  most  precious  memory  is  sitting 
around  the  dining  room  table"  sur- 
rounded by  family  and  houseguc2ts, 
says  Marie  Childress  Lucas,  a  daugh- 
ter who  lives  a  short  distance  away 
with  her  husband,  Lee. 

Putting  food  on  that  large  table  was 
Lelia  Childress,  Bob's  wife.  He  had 
been  married  once  before,  but  his  first 
wife  died  young.  Lelia  raised  the  son 
and  daughter  from  the  first  marriage 
and  bore  six  more,  two  daughters  and 
four  sons. 

The  "nucleus"  of  the  Childress  fam- 
ily was  Hattie  Elizabeth,  a  daughter/ 
sister  born  with  a  deformity;  her  head 
was  too  big  for  her  body.  Doctors  said 
she  would  not  live  long,  but  Bob  and 
Lelia  took  her  home  and  loved  her. 

In  spite  of  the  doctors'  prognosis, 
Hattie  grew  and  became  the  center  of 
family  activity.  She  took  Bible  lessons 
by  mail  and  taught  Sunday  school  at 
the  Buffalo  Mountain  Church.  She  was 
also  a  "terrific  singer,"  says  Marie.  The 
other  children  would  share  their  hopes 
and  fears  with  her. 

Her  health  gradually  failed,  how- 


Council  approves  nnission  plan 


continued  from  page  1 
work  now  done  through  the  Partner- 
ship Development  Unit.  This  involves 
building  and  supporting  partnership 
relationships  with  presbyteries  in  mis- 
sion areas  where  cooperation  is  sought 
by  the  presbyteries. 

The  partnership  committee  will  in- 
clude, but  is  not  limited  to,  work  in  the 
following  areas:  evangelism,  new 
church  development,  older  adult  min- 
istries. Christian  nurture,  youth  lead- 
ership development,  Presbyterian  Men, 
Presbyterian  Women,  child  care  agen- 
cies and  resource  centers. 

Current  ministry  areas  not  included 
in  the  new  structure  include  global 
mission,  synod-related  colleges  and  uni- 
versities, career  and  personal  counsel- 
ing, and  conference  centers. 

Three  task  groups — for  Massanetta 
Springs,  Chesapeake  Center,  and  the 
Career  and  Personal  Counseling  Cen- 
ters of  Charlotte  and  Laurinburg — are 
exploring  how  the  centers  should  relate 
to  the  church. 

The  Committee  on  Ministries  with 
Presbyterian  Institutions  is  recom- 
mending that  the  synod's  existing  func- 
tions with  colleges  and  universities  be 
continued  either  through  the  synod  or 
appropriate  presbj^ries.  If  the  coun- 
cil approves  moving  them  to 
presbyteries,  the  presbyteries  in  ques- 
tion would  also  have  to  approve  the 
transfer. 

In  1993  the  synod  sent  $146,539  to 
nine  colleges  and  universities.  These 
payments  ranged  from  ahigh  of  $41,278 
to  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  in 


Laurinburg,  N.C.,  to  a  low  of  $7,ia8  to 
Hampden-Sydney  (Va.)  College. 

Staff  changes 

The  synod  office  staffing  plan  finally 
approved  after  the  lengthy  executive 
session  includes: 

•  Eliminating  two  associate  execu- 
tive level  positions — partnership  min- 
istries and  s3rnod  ministries.  The  Rev. 
Rosalind  Banbury-Hamm,  associate 
executive  for  synod  ministries,  will 
serve  through  Dec.  31,  1994.  The  Rev. 
Warren  Lesane  Jr.,  transitional  associ- 
ate executive  for  partnership  minis- 
tries, is  scheduled  to  serve  through 
next  September; 

•  Creating  the  racial  ethnic  minis- 
tries associate  executive  position; 

•  Creating  two  new  associate-level 
positions,  a  full-time  associate  for  part- 
nerships and  a  part-time  associate  for 
older  adult  ministries.  Associate  for 
Administration  Marlene  Butler  will 
move  into  the  partnership  post.  Jan 
McGilliard  of  Blacksburg,  Va.,  will 
serve  as  the  associate  for  older  adult 
ministries; 

•  Creating  a  new  administrative 
assistant  position  and  eliminating  the 
associate  for  administration  position; 

•  Eliminating  one  support  staff  po- 
sition, general  secretary,  as  of  Aug.  15, 
1994.  The  position  has  been  held  for 
five  years  by  Gay  Fritzemeier. 

Overall,  the  new  synod  office  staff 
will  have  three  executive-level  posi- 
tions, four  full-time  and  one  part-time 
associates,  and  four  support  staff  mem- 
bers. 


ever,  and  Hattie  died  in  1950  at  age  24. 
It  was  a  major  blow  to  her  family.  After 
her  death  her  brother  Bryan  came  to 
the  realization  that  he  should  enter  the 
ministry.  (In  the  book  it  was  an  instant 
decision.  It  actually  came  gradually 
over  several  years,  says  Bryan.) 

Bryan's  older  brother.  Bill,  was  al- 
ready in  seminary.  A  third  brother, 
Robert  Jr.,  also  entered  the  ministry. 

Education  was  a  major  part  of 
Childress'  plan  to  improve  life  around 
Buffalo  Mountain.  The  Presbyterian 
school  adjacent  to  the  church  was  the 
only  one  available  to  local  children 
during  the  1920s  and  30s. 

In  the  late  1930s,  the  county  took 
over  the  school  and  moved  the  high 
school  students  to  Willis.  Elementary 
students  were  taught  in  the  Bviffalo 
Mountain  School  through  1962. 

Childress  also  encouraged  his  chil- 
dren to  get  an  education.  Daughter 
Marie  wanted  to  become  a  beautician 
because  she  could  make  money  right 
away.  "My  father  asked  me  to  go  to 
college  one  year  and  give  it  a  try.  He 
knew  if  I  got  in  one  year  I  would  stay," 
she  says. 

She  completed  college  and  has  en- 
joyed a  long  teaching  career. 

Childress'  energetic  ministry  finally 
caught  up  with  him.  He  had  a  stroke  in 
1950.  Under  doctors'  orders  he  slowed 
down  a  little,  allowing  other  pastors  to 
take  all  but  two  of  his  churches.  The 
change  helped,  but  a  heart  attack  felled 
him  just  before  Christmas  1955  and  he 
died  the  following  month,  three  days 
before  his  66th  birthday. 

Lelia  Childress  remained  on  Buffalo 
Mountain.  She  bought  the  manse  in 
1960  when  a  new  one  was  built  next  to 
the  Slate  Moimtain  Church.  She  died 
in  1983  at  age  87  and  is  buried  next  to 
her  husband  and  daughter  in  the  cem- 
etery at  Buffalo  Mountain  Church. 

The  three  Childress  sons  who  en- 
tered the  ministry  have  carried  on  their 
father's  work. 

Bill  Childress  graduated  from  Co- 
lumbia Theological  Seminary  and  had 
a  long  career  as  a  pastor  in  Tennessee, 
where  he  still  resides.  He  is  retired. 

Bryan  Childress  graduated  from 
Union  Theological  Seminary  and  served 
Buffalo  Mountain  and  three  other  of 
his  father's  churches  before  moving  to 
West  Virginia  in  1961.  Upon  his  retire- 
ment he  moved  back  to  Buffalo  Moun- 
tain. He  lives  in  the  old  manse  and 
serves  as  supply  pastor  to  the  Indian 
Valley  and  Slate  Mountain  churches. 

Robert  Childress  Jr.  also  graduated 
from  Union  Seminary.  He  served 
churches  in  North  CaroUna  imtil  1968 
when  he  was  called  to  the  Buffalo  Moun- 
tain and  Slate  Moimtain  churches.  He 
retired  in  January  1992,  but  still  serves 
the  Bluemont  and  Mayberry  churches. 

With  the  exception  of  the  Willis  con- 
gregation, the  churches  served  by  Rob- 
ert Childress  Sr.  are  stiU  active.  E. 
Gary  Marshall  serves  as  supply  pastor 
of  the  Buffalo  Mountain  Church. 

Mountain  roads  have  improved  since 
Bob  Childress  Sr.  first  drove  them,  but 
bad  weather  can  still  make  it  difficult 
to  go  short  distances.  Describing  a  re- 
cent drive  he  made  through  ice  and 
snow  to  the  Slate  Mountain  Church, 
Bryan  says  of  his  father,  "Sometimes  I 
wonder  how  he  ever  got  around." 


St.  Andrews  elects  new  president; 
Union  Seminary  promotes  Cooley 


Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  19iJ4,  Page  3 


LAURINBURG,  N.C.— Dr. 
Warren  L.  Board  took  office  as 
president  of  St.  Andrews  Pres- 
byterian College  on  March  1. 
He  was  elected  to  the  position 
on  Feb.  24. 

"Warren  Board  fits  perfectly 
the  profile  the  trustees,  fac- 
ulty, staff  and  students  of  St. 
Andrews  had  envisioned  for 
the  college's  next  president," 
said  board  of  trustees  chair- 
man James  E.  Holshouser.  "He 
possesses  strong  planning  and 
organizational  skills,  a  com- 
mitment to  the  mission  of  a 
liberal  arts  college  and  tremen- 
dous personal  warmth." 

Prior  to  coming  to  St. 
Andrews,  Board  was  provost 


Free  retreat 
time  offered 
to  ministers 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— The  Wil- 
ham  Black  Lodge  is  again  of- 
fering a  spring  retreat  oppor- 
tunity for  ministers  in  the 
SsTiod  of  the  Mid-Atl&ntic. 

During  April  4-6,  ministers 
and  their  families  can  stay  fi-ee 
at  the  lodge.  Meals  will  not  be 
served  during  this  period,  so 
participants  must  make  other 
arrangements  for  food. 

For  more  information,  con- 
tact the  lodge's  manager.  Bill 
McCachran,  at  (704)  669-6314. 

WUliEim  Black  Lodge  is  open 
from  April  1  to  Nov.  30.  It  can 
accommodate  65  overnight 
guests  and  serves  three  family 
style  meals  daily.  The  faciU- 
ties  are  open  to  both  partici- 
pants in  Montreat-sponsored 
programs  and  vacationers. 

Scholarships  are  available 
for  retired  ministers  and  their 
spouses. 

Members  of  the  lodge's  board 
of  directors  for  1994  are  the 
Rev.  Robert  James  of  Char- 
lotte, president;  Mrs.  W.W. 
Williamson  of  Davidson,  vice 
president;  Dr.  John  E.  Eliason 
of  Burlington,  secretary;  and 
William  Sessler  of  Asheville, 
treasurer. 

For  more  information  write 
to  William  Black  Lodge,  P.O. 
Box  819,  Montreat,  NC  28757. 

FREE  ESTIMATES 


A&H 

ART  &  STAEVED  GLASS 
COMPANY,  INC. 

H^it^vfN.C.  2S634  (?S4T546-2687 

=  PEW  CUSHIONS  = 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG,  VA  24502 

=  1-800-572-2283  = 


and  senior  vice  president  of 
Elon  College,  where  he  has 
served  since  1986.  He  also 
served  as  provost  of  Kalamazoo 
College  in  Michigan  and  ex- 
ecutive assistant  to  the  presi- 
dent of  Elmira  College  in  New 
York.  He  holds  a  doctorate  in 
policy  studies  and  higher  edu- 
cation from  Sjrracuse  Univer- 
sity. 

Board  succeeds  Dr.  Thomas 
L.  Reuschling,  president  of  the 
college  since  1988.  After 
Reuschling  announced  his  res- 
ignation last  October,  the  14- 
member  search  committee 
chaired  by  James  L.  Morgan 
reviewed  125  candidates  for 
the  presidency. 

Dr.  Jeri  Fitzgerald  Board, 
the  new  president's  wife,  will 
serve  as  coordinator  of  special 
projects  at  St.  Andrews.  She  is 
a  former  director  of  programs 
and  institutional  development 
at  the  N.  C.  Center  for  the 
Advancement  of  Teaching. 

Cooley  named  dean 

RICHMOND,  Va.-Jean  Hill 
Cooley  has  been  named  dean 


Warren  Board       Jean  Cooley 

of  students  at  Union  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  in  Virginia.  Since 
1990  she  has  served  as  associ- 
ate to  the  dean  and  director  of 
the  Student  Life  Office. 

As  dean  of  students,  a  new 
position  at  the  seminary, 
Cooley  will  direct  recruitment, 
admissions,  financial  aid,  stu- 
dent services,  and  campus  life, 
including  chapel  and  worship. 
She  will  also  oversee  candi- 
dacy and  presbytery  relations. 

Cooley  holds  a  master  of  di- 
vinity degree  from  Union  Semi- 
nary, a  master's  degree  from 
the  Presbyterian  School  of 
Christian  Education,  and  a 
master's  degree  in  social  ser- 
vice administration  from  the 
University  of  Chicago. 

Her  husband,  William 
Cooley,  is  pastor  of  All  Soul's 
Church  in  Richmond. 


Massanetta  Springs 
launches  fund  drive 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— The 
Massanetta  Springs  Confer- 
ence Center  has  launched 
"Challenge  94,"  in  an  effort  to 
raise  $150,000  during  the  year. 

"We  have  determined  that 
1994  will  be  the  year  for  our 
most  aggressive  financial  cam- 
paign ever,"  said  Development 
Manager  George  H.  BergdoU 
Sr.  "We  need  our  friends  with 
us  as  Massanetta  Springs 
moves  into  the  future." 

The  goal  represents  a  100 
percent  increase  in  giving  to 
the  center,  according  to 
BergdoU.  "We  need  our  sup- 
porters, as  a  minimum,  to 
double  their  financial  support 
during  this  critical  year." 

Depending  on  the  fund- 
raising  campaign  are  a  set  of 
goals  the  Massanetta  Commit- 
tee and  staff  have  set  for  the 
year.  They  are: 

•  Increased  conference  ac- 
tivity, as  the  center  attracts 
larger  and  more  diverse 
groups; 

•  Renovation  of  the  Mas- 


sanetta hotel  building, 
Richardson  building,  and 
Hudson  Auditorium; 

•  Beautification  and  en- 
hancement of  the  campus; 

•  Scholarship  programs,  so 
that  many  more  can  come  and 
enjoy  the  Christian  environ- 
ment; and 

•  Increased  donor  support 
through  contributions  with 
more  emphasis  on  wills,  be- 
quests and  grants. 

"These  important  objectives 
can  only  be  realized  if  our  sup- 
porters stand  with  us  in  this 
effort,"  said  BergdoU. 

BergdoU  came  to  Mas- 
sanetta in  September  1993. 
Previously  he  was  employed 
by  Virginia  Methodist  Family 
Services.  He  is  making  plans 
to  visit  in  each  presbytery  in 
the  synod  during  1994. 

For  more  information,  con- 
tact BergdoU  by  writing  to  him 
at  Massanetta  Springs,  P.O. 
Box  1286,  Harrisonburg,  VA 
22801,  or  phoning  (703)  434- 
3829. 


Sharing  What  You  Have 
Can  Lead  To  Miracles 

Whether  your  charitable  gift  is  designated  for  your  church,  a 
retirement  home,  a  college  or  other  v^orthy  recipient,  your  gift  can  v^ork 
wonders.  Ask  your  pastor  for  information  about  charitable  gifts.  Or,  call 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation.  We've  been  helping  Pres- 
byterians with  charitable  gift  plans  since  1799.  So,  from  endowments  to 
charitable  annuities  to  bequests,  we  can  help  you  select  the  option  which 
may  be  best  for  you.  |^| 

1-800-289-0313  ||  Presbyterian  Church  (USA)  Foundation 


REFINISHING 


Page  4,  Mid-Atlantic  Presb5i;erian,  April  1994 


Sloan  named 
Montreat  trustee 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— Sam  R. 
Sloan,  senior  vice  president  of 
NationsBank  in  Charlotte,  has 
been  elected  to  Montreat  Con- 
ference Center's  Board  of  Di- 
rectors. He  will  represent  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  on 
the  board. 

An  elder  at  Myers  Park 


Church  in 
Charlotte, 
Sloan  also 
serves  as  a 
trustee  for 
the  Presbyte- 
rian Church 
(U.S.A.) 
Foundation 
which  has 
assets  of  ap- 
proximately 
$1  bilUon. 


Sam  Sloan 


Synod  establishes  Stultz  scholarship 


The  synod  has  established  the 
Stultz  Student  Scholarship 
Fund  to  provide  financial  as- 
sistance to  high  school  students 
who  wish  to  further  their  edu- 
cation at  a  Presbyterian- 
related  college  or  university. 
Funds  for  the  scholarship 


came  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  Z. 
Stultz,  long-time  members  of 
Myers  Park  Church  in  Char- 
lotte, N.C. 

For  more  information  con- 
tact Rosalind  Banbury-Hamm 
at  the  synod  office.  The  dead- 
line for  application  is  May  15. 


News  from  older  adult  ministries 


Glenaire  hosts  opening 


CARY,  N.C— Glenaire,  a  new 
continuing  care  retirement 
community,  held  a  series  of 
events  on  Jan.  11  and  12  to 
commemorate  opening  its  $23 
million  facility. 

The  formal  grand  opening 
on  Jan.  12  featured  remarks 
by  William  L.  Williams,  presi- 
dent of  Glenaire's  board  of 
trustees,  and  Robert  Wilson, 
president  of  the  board  of  gov- 
ernors of  Presbyterian  Homes 
Inc.,  Glenaire's  parent  corpo- 
ration. 

Doris  Betts,  nationally  rec- 
ognized novelist  and  professor 
of  English  at  the  University  of 
North  Carolina-Chapel  Hill, 


l.nnomanq  a 
wedalhnaof  care 
for  a  special 
person  in  your  life. 


ThtLacrHrallh  Cm  Program  ai 
Ihe  Craig  AssisUd  Living  Program 

King'sGrant^  

Al  Sunnyside  Retirement  Community 


The  Lacy  Health  Center  is  now  open  at 
King's  Grant  Here,  your  loved  ones  can  enjoy 
a  lovely  suite  while  receiving  services  and 
nursing  care  from  a  supportive,  nurturing 
staff.  We  offer  activities,  a  dining  room  and 
beauty  salon,  and  residents  are  encouraged  to 
be  as  active  as  they  would  like.  For  those  who 
need  help  daily  but  do  not  require  nursing 
care,  our  Assisted  Living  residences  are  an 
ideal  option. 

Ours  is  an  environment  where  residents 
maintain  their  dignity  and  pride.  For  a  special 
person  in  your  life,  please  write  or  call 
703-634-1000  or  800-462-4649. 

^-0494-AI.        A  Presbytman  Ministry  since  1912. 


read  relevant  selections  from 
her  writings. 

Glenaire  is  the  third  con- 
tinuing care  retirement  com- 
munity developed  and  oper- 
ated in  North  Carolina  by  The 
Presbyterian  Homes  Inc.  The 
other  two  are  The  Presbyte- 
rian Home  of  High  Point  and 
Scotia  Village  of  Laurinburg. 

About  180  residents  now  Uve 
in  Glenaire's  cottages  and 
apartments.  Another  32  are  in 
its  health  care  facility.  Full 
occupancy  will  be  220  in  inde- 
pendent living  and  40  in  health 
care. 

W-C  Blue  Ridge  board 
announces  members 

CHARLOTTESVILLE,  Va.— 
Westminster-Canterbury  of 
the  Blue  Ridge  has  announced 
five  new  members  of  its  board 
of  directors. 

Dennis  W.  Good  Jr.  is  a  part- 
ner with  McGuire,  Woods, 
Battle  and  Boothe  in  Char- 
lottesville. E.  Howard  Goodwin 
began  a  career  in  the  real  es- 
tate industry  after  taking  early 
retirement  from  the  sales  de- 
partment of  Bethlehem  Steel 
Corp. 

C.  Preston  Locher  has 
served  as  president  of  Locher 
Interests  Ltd.,  Anglo  Alaska 
Construction,  and  the  Locher 
Co.  Mrs.  James  B.  Murray  Jr. 
is  manager  of  commercial  real 
estate  for  two  projects.  East 
Market  Square  Ltd.,  and 
Greenbrier  Square  Ltd. 
Wendall  L.  Winn  Jr.  is  a  part- 
ner in  Richmond  and 
Fishburne. 

Presbyterian  Home 
receives  accreditation 
HIGH  POINT,  N.C— The  Pres- 


At  Westminster-Canterbury  of  the  Blue  Ridge, 
you  get  more  than  a  great  view  of  the  mountains. 
You  also  get  a  great  view  of  life. 


When  you  look  out  over  the  beautiful 
Blue  Ridge  Mountains  from  your  cottage  or 
apartment  at  Westminster-Canterbury  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  you  get  a  very  real  sense  of 
contentment. 

You  know  you're  living  in  a  true  life  care 
community.  You  know  your  safety  and 
security  are  top  priorities  for  the  staff.  You 
know  that  you  have  the  opportunity  to  par- 
ticipate in  as  many — or  as  few — social  and 
recreational  activities  as  you  wish. 

And  at  Westminster-Canterbury  of  the 


Blue  Ridge,  you  also  know  you  are  living  in 
a  retirement  community  which  is  operating 
under  guidelines  that  have  been  established 
by  the  Presbyterian  and  Episcopal  Churches 
of  Virginia. 

This  guidance  ensures  a  truly  caring  envi- 
ronment— an  environment  committed  to  the 
spiritual  as  well  as  the  physical  and  social 
needs  of  our  residents. 

When  you  consider  all  of  these  reasons, 
we  think  this  may  be  the  ideal  retirement 
community  for  you. 


Westminster-Canterbury  of  the  Blue  Ridge 

□  Please  send  additional  information. 

□  Please  call  to  schedule  an  appointment. 

Name  

Address  

City,  State,  Zip   | 

Phone  i  I  1 


250  Pantops  Mountain  Road 
Charlottesville,  VA  22901 
(804)  980-9100 


byterian  Home  of  High  Point 
has  been  reaccredited  by  the 
Continuing  Care  Accreditation 
Commission  of  the  American 
Association  of  Homes  for  the 
Aging.  The  accreditation  pro- 
cess included  an  on-site  evalu- 
ation by  trained  continuing 
care  professionals. 

Shumate  re-elected 
as  W-C  Richmond  chair 

RICHMOND  — Stuart 
Shumate,  retired  president 
and  director  of  RF&P  Railroad, 
was  recently  re-elected  chair- 
man of  the  Westminster-Can- 
terbury-Richmond Manage- 
ment Corporation.  John  I. 
Oatts,  retired  executive  vice 
president  of  Virginia  Power, 
was  elected  vice  chairman. 

Management  corporation 
trustees  elected  to  four-year 
terms  by  the  Westminster 
Presbyterian  Homes  Inc.  were 
Wellford  L.  Sanders  Jr. ,  a  part- 
ner in  the  law  firm  of  McGuire, 
Woods,  Battle  and  Boothe;  and 
James  Sydnor  Phillips,  retired 
vice  president  of  the  Chesa- 
peake and  Poto-mac  Telephone 
Co. 

Rieman  McNamara  was 
elected  president  of  West- 
minster-Canterbury Founda- 
tion. Harry  G.  Lee  was  elected 
vice  president. 

Elected  to  the  foundation 
board  were  Edward  C.  Dar- 
ling, Dr.  James  G.  Ferguson 
Jr.,  L.  H.  Ginn  III,  Evelyn 
Whitehurst  Huntley,  Anne 
Beazley  Little,  Wilham  G. 
McClure  III,  George  J.  McVey, 
and  Edmund  M.  Talley. 


N.C.  Presbyterian 
Historical  Society 
to  meet  May  21 

The  North  Carohna  Presbjrte- 
rian  Historical  Society  will  hold 
its  spring  meeting  at  Peace 
College  in  Raleigh  on  May  21. 

Registration  will  begin  at 
10  a.m.,  followed  by  a  business 
meeting  and  limch.  Business 
will  include  election  of  officers. 

Guest  speaker  after  lunch 
will  be  the  Rev.  Fred  McCall,  a 
doctoral  student  at  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  Vir- 
ginia. His  topic  will  be  Henry 
Patillo,  an  influential  Presby- 
terian minister  in  18th  cen- 
tury North  Carolina. 

Registration  for  the  spring 
meeting  is  $8  per  person.  The 
annual  membership  fee  is  $3 
for  an  individual  and  $5  for  a 
family.  Fees  should  be  sent  to 
Dr.  John  MacLeod,  809  David- 
son St.,  Raleigh,  NC  27619. 


Employment  Opportunity 

Do  you  like  to  give  away  other 
people's  money?  Have  you  had  a 
secret  desire  to  work  to  eliminate 
poverty?  Do  you  have  a  passion  to 
transform  the  church?  Can  you  work 
with  people  to  convert  their  needs 
and  dreams  into  real  projects? 

Position:  Directorof  TheSpeer 
Trust,  New  Castle  Presbytery, 
PC(USA) 

The  Speer  Trust  is  committed  to 
addressing  the  root  causes  of  pov- 
erty by  funding  organizations  of 
people  who  are  poor  to  gain  control 
over  their  own  lives.  Request  infor- 
mation from  orsend  resume  by  May1 
to:  The  Speer  Trust  Search  Commit- 
tee, 1 101  N.  MarketSt.,  Wilmington, 
DEI  9801. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1994,  Page  5 


Mother   Day  Offering 
May  8,  1994 

At  every  age  and  stage  of  life  we  have  unique, 
God-given  gifts  meant  to  be  used  to  God's  glory.  The 
Older  Adult  Ministries  Committee  of  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic  seeks  to  affirm  the  unique  worth  of 
older  persons  and  to  be  concerned  with  the  quality 
of  life  throughout  the  lifespan  of  the  individual.  The 
Committee's  mission  is: 

•  to  meet  the  increasing  physical,  social,  and 
spiritual  needs  of  older  adults 

•  to  raise  the  awareness  of  clergy  and  laity  of  the 
uniqueness  of  aging 

•  to  empower  those  who  are  aging  to  identify  their 
own  strengths  and  contributions  to  be  offered  to 
the  church  and  community 


Sunnyside  Presbyterian 
Retirement  Communities 

For  over  80  years  Sunnyside  Presbyterian  Home 
has  taken  a  "family"  approach  to  its  ministries  with 
older  adults,  providing  a  variety  of  living  arrange- 
ments in  two  locations  in  Virginia  and  maintaining 
a  close  relationship  with  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  through  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

Sunnyside  Presbyterian  Retirement 
Community,  located  in  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  offers 
a  wide  range  of  living  options  to  older  adults  through- 
out the  Synod.  Individuals  may  choose  independent 
living  arrangements  in  detached  homes  or  apart- 
ments. Assisted  living  and  nursing  home  care  are 
available  as  needed.  A  note  from  a  resident's  family 
says,  "I  have  been  continually  amazed  and  impressed 
by  the  compassion,  love,  and  wisdom  with  which  the 
administration  and  staffof  Sunnyside  carries  out  its 
mission  to  those  who  have  entrusted  themselves  to 
Sunnyside's  care — ^Yours  is  a  big  task,  but,  almost 
without  exception,  I  have  found  that  your  residents 
are  treated  with  dignity,  respect,  kindness,  and  love." 

Located  in  Martinsville,  Va.,  King's  Grant  will 
celebrate  its  first  anniversary  in  April.  This  new 
retirement  community  offers  three  lifestyle  options: 
independent  living  in  cottages,  apartments,  and 
residential  rooms;  assisted  living;  and  skilled  nurs- 
ing care.  A  number  of  prospective  residents  living  in 
Martinsville  began  a  breakfast  group  to  get  ac- 
qugdnted.  The  "breakfast  bunch"  has  grown  to  93 
and  is  already  a  tradition  among  the  160  residents 
of  King's  Grant. 


Mother's  Day  OflFering 

in  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic 


"/  remind  you  to  rekindle  the  gift  of  God 
that  is  within  you.'*  Timothy  1:6 

The  Presbyterian  Homes,  Inc. 

The  Presbyterian  Homes,  Inc.  was  formed  in  the 
Fall  of  1984  to  oversee  the  governance  of  its  three 
divisions:  Scotia  Village  in  Laurinburg,  The  Presby- 
terian Home  of  High  Point,  and  Glenaire  in  Cary,  all 
in  North  Carolina. 

The  Presbyterian  Home  of  High  Point  has 
served  and  cared  for  older  adults  since  1952,  offering 
independent  living,  assisted  living,  intermediate 
and  skilled  nursing  care  to  300  residents.  The  Pres- 
byterian Home  is  about  to  embark  on  a  three-phase 
modernization  and  renovation  project  that  will  en- 
hance the  current  living  arrangements  and  provide 
new  choices  for  residents  in  the  future.  Each  winter, 
The  Presbyterian  Home  of  High  Point  sponsors  a 
Lecture  Series  for  the  entire  community,  covering 
topics  from  adult  literacy  to  an  entertaining  evening 
on  Mark  Twain.  Residents  volunteer  in  a  variety  of 
organizations  such  as  the  American  Red  Cross, 
business  start-up  programs  for  seniors,  and  at  the 
local  hospital.  The  Presbyterian  Home  Band  fre- 
quently performs  for  other  retirement  communities, 
church  groups,  and  civic  groups.  They  were  featured 
at  the  1992  Synod  Assembly  meeting  to  celebrate  the 
40th  aimiversary  of  The  Presbyterian  Homes,Inc. 

Scotia  Village  at  Laurinburg  opened  its  doors  in 
1988  and  is  located  adjacent  to  St.  Andrews  Presby- 
terian College,  making  available  many  opportuni- 
ties for  residents  of  Scotia  Village  and  for  the  com- 
munity at-large.  Residents  are  especially  active  in 
SAILL:  St.  Andrews  Institute  for  Life-Long  Learn- 
ing, a  program  of  interactive  learning  available  to 
all  residents  over  50  years  of  age  who  reside  in  the 
area.  SAILL  members  may  use  the  college's  swim- 
ming and  library  facilities,  and  they  get  reserved 
seating  for  special  events.  Both  campuses,  St. 
Andrews  and  Scotia  Village,  are  sites  for  classes 
which  are  frequently  taught  by  residents  of  the 
retirement  community. 


The  newest  affiliate  of  The  Presbyterian  Homes, 
Inc.  is  Glenaire,  located  in  Cary  and  operating  for 
less  than  a  year.  Like  Scotia  Village,  Glenaire  offers 
cottages  and  apartments,  assisted  living  arrange- 
ments and  a  health  care  facility.  About  50  percent  of 
the  220  current  residents  have  relocated  from  the 
Raleigh  area,  another  25  percent  are  from  other 
parts  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  rest  have  moved 
from  17  states — many  drawn  to  children  living 
nearby.  Already,  residents  have  formed  an  associa- 
tion to  guide  their  activities  and  to  represent  their 
interests  to  the  administrative  staff.  They  have 
organized  and  put  into  operation  a  gift  shop  and 
library,  and  many  other  plane       "in  process." 

Westminster  Presbyterian  Homes,  Inc. 

In  1966  Westminster  Presbyterian  Homes,  Inc. 
was  formed  as  a  special  committee  on  ministry  to 
the  aging  and  retired.  Since  then  it  has  been  co- 
sponsor  (with  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia)  of 
six  Westminster-Canterbury  facilities  in  Virginia. 

In  1991,  the  board  of  Westminster  Presbyterian 
Homes,  Inc.  identified  the  need  for  low-  and  moder- 
^  ate-income  housing 
for  older  adults.  As  a 
result  of  careful  re- 
search and  consulta- 
tion, WPH,  Inc.  has 
received  approval 
from  HUD  to  begin 
construction  on  a  30- 
unit  apartment  com- 
plex for  the  elderly  in 
Pearisburg,  Va.  The 
project  is  a  collabora- 
tion of  Westminster 
Presbyterian  Homes, 
Inc.,  Virginia  Moun- 
tain Housing,  Inc., 
and  Presbytery  of  the 
Peaks. 

Older  Adult  Ministry  Network 

The  Presbyterian  Older  Adult  Ministry  Network 
is  a  group  of  volunteer  enablers  who  combine  their 
skills  and  leadership  abilities  to  provide  resources 
to  local  congregations  within  their  presbyteries. 
Many  of  these  enablers  are  available  to  give  work- 
shops on  a  variety  of  topics,  conduct  needs  assess- 
ments for  congregations,  encourage  involvement  in 
continuing  education,  and  design  special  programs 
or  projects  to  highlight  the  gifts  and  skills  of  older 
persons.  They  are  willing  to  travel  an3rwhere  in  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic.  Jan  McGilUard,  Synod 
Associate  for  Older  Adult  Ministries,  supplies  these 
enablers  and  their  presbytery  committees  with  re- 
sources and  consultation,  and  speaks  to  groups 
about  older  adult  ministries.  For  further  informa- 
tion, call  Jan  McGilliard  at  (703)  552-0948. 

The  Mother's  Day  Offering 

The  Mother's  Day  Offering  is  taken  by  local 
congregations.  A  response  card  for  ordering  bro- 
chures and  offering  envelopes  was  sent  to  each 
congregation  in  February.  For  further  information 
contact  Jan  McGilliard,  Synod  Associate  for  Older 
Adult  Ministries,  at  (703)  552-0948.  Each  church 
treasurer  will  send  the  church's  offering  to  the 
presbytery  for  remittance  to  the  Synod. 

Checks  for  the  offering  should  be  made  payable  to: 
Mother's  Day  Offering 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantxc. 


Page  6,  Mid-Atl£intic  Presbjrterian,  April  1994 


Jht    Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 


This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


COUNCll.  ON  ACCREDtTATKDN 
OFSEI?VICESFO«F/\MIUES 
AND  CHILDREN,  INC 


Internship  is  good  experience 


Susan  E.  McDaniels,  full-time 
teacher  for  the  after-school 
program  at  the  L.C.  Wagner 
Family  and  Child  Development 
Center,  recently  completed  an 
internship  at  the  Adolescent 
Center. 

Susan  will  graduate  in  Au- 
gust of  this  year  with  a  bach- 
elor of  arts  degree  in  human 
services  from  Gardner  Webb 
College.  Part  of  her  require- 
ments was  to  work  a  90-hour 
internship  in  a  field  related  to 
her  degree. 

Susan  chose  to  approach  the 
Adolescent  Center  for  several 
reasons.  The  obvious  one  is 
that  she  already  works  on  cam- 
pus at  the  day  care.  The  other 
reason  was  that  she  felt  she 
wanted  to  eventually  work 
with  adolescents  in  the  social 
work  field  so  it  seemed  an  in- 
ternship there  would  give  her 
some  insight  and  experience. 

It  did!  She  worked  eight- 
hour  shifts  with  social  work- 
ers Donna  Osborne  and  Terri 
Myers  of  Sanford  and  Goodman 
cottages.  She  was  able  to  ob- 
serve two  home  assessments, 
several  interviews,  treatment 
reviews  and  discharges,  and 
she  also  spent  some  time  in  the 
classrooms. 

Susan  said  that  her  experi- 
ences at  the  Adolescent  Cen- 
ter assured  her  that  she  was 
headed  into  a  field  that  was 
right  for  her.  Though  she  isn't 
sure  at  this  point  exactly  what 
she  will  do  upon  graduation, 

'New'  gift 
wish  list 

□  15-passenger  Van 

□  Automobiles 

□  Dining  Room  Table  (seats 
12) 

□  Washing  Machines  (2) 

□  Dryers  (2) 

□  2  Vacuum  Cleaners 

□  2  Twin  Mattresses 

□  2  Twin  Box  Springs 

□  3  Couches 

□  2  Night  Stands 

□  1  Large  Bookcase 

□  Toiletries 

□  Towels  and  Wash 
cloths 

□  Sports  Equipment  (balls, 
gloves,  frisbees,  bats; 
ping-pong  paddles,  balls 
&  net) 

□  New  Clothes  (girls  &  boys, 
10-18  years) 

□  Twin  bed  linens  and  bed- 


she  is  sure  that  she  wants  to 
work  somewhere  like  Barium 
Springs. 

"The  staff  seemed  to  be  re- 
ally caring  about  the  kids,"  said 
Susan.  "They  really  wanted 
things  to  work  out  for  them 
and  their  families.  The  social 
workers  could  spend  more  time 
with  the  family  and  be  more 
like  a  friend  to  them  because 
they  don't  have  a  huge  caseload 
and  because  they  work  within 
a  team  in  the  cottage  which 
gives  them  and  the  family  sup- 
port. It  wasn't  just  a  job  to  any 
of  them." 

Impressed  by  programs 

Susan  said  that  both  the  day 
care  program  and  the  Adoles- 
cent Center  program  impressed 
her  with  the  way  that  they 
focused  on  the  needs  of  the 
children,  not  how  much  the 
parent(s)  could  or  could  not 
pay. 

"They  look  at  the  needs  of 
the  kid  and  the  family  first. 
They  decide  if  the  program  at 
Barium  could  help  them  and 
then  look  at  the  financial  situ- 
ation," said  Susan.  "A  lot  of 
places  seem  to  look  at  it  in 
reverse." 

Both  of  the  social  workers, 
Terry  and  Donna,  had  only 
good  things  to  say  about  their 
experiences  with  Susan.  They 
thought  she  was  very  eager 
and  personable,  and  would  do 


Homecoming  1994 
August  6th  and  7th 

Dear  Alumni,  families 
and  friends: 
Please  join  us 
for  a  lot  of  fun! 


If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, P.O.  Box  1,  Barium 
Springs.  N.C.,  28010-0001, 
phorift  I  umber  704/872-4157. 


Slide  show 
available 

Need  a  30-minute  pre- 
sentation, including  a 
nine-minute  sUde  pro- 
gram, at  your  Sunday 
night  suppers,  meetings 
of  the  Men's  and 
Women's  Church 
Groups,  Sunday  School 
classes,  etc.?  Call  Reade 
Baker,  Vice  President, 
Financial  Resources,  at 
(704) 872-4157  to  sched- 
ule a  presentation. 

Staff  members  are 
available  to  come  to  your 
church  or  organization, 
free  of  charge,  to  dis- 
cuss the  Home's  activi- 
ties and  answer  any 
questions.  On-campus 
tours  and  programs  are 
also  encouraged. 

You  need  to  see  this 
ministry  in  action  to 
fully  understand  how 
your  support  changes 
the  lives  of  children  and 
famihes. 


well  in  the  human  services 
field.  They  also  felt  that  the 
internship  was  valuable  to  all 
parties  involved,  including  the 
young  people  and  families 
served  by  the  Home. 

"The  internship  served  as  a 
sneak  peak  for  Susan  as  far  as 
what  it  would  actually  be  like 
to  do  social  work,"  said  Terry. 
"It  introduced  the  residents  to 
the  experience  of  furthering 
education,  and  gave  them  a 
glimpse  of  what  a  person  close 
to  their  own  age  can  accom- 
plish if  they  try.  And  it  gave 
Donna  and  myself  the  oppor- 
tunity to  look  at  what  we  do 
from  a  fresh  perspective." 

Susan  began  working  at  the 
L.C.  Wagner  FCDC  in  Decem- 
ber 1991.  She  is  from  Iredell 
County  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Elsbeth  McDaniels. 
She  said  the  other  bonus  about 
her  internship  was  that  all  of 
the  Adolescent  Center  staff 
were  so  nice  to  her. 

"I  worried  at  first  that  I'd  be 
bothering  people  by  always 
looking  over  their  shoulder,  or 
that  I'd  feel  like  a  third  wheel," 
said  Susan.  "But  everyone, 
especially  Terry  and  Donna, 
made  me  feel  very  good.  They 
answered  my  questions  and 
explained  things  with  inter- 
est. I  was  very  grateful  that 
they  accepted  me  so  whole- 
heartedly." 


...Or  SO 

it  seems 


Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

As  the  Home  enters  its  104th 
year,  we  wonder  what  has 
happened  to  the  thousands  of 
people  who  have  passed  this 
way.  Occasionally,  we  hear 
from  a  former  resident  and 
learn  that  he  or  she  has  done 
well  and  is  grateful  for  hav- 
ingbeenhere.  Several  months 
ago  we  received  a  letter  which 
stated  in  part: 

"I  graduated  from  Barium 
. . .  (and)  would  like  to  do  some- 
thing for  a  child  that  would ... 
encourage  Barium  kids  to  pay 
greater  attention  to  their  stud- 
ies. We  do  not  want  credit  for 
the  gift,  either  in  the  an- 
nouncement or  in  the  naming 
of  the  recipient." 

After  much  correspon- 
dence, a  state-of-the-art  com- 
puter was  received  and 
awarded  to  Duane  Dunston, 
a  freshman  at  Pheiffer  Col- 


A  'special'  special  thanks  ... 


lege.  While  again  insisting  on 
anonymity,  a  note  stated: 

"...  you  might  tell  (the  stu- 
dent) the  computer  came  from 
a  Barium  alumni  who,  many 
years  ago,  was  in  a  position 
much  like  his  and  who  was 
given  more  than  one  opportu- 
nity to  extend  himself" 

My  personal  thanks  goes  to 
the  anonymous  alumnus  for 
this  meaningful  gift  and  to  all 
the  former  residents  who  have 
made  many  contributions  in 
gratitude  for  what  they  re- 
ceived here.  I  appreciate  their 
material  support  and  their 
friendship  which  reminds  us 
that  we  are  the  beneficiaries  of 
all  who  passed  this  way  before 


To  Carl  Graham,  Mike  Brown 
and  Bill  Mills  for  answering 
innumerable  calls  to  check  on 
cold  furnaces,  balky  vehicles, 
leaky  pipes  and  slippery  walk- 
ways during  the  grueling 
winds,  plummeting  tempera- 


tures and  demgerous  sleet  of 
January  1994 — ^for  keeping  us 
warm,  watered,  showered, 
riding  and  walking  safely.  You 
not  only  "done  good,"  you  done 
it  with  a  smile. 


Students  celebrate  Black  History  Month 
by  researching  Afro-American  authors 


In  February  of  1926,  the  first 
Negro  History  Week  was  cel- 
ebrated. It  was  a  time  set  aside 
to  honor  African-American 
heroes  and  heroines,  but  it  was 
not  widely  observed  outside 
the  Black  community. 

In  1980,  the  observance  be- 
came known  as  Black  History 
Month,  a  nationwide  celebra- 
tion which  occurs  each  Febru- 
ary. Its  purpose  is  to  educate 
everyone,  regardless  of  race, 
on  the  struggles,  successes, 
failures,  and  contributions 
made  by  Afro-Americans 
throughout  the  years,  and  to 
celebrate  that  history  because 
of  the  strength  arid  opportuni- 
ties it  has  given  Afro-Ameri- 
cans today. 

This  year  in  observance  of 
Black  History  Month,  resi- 
dents of  the  Adolescent  Cen- 
ter studied  the  contributions 
Afro-Americans  have  made  to 
the  field  of  literature. 

Sanford  Cottage  Teacher 
Bobbie  Samuels  said  that  once 
the  students  began  studying 
the  lives  of  these  famous  Afro- 
American  writers  and  study- 
ing their  literary  works,  they 
found  many  works  that  they 
were  familiar  with,  but  had 
never  realized  that  the  authors 
were  Black. 

"I  feel  that  their  research 
and  discoveries  have  shown 
them  that  sometimes  our  as- 
sumptions can  be  prejudiced 
without  our  knowing  it  or  in- 


tending for  them  to  be,"  said 
Samuels.  "I  think  it  was  a  won- 
derful lesson  for  our  students, 
and  one  they  are  more  likely  to 
remember  because  they  made 
the  discoveries  on  their  own." 

After  they  finished  their 
research,  the  students  had  a 
choice  of  how  they  wanted  to 
present  their  information  to 
the  rest  of  the  class.  Some  chose 
to  write  reports,  others  wrote 
poems  about  their  author,  and 
others  did  a  family  tree  of  the 
author.  All  of  these  items  were 
then  placed  in  a  time  capsule 
and  buried  near  the  school,  so 
that  students  10, 20  or  even  50 


years  from  now  would  know 
how  Black  History  Month  was 
celebrated  in  1994  at  Bariizm 
Springs. 

"I  think  the  time  capsule 
will  help  these  young  people 
feel  that  what  they  think  or 
feel  is  important,"  said 
Samuels.  "I  hope  they  will  re- 
member after  they  leave  here 
that  many  years  from  now  their 
name  and  their  project  will  be 
studied  by  others  in*  the  fu- 
ture. Most  of  them  seem  to 
think  it  was  neat  that  they 
would  be  a  part  of  the  Home's 
future  as  well  as  part  of  its 
past." 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $_ 
I  wish  to:   


_  Honor 
Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


is  enclosed 
 Remember 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  

Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs,  NC  28010 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1994,  Page  7 


Presbyterian  Womeri's  Circle  Leaders'  Study  Guide— Lesson  Nine,  May  1994 

A  Prayer  of  Deliverance       Psaims  42  &  43 

By  ROSAMOND  McCARTY 

We  are  nearing  the  end  of  this  year's  Bible  study  on 
player,  and  next  month  we  will  summarize  our 
journey  toward  spiritual  maturity.  But  nearing  the 
end  of  our  study  does  not  mean  we  have  achieved 
our  goal;  in  fact,  to  think  we  have  achieved  spiritual 
maturity  is  to  annoimce  to  the  world  how  far  from 
our  destination  we  really  are! 

In  Prayer:  Finding  the  Heart's  True  Home,  Rich- 
ard Foster  states  that  "the  primary  purpose  of 
prayer  is  to  bring  us  into  such  a  life  of  communion 
with  the  Father,  that  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  we 
are  increasingly  conformed  to  the  image  of  the  Son." 
If  our  goal  of  spiritual  maturity  is  to  become  like 
Jesus,  we  will  all  admit  we  have  a  long  journey 
ahead. 

In  this  month's  lesson  the  Psalmist  recognizes 
how  far  removed  he  is  from  his  former  closeness  to 
the  Lord  and  prays  for  deliverance  from  the  situa- 
tions that  keep  him  isolated.  Let  us  look  at  condi- 
tions or  times  in  our  own  lives  when  the  Lord  seems 
far  away. 

42: 1-4 — Pascal  has  said,  "There  is  a  God-shaped 
void  in  the  heart  of  every  man";  and  St.  Augustine 
declared,  "We  are  made  for  God,  and  our  hearts  are 
restless  until  they  rest  in  Him."  Mankind  is  born 
with  a  sense  of  something  missing  in  his  life,  a 
feeling  of  emptiness,  of  being  unfulfilled.  He  spends 
his  Ufe  seeking  to  fill  that  void,  to  be  completed. 
Sadly,  many  never  realize  that  it  is  only  the  Lord 
who  provides  that  fulfillment  and  who  fits  that 
empty  space.  Most  go  through  life  seeking  to  gratify 
that  nameless  desire  by  striving  for  wealth,  power, 
prestige,  or  the  satiation  of  their  fleshly  appetites 
and  are  left  still  thirsting  for  that  which  perfectly 
satisfies. 


There  are  others  of  us,  however,  who  have  heeded 
Jesus'  words  (J.  7:  37, 38)  and  have  tasted  the  living 
water,  but  because  of  circumstance  often  beyond 
our  control,  we  have  felt  cut  off  from  that  refreshing 
stream.  One  of  the  most  insidious  threats  to  com- 
panionship with  God  is  depression,  a  serious  mood 
disorder  often  caused  by  loneliness,  feelings  of  worth- 
lessness,  or  futility.  Clinical  depression  must  be 
treated  with  chemicals  to  restore 
the  balance  of  endorphines  in  the 
brain,  but  the  depression  increas- 
ingly common  to  the  many  of  us 
requires  spiritual  solutions. 

42: 6-10— There  are  other  situ- 
ations that  often  threaten  our 
communion  with  God,  such  as 
illness  (ours  or  a  loved  one's), 
death  of  a  loved  one,  loss  of  a  job, 
abusive  relationships,  divorce,  or 
other  forms  of  rejection. 

Such  situations  threaten  to 
overwhelm  us,  and  we  sense  we 
are  drowning  in  sorrow.  Whether  Rosamond 
God's  hand  is  involved  in  the  cause  McCarty 
of  our  suffering  or  whether  He 
has  only  allowed  it  makes  little  difference.  We  still 
feel  rejected  and  forgotten  by  Him. 

43:  1-4 — In  these  verses  the  psalmist  pleads  for 
deliverance  from  his  enemies,  and  we  ask,  "Who  are 
our  enemies?"  In  Eph.  6:12  Paul  tells  us  that  "our 
struggle  is  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against 
the  powers  of  this  dark  world  and  against  the 
spiritual  forces  of  evil  in  the  heavenly  realm."  From 
the  moment  we  accept  Christ  as  our  Saviour  we  are 
engaged  in  spiritual  warfare.  Satan  tries  to  defeat 
us  by  tempting  us  to  take  our  eyes  off  Jesus  and  look 
at  the  circumstances.  And,  while  he  cannot  take 


I 


away  our  salvation,  he  can  rob  us  of  our  joy  and 
render  us  useless  to  the  Kingdom  of  God.  Paul 
admonishes  us  to  put  on  the  whole  armor  of  God  so 
that  Satan  cannot  find  any  vulnerable  spots  through 
which  he  can  injure  us  and  to  take  the  word  of  God 
as  our  offensive  weapon  against  him.  (Eph.  6:12 — 
18) 

In  these  two  psalms  the  same  refrain  ends  each  of 
the  three  sections  (See  42:5&11  and  43:5).  The 
answer  to  all  our  problems  is  the  same — God  our 
Saviour.  Our  only  hope  for  deliverance  from  what- 
ever besets  us  lies  in  Him  and  Him  alone.  Notice 
that  the  psalmist  says  he  will  praise  the  Lord  even 
when  his  soul  is  disturbed.  We  have  already  stated 
in  a  previous  lesson  that  often  our  praise  will  be  a 
sacrifice — that  is,  we  will  offer  praise  even  when  we 
don't  feel  like  it.  Scripture  tells  us  that  our  God 
inhabits  the  praises  of  His  people,  so  we  can  know 
that  His  power  is  released  in  a  supernatural  way. 
Sometimes  He  changes  that  circumstances,  and 
some  times  He  changes  us. 

Ray  C.  Stedman  in  Talking  to  my  Father  says, 
"When  we  have  this  intimate  relationship  with 
Him,  prayer  brings  us  not  always  to  an  answer  but 
to  the  place  where  an  answer  is  unnecessary ...  to  an 
understanding  of  the  Father  heart  of  God." 

In  43:3  the  psalmist  prays  that  the  Lord  will  bring 
forth  his  light  and  his  truth.  Jesus  has  said  He  is  the 
Light  of  the  world  and  the  Truth.  He  has  come  forth 
to  us  and  He  can  deliver  us  from  Satan's  clutches. 
One  of  the  signposts  toward  spiritual  maturity 
assures  us  that  "in  all  things  God  works  for  the  good 
of  those  who  love  Him,  who  have  been  called  accord- 
ing to  His  purpose"  (Rom.  8:28).  The  road  to  God's 
holy  mountain  (v.3)  is  often  bumpy  and  confusing, 
but  Jesus  is  our  guide  and  praise  provides  the 
vehicle. 


Rosamond  McCarty  is  a  member  of  Royal  Oak 
Church  in  Marion,  Va. 


New  Resources 


Aging  Is  A  Family  Affair 

By  Edward  Loper,  Presbyterian  Mariners  (address  3704  North  Belt 
West.  BeUeviUe,  IL  62223),  1993, 48pp,  paper,  $6.95. 

Reviewed  by  Bob  and  Rose  Marie  Ridgway 

Frequently  it  comes  as  a  shock  to  adult  children  when  their 
parents  are  no  longer  able  to  t£ike  care  of  themselves  and  they 
must  assume  the  role  of  caregiver.  It  is  a  role  which  few  are 
trained  to  face  emotionally  or  spiritually. 

It  is  into  this  setting  that  Edward  Loper  brings  his  experi- 
ences as  parish  pastor  and  former  director  of  Pastoral  Care 
Services  at  the  Presbyterian  Home  for  Central  New  York.  In  I 
Aging  Is  A  Family  Affair,  he  challenges  the  readers  to  view 
aging  as  a  part  of  our  personal  faith  journey  through  life. 

The  study  begins  by  looking  at  the  phenomenon  of  aging  and 
the  biblical  rendition  of  aging  and  how  it  differs  from  the  images 
we  see  in  today's  media. 

Loper  helps  the  reader  to  explore  the  basic  feelings  of  joy, 
sadness,  anger,  and  fear.  These  feelings  appear  in  many  shades 
and  hews  and  the  caregiver  must  put  them  in  their  proper 
perspective  when  dealing  with  elderly  parents.  Once  these 
feelings  have  been  sorted  out,  the  caregiver  will  examine  ways 
in  which  feelings  are  expressed. 

Problem-solving  is  a  skill  needed  by  adult  children  caring  for 
their  parents.  Loper  uses  a  model  to  show  the  reader  how  to 
recognize  a  problem  which  must  be  resolved,  set  goals  to 
accomplish  the  task,  and  identify  multiple  approaches  to  solving 
the  problem. 

As  an  outgrowth  of  problem-solving,  the  caregiver  must  then 
look  at  the  options  which  are  available  when  their  parents 
become  dependent.  These  options  include  maintaining  your 
parents  in  their  own  home,  moving  them  to  your  home,  or 
transferring  them  to  some  form  of  assisted  living.  The  options 
are  frequently  limited  by  emotional  and  financial  resources  and 
are  ones  over  which  the  caregiver  may  have  little  control. 

The  basic  types  of  assisted  hving  are  reviewed  by  Loper. 
Particular  attention  is  given  to  the  nursing  home.  No  other  form 
of  assisted  Uving  has  more  emotional  trauma  and  guilt  associ- 
ated with  it  for  both  the  adult  child  and  their  parents.  The 
author  provides  a  detailed  list  of  things  to  consider,  questions  to 
ask,  and  what  you  should  look  for  in  such  a  facility. 

As  parents  become  more  dependent,  some  difficult  issues 
need  to  be  discussed  even  though  much  emotional  pain  may  be 
associated  with  them.  It  is  better  to  discuss  these  issues  before 
a  crisis  is  at  hand.  Loper  examines  the  durable  power  of 
attorney,  a  living  will,  finances,  and  funeral  planning. 

The  author  looks  at  the  spiritual  life  of  both  the  elderly  parent 
and  the  caregiver.  As  the  seasons  of  life  change,  so  does  the  way 
in  which  spiritual  life  is  viewed.  Frequently  an  elderly  parent 
will  ask,  "What  good  am  I;  why  did  God  let  me  live  this  long;  why 
■  can't  I  just  die?"  Loper  gviides  the  reader  through  an  examina- 
tion of  these  tough  questions.  The  study  guide  concludes  with  a 
look  at  the  ultimate  spiritual  crisis:  death  or  the  prospect  of 
death.  Loper  explains  how  grief  is  a  part  of  the  healing  process 
along  with  prayer  and  the  support  of  the  faith  community. 


Laser  Printer  Wanted 

A  new  laser  printer  is  needed  for 
use  in  production  of  this  news- 
paper. If  you  are  interested  in 
helping  with  this  need,  call  John 
Sniffen  at  (804)  342-0016. 


t 


FIBERGLASS  STEEPLES 
CROSSES  -  BAPTISTRIES 
WATER  HEATERS 


A 


UHLE  GIANT  MANUFAQURING  CO. 


PEW  REFINISHING  *  CARPET 
PEWS  *  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 


E.  C.  Moore  &  Co.,  Inc. 
P.O.  Box  524  -  Monroe,  N.C.  281 1 
704-289-5817»704-289-1599-Home 


GOTLAND 

History  &  Hospitality 

September  29  -  October  11, 1994 

Scotland:  History  and  Hospitality  weaves  together  Scotland's  spectacular 
scenery  with  its  intriguing  history.  Add  to  that  the  color  and  charm  of 
Scottish  hospitality,  good  food  and  drink,  and — whether  you're  a  first- 
time  or  returning  visitor — you  have  the  makings  of  a  memorable  trip  to 
this  bonnie  land. 

For  this  special  trip,  sponsored  by  Union  Theological  Seminary  in 
Virginia,  spirited  commentary  on  historic  sites  and  informal  after-dinner 
discussions  on  topics  ranging  from  Hadrian's  Wall  to  the  Reformation  to 
the  current  Scottish  independence  movement  will  be  led  by  Dr.  T.  Hartley 
Hall  IV,  who  is  retiring  this  summer  as  the  Seminary's  president.  Dr.  Hall 
is  well  known  for  his  knowledge  of  Scottish  and  Presbyterian  history,  and 
his  wit  is  legendary! 

Resident  Scots  will  also  lecture  on  Scottish  history  and  geneaology.  And 
there  is  ample  time  built  into  the  program  for  individual  pursuits 
including  shopping,  research,  and  even  a  round  or  two  of  the  "royal  and 
ancient  game." 

Price  per  person,  including  airfare,  is  $2490,  with  a  $45  discount  for 
registration  received  by  May  2. 

Scotland:  History  and  Hospitality  is  coordinated  by  Travel  Time,  Inc., 
Laurinburg,  North  Carolina.  Travel  Time  is  an  official  SCOTS  (SpeciaUst 
Counselor  on  Travel  to  Scotland)  agency. 

For  a  detailed  brochure  and  other  information  about  Scotland:  History  and 
Hospitality,  please  contact  Bruce  Frye,  Travel  Time,  1-800-672-6696,  or 
Genie  Addleton,  Office  of  Communications,  Union  Theological  Seminary  in 
Virginia,  1-800-229-2990. 


A  Travel  Program  of 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia 
3401  Brook  Road,  Richmond,  Virginia  23227 


Page  8,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1994 


PRODEK  staff  with  villagers  near  Mbujimayi,  Zaire 

Hunger  offerings 
help  hope  stay  alive 


By  DOT  TEMPLE 

Thanks  to  YOU,  and  YOU,  and 
YOU,  our  Pennies  for  Hunger/2 
Cents  per  Meal  oflferings  are  help- 
ing hope  stay  alive  in  the  midst  of 
hopelessness  in  Zaire,  Ghana, 
Haiti,  and  within  the  Presbytery 
of  New  Hope. 

Offerings  have  increased  each 
year  since  our  presbyter/s  for- 
mation—from $40,000  in  1989  to 
over  $72,000  in  1993. 

The  Presbyter^s  commitment 
to  Zaire  and  Ghana  continues  to 
be  a  high  priority.  With  the  ap- 
proval of  the  continuation  of  the 
Presbytery's  partnerships  in  Zaire 
and  Ghana  through  1997,  the  con- 
tinued support  and  long-term  com- 
mitment  of  congregations 
throughout  the  presbji;ery  is  of 
vital  importance  in  order  to  bring 
about  lasting  change. 

Zaire  partnership 

New  Hope's  $20,000  subsidy  for 
1994  to  the  Christian  Health  Cen- 
ter in  Mbujimayi,  a  city  of  ap- 
proximately one  million  people, 
helps  bring  a  ray  of  hope  to  people 
who  thought  they  could  not  suffer 
any  more  but  are  finding  that 
they  have  to  make  do  with  one 
meal  a  day — for  some,  one  meal 
every  other  day. 

The  Christian  Health  Center 
(CCS)  provides  outpatient,  mini- 
mal fee  curative  care;  an  under- 
fives  clinics  which  includes  a  vac- 
cination program;  a  nutritional 
rehabilitation  program  helping  to 
restore  severely  malnourished 
children  to  health;  help  in  spacing 
children;  urban  gardening;  school 
health  programs;  and  a  chaplaincy 
program  which  provides  morning 
worship  for  staff  as  well  as  Chris- 
tian counseling  for  patients  and 
evangelism  programs. 

PRODEK,  the  rural  agricul- 
tural program  located  45  kilome- 
ters from  Mbujimayi,  has  received 
a  $5,000  subsidy  from  New  Hope 
Presbytery  to  supplement  pro- 
gram funds  from  OXFAM.  The 
PRODEK  staff  seeks  to  increase 
food  production  (despite  no  ac- 
cess to  commercial  fertilizers) 
through  a  network  of  32  commit- 
tees in  40  villages.  One  of  their 


major  success  in  improving  health 
includes  the  capping  of  fifteen 
clean  water  sources.  Their  goal  is 
to  cap  thirty  more. 

Ghana  partnership 

The  Tease  Agricultural  and 
Development  Project,  which  min- 
isters to  a  village  of  6,000  people 
in  the  isolated  area  of  the  Afram 
Plains  of  Ghana,  receives  $13,000 
from  New  Hope  Presbytery. 
Projects  include  a  demonstration 
farm  which  is  showing  that  good 
crops  can  be  grown  in  local  soils. 
Donkeys,  which  are  being  used  to 
plow  fields,  are  also  used  to  trans- 
port produce  to  market  in  baskets 
which  are  made  locally. 

Other  projects  include  an  ini- 
tiative to  produce  safe  drinking 
water  by  digging  three  very  pro- 
ductive wells  which  are  providing 
clean  water  for  the  area.  The 
woman  have  also  begun  a  'gari 
project'  as  a  money-making  ven- 
ture. Gari,  a  product  of  cassava, 
is  manufactured  into  their  staple 
food. 

Haiti  project 

CODEP,  the  Cormiers  Devel- 
opment Project  in  Haiti,  received 
over  $9,500  in  New  Hope  hunger 
funds  in  addition  to  grants  from  a 
number  of  churches  within  our 
presbytery,  other  presbyteries, 
Episcopalians,  and  foundations. 

This  project  is  an  integrated, 
ecumenical,  rural  development 
program  centered  in  the  Cormiers 
River  watershed  area  which  is 
inhabited  by  over  4,500  individu- 
als. 

Project  priorities  have  included 
building  schools,  providing  health 
care,  building  cisterns,  and  refor- 
esting. Progress  has  been  some- 
what slowed  because  of  current 
conditions  in  Haiti  which  make 
access  to  supplies  more  difficult. 

Domestic  programs 

Grants  totaling  $18,000  from 
New  Hope  hunger  funds  are  being 
distributed  within  the  presbytery. 
These  funds  will  assist  16  direct 
food  relief  programs  and  four 
homeless  shelters  throughout  the 
Presbytery. 


station  Square,  Suite  136,  Rocky  Mount,  NC  27804 


(919)  977-1440 


West  Raleigh  hosts  presbytery 


West  Raleigh  Church  hosted  the 
21st  stated  meeting  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  New  Hope  on  Feb.  19. 
Over  300  ministers,  commission- 
ers and  visitors  attended. 

Ms.  Jane  Rourk,  an  elder  at 
First  Church  in  Durham,  was 
elected  moderator  for  1994. 

Rourk,  a  Charlotte  native,  has 
assumed  many  church  leadership 
roles  since  coming  to  Durham  in 
1963.  Her  service  includes  mem- 
bership on  the  session  and  board 
of  deacons  at  First  Church,  as 
well  as  service  on  the  Presbytery 
Council,  Committee  on  Ministry 
and  Personnel  Committee. 

The  worship  service  was  con- 
ducted by  the  Presbytery's  Wor- 
ship Committee,  Joe  Ward,  mod- 
erator. Antonia  Lawrence,  pastor 
of  Faith  Church  in  Goldsboro,  gave 
the  sermon  entitled  the  "The  Wall 
of  1994."  The  da/s  offering  went 
to  the  Ark  Shelter  Day  Program 


and  the  Mosteller  Children's 
Fund. 

The  Committee  on  Ministry 
report  included  the  retirement  for 
four  members. 

James  Brown,  who  served  the 
Davie  Street  Church  in  Raleigh 
until  his  retirement  in  November 
1993,  is  a  graduate  of  Johnson  C. 
Smith  and  has  served  pastorates 
in  the  Carolinas  since  his  ordina- 
tion in  1959. 

Roland  Rainwater,  who  retired 
in  August  1993,  was  ordained  in 
1943  and  has  served  various  pas- 
torates and  chaplaincy  positions 
over  the  past  50  years. 

Fran  Phillips  Olson,  who  re- 
tired in  September  1993,  has 
served  in  various  capacities 
throughout  her  ministry  includ- 
ing that  of  interim  and  associate 
pastor,  campus  minister  and  as- 
sociate presbytery  executive. 

Bronson  Matney,  a  graduate  of 


(L-R)  Moderator  Jan  Rourk  with  retiring  members  Bronson 
Matney,  Fran  Olson,  Roland  Rainwater  and  James  Brown. 


L vftrry  S threshley  (left)  and  Bob  Patterson  with  Zairian  refugees 


Cho  is  president-elect 
of  Presbyterian  Men 


Dr.  Youngil  Cho,  an  elder  at  the 
DuRaleigh  Church,  has  been 
elected  president-elect  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Men,  PC(USA). 

Very  active  throughout  the 
denomination,  Cho  serves  on  the 
executive  committee  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  Council  and  chairs 
the  Council's  Chapel  Completion 
Committee. 

He  serves  on  New  Hope's  Bi- 
centennial Fund  Campaign  Com- 
mittee. 

His  previous  service  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  includes 
commissioner  to  the  197th  Gen- 


eral Assembly; 
member  of  the 
New  Hope 
Presbytery 
Council;  clerk 
of  sessi 


Youngil 
Cho 


DuRaleigh 
Church;  and 
member  of  the 
synod's  committee  on  staff  search 
and  nominations. 

Cho,  who  resides  in  Raleigh 
with  his  wife,  Insook,  is  a  profes- 
sor and  the  associate  dean  of  the 
School  of  Business  at  North  Caro- 
lina Central  University. 


Columbia  Seminary,  served  pas- 
torates in  South  Carolina,  Geor- 
gia and  Florida  before  coming  here 
to  serve  the  Snow  Hill  and 
Meadowbrook  churches. 

Presbytery  also  approved 
David  Garrison  as  interim  pastor 
at  Western  Boulevard  Church  in 
Raleigh,  and  Richard  Hildebrandt 
as  the  interim  at  Oxford  Church. 
Supply  relationships  were  ap- 
proved for  Fred  Albright  at  the 
Jason  Church  in  La  Grange,  Brent 
Bissette  at  the  Selma  Church, 
Bettie  Kirkpatrick  at  Boyd  Me- 
morial Church  in  Greenville,  and 
Bronson  Matney  at  Meadowbrook 
Church  in  Greenville. 

The  Council's  report  to  Presby- 
tery included  the  approval  of  sev- 
eral recommendations. 

Approved  dissolving  the  rela- 
tionship between  Presbytery  and 
Alexander  "Sandy"  McGeachy, 
general  pastor  and  staff  associate 
for  evangelism  and  new  church 
development,  effective  March  1, 
1994.  A  member  of  the  staff  for 
four  years,  McGeachy  is  resign- 
ing to  enter  a  private  counseling 
practice  in  Raleigh. 

Other  Council  business  in- 
cluded the  approval  of  the  reelec- 
tion for  an  indefinite  term,  sub- 
ject to  regular  reviews,  of  Larry 
Edwards,  staff  associate  for 
church  and  society. 

Presbytery  also  set  a  1994  bud- 
get for  the  Presbytery  in  the 
amount  of  $1,433,000. 

The  next  presbytery  meeting 
will  be  held  on  Tuesday,  April  19, 
at  the  First  Church  in  New  Bern. 


Three  congregations 
celebrate  joint  worship 

On  Sunday,  Dec.  12,  1993,  mem- 
bers from  Saint  Andrews-Raleigh, 
Cary  and  Saint  Paul-Louisburg 
churches  worhiped  together  in  the 
Saint  Paul  sanctuary. 

Following  morning  worship 
service  and  lunch,  a  90-minute 
forum  on  race  relations  was  held. 

The  program  was  designed  by 
Maria  Gates,  a  candidate  for  the 
ministry  from  St.  Andrews;  Betty 
Connette,  Christian  educator  at 
St.  Andrews;  Renee  Clark  of  the 
Cary  Church;  and  L.  Bryant 
Parker,  a  candidate  for  the  minis- 
try from  the  Saint  Paul  Church. 
Gates  and  Parker  also  served  as 
worship  leaders  and  moderators 
of  the  forum. 

This  type  of  program  is  be- 
lieved to  be  a  first  in  New  Hope 
Presbytery.  Plans  are  currently 
being  made  for  fiiture  occasions  of 
worship  and  fellowship  together. 


Hollywood  Church  dedicates  new  building 


On  Sunday,  Feb.  6,  the  congrega- 
tion of  the  Hollywood  Church  of 
Greenville  dedicated  their  reno- 
vated sanctuary  and  new  educa- 
tion/administration building. 

The  project,  known  as  "Ven- 
ture in  Faith"  was  kicked  off  on 
May  9,  1993,  during  the 
congregation's  50th  anniversary 
celebration. 

Hollywood  Church  was 
founded  in  1929  under  the  leader- 
ship of  Robert  Boyd  of  First 
Church  of  Greenville  and  began 
meeting  in  the  two-room  Holly- 
wood School. 

The  congregation  was  orga- 
nized by  Albemarle  Presbytery  on 
May  9,  1943. 

Former  ministers  present  for 
the  dedication  included  Bill  Forbes 
(1972-76),  Wes  Jennings  (1981- 
86),  and  Richard  Gammon  (1987- 


89).  Hollywood  Church  has  been 
served  by  Joe  Sayblack  since  1989. 
The  church  has  seen  continual 
growth  during  his  ministry. 


Eddie  Stocks,  moderator  of  the 
church's  building  committee,  also 
participated  in  the  service  on  be- 
half of  the  committee. 


Present  for  the  dedication  at  Hollywood  Church  were  present 
pastor  Joe  Sayblack  and  former  pastors  Bill  Forbes,  Richard 
Gammon  and  Wes  Jennings. 


^Re-imagining'  reactions-see  page  3 


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1      «»00  5a8651» 

I      CHAPEL    HILL  NC 

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Allow  6-8  '« celts' lor  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


May  1994 


Vol.  LX,  Number  4 


Richmond,  Virginia 


PC  (USA)  world  mission  interpreter  Marj  Carpenter  (left) 
greets  Donald  Merchant  of  Virginia  Beach  during  the 
Synod  Worldwide  Missions  Conference.  Between  them  is 
Dr.  Etienne  Bote-Tshiek  of  Zaire,  a  resident  mission 
interpreter  working  out  of  Eastern  Virginia  Presbytery. 


Mi(d-Atlantic  to  receive 
GA  ecumenical  awar(j 


The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
will  receive  a  PC(USA)  ecu- 
menical service  award  during 
the  206th  General  Assembly 
in  Wichita,  Kans. 

The  award  recognizes  the 
S5mod's  efforts  in  relating  to 
other  denomination's  within 
the  five-state  region. 

Although  the  synod  has  been 
in  existence  only  five  years,  it 
has  covenant  agreements  with 
almost  all  ecumenically  ori- 
ented organizations  or  agen- 
cies within  the  region.  These 
include  the  Coalition  for  Appa- 
lachian Ministries,  councils  of 
churches  in  Virginia  and  North 


Carolina,  the  Virginia  Inter- 
faith  Center  for  Public  Policy, 
and  prison  chaplain  services 
in  North  Carolina  and  Virginia. 

The  synod  also  has  covenant 
agreements  with  many  ecu- 
menical campus  ministries. 

The  synod  sponsored  a  Con- 
sultation on  Church  Union  for 
presbjrtery  representatives  in 
1992.  It  is  also  a  participant  in 
the  International  Designs  for 
Economic  Awareness  program. 

Sylvester  H.  Bullock  serves 
as  staff  person  for  the  sjoiod's 
Global  and  Ecumenical  Minis- 
tries Committee. 


'Presbyterians  starte(j  more  missions, 
they  just  don't  know  about  it' 


By  JOHN  SNIFFEN 

"Presbyterians  have  done  the 
best  job  of  opening  mission 
fields  of  any  denomination,  and 
we  don't  even  know  it,"  said 
Marj  Carpenter. 

"We  have  done  the  best  job 
of  taking  the  gospel  into  all  the 
world,  and  the  worst  job  of  tell- 
ing our  own  people  what  we 
have  done  well." 

Carpenter,  the  former  man- 
ager of  the  Presbyterian  News 
Service  and  now  a  world  mis- 
sion interpreter  for  the  church, 
said  her  Baptist  friends  take 
issue  with  that  statement. 
They,  and  doubting  Presbyte- 
rians, are  missing  the  point, 
she  added. 

The  key  word  is  "opening." 

Once  Presbyterians  get  a 
mission  effort  started  and  on 
its  feet  "we  try  to  turn  the  work 
over  to  the  people  there.  It's 
their  country  and  their  chiirch," 
said  Carpenter. 

She  also  said  that  once  the 
church  is  in  a  country,  it  is 
always  there.  As  an  example 
she  cited  the  People's  Republic 
of  China.  The  first  Sunday  af- 
ter a  38-year  ban  on  public  re- 
Ugious  worship  was  lifted,  there 
were  16,000  baptisms.  At  that 
time,  it  was  known  that  there 
were  still  half-a-million  Chris- 
tians in  China.  Now  there  are 
more  than  15  million  Chris- 
tians in  the  nation. 

Carpenter  recalled  how  one 
woman  in  Beijing  brought  a 
box  full  of  hymnbooks  to  wor- 
ship. At  the  risk  of  her  life,  she 
had  kept  them  hidden  for  more 
than  three  decades. 

Carpenter's  comments  came 
during  an  April  15  keynote 
address  as  part  of  the  sjmod's 
Worldwide  Mission  Confer- 
ence— African  Churches 


'Re-innagining'  may  (dominate  GA 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— Though 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
officials  hope  to  focus  on  the 
church's  six  new  "mission  ini- 
tiatives," it  seems  certain  that 
the  furor  surrounding  last  fall's 
ecumenical  Re-imagining  Con- 
ference will  dominate  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  denomination's 
206th  General  Assembly. 

The  584  elected  commission- 
ers to  the  Assembly,  and  sev- 
eral thousand  visitors,  will 
gather  at  the  Century  II  Con- 
vention Center  in  Wichita, 
Kan.,  the  evening  of  Friday, 
June  10  for  worship  and  Holy 
Communion,  which  tradition- 
ally opens  the  annual  event. 
The  business  meeting  begins 
the  following  morning  at  9:30 
a.m  and  continues  through 
noon,  June  17. 

Of  the  77  overtures  submit- 
ted to  the  Assembly  by  presby- 


teries to  date,  nearly  half  call 
for  some  sort  of  investigation 
into  PC  (USA)  involvement  in 
the  Nov.  4-7  conference,  "Re- 
imagining  ...  God,  Commvmity 
and  the  Church."  The  locally 
sponsored  theological  sympo- 
sium in  Minneapolis  drew 
2,200  participants  from  this 
country  and  around  the  world. 
Of  that  number  400  were  Pres- 
byterians, including  20  na- 
tional staff  members. 

The  furor  over  the  confer- 
ence erupted  in  early  Decem- 
ber when  an  independent  jour- 
nal leveled  charges  that  the 
conference  wa§  dominated  by 
heresy  and  paganism. 

It  called  for  repudiation  of 
the  conference  by  the  denomi- 
nation and  the  firing  or  disci- 
plining of  staff  persons  who 
were  involved,  particularly 
Mary  Ann  Lundy,  associate 
director  for  chvirchwide  plan- 
ning, who  served  on  the  plan- 
ning committee. 


Also  condemned  was  a  grant 
of  $66,000  from  the  church's 
Bicentennial  Fund  to  help  un- 
derwrite the  conference  (total 
cost:  $400,000). 

Some  critics  of  the  event 
have  urged  congregations  to 
withhold  financial  support 
from  the  General  Assembly  as 
a  form  of  protest. 

Because  a  few  hundred  con- 
gregations have  withheld 
money,  commissioners  will 
have  to  tackle  budget  matters 
as  well  as  theological  and  per- 
sonnel issues  raised  by  the 
snowballing  protest. 

Denominational  officials 
have  determined  that  at  least 
$1.9  million  will  have  to  be 
trimmed  from  the  $104  million 

1994  budget  in  order  to  bal- 
ance it.  Further  cuts  in  the 

1995  budget  will  also  have  to 
be  made. 

The  current  budget  of  the 
2 . 8-miUion  member  denomina- 
continued  on  page  4 


Speak — at  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Richmond. 

Carpenter,  who  seems  to  be 
continually  traveling — either  to 
speak  in  this  country  or  to  visit 
a  foreign  mission  station — pre- 
sented a  moving  testament  to 
the  church's  mission  work  and 
the  need  for  more  missions. 

^She  told  of  an  experience  in 
Ethiopia  during  the  1985  fam- 
ine. She  was  with  mission  work- 
ers as  they  spoke  to  a  room  full 
of  women,  young  children  and 
infants.  "I  thought  I  was  tough, 
but  I  was  weeping.  That  ter- 
rible silence  of  a  room  full  of 
babies  too  weak  to  cry  is  some- 
thing I  have  never  gotten  over. 
Ever  since  then,  I  have  loved 
noisy  children  in  church." 

Reasons  disputed 

While  mission  work  does  not 
provide  all  the  answers  to  such 
problems,  Carpenter  disputed 
fi-equently  given  reasons  why  the 
church  should  not  do  mission. 

•  There're  no  new  places  to 
send  missions.  "We  always  have 
new  places  to  go,"  she  said.  Old 
political  boundaries  are  falling 
apart  and  new  nations  being 
formed.  "There  are  places  all 


over  this  world,  on  every  conti- 
nent, where  they've  never 
heard  of  Jesus." 

•  We  don't  have  missionar- 
ies like  we  used  to  have.  "Won- 
derful, wonderful  missionaries 
are  still  out  there  and  they're 
all  over  the  world,"  she  said, 
citing  a  list  of  modem  mission- 
aries who  devote  their  lives  to 
their  work.  Among  them  was 
Mary  Crawford  of  Richmond, 
who  translated  the  New  Testa- 
ment into  one  of  the  languages 
of  Zaire. 

•  Why  help  overseas  when 
there  is  so  much  need  here? 
"Who  should  we  quit  helping?" 
she  responded,  citing  both  the 
story  of  the  Good  Samaritan 
and  the  command  to  "go  into 
all  the  nations  of  the  world.  My 
Bible  doesn't  say  anywhere 
that  you  can  do  one  and  not  the 
other." 

How  the  church  decides  to 
do  this  should  be  up  to  the  local 
congregations,  she  said.  "We 
can't  decide  that  in  Louisville 
...  Broken  Arrow,  Oklahoma, 
is  different  fi^om  Detroit,  Michi- 
gan." 

continued  on  page  4 


Federal  judge  rules  for  church; 
program  for  homeless  can  move 


WASHINGTON,  D.C.— 
Miriam's  Kitchen,  the  feed- 
ing program  for  homeless 
persons,  started  operation 
April  18  at  the  new  Western 
Church  here  after  a  federal 
judge  overturned  a  local  zon- 
ing board. 

U.S.  District  Judge 
Stanley  Sporkin  issued  a 
preliminary  inj  unction  April 
14  against  the  District  of 
Columbia.  A  D.C.  zoning 
board  had  refused  Western 
Church  a  permit  to  open  the 
feeding  program  at  its  new 
location  in  the  Foggy  Bot- 
tom area. 

The  Western  congrega- 
tion held  its  first  worship 


Judge  Sporkin.  He  noted 
that  he  drives  through  the 
neighborhood  daily  and  sees 
dozens  of  homeless  persons 
already  sleeping  on  the 
streets  there. 

The  judge  was  also  not 
impressed  with  a  D.C. 
attorney's  argument  that 
church  members  could  feed 
the  homeless  elsewhere. 

"You're  telling  churches" 
what  they  can  do  in  their 
own  church,  said  Sporkin. 
"Why  should  the  govern- 
ment get  involved?" 

"Till  I'm  ovemiled,  I  wish 
you  good  luck,"  he  told  the 
program's  supporters.  "That 
is  a  particularly  troubled 


service  in  its  new  building    area,  and  your  work  is  nec 


on  April  17.  The  service 
started  at  the  old  location  at 
H  and  19th  streets.  Parish- 
ioners then  walked  the  four 
blocks  to  the  new  location. 

The  initial  service  was  in 
the  area  designed  to  feed 
the  homeless.  The  church's 
new  sanctuary  is  still  under 
construction  and  services 
will  be  in  the  basement  din- 
ing area  for  several  months. 

Western's  new  location  is 
surrounded  by  high-rise 
apartment  buildings  and 
condominiums.  Opponents 
to  moving  the  feeding  pro- 
gram said  it  would  bring 
homeless  persons  into  the 
neighborhood.  They  said 
they  feared  an  increase  in 
crime  as  a  result. 

These  fears  didn't  move 


essary. 

The  city  can  appeal  the 
judge's  decision 

There  also  is  talk  of  the 
city  finding  an  alternative 
location  for  Miriam's 
Kitchen. 

Western  Church's  pastor, 
John  Wimberly,  said  the 
program's  opponents  have 
left  the  church  no  choice. 

"Even  if  we  wanted  to  give 
up  the  feeding  program,  we 
couldn't,"  he  told  the  Wash- 
ington Post,  "...  because  a 
reUgious  community  cannot 
leave  the  impression  that  a 
neighborhood  has  a  veto 
power  over  a  church's  ac- 
tivities. They  have  really 
painted  us  into  a  comer  ... 
and  it's  a  comer  out  of  which 
we  cannot  come." 


Pagv".  2..  Mid  A  tlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1994 


Your  will — ^an  opportunity  for  continued  stewardship 


By  JAN  SCHNEIDER 

Questions  about  wills  continually  con- 
front us.  Why  do  I  need  a  will — I  really 
don't  have  much.  I'm  too  busy  right 
now,  but  later  I'll  find  time.  I  don't  like 
to  think  about  my  death.  How  can  I  say 
"Thanks!"  for  a  ministry  that's  blessed 
my  family?  How  can  I  use  my  resources 
to  express  appreciation  for  my  Church? 
If  these  are  thoughts  you've  had,  you 
are  not  alone. 

Without  a  valid  will  a  person's  es- 
tate is  distributed  by  state  law  accord- 
ing to  predetermined  niles.  No  one 
outside  the  family  can  receive  any- 
thing, except  the  government,  to  which 
some  estates  may  owe  taxes.  Precious 
items  or  the  family  home  may  have  to 
be  sold  so  that  their  value  can  be  dis- 
tributed among  those  whom  the  state 


With  a  will  you 
decide  estate  distri- 
butions to  others. 
You  also  name  the 
executor  of  the  es- 
tate and  choose 
guardians  for  any 
minor  children. 
Changes  are  always 


Jan  occurring  in  our 

Schneider  lives  as  well  as  in 
the  life  of  the 
Church.  Periodic  review  of  your  will 
lets  you  make  changes  which  reflect 
your  current  circumstances  (financial 
status,  personal  relationships,  chari- 
table interests,  choices  for  executors  or 
guardians,  changes  in  tax  laws,  etc.). 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
Foundation  provides  resources  for  our 


denomination's  Wills  Emphasis  Pro- 
gram. Even  though  only  50%  of  Ameri- 
cans have  a  legal  will,  the  figure  for 
Presb3^erians  is  80%.  Our  goal  is  to 
provide  information  and  to  help  indi- 
viduals express  their  Christian  values 
and  commitment  to  stewardship. 

There  are  many  reasons  for  includ- 
ing a  charitable  bequest  in  your  will. 
The  primary  motive  is  to  practice  Chris- 
tian stewardship  with  resources  accu- 
mulated over  a  lifetime.  Many  people 
want  to  ensure  the  continuation  of  a 
personally  meaningful  program  or  min- 
istry for  future  generations.  Bequests 
allow  individuals  to  support  ministries 
that  may  not  have  been  a  financial 
option  during  their  lifetimes.  For  your 
church  community,  as  well  as  world- 
wide ministries,  receiving  a  bequest  is 
a  blessing  beyond  measure. 

More  Presbyterians  are  choosing  to 
continue  their  stewardship  to  their 
Church  through  bequests  each  year.  In 
1992,  there  were  5,732  bequests  total- 
ling $83.2  million  designated  for  Pres- 
byterian congregations,  up  form  3,502 
bequests  totalUng  $66.3  milhon  in  1991. 

The  first  Sunday  in  May  is  set  aside 


each  year  on  the  church  calendar  as 
"Wills  Emphasis  Sunday."  Each  church 
received  promotional  information  for 
this  year's  program  including  an  order 
form  materials. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
Foundation's  development  officer  for 
your  presbjrtery  is  available  to  present 
an  informational  and  educational  pro- 
gram on  wills  and  charitable  gifts  for 
your  church.  Contact  your  develop- 
ment officer  today  for  more  informa- 
tion about  this  and  other  helpful  Foun- 
dation services. 

Presbyterian  Church  Foundation 
Development  Office  in  the  Ssmod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic: 

Doug  Aitken,  (919)  672-6042,  Pres- 
byteries of  Charlotte,  Salem,  and  West- 
ern North  Carolina; 

Riley  McDonald,  (410)  381-0689, 
Presbyteries  of  Baltimore,  National 
Capital,  and  New  Castle; 

John  Pilutti,  (919)  231-9524,  Pres- 
bsrteries  of  Coastal  Carolina,  Eastern 
Virginia,  and  New  Hope; 

Jan  Schneider,  (703)  949-5590, 
Presbyteries  of  Abingdon,  the  James, 
the  Peaks,and  Shenandoah. 


Commentary 


What  does  it  mean  to  be  a  Presbyterian? 


Editor's  note — 77ns  is  another  contri- 
bution in  a  continuing  series  of  guest 
columns  on  this  subject. 

By  ANNE  TREICHLER 

No  problem,  I  thought,  when  I  was 
asked  this  question — with  "me"  in  it.  I 
am  a  member  of  a  denomination,  an 
adherent  to  the  system  of  belief  call 
Reformed.  As  I  moved  out  from  that,  I 
wondered  what  was  the  real  difference 
in  me  as  a  Presbyterian  and  me  as  a 
garden  variety  Christian.  Or  others, 
what  difference  was  it  to  my  pew  mates. 

In  good  Presb3^erian  fashion  I  re- 
ferred it  to  committee,  in  this  case  my 
monthly  PW  Circle  members.  Before 
we  moved  on  to  Job's  prayer  of  com- 
plaint, I  asked  them  for  one  word  to 
define  themselves  as  Presb5d;erian. 
Faith,  belief,  membership,  fellowship, 
inheritance  were  some  of  the  answers. 

It  was  interesting  to  me  since  I  would 
have  responded  some  sort  of  variation 
of  "theology."  If  pressed  for  a  second 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 

John  Sniffen,  Editor 

Edith  Goodman  and  Laura  Jurman, 
Editorial  Assistants 

Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to; 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
iSSN#  1071-345X 

Vol,  LX 
May  1994 


word  it  might  have  been  "sinner."  I 
have  to  admit  that  I  find  some  degree  of 
comfort  that  even  amongst  my  fellow 
denominationalists,  I  am  in  the  com- 
pany of  fellow  sinners.  Both  Book  of 
Order  and  Book  of  Confessions  are 
jammed  with  past  pains  and  shortcom- 
ings of  our  fellow  Christians  with  cave- 
ats in  our  ORDER  to  work  our  way 
through  future  sins,  both  in  our  per- 
sons and  as  a  denomination. 

A  Presbjd;erian  characteristic  I  have 
most  valued  is  that  I  am  expected  to 
think  theologically.  Every  action  of  my 
life  is  to  be  reflected  in  a  system  that 

Readers'  commentaries 


values  me,  even 
though  a  sinner, 
that  expects  me  to 
use  mind  and  heart 
in  Biblical  study  and 
intellectual  explora- 
tion as  I  seek  to  un- 
derstand what  Re- 
formed theology 
means  for  me  as  a 
woman  in  late  20th 
century  society. 

I  am  grateftil  for 
a  theology  that  constantly  assures  me 
that  even  as  a  sinner  I  have  hope 


through  Jesus  Christ  and  that  I  am 
always  in  the  presence  of  Grod;  God 
that  I  struggle  to  understand  but  still 
know  that  I  am  joined  in  that  struggle 
with  fellow  Christians  who  understand 
since  they  are  engaged  as  well  in  the 
search  for  imderstanding  the  mind  of 
God,  eternal  and  most  holy. 

Anne  Treichler  of  Williamsburg,  Va., 
is  a  past  moderator  of  Presbyterian 
Women  in  the  synod  and  member  of  the 
Synod  Council.  She  is  an  elder  in  the 
Williamsburg  Church. 


Use  the  Presbyterian  resource  on  gun  violence 


The  issue  of  gun  violence  in  America 
has  troubled  me  for  most  of  the  last  ten 
years. ...  I  have  concluded  that  it  is  all 
too  easy  for  our  children,  criminals, 
and  those  who  are  mentally  ill  or  in- 
competent to  have  access  to  firearms. 

If  guns  really  made  us  safer,  we 
would  be  the  safest  country  on  earth. 
Instead,  we  have  become  a  nation  that 
has  the  highest  suicide  and  homicide 
rate  of  any  nation  .... 

I  urge  my  fellow  Presbyterians  to 
read  the  Study/Action  Resource  pub- 
lished by  the  Presbsrterian  Criminal 
Justice  Program  of  the  Presbyterian 


Church  (USA)  "Hope,  Respect,  Recon- 
ciliation-A  Christian  Response  to  Gun 
Violence."  This  work  includes  a  six- 
part  series  to  study  different  aspects  of 
the  problems  of  gun  violence. 

The  resource  book  concludes:  "It  will 
not  be  possible  to  satisfy  everyone  con- 
cerned about  this  issue,  of  course,  nor 
are  such  "pohtical"  concerns  that  proper 
context  in  which  to  consider  these 
matters  of  life,  death,  and  the  peaceful 
ordering  of  society. 

Legislative  and  regulatory  action  wiU 
never  fully  resolve  the  underlying 
moral,  social,  and  economic  conditions 


that  create  a  cUmate  in  which  the  mis- 
use of  guns  leads  to  ever  increasing 
death.  ...  Our  task  is  to  participate 
actively,  prayerfully,  and  courageously 
in  the  efforts  to  formulate  and  enact 
such  regulations  as  will  make  real  the 
promise  of  "shalom." 

...  To  [learn]  more  about  Virginians 
Against  Handgun  Violence,  Inc.,  please 
write  to  P.O.  Box  1836,  Norfolk,  VA 
23501-1836  or  call  (804)  552-8596. 

Alice  M.  Moxintjoy 
Norfolk,  Va. 


Lancaster  family  continues  work  in  criminal  justice 


Thank  you  very  much  for  the  article  on 
the  front  page  of  your  January  issue 
about  my  grandfather,  Richard  Venable 
Lancaster.  It  was  much  appreciated 
and  brought  back  rich  memories,  such 
as  the  time  I  spent  with  him  at  a 
worship  service  at  the  State  Farm.  I 
was  nine  years  old  and  I  shall  never 
forget  the  inspiration  I  felt  when  that 
room  full  of  men,  many  of  them  in  leg 
irons,  sang  with  obvious  feeling  "Lean- 


ing on  the  Everlasting  Arms."  Singing 
that  hynm  today  still  brings  tears  to 
my  eyes  because  of  that  experience. 

You  may  be  interested  in  a  kind  of 
"the  rest  of  the  story"  element.  My 
wife,  Kathy  Lancaster,  is  the  associate 
for  criminal  justice  in  the  National 
Ministries  Division  of  the  PC(USA) 
national  office  and  is  the  administrator 
of  the  Presb5d«rian  Criminal  Justice 
Program.  She  is  carrying  on  today  the 


still  important  and  continuing  minis- 
try in  which  my  grandfather  was  a 
pioneer.  She  is  very  grateful  for  the 
clear  focus  you  gave  to  criminal  justice 
concerns  on  the  front  page  of  Mid- 
Atlantic  Presbyterian,  especially  since 
progress  in  that  area  is  so  glacial  and 
the  need  for  both  ministry  and  reform 
is  so  urgent  and  critical. 

Lewis  H.  Lancaster  Jr. 
Louisville,  Ky. 


Jefferson's  interpretation  of  separation  was  different  from  today's 


Why  is  it  so  many  individuals  and/or 
organizations  as  disparate  as  ACLU  all 
the  way  to  some  mainline  protestant 
churchmen  want  so  badly  to  attribute 
separation  of  church  and  state  as  inter- 
preted today  to  Thomas  Jefferson. 

Indeed,  at  least  one  of  the  tour  guides 
at  Monticello  actually  offers  that  m3d;h 
in  her  otherwise  beautifully  presented 
recital.  All  the  above  to  point  out  that 
the  very  same  interpretation  appears 
in  the  second  paragraph  of  the  article 
"Jefferson's  law  led  to  chaplain  ser- 
vice" on  the  first  page  of  the  Jan/Feb. 


issue.  "The  first  amendment  has  erected  a 
Interesting  paper,  by  the  way,  and  wall  of  separation  between  church  and 
very  well  done .  state — it  is  a  one-directional  wall  keep- 
Bill  O'Brien  ing  the  government  from  nmning  the 
Williamsburg,  Va.  church  but  makes  sure  Christian  prin- 
Mr.  O'Brien  enclosed  the  following  ciples  will  always  remain  in  govem- 
quote  attributed  to  Thomas  Jefferson:  ment." 

More  good  news,  please 

Thank  you  for  the  article  in  the  April  news,  it  is  wonderful  to  hear  such  good 

issue ...  on  Robert  W.  Childress.  Please,  news.  And  there  is  plenty  that  can  be 

please  give  us  more  articles  like  this,  written.  Ben  L.  Rose 

We  are  so  tired  of  hearing  the  bad  Richmond,  Va. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1994,  Page  3 


Re-imagining:  reaction  to  the  conference 


Editor's  note — The  ecumenical  "Re- 
imagining  God"  event  in  Minneapolis 
last  fall  has  resulted  in  many  allega- 


tions and  much  disccussion  during  the 
past  several  months.  On  this  page  are 
some  samples  of  what  has  been  said. 


CInurch  is  not  an  inclusive  organization 


Young  woman  found  event  'energizing' 


know  what  an  anchor  is."  I  came  away 
with  an  appreciation  for  the  process  of 
strugghng  with  questions  about  my 
faith  and  about  God.  ...  I  am  sure  that 
eventually  I  will  agree  with  some  of  the 
ideas  presented  at  the  conference  and 
disagree  with  others.  For  now,  I  am 
struggling!  I  am  not,  however,  a  bundle 
of  confusion  and  indecision,  unable  to 
function  in  the  world  until  I  resolve 
these  issues.  I  often  remind  myself 
that  struggle  leads  to  growth.  I  have 
rediscovered  the  story  of  Jacob,  who 
struggled  with  God  in  the  darkness, 
felt  pain,  and  probably  disorientation. 
The  struggle  is  difficult,  but  at  the  end 
...  there  is  a  blessing.  Perhaps  the 
church  needs  to  re-evaluate  how  it 
deals  with  decision  making,  to  encour- 
age struggle  and  open  dialogue  rather 
than  reports  full  of  conclusive  answers 
followed  by  structured,  two-sided  de- 
bate. It's  at  least  worth  thinking  about. 

Letitia  M.  Campbell 
Student  at  Davidson  College 


Comments  by  the  Rev.  Sharon  Sauer 
in  the  March  issue's  "Re-imagining  ex- 
periences vary  greatly"  article  empha- 
sized a  major  problem  facing  our  de- 
nomination. She  stated  that  the  Re- 
Imagining  event  was  "a  model  of  inclu- 
sion for  those  who  feel  excluded,"  and 
that  "everyone's  story  counts  and 
everybody's  journey  is  part  of  the  an- 
swer" in  the  search  for  meaningful 
Christian  faith.  Our  problem,  the  un- 
derlying conflict  over  "inclusion,"  seems 
to  be  surfacing  a  lot  lately,  not  only 
with  the  feminization  of  the  Bible  but 
also  with  the  ordination  of  homosexual 
ministers  and  other  issues. 

The  inclusion  of  everyone's  feeUngs 
and  beliefs  is  admirable  for  many  orga- 
nizations. However,  the  Presbyterian 
Church  is  not  an  inclusive  organiza- 
tion. We  have  fundamental  Bible-based 
beliefs  that  cannot  be  compromised.  If 
we  try  to  become  all  things  to  all  people, 
we  end  up  becoming  nothing. 

Jesus  said  no  one  could  be  saved 
except  through  Him.  That  isn't  a  very 
inclusive  statement.  The  road  to  salva- 
tion, although  paved  by  His  grace,  is 
very  narrow.  Our  faith  must  be  true  to 
God's  Word.  Man's  desire  to  change  the 


The  four  days  that  I  spent  in  Minne- 
apolis, Minn.,  at  the  Re-imagining  con- 
ference were  some  of  the  most  energiz- 
ing, challenging,  surprising,  and  stimu- 
lating days  of  my  life. ...  I  was  changed 
by  it  in  ways  which  I  could  never  have 
predicted. 

...  I  was  continually  struck  by  the 
fact  that  my  own  ideas,  experiences 
and  struggles — even  my  struggles  with 
the  church  itself — were  taken  seriously 
by  those  around  me,  an  occasion  un- 
common and  uplifting  for  a  young 
woman  of  19, 1  can  assure  you. 

...  Re-imagining  was  not  an  act  of 
cold,  removed  analysis,  study  and  re- 
sponse, but  a  vibrant,  kinetic,  colorful, 
and  musical  action,  celebrating  the 
new  life  of  a  church  reborn. 

...  I  was  impressed  with  our  diver- 
sity ...  we  were  parish  ministers,  activ- 
ists, teachers,  mothers,  daughters,  sis- 
ters, students,  ecclesiastical  bureau- 
crats, writers  and  lay  women  in  a  vari- 
ety of  denominations.  We  came  cel- 
ebrating our  traditions  and  frustrated 
by  them,  struggling  with  the  church 
and  caring  for  it  deeply...  . 

The  presenters  are  the  part  of  the 
conference  that  will  stay  with  me  the 
longest...  .  "I  visualize  a  de- 
patriarchialized,  post-colonialized, 
mutually  empowering,  all-inclusive 
church  ..."  began  Virginia  Ramey 
MoUenkott,  and  my  mouth  fell  open  as 
I  applauded  wildly.  What  wonderful 
nerve  she  had  to  name  her  vision  for 
the  future  of  the  church,  I  thought. 

"People  are  more  important  that 
wealth!"  "If  we  care  at  all,  we  will  feel 
pain."  "God  does  not  stand  against  the 
oppressor,  but  God  stands  against  the 
oppression."  "Power  is  the  possibility 
of  change  and  transformation."  ...  I 
was  challenged  by  one  woman,  then 
another  to  re-evaluate,  re-consider,  re- 
think, and  ultimately  to  re-imagine 
my  church,  my  world,  and  my  own 
theology. 

The  questions  raised  were  difficult 
and  complex,  and  we  were  not,  by  any 
means,  unanimous  in  our  responses. 
Presenters  disagreed  with  each  other 
and  participants  disagreed  with  each 
other,  but  because  we  came  with  hearts 
and  minds  open  to  the  Word  of  God 
from  scriptiire,  in  worship  and  work- 
shop, and  through  each  other  we  were     _  i_        i_  j  x     i-»      ■  •  • 

able  to  dialogue  instead  of  argue.  There  Ono  church  s  rosponso  to  Re-imagining 


Commandments  for  Controversy 

By  BOB  BOLT,  Stated  Clerk,  New  Castle  Presbytery 

The  Presbyterian  Church  often  finds  itself  in  the  midst  of  serious  disagree- 
ment, whether  in  congregations,  presbyteries,  synods  or  at  the  General 
Assembly.  The  following  are  offered  in  a  spirit  of  caring  and  concern 
whatever  the  controversy. 

1.  THOU  SHALT  approach  any  controversy  with  prayers  for  wisdom, 
guidance  and  understanding  for  yourself  and  others. 

2.  THOU  SHALT  remember  there  are  at  least  two  sides  to  every  issue — 
maybe  three  or  four — and  consider  them  all  with  impartiality. 

3.  THOU  SHALT  not  denigrate  the  commitment,  intellect  or  integrity  of 
others  but  begin  by  carefully  examining  your  own. 

4.  THOU  SHALT  give  understanding  and  love  to  those  with  whom  you 
disagree  in  hope  of  receiving  the  same. 

5.  THOU  SHALT  harness  your  hostility  for  the  sake  of  seeking  the 
common  good  in  the  community  of  the  people  of  God. 

6.  THOU  SHALT  listen  as  carefully  to  those  with  whom  you  disagree  as 
you  would  have  them  listen  to  you, 

7.  THOU  SHALT  remember  that  honest  persons  may  disagree  without 
destroying  the  community  of  believers. 

8.  THOU  SHALT  learn  to  disagree  without  being  disagreeable. 

9.  THOU  SHALT  remain  open  to  the  guidance  of  the  Spirit  and  the  mind  of 
Christ  as  it  may  find  expression  in  the  midst  of  those  who  seriously  disagree. 


were  as  many  theologies  as  there  were 
people  in  that  room.  There  were  as 
many  understandings  of  the  theology 
of  atonement  as  there  were  people  who 
knew  what  the  atonement  theory  was. 
And  there  were  lots  of  people,  includ- 
ing myself...,  who  walked  away  with 
not  oiUy  more  hope  than  despair,  but 
also  more  questions  than  answers. 

Perhaps  the  most  important  thing 
the  Re-imagining  conference  gave  me 
was  a  new  understanding  of  the  place 
of  struggle  within  the  context  of  faith 
and  growth  in  my  own  life  and  life  of 
the  church.  "The  storm,"  said  Bernice 
Johnson  Reagan,  "is  the  only  way  I 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names  will 
be  withheld  on  request),  should  be 
no  longer  than  250  words,  and  are 
subject  to  editing  for  style,  clarity, 
and  length.  Address  letters  to: 
Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Regarding  the  ...  convocation  entitled 
"Re-imagining ...  God,  Community,  the 
Church,"  the  Session  of  Hidenwood 
Presbjrterian  Church  does  hereby  adopt 
and  overture  the  Presb5i;ery  of  East- 
ern Virginia  to  adopt  the  following 
statement: 

We  affirm  that  "God  alone  is  Lord  of 
the  conscience"  and  that  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
should  be  able,  without  fear,  to  partici- 
pate in  ecumenical  explorations  of  faith 
and  practice  which  move  beyond  the 
boundaries  of  the  Reformed  Tradition. 

We  affirm,  as  well,  the  right  and 
responsibility  of  governing  bodies  of 
the  PC(USA)  to  "frame  symbols  of  faith, 
bear  testimony  against  error  in  doc- 
trine and  immorality  in  life  (and)  re- 
solve questions  of  doctrine  and  disci- 
pline." We  believe,  therefore,  that  per- 
sons serving  as  staff  for  governing  bod- 
ies should  conscientiously  represent 
and  uphold  the  doctrines,  liturgical 
practices  and  moral  standards  of  our 
Reformed  Tradition. 

We  believe,  further,  that  funds  avail- 
able to  governing  bodies  of  the  PC(US  A), 
including  Bicentennial  Funds,  should 
not  be  used  in  support  of  projects  which 
do  not  have  a  broad  base  of  support  in 
the  church. 


Based  on  as  much  information  as  we 
have  been  able  to  gather,  we  believe 
that  theological  affirmations  and  Utur- 
gical  practices  at  the  Re-Imagining 
convocation  exceeded  the  boimdaries 
of  our  Reformed  Tradition  ... 

We  therefore  express  our  disagree- 
ment with  those  aspects  of  the  Re- 
Imagining  conference  which  were  at 
variance  with  our  Presbyterian  stan- 
dards, and  we  call  upon  governing  bod-  if'o  Irvnn  nact  timo 
ies  of  the  church  and  their  staffs  to    '  ^  ^  K^^^^ 


meaning  of  God's  Word  to  accommo- 
date his  diverse  tastes  is  as  old  as 
Adam  and  Eve  ...  and  the  results  are 
always  the  same — a  loss  of  fellowship 
with  God. 

Those  who  want  to  change  our 
denomination's  fundamental  beliefs — 
especially  those  professionals  employed 
by  the  PC(USA)  who  have  sworn  to 
uphold  those  beliefs — should  be  honest 
about  their  conflicting  views.  If  they 
cannot  accept  our  church's  fundamen- 
tal beliefs,  then  they  should  find  a 
more  "inclusive,"  socially  based  reli- 
gious organization  that  conforms  to 
their  beliefs.  The  Presbyterian  Church 
must  be  faithful  to  the  Scriptures  or  it 
will  fall. 

Is  being  "un-inclusive"  being  too  rigid 
and  narrow-minded?  Not  if  what  we 
believe  is  the  truth.  The  Truth  we 
believe  in  sets  us  free.  Compromising 
the  Word  of  God  because  it  doesn't 
square  with  current  political  correct- 
ness or  because  it  isn't  convenient  to 
modem  lifestyles  is  not  in  anyone's 
best  interest. 

Harris  Prevost 
LinviUe,  N.C. 

Royal  Oak  women 
'dismayed'  by  event 

We,  the  undersigned,  speaking  for  the 
Presbyterian  Women  of  the  Royal  Oak 
Church  of  Marion,  Va.,  want  to  regis- 
ter our  extreme  dismay  that  any  Pres- 
byterian money  and/or  Presbyterian 
leaders  participated  in  the  recent  con- 
ference on  "Re-imagining"  ... 

We  believe  that  the  prayers  offered 
at  the  communion  service  were  not 
only  degrading  but  blasphemous.  We 
see  nothing  in  Scripture  concerning 
the  worship  of  "Sophia."  We  affirm' 
most  vigorously  the  need  for  Christ's 
atonement  on  the  Cross  for  the  salva- 
tion of  our  souls.  We  believe  that  the 
thread  of  the  shed  blood  for  salvation 
runs  from  Genesis  through  the  entire 
Bible  to  Revelation,  and  that  there  is 
salvation  in  no  other  name  than  Jesus 
Christ. 

We  also  believe  that  the  Scriptures 
declare  that  a  homosexual  lifestyle  is 
abhorrent  to  our  righteous  Grod  and 
that  promoting  such  a  lifestyle  is  an  act 
of  rebelUon  against  Him. 

We  further  beheve  that  when  the 
leaders  of  our  denominations  do  not 
affirm  the  above  statements,  which  are 
basic  Christian,  Presbyterian  beliefs, 
that  they  should  be  removed  from  their 
positions  of  leadership. 

We  further  beheve  that  most  of  the 
Presbyterian  Women  in  the  PC(USA) 
concur  with  the  sentiments  expressed 
in  this  letter. 

Rosamond  C.  McCarty  and 
Ray  C.  Grissom,  Marion,  Va. 


uphold  those  standards  and  apply  funds 
only  to  projects  which  are  compatible 
with  those  standards. 

With  respect  to  The  Bicentennial  Fimd, 
we  respect  the  right  of  Presbyterians  to 
withhold  contributions  as  a  matter  of  con- 
science. As  a  governing  body,  however,  we 
reaffirm  our  confidence  in  this  special 
Presbyterian  program  of  Christian  wit- 
ness and  mission,  and  we  will  do  all  that 
we  can  to  fulfill  our  financial  commit- 
ment, ovu"  disagreements  with  the  Re- 
Imagining  conference  notwithstanding. 
To  withhold  our  funds  because  of  one 
project  with  which  we  disagree  would  do 
harm  to  many  more  which  we  enthusias- 
tically support. 

Session  of  Hidenwood  Church 
Newport  News,  Va. 


I  have  just  learned  that  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  donated  $66,000  to  a  pa- 
gan gathering  in  Minneapolis  last  No- 
vember. It  didn't  surprise  me  that  this 
meeting  was  sponsored  by  the  World 
Council  of  Churches,  but  it  shocked  me 
deeply  that  our  chiu-ch  would  have  a 
major  role  in  it. 

...  The  report  I  read  said  that ...  the 
people  [preached]  the  destruction  of 
traditional  Christianity... .  It's  time  for 
us  to  tell  these  people  that  if  they  don't 
like  our  church,  they  need  to  get  out 
and  form  their  own  ....  And  it's  long 
past  time  to  tell  the  administrators  in 
Louisville  to  STOP  giving  our  money  to 
promote  heresy  and  paganism,  or  else 
we'll  stop  sending  it. 

James  E.  Parker 
Pittsbor N  C. 


Page  4,  Mid-Atlantic  Presb3derian,  May  1994 


Dr.  Ken  Goodpasture  of  Richmond  (left)  talks  with 
mission  interpreter  Marj  Carpenter  and  Dr.  Etienne 
Bote-Tshiek  of  Zaire  during  the  synod-sponsored 
Worldwide  Missions  Conference  last  month.  Dr.  Bote- 
Tshiek  is  also  available  as  a  mission  speaker  (see  below). 


Says  mission  interpreter  Carpenter 


Church  is  still  the  light  of  the  world 


continued  from  page  1 

•  We  sponsored  some  mis- 
sionaries, but  they  didn't  write 
to  us.  "Some  write,  but  others 
don't  have  time, "  said  Carpen- 
ter. They  are  busy  24  hours  a 
day  deahng  with  overwhelm- 
ing problems. 

•  We  shouldn't  go  where 
there's  trouble.  "We  need  to  go 
where  there's  trouble  and  we 
do  go  where  there's  trouble," 
she  said.  "And  every  time  we 
go  where  there's  trouble,  we 
grow.  The  church  is  growing 
rapidly  in  many  countries  in 
Africa  because  it  is  about  all 
the  hope  they  have."  She  also 
cited  several  instances  in  which 
Presbyterian  missionaries 
tackled  major  problems  head- 
on.  In  each  case  the  church 
grew  in  that  country  because 
missionaries  reached  out  to 
those  most  in  need. 


Zairian  mission  speaker  here  for  year 


By  BOBBYE  HOWELL 


Presbyterian  missionaries  in 
Zaire  have  worked  for  justice 
and  human  rights  there  for 
more  than  100  years. 

Mobutu  Sese  Seko,  a  mili- 
tary officer  during  the  early 
1960s  crisis  in  Zaire  (then  the 
Congo),  seized  power  as  presi- 
dent and  has  ruled  since. 

Conditions  in  Zaire  have 
continued  to  deterioriate.  Mis- 
sionaries have  witnessed  de- 
plorable violence  and  brutal- 
ity by  President  Mobutu 
against  his  own  peopleand  his 
political  opponents. 

Ineffective  government  and 
total  disregard  for  human 
rights  are  perpetuated  by 
Mobutu's  security  forces. 

Living  conditions  are 
desparate  and  still  declining 
for  Zaire's  people.  Economic 
conditions  have  worsened 
while  the  government  officials 


PEW  CUSHIONS  = 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG,  VA  24502 

=  1-800-572-2283  = 


are  gaining  wealth.  Teachers' 
salaries  are  too  low  on  which  to 
live  and  many  schools  have 
been  closed.  About  1.8  million 
people  a  suffering  from  acute 
malnutrition.  Except  for  those 
helped  by  missionaries,  pris- 
oners are  dying  from  starva- 
tion. There  are  random  execu- 
tions, detentions  and  disap- 
pearances. 

There  is  an  urgent  need  for 
the  international  community 
to  take  action  to  curb  these 
human  rights  violations. 

The  Global  Missions  Com- 
mittee of  Eastern  Virginia 
Presbytery,  and  others, 
brought  from  the  mission  in 
Zaire  Dr.  Etienne  Bote-Tshiek 
(pronounced  Check)  as  an  in- 
resident  mission  interpreter. 

He  is  the  officially  endorsed 
spokesperson  to  communicate 
the  state  of  affairs  there,  the 
effect  of  the  current  crisis  on 
the  lives  of  his  people,  and  the 


particular  persecution  of  Chris- 
tians under  Mobutu's  reign. 

"Check"  is  a  result  of  our 
mission  efforts  in  the.Kasai 
region.  A  graduate  of  mission 
schools  and  the  American  Uni- 
versity, he  is  an  outstanding 
spokesman  and  leader  for  Pres- 
byterians in  Zaire.  He  works 
here  in  local  churches,  in  pres- 
byteries, and  in  Washington 
with  lobbyists,  seeking  the  ur- 
gent help  needed  in  Zaire. 

Dr.  Tshiek  comes  highly  rec- 
ommended by  the  S5Tiod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic  Peacemaking 
Partnership  as  a  speaker  on 
human  rights  or  missions. 

He  can  be  contacted  by  call- 
ing (toll-free)  the  Presb5^ery 
of  Eastern  Virginia  at  (800) 
989-2193. 

Bobbye  Howell  is  a  member 
of  the  synod's  peacemaking 
partnership  entity  from  Char- 
lotte Presbytery. 


'Mr.  Rogers'  to  receive  award 


The  Rev.  Fred  Rogers,  creator 
and  host  of  "Mr.  Rogers'  Neigh- 
borhood" on  the  Public  Broad- 
casting System,  will  receive  the 
1994  Peaceseeker  Award  from 
the  Presbyterian  Peace  Fellow- 
ship at  its  annual  Peace  Break- 
fast at  the  206th  General  As- 
sembly (1994). 


The  breakfast  will  be  held 
Tuesday,  June  14,  in  Wichita 
and  will  mark  the  50th  anni- 
versary of  the  Presbyterian 
Peace  Fellowship.  Rogers  will 
be  honored  for  devoting  25 
years  in  his  "Neighborhood"  to 
"the  values  of  love,  non-vio- 
lence and  peace." 
 1 


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•  Now  is  not  a  good  time. 
"When  was  there  a  good  time? 
There  never  has  been  one,"  said 
Carpenter.  While  attending 
the  125th  anniversary  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in 
Cameroon,  she  counted  back 
to  see  what  year  it  had  started. 
It  was  1864,  during  some  of  the 
darkest  days  of  the  American 
Civil  War. 

"The  world  is  watching  us 
in  our  travail  to  see  if  we  are 
serious  about  the  great  com- 
mission ...  we  must  open  a  new 
mission  field  in  the 
Cameroons,"  she  quoted  the 
minutes  of  the  northern 
church.  Intrigued,  Carpenter 
checked  on  what  the  southern 
Presbyterians  were  doing  at 
the  same  time.  With  their  na- 
tion on  the  ropes,  the  southern 
Presbyterians  were  sending  a 
missionary  to  Brazil. 

Cameroon  and  Brazil  are 
among  the  most  successful 
mission  fields  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  and  "they  were 
started  in  the  worst  of  times," 
she  said. 

Carpenter  concluded  her 
remarks  with  a  story  about  a 
trip  to  Ghana  during  the  fam- 
ine in  1983.  She  and  the  20 
other  Presbyterian  visitors  ar- 
rived at  their  destination  at 
midnight  after  a  long  and  try- 
ing journey.  As  she  and  two 


other  women  ascended  stairs 
to  their  room,  they  found  a 
kerosene  lamp  which  they  took 
with  them  and  let  bum  to  pro- 
vide comfort. 

The  next  day.  Carpenter 
notfed  a  long  line  of  Ghanaians 
waiting  to  purchase  ...  kero- 
sene. "I  was  horrified  that 
someone  stood  in  that  line  all 
day  long  so  that  three  fool 
American  women  could  get 
upstairs  and  go  to  bed.  But 
that  lamp  is  just  hke  the  church 
of  Jesus  Christ  in  the  world.  It 
was  put  there  at  great  sacrifice 
by  somebody  and  it's  kept 
lighted  by  someone  who  waits 
in  line  and  brings  the  fuel. 

"And  it's  not  much  light,  but 
on  a  dark  night,  it's  better  than 
no  light  at  all. 

"And  that's  what  the  church 
is  in  many  of  these  countries ... 
It's  not  much  light,  but  on  a 
dark  light  it's  better  than  no 
light  at  all.  And  we're  glad  to 
hear  ...  that  the  church  is  still 
the  light  of  the  world. 

"The  trouble  with  it  is  'who 
is  the  church?'  Is  it  Louisville, 
the  synod,  the  presbytery,  the 
local  session  or  the  preacher. 
Of  course  not,  it's  all  of  us. 
We're  a  connectional  church, 
both  here  and  in  Africa,  and  in 
all  world. 

"You  and  I,  we  are  the 
church,  thanks  be  to  God." 


Mission  initiatives  on  agenda 


continued  from  page  1 
tion  is  just  over  $104  million 
and  is  declining  at  the  rate  of 
about  five  percent  each  year. 
Approximately  450  persons 
serve  on  the  staff,  down  about 
25  percent  from  last  year  at 
this  time. 

Last  year's  round  of  budget 
cuts  and  staff  reductions  laid 
the  groundwork  for  develop- 
ment of  six  new  mission  initia- 
tives. At  least  four  extended 
periods  have  been  set  aside 
during  the  week  in  Wichita  for 
informal  discussion  of  those  ini- 
tiatives. 

The  initiatives  are: 

•  "A  Year  with  Africa":  a 
one-year  focus  on  the  chal- 
lenges facing  the  continent  and 
the  church's  efforts  to  minis- 
ter there; 

•  Racism  and  Racial  Vio- 
lence: a  search  for  ways  to  stem 
the  rising  tide  of  racism  and 
racially  motivated  violence  in 
society; 

•  Ministry  in  the  Cities:  an 
effort  to  revitalize  urban  con- 
gregations and  ministries 
throughout  the  United  States; 

•  Church  Development  and 
Redevelopment:  a  bid  to  start 
more  new  churches  and  revi- 
talize existing  ones; 

•  Volunteers  in  Shared  Min- 
istry: a  drive  to  place  more  Pres- 
byterians, particularly  young 
people,  in  volunteer  church- 
related  service  in  this  country 
and  abroad;  and 

•  Centers  for  Christian  Re- 
flection and  Spiritual  Forma- 
tion: an  attempt  to  establish  at 
least  three  centers  for  spiri- 
tual retreat  and  renewal  for 
pastors  and  lay  people  by  the 
year  2000. 

In  other  business,  40  new 
missionaries  will  be  commis- 
sioned for  service  throughout 
the  world. 

The  Assembly  will  also  be 
asked  to  approve  plans  that 


decentralize  the  process  of  re- 
cruiting and  funding  Presby- 
terian missionaries.  The  new 
plans,  developed  in  response  to 
an  overture  from  San  Gabriel 
Presbytery  in  southern  Cali- 
fornia that  passed  last  year, 
gives  presbyteries  and  congre- 
gations more  say  in  choosing 
missionaries  and  funding  their 
work. 

The  Assembly  will  also  be 
asked  to  approve  a  paper  out- 
lining the  policies  and  proce- 
dures for  missionary  activity 
in  the  former  Soviet  Union. 

According  to  the  Rev.  Clifton 
Kirkpatrick,  director  of  world- 
wide ministries  for  the  church, 
the  guideUnes  seek  "to  build 
up  rather  than  undermine  the 
Christian  work  already  being 
done  by  the  indigenous 
churches  there." 

"God's  Work  in  Our  Hands: 
Issues  of  Vocation  and  Prob- 
lems of  Work  in  the  United 
States"  is  a  major  policy  paper 
being  brought  to  the  Assembly 
by  its  Advisory  Committee  on 
Social  Witness  Policy. 

The  paper  addresses  full, 
fair,  sustainable  and  partici- 
patory employment  practices. 
It  offers  12  theological  and  ethi- 
cal principles  and  a  host  of  spe- 
cific recommendations  on  how 
the  church,  business,  labor  and 
government  can  implement 
them  in  the  workplace. 

Another  report  recommends 
ways  the  church  and  its  con- 
gregations can  strengthen 
their  ties  to  institutions  of 
higher  education. 

The  report,  "On  Being  Faith- 
ful: The  Continuing  Mission  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  in  Higher  Education," 
comes  at  a  time  when  campus 
ministry  programs  are  being 
severely  cut  back  because  of 
budget  constraints  throughout 
the  denomination. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1994,  Page  5 


New  Resources 


Turning  Points,  Stories  of  People 
Who  Made  a  Difference 

By  Max  L.  Christensen.  Westminster/John  Knox  Press. 
Jan.  1993.  Paper.  $8.99. 

Great  movements  have  leaders  and  leaders  have  movements 
when  commitments  are  made,  when  new  attitudes  are  formed, 
when  new  directions  are  chosen,  and  when  distant  visions  are 
transformed  into  realities.  This  book  examines  some  of  these 
important  moments  when  notable  people,  during  moments  of 
crisis  and  insight,  found  the  grace  and  strength  to  change  our 
world  for  the  better,  forever. 

Max  L.  Christensen  is  rector  emeritus,  St.  James'  Episcopal 
Church,  San  Francisco,  CaUf  He  wrote  the  weekly  S5aidicated 
newspaper  column,  "Turning  Points,"  which  ran  for  14  years. 

Making  a  Difference  in  ttie  Public  Arena 

By  the  Rev.  Jim  Watkins.  $1.95.  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  Distribution  Management  Services, 
100  Witherspoon  St.,  LouisviUe,  KY  40202-1396,  (800)  524- 
2612,  ask  for  DMS  #259-94-958. 

This  resource  from  the  Presbyterian  Peacemaking  Program 
is  designed  to  help  people  of  faith  build  long-term  relationships 
with  elected  officials  and  their  staffs.  It  can  be  used  as  a  basic 
handbook  for  individuals  who  seek  to  share  their  opinions  with 
their  elected  officials.  It  is  also  an  effective  training  tool  for 
church  groups. 

Jim  Watkins  is  a  pastor  in  Atlanta,  Ga.  He  has  been  director 
of  the  Atlanta  office  of  a  U.S.  Congressperson  and  has  been  the 
associate  director  of  the  Presbyterian  Peacemaking  Program. 

The  resource  includes  excerpts  from  the  journal  Watkins 
kept  while  he  directed  the  congressperson's  office.  These  ex- 
cerpts illustrate  the  importance  of  developing  long-term  rela- 
tionships with  elected  officials  and  offers  concrete  suggestions 
for  how  they  can  be  developed. 

"Jim  Watkins  is  in  a  unique  position  to  help  Presbyterians 
have  access  to  their  elected  officials,"  said  Richard  Killmer, 
coordinator  for  the  Presbyterian  Peacemaking  Program.  "He 
knows  Presb3i«rian  congregations,  he  knows  Congress  and  he 
knows  how  congresspersons  are  influenced  by  their  constituents. 
This  resource  is  an  invaluable  tool  for  those  who  wish  to  make  a 
difference  with  their  federal,  state  and  local  elected  officials." 


Belk  Catechism  Awards 


The  following  yoimg  Presbyterians  have  received  certificates 
and  monetary  awards  for  reciting  either  the  Catechism  for 
Young  Children  or  the  Shorter  Catechism.  The  synod's  Cat- 
echism Fund,  estabhshed  by  a  gift  from  the  late  W.  H.  Belk, 
provides  recognition  for  girls  and  boys  age  15  and  younger  who 
recite  either  catechism.  For  more  information,  contact  the 
sjTiod  office. 

Bethesda  Church,  Aberdeen,  N.C. — Emily  Arnold,  Nicole 
Clark,  Katie  Mashburn,  and  Susannah  Mofield 

Brown's  Church,  Williamsburg,  Va. — ^Amanda  Doss,  Timo- 
thy Doss,  Carol  H.  Gillespie,  and  Douglas  Gillespie 

Dixon  Church,  King's  Mountain,  N.C. — ^Amanda  Berry,  Colt 
McAbee,  Addie  Moschler,  and  David  Moschler 

First  Church,  Fayetteville,  N.C.^ames  H.  Gilbert  IV 

Thalia  Trinity  Church,  Virginia  Beach,  Va. — Seth  Scott, 
Carrie  Sutton,  Johanna  VanArsdale,  Todd  Wright,  Byerly  Young, 
and  Dowler  Young 


FREE  ESTIMATES 


Flberfilass  Baptistrlu  &  Steeples 


A&H 

^RT  &  STAINED  GLASS 
ii  .  COMPANY,  INC. 


(7tM)  546-2687 


REFINISHING 


Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  Annual  Conference 
Massanetta  Springs  •  July  15-17, 1994 


PRESBYTERIAN  MEN 


■  Christian  Values  in  Life 

Keynote  Speakers 

William  H.  Wilson-Moderator 
of  the  197th  General  Assembly,  PC(USA) 

Price  H.  Gwynn  Ill-Moderator 
of  the  202nd  General  Assembly,  PC(USA) 
For  a  flier,  contact  your  local  Presbyterian  Men, 
the  synod  office  or  Massanetta  Springs 


Stewart  reports  on  'miracle'  in  Mettu 


Dick  Stewart,  a  Presbyterian 
elder  from  Broadway,  Va.,  vis- 
ited Illubabor  Synod  last  De- 
cember. The  Ethiopian  synod 
and  Shenandoah  Presbytery 
have  an  ongoing  mission  part- 
nership. The  following  account 
is  condensed  from  Stewart's 
report  to  the  presbytery.. 

As  the  only  [Shenandoah]  Pres- 
bytery representative  to  visit 
our  partners  twice,  it's  appro- 
priate for  me  to  compare  the 
situation  now  with  that  of  two 
years  ago. 

I  was  totally  unprepared  for 
the  amount  of  construction 
activity,  completed  and  in  pro- 
cess. Most  meaningful  was  the 
new  church  building  rising  on 
the  knoll  facing  the  office  com- 
plex. This  badly  needed  struc- 
ture is  partly  financed  by  the 
Bicentennial  Fund  and  by 
other  gifts  from  our  presby- 
tery and  PC(USA).  The  side 
walls  are  up,  nearly  ready  for 
the  roof  trusses.  If  money  holds 
out,  it  will  be  finished  by  April. 

It  will  be  a  beautiful,  well- 
constructed  building,  with 
room  for  over  1000  worship- 
pers. On  both  Saturdays  that  I 
was  there,  a  large  group  of 
volunteer  members  worked  in- 
dustriously to  mix  and  pour 
concrete  for  the  floor.  To  cel- 
ebrate the  progress,  a  sheep 
was  killed,  roasted  and  eaten 
at  day's  end. 

The  Synod  now  counts 
72,000  members,  an  increase 
of  20,000  since  my  wife,  Sara, 
and  I  were  there.  This  rapid 
growth  can  only  be  explained 
by  the  fervor  of  their  evange- 
Usm  and  the  deep-felt  spiri- 
tual need  of  the  Ethiopian 
people  in  the  face  of  continu- 
ing economic  deprivation  and 
political  disappointment. 
Christ  offers  them  hope. 

To  support  this  spiritual 
growth  and  continue  to  in- 
crease the  social  services  the 


niubabor  Synod  President  Ato  Mersha  and  his  family  in 
front  of  their  home 


church  offers,  several  new 
buildings  are  completed  or  are 
in  progress  on  the  compound 
in  Mettu. 

A  Bible  study  building  is  in 
full  use  by  those  training  lay 
persons  to  teach  God's  word 
throughout  the  region.  A  small 
dormitory  dining  room  and 
kitchen  support  this  activity. 
Another  building  nearing 
completion  will  house  a  Chris- 
tian bookstore,  a  medical  clinic, 
and  a  veterinary  clinic. 

A  second  guest  house  is  be- 
ing built,  using  mud  brick  tech- 
nology as  a  demonstration  of 
construction  that  does  not  use 
a  scarce  wood. 

A  new  program  for  which 
planning  is  well  along  is  for  an 
"appropriate  technology"  cen- 
ter to  include  projects  which 
produce  products  and  pro- 
cesses needed  by  the  people, 
using  practical,  available  tech- 
nologies. 

The  mud  brick  construction 
mentioned  earlier  is  one  such 
project.  The  second  will  be  a 
small  furniture  manufactur- 
ing facility  which  would  train 
young  people  in  woodworking, 


make  much  needed  furniture 
for  the  area,  and  generate  some 
revenue  to  support  other 
Synod  work. 

The  presbytery's  partner- 
ship is  highly  valued  by  our 
Ethiopian  brothers  and  sisters. 
Although  our  material  support 
is  important  to  them,  the  part- 
nership shows  both  partners 
how  the  Holy  Spirit  can  work 
to  erase  differences  of  race, 
skin  color,  economic  and  po- 
litical progress.  Pray  for  our 
partners. 

They  pray  for  us. 

Tools  needed 

Equipment  is  needed  for  the 
woodworking  project  men- 
tioned above.  This  includes 
new  or  good  used  tools,  either 
manual  or  power  driven. 

Power  tools  would  have  to 
be  convertible  to  220-240  volts. 
Almost  any  good  tool  will  be 
welcome,  from  screwdrivers  to 
table  saws. 

Send  to:  Dick  Stewart, 
Rt.  2,  Box  37,  Broadway,  VA 
22815;  phone  (703)  896-1373. 


Presbyterian  Home  & 
FamUy  Services,  Inc. 


Y^ejoin  in  thanking 

Warrenton  Presbyterian  Church 

Warrenton,  Virginia 


who  established  an  Endowed  Fund 
in  honor  of  William  E.  Sudduth, 
retiring  church  Treasurer. 

For  information  on  establishing  an  Endowed  Fund 
contact  the  Reverend  E.  Peter  Geitner,  President, 
150  Linden  Avenue,  Lynchburg,  VA  24503. 


Page  6,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1994 


Production  of  Archibald MacLeish's prize-winning  'J.B.' 

Norfolk  church  adds  drama 


NORFOLK,  Va.-First  Church 
of  Norfolk  recently  added  a 
new  dimension  to  the  use  of 
theatre  as  an  ingredient  in  the 
Ufe  of  a  congregation. 

Under  the  direction  of  Stan 
Fedysz3m,  founder  and  former 
artistic  director  of  the  Norfolk 
Theatre  Center  and  presently 
the  Director  of  Singles  Minis- 
tries at  First  Church,  a  group 
of  nearly  30  performers  pro- 
duced Archibald  MacLeish's 
Pulitzer  Prize  winning  verse 
play,  J.B. 

The  cast  featured  members 
of  13  Hampton  Roads  congre- 
gations. The  title  role  of  J.B.  (a 
modern  day  Job)  was  played 
by  Associate  Presb3^ery  Ex- 
ecutive Phil  Leftwich  of 
Bayside  Church.  Linda  Smith 
(Simonsdale  Chm-ch)  appeared 
as  Mrs.  J.B.  while  the  roles  of 
Mr.  Zuss  and  Nickles  were 
played  by  Ed  Jones  (Unitarian 
Church  of  Norfolk)  and  Guy 
Kemmerly  (Norfolk  First 
Church). 

Other  Presbyterian  cast 
members  represented  Thalia 
Trinity,  Providence  and 
Oakwood  churches.  Catholic, 
Methodist,  Lutheran,  Baptist, 
Reformed  Church  and  Metro- 
politan Church  members 
rounded  out  the  cast. 

"Job  seemed  to  be  a  perfect 
subject  to  gather  a  real  diverse 
group  of  people  around.  Then, 
MacLeish's  text  offers  a  great 
deal  for  actors — not  just  words 
but  subtexts  and  nuances  with 
which  a  performer  can  get  se- 
riously involved  whether 
they're  pros  or  first-timers.  It 
makes  one  wonder  if  we're  not 
selling  the  theatre  short  as  a 
teaching  device — when  we  act 
out  little  playlets  about  trivial 


Remember  the 

Mother's  Day 
Offering 

for  ministries  with  older 
adults  in  the  synod 


Ed  Jones  as  Mr.  Zuss/God 

matters  on  the  assvunption  that 
no  one  will  understand  any- 
thing more  intelligent  or  com- 
plex." Fedyszyn  observed. 

The  performances  were 
staged  in  the  First  Church 
sanctuary  and  utihzed  inciden- 
tal music  by  John  Keith,  played 


on  the  new  J.  W.  Walker  tracker 
organ. 

"I  doubt  if  the  architects 
gave  it  one  thought,  but  they 
certainly  made  a  great  space 
for  theatre  when  they  designed 
First  Norfolk,"  Linda  Smith, 
who  appeared  as  Mrs.  J.B.  ob- 
served. "It's  not  just  a  matter 
of  acoustics,  though  they're 
excellent,  but  somehow  the 
space  flows  from  performer  to 
audience  and  back  again,"  she 
added. 

Four  congregations  which 
did  not  have  performers  repre- 
sented in  the  acting  company 
also  contributed  to  the  produc- 
tion fund.  Admission  was  free 
and  was  attended 'by  numer- 
ous Sunday  school,  youth 
groups  and  confirmation 
classes  in  addition  to  regular 
theatre-goers. 

'J.B.'will  return  to  the  sanc- 
tuary at  First  Norfolk  on  May 
15  and  16.  Performances  will 
be  at  7:30  p.m.  and  no  admis- 
sion will  be  charged. 


Phil  Leftwich  and  Linda  Smith  portray  J.B.  and  Mrs.  J.B. 
in  Norfolk  (Va.)  First  Church's  production  of  the  play  by 
Archibald  Macleish. 


Congregation  and  Counseling  Service  work  together 


Presbyterians  in  Lynchburg 
take  vocation  seriously.  When 
members  of  Rivermont  Pres- 
bj^erian  Church  lost  their  jobs 
due  to  massive  lay-offs,  the 
staff  took  action. 

First  they  established  a  Ca- 
reer Transition  group  to  pro- 
vide spiritual  and  emotional 
support,  career  search  infor- 
mation, and  contacts.  Next, 
they  teamed  with  Career  and 
Personal  Counseling  Service 
to  offer  a  seminar  entitled  "Ca- 
reer Crossroads:  Where  Work 
and  Faith  Intersect".  The  event 
was  led  by  Sue  M.  Setzer,  As- 
sociate Director  of  the  Career 
and  Personal  Counseling  Ser- 
vice in  Charlotte  on  Feb.  24-26 
at  Rivermont. 

Most  of  the  17  participants 
were  unemployed  or  underem- 
ployed. Some  were  deciding 


Newly  Revised 

Bible  Discovery  and  Celebrate 


Available  for  use  in  Fall  1994! 

•  Receive  free  teacher  planning  folder  with 
every  Annual  or  Fall  Leader's/Teacher's 
Guide  purchase. 

•  Free  1994-95  Curriculum  Sampler  Packet 
(Item  #079703)  and  Promotional  Video 
(Item  #079700)Available! 

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Curriculum  Helpline  available  on  ext.  3. 
Presbyterian  Publishing  House 

100  Wither  spoon  Street 
Louisville,  KY  40202-1396 


Fax:  502-569-5018 


whether  to  stay  in  their  cur- 
rent position  or  to  make  a  job 
or  career  change.  All  sought  to 
integrate  their  work  with  their 
Christian  faith. 

"I  have  a  new  framework  on 
which  to  set  goals  and  expecta- 
tions of  myself  in  the  job  search 
and  much  clearer  information 
on  what  I'm  looking  for,"  ex- 
plained one  group  member  at 
the  end  of  the  weekend.  An- 
other observed,  "I  learned  that 
a  vocational  choice  should  in- 


volve a  balance  between  per- 
sonality, interests,  values  and 
abilities." 

Rivermont's  staff  worked 
with  Ms.  Setzer  to  focus  on  two 
areas:  career  development  and 
theological  reflection.  Career- 
related  activities  involved  self- 
assessment  inventories  fre- 
quently used  in  career  coun- 
seling. Faith-building  experi- 
ences focused  on  calling  and 
purpose  in  the  context  of  Chris- 
tian community. 


The  Career  and  Personal 
Counseling  Service,  and 
agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic,  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),  offers  one-to-one  ca- 
reer counseling  from  a  Chris- 
tian perspective  for  adults  of 
all  ages  as  well  as  high  school 
and  college  students  at  two 
locations.  For  additional  infor- 
mation, call  Sue  M.  Setzer  in 
Charlotte  (704-523-7751)  or 
Elbert  Patton  in  Laurinburg 
(910-276-3162). 


Society  of  St.  Andrew  seeks  volunteer  leaders 


BIG  ISLAND,  VA— Snow  cov- 
ered the  ground,  but  Julie  Tay- 
lor and  Catherine  Gillespie 
were  thinking  of  summer  and 
fall  harvests.  In  charge  of 
Gleaning  Ministries  at  the  So- 
ciety of  Saint  Andrew,  they 
were  already  planning  for  the 
hot,  busy  months  ahead. 

Taylor  directs  the  Gleaning 
Ministries  and  oversees  the 
nine-year-old  Harvest  of  Hope 
(HOH)  program.  Gillespie  is 
the  new  head  of  the  Gleaning 
Network,  which  has  involved 
nearly  20,000  volunteers  since 
it  began  in  1988.  Both  are  work- 
ing hard  to  find  volunteers  to 
co-ordinate  events  for  the  1994 
gleaning  seasons. 

Taylor  describes  her  need 
for  volunteers  this  way:  "This 
year  the  Harvest  of  Hope  is 
planning  17  events  in  states 
from  New  York  to  Louisiana.  A 
team  of  5  to  10  volimteers  with 
a  variety  of  skills  is  needed  to 
lead  each  event.  Each  HOH 
camp,  weekend  or  week-long, 
needs  site  coordinators  who 
work  with  farmers  to  plan  and 
carry  out  the  actual  field  work 
done  by  Harvesters. 

"These  leaders  also  arrange 
for  gleaned  produce  to  be  taken 
to  a  nearby  agency  which  feeds 
the  hungry.  And  they  coordi-- 
nate  HOH  work  with  other 
programs  such  as  Habitat  for 
Humanity,  or  health  screen- 
ings for  children  of  migrant 
workers,  so  Harvesters  can 
have  direct  contact  with  the 
people  who  will  receive  the 
gleaned  food. 

"Leadership  needs  include 


camp  cook,  worship  leader, 
small  group  leaders,  and  nurse. 
HOH  leaders  oversee  groups 
of  from  30  to  60  people.  Some 
events  are  geared  to  youth; 
some  are  for  adults;  others  are 
open  to  all  ages.  I  can't  say 
enough  about  the  quality  of 
caring,  energetic  volunteers 
who  have  filled  these  positions 


over  the  years." 

Last  year  over  7200  volun- 
teers gleaned  1.2  million 
pounds  of  produce  that  would 
have  otherwise  gone  to  waste. 
To  help  fight  hunger  through 
gleaning,  contact  Society  of 
Saint  Andrew,  P.O.  Box  329, 
Big  Island,  VA  24526:  phone 
(800)  333-4597. 


Camp  Massanetta  offered 
July  24-29  for  4th-6th  graders 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— Mas- 
sanetta Springs  Conference 
Center  will  offer  Camp  Mas- 
sanetta July  24-29  for  rising 
4th-6th  graders. 

The  camp  will  offer  children 
opportunities  to  build  mean- 
ingful relationships  with  their 
peers,  camp  counselors  and 
with  God  through  community 
oriented  fellowship,  study  and 
worship,  according  to  spokes- 
person Susan  Conaty-Buck. 

Seven  youth  and  one  coun- 
selor will  occupy  each  cabin 
and  meals  will  be  served  at  the 
center.  Campers  will  partici- 
pate in  daily  craft,  game  and 
music  activities,  as  well  as  hike 
the  trails,  canoe  on  the  lake, 
and  swim  in  the  pool.  Nightly 
devotions,  where  campers  will 
share  their  experiences  and 
their  faith  in  God,  will  take 
place  under  the  summer  stars. 

The  week  of  camp  will  cost 
$140.  All  campers  must  pre- 
register  and  the  deadline  for 
registration  is  July  1.  Camp- 
ers will  be  welcomed  at  camp 


fi"om  2  to  4  p.m.  on  Sunday, 
July  24.  Camp  ends  at  10  a.m. 
on  Friday,  July  29. 

Camp  Massanetta  will  be 
led  by  John  Mayes,  director  of 
the  1993  and  1994  middle 
school  conferences  at  Mas- 
sanetta Springs.  He  will  also 
work  with  youth  programs  for 
the  annual  Bible  Conference. 

Camp  counselors  are  still 
being  sought.  Those  interested 
should  contact  Massanetta 
Springs  at  the  phone  number 
or  address  below. 

Camp  Massanetta  is  a  pro- 
gram of  Massanetta  Springs 
Conference  Center,  which  is 
owned  and  operated  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic, 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
Campers  of  all  religious  affili- 
ations, national  origins  or  races 
are  welcome. 

For  additional  information 
call  (703)  434-3829  or  write  to 
Massanetta  Springs  Confer- 
ence Center,  P.O.  Box  1286, 
Harrisonburg,  VA  22801. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbjrterian,  May  1994,  Page  7 


Charlotte  women  seek  change  in  lodgement  for  Presbyterian  Women 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

Different  understandings  of 
the  purposes  of  Presbyterian 
Women  is  pushing  a  request 
from  a  group  in  Charlotte  Pres- 
bytery to  structurally  move  the 
organization  from  the  Women's 
Program  Area  to  Congrega- 
tional Ministries  Division. 

The  request,  from  the  Pres- 
b5^erian  Women  of  Covenant 
Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C.,  will 
be  brought  to  the  organization's 
membership  through  a  poll 
conducted  by  its  synod  and 
presbytery  moderators,  accord- 
ing to  Sara  Cordery,  modera- 
tor of  the  approximately 
300,000-member  women's  or- 
ganization. 

Cordery  said  the  results  of 
the  poll  will  go  to  the  Church- 
Wide  Coordinating  Team  in 
July.  Coordinator  for  Presby- 
terian Women  Gladys 
Strachan  said  the  team  took 
no  action  on  the  lodgement 
question — but  resolutions  may 
be  brought  to  the  floor  of  the 
triennial  gathering  by  any  vot- 
ing representative. 

The  poll  includes  other  is- 
sues as  well. 

Martha  Isaacs,  moderator 


of  Covenant  Church's  Presby- 
terian Women,  told  the  Pres- 
byterian News  Service  the  re- 
quest is  rooted  in  complaints 
about  advocacy  choices  at  the 
national  level,  about  financial 
accountability,  and  questions 
about  how  the  purposes  of  the 
organization  are  understood. 

"We  want  to  push  the 
Church-Wide  Coordinating 
Team  to  look  at  Presb3rterian 
Women  as  a  congregational 
entity  and  put  the  emphasis 
on  local  groups  instead  of  the 
higher  organization,"  said 
Isaacs,  who  is  an  honorary  life 
member  of  Presbyterian 
Women,  during  a  telephone 
interview. 

But  Cordery  contends  that 
the  function  of  the  organiza- 
tion itself  has  not  changed  as  a 
result  of  the  new  structure  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.).  "Our  work  is  the 
same,"  said  Cordery.  "I  need 
help  in  understanding  why  one 
division  is  more  important  than 
another  ..." 

Cordery  said  all  the  divi- 
sions are  interrelated  and 
share  the  denomination's  four 
priority  goals — and  she  said 
her  comments  are  her  own  and 
not  statements  of  the  organi- 


Children's  program  planned 

for  Massanetta  Bible  Conference 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— 
While  the  adults  attend  the 
71st  annual  Bible  Conference 
July  31-Aug.  5  at  Massanetta 
Springs,  their  children  will  also 
have  an  opportunity  to  learn. 

During  morning  Bible  study 
and  preaching  hour,  school- 
age  children  will  be  taught 
about  Joshua  and  the  Judges 
of  Israel. 

Julie  Fegley,  a  member  of 
the  Massanetta  Program 
Workgroup,  has  developed  a 
curriculum  that  fits  with,  but 
does  not  duplicate,  the  regular 
Sunday  school  lessons,  said 
conference  director  Jime  Bucy. 

Children  will  hear  the  Old 
Testament  stories  of  heroes  of 


the  faith,  and  will  have  oppor- 
tunities to  discover  for  them- 
selves the  importance  of  trust- 
ing God,  following  instructions, 
working  together,  and  caring 
for  one  another. 

Beth  Smith  and  Skip 
Hastings,  certified  Christian 
educators,  will  direct  the 
children's  program.  John 
Mayes,  Massanetta's  summer 
program  manager,  will  direct 
the  junior  and  senior  high 
school  groups. 

For  more  information,  write 
to  Massanetta  Springs  Con- 
ference Center,  P.O.  Box  1286, 
Harrisonburg,  VA  22801,  or 
phone  (703)  434-3829. 


Massanetta  Springs 

Conference  Center  for  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic,  PC(USA) 

Disciples  of  All  Nations 
Middle  School  Conference 

June  17-20  and  22-25 

Synod  Presbyterian  Men 

July  15-17 

Camp  Massanetta  (4-6th  grades) 

July  24-29 

71st  Annual  Bible  Conference 
and  Church  Music  Workshop 

July  31-Aug.  6 

Synod  Youth  Leadership  Workout 

Oct.  7-9 

Synod  Recreation  Workshop 

Oct.  21-23 


For  information  and  brochures  write  to: 
Massanetta  Springs,  P.O.  Box  1286.  Harrisonburg,  VA  22801 
(703)  434-3829 


Sara  Cordery 

zation  itself. 

Isaacs  said  the  former  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United 
States  had  a  cohesive  network 
that  was  powerful  at  local  and 
presbytery  levels.  She  said  the 
emphasis  shifted  after  reunion, 
when,  she  believes,  higher 
pledges  were  sought  to  sup- 
port a  national,  instead  of  a 
regional,  structure. 

...  Advocacy  is  not  why  Pres- 
byterian Women  is  an  organi- 
zation," Isaacs  said,  noting  that 
advocacy  is  the  purpose  of 
groups  like  Justice  for  Women 
or  some  other  mission  entities. 
She  said  the  purpose  of  Pres- 
byterian Women  is  to 
strengthen  the  individual 
woman  in  a  congregation 
through  nurture,  Bible  study 
and  leadership  skills,  thus 
strengthening  the  church. 
Isaacs  said  the  causes  may  be 
valid,  but  are  more  national  or 
international  than  the  scope  of 
the  organization. 

She  said  the  Presb3rterian 
Women  of  Covenant  Church 
have  questions  about  assess- 
ments presbytery-to-presby- 
tery and,  she  said,  about  dol- 
lars that  go  into  the  unified 
budget  that  are  described  in 
literature  as  money  for  mis- 


sion worldwide. 

Treasurer  Jean  Cutler  told 
the  Presbyterian  News  Service 
assessments  are  not  issued 
from  the  national  office,  but 
are  developed  at  Presbyterian 
Women's  presbytery  and  synod 
levels.  Cutler  said  it  is  no  se- 
cret that  pledges  from  Presby- 
terian Women  go  into  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  mission  program 
budget  undesignated-and  a 
breakdown  of  current  budget 
information  has  been  pub- 
lished in  Horizons,  the 
organization's  magazine,  an 
explanatory  piece  often  cited 
by  national  staff.  She  said 
Presbyterian  Women  contrib- 
uted $3.9  million  to  the  unified 
budget  last  year  and  it  remains 
undesignated  as  a  demonstra- 
tion of  trust  in  the  church's 
budget  priorities  and  it  per- 
mits less  well  known  programs 
to  benefit  as  readily  as  more 
popular  ones. 

Citing  the  advocacy  ques- 
tions. Cutler  said,  "to  support 
the  mission  of  the  church 
world-wide"  and  "to  work  for 
justice  and  peace"  are  part  of 
the  statement  of  purpose  of 
Presbyterian  Women.  She 


added  that  the  largest  percent- 
age of  the  undesignated  dol- 
lars go  to  the  support  of  mis- 
sion workers,  both  in  the  U.S. 
and  in  other  countries. 

Cordery  said  Shape  and 
Form  placed  Presbyterian 
Women  within  the  Women's 
Program  Area  of  the  National 
Ministries  Division  in  March 
1993,  and  the  Church-Wide 
Coordinating  Team  concurred. 
Prior  to  the  last  restructuring, 
the  organization  was  lodged  in 
the  Women's  Ministry  Unit. 

The  lodgement  issue 
emerged  in  October  when  Gen- 
eral Assembly  Council  mem- 
ber Michael  Meyers  of  the  Cov- 
enant Church  brought  that 
group's  questions  to  the  Con- 
gregational Ministries  Division 
Committee.  In  February,  the 
division  committee  referred  the 
issue  to  Presb3^erian  Women 
as  an  internal  matter. 

Cordery,  Meyers  and 
Strachan  met  with  members 
of  the  Covenant  circles  and 
with  representatives  from  23 
other  churches  in  Charlotte, 
Feb.  2-3.  The  23  churches  were 
from  both  Salem  and  Char- 
lotte presbyteries. 


Scotia  Village  receives  $500,000 
matching  challenge  grant 


LAURINBURG,  N.C.— The 
Morgan  Foundation  of  Laurel 
Hill,  N.C.,  has  issued  a 
$500,000  matching  challenge 
grant  to  build  a  financial  assis- 
tance endowment  fund 
through  the  Scotia  Village 
Foundation,  Inc. 

Scotia  Village  is  a  modern 
continuing  care  community 
here.  It  is  a  division  of  The 
Presb3^erian  Homes,  Inc.  in 
North  Carolina. 

"In  fulfilling  its  mission  of 
ministry  to  older  adults,  Scotia 
Village  determined  it  should 
serve  residents  of  diverse  back- 


grounds and  assure  access  to  in- 
dividuals who  may  need  finan- 
cial assistance,"  said  Director  of 
Development  Janice  Mack. 

To  provide  resources  for  this 
ministry,  an  endowment  fund 
has  been  established  through 
the  Scotia  Village  Foundation. 

For  every  $100,000  given  to 
the  financial  assistance  endow- 
ment fund  for  the  next  five 
years,  the  Morgan  Foundation 
will  contribute  $100,000. 

To  achieve  the  full  match- 
ing grant,  Scotia  Village  has 
started  a  "Caring  and  Sharing 
Campaign." 


Presbyterian  Home  & 
FamUy  Services,  Inc. 

V^ejoin  in  thanking 


Our  Many  Friends 
And  Supporters 

who  remembered  loved  ones  by  sending  a 
Memorial  Gift  to  our  ministries  for  children 
(Genesis  House,  Exodus  House,  and  Presbyterian  Home) 

and  persons  with  mental  retardation 
(Zuni  Presbyterian  Center,  Presbyterian  Group  Homes  of 
Fredericksburg  and  Waynesboro). 

Contributions  for  these  ministries 
may  be  sent  to  the  Reverend  E.  Peter  Geitner,  President, 
150  Linden  Avenue,  Lynchburg,  VA  24503. 


Page  S,  Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1994 


Two  quake-damaged  churches  to  be  demolished 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 
PCOJSA)  News  Service 

Two  Presb3rterian  churches 
will  be  demolished  because  of 
earthquake  daimage,  according 
to  presbytery  executives  in 
Southern  California. 

First  Church  of  North  Holly- 
wood and  the  Good  Samaritan 
Church,  a  Korean  chiirch  in  cen- 
tral Los  Angeles,  will  be  demol- 
ished— and  redevelopment 
planning  is  just  beginning  for 
other  churches  sustaining  seri- 
ous property  damage. 

At  least  30  Presbyterian 
churches  in  five  presbs^eries  re- 
ported damage  of  varying  sever- 
ity, though  it  was  most  concen- 
trated in  San  Fernando,  Pacific 
and  Hanmi  presbjd;eries. 

"Still,  some  people  are  very 
shaky,"  the  Rev.  Paul  Chun, 
executive  of  Hanmi  Presby- 
tery, told  News  Services,  add- 
ing that  another  5.3-level 
tremor  hit  the  Los  Angeles  area 
March  20.  "It  will  eventually 
settle  down ...  but  the  problem 
is  psychological." 

Chun  said  the  two  damaged 
churches  in  the  Korean-lan- 
guage presbytery — Han  Yang 
Church  near  Bel  Air  and 
Wilshire  Church  in  Los  Ange- 
les— are  now  developing  finan- 
cial strategies  to  recover. 

The  presbytery  received 
$20,000  fi-om  One  Great  Hour 
of  Sharing  monies,  with  $4,000 
fi-om  Hanmi  congregations  and 
approximately  $2,000  from 
churches  and  individuals  in 
other  parts  of  the  country, 
Chun  said.  The  National  Ko- 
rean Presbyterian  Council  is 
collecting  money  for  Korean 
congregations  damaged 
throughout  Southern  Cahfor- 
nia,  too,  he  added. 

San  Fernando  Presbytery 
has  contracted  with  a  former 
executive  from  Grace  Presby- 
tery, the  Rev.  Mac  Hart,  to 


Linda  Hickler  Van  Zeyl  (left)  observes  organist  Tom 
Boyer  as  he  numbers  organ  pipes  for  storage  at  First 
Church  of  North  Hollywood.  Van  Zeyl  grew  up  in  the 
North  Hollywood  congregation.       Photo  by  Alexa  Smith 


begin  a  series  of  open  forums 
with  congregations  about  what 
to  do  next — rebuild,  repair  or 
reimagine  ministries  in  less 
traditional  settings,  according 
to  executive  the  Rev.  Robert 
Fernandez. 

"We  have  to  go  very  care- 
fully in  this. ...  These  churches 
are  losing  a  lot,"  he  said. 
Fernandez  added  that  the 
North  Hollywood  church  in- 
tends to  recover  hymnals. 
Bibles  and,  perhaps,  pews, 
fi-om  its  red-tagged  building. 

He  said  the  presbj^ery  has 
received  $58,836  in  donations 
fi*om  across  the  covmtry  and 
$25,000  in  One  Great  Hour  of 
Sharing  dollars.  Those  figures 
do  not  include  money  sent  di- 
rectly to  congregations. 

The  Rev.  Linda  Culbertson, 
acting  executive  in  Pacific 
Presbytery,  said  property  in- 
spections are  still  under  way 
so  bids  and  estimates  are  slow 
in  coming.  "With  the  after- 


shocks," she  said,  "the  damage 
is  becoming  more  apparent." 

A  seven-person  earthquake 
recovery  task  force  is  in  place 
in  the  presbytery  to  work 
closely  with  congregations 
about  mission,  property  and 
congregational  development, 
she  said. 

Culbertson  said  $20,000  of 
One  Great  Hour  of  Sharing 
monies  are  being  allocated  to 
meet  short-term,  individual 
needs. 

At  press  time,  figures  on 
other  donations  were  not  avail- 
able. 

The  Rev.  Frank  Beattie  said 
the  Mission  Development  Re- 
sources Committee  granted 
one  south-central  Los  Angeles 
church  a  $150,000  loan  for 
earthquake  recovery.  Beattie 
is  the  new  associate  for  evan- 
gelism and  church  develop- 
ment in  Louisville.  No  other 
applications  have  been  re- 
ceived, he  said. 


Presbyterian  Home  & 
Family  Services,  Inc. 

We  join  in  thanking 

WiLLARD  L  Garrett, 
Grace  Presbyterian  Church,  Richmond,  VA 

James  S.  Morrison, 
Covenant  Presbyterian  Church,  Staunton,  VA 
Shirley  Robertson, 

Williamsbui^  Presbyterian  Church,  Williamsburg,  VA 

Harry  A.  Shannon,  Jr, 
Raleigh  Court  Presbyterian  Church,  Roanoke,  VA 
Mrs.  Peter  w.  Squire, 

First  Presbyterian  Church,  Emporia,  VA 

The  Reverend  Dorothy  Mckinney-Wright, 
Ashbum  Presbyterian  Church,  Ashbum,  VA 

for  their  years  of  dedicated  service  as  members  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  which  concludes  in  May  1994. 

For  information  on  this  ministry  to  children 
and  persons  with  mental  retardation 
contact  the  Reverend  E.  Peter  Geitner,  President, 
150  Linden  Avenue,  Lynchbiirg,  VA  24503. 


Three  from  synod  named  leaders 
of  committees  for  206th  GA 

Three  Presbjrterians  from  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  have 
been  named  leaders  of  committees  for  the  206th  General  Assem- 
bly which  meets  June  10-17 
in  Wichita,  Kans. 

Elder  Anne  Keys  of  Phoe- 
nix, Md.,  will  moderate  the 
Catholicity  and  Ecumenical 
Partnerships  Committee. 
The  Rev.  Edward  B. 
Newberry  of  Charlotte, 
N.C.,  will  moderate  the 
Church  Orders  and  Voca- 
tion Committee.  The  Rev. 
Antonio  Lawrence  of  Rocky 
Mount,  N.C.,  will  serve  as  vice  moderator  of  the  General 
Assembly  Procedures  Committee. 


Anne  Keys     Ed  Newberry 


General  Assembly  commissioners 
from  synod's  presbyteries  named 

Commissioners  to  the  206th  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.)  from  the  synod's  13  presbyteries  are  listed 
below.  We  invite  you  to  pray  for  them  and  the  work  they  will  be 
doing  in  Wichita,  Kan.,  on  June  10-17. 

Abingdon  Presbytery  (Va.) 

Clergy— Richard  P.  Stone,  Jewell  Ridge;  Elder— Jack  C.  Cole, 
Cedar  Bluff;  YAD — Clair  Freeman,  Marion 

Baltimore  Presbytery  (IVId.) 

Clergy— Thomas  Sweet,  White  Hall;  Gretchen  Van  Utt,  Balti- 
more; Elders — Anne  Keys,  Phoenix;  Betsy  Quigley,  Sevema 
Park 

Charlotte  Presbytery  (N.C.) 

Clergy — James  C.  Groodloe  IV,  Concord;  Dorothy  Collin  Home, 
Charlotte;  Edward  Newberry,  Charlotte;  and  Susan  M.  Roddey, 
Charlotte;  Elders — Gloria  Bryson,  Albe-marle;  Delorese  Y. 
Hill,  Charlotte;  Walter  Nelson,  Charlotte;  and  Charles  Norwood, 
Monroe;  YAD — ^Nicole  Grier,  Charlotte. 

Coastal  Carolina  Presbytery  (N.C.) 

Clergy — Rogers  E.  Randall,  Hope  Mills;  Powell  Sykes, 
Beaulaville;  and  C.C.  Thomas,  Fayetteville;  Elders — ^Amanda 
Bible,  Chadboum;  Margaret  Calhoun,  Laurinburg;  and  Gussie 
McNair,  Carthage;  YAD — Jennifer  Medley,  Dunn. 

Eastern  Virginia  Presbytery  (Va.) 

Clergy — Richard  J.  Keever,  Virginia  Beach;  John  D.  Sadler, 
Grafton;  Elders — ^Vivian  Lewis,  Zuni;  Agnes  Lowder,  Hamp- 
ton; YAD — Ricky  John-son,  Norfolk. 

Presbytery  of  the  James  (Va.) 

Clergy — Starke  Cauthom,  Mechanicsville;  Robert  R.  Laha  Jr., 
Richmond;  Barrie  M.  Kirby,  Emporia;  Elders — Rush  Cowherd, 
Richmond;  Robert  Snead,  South  Hill;  Louella  Stacy,  Powhatan; 
YAD — Mary  Bess  BowUn,  Midlothian. 

National  Capital  Presbytery  (D.C.,  Md.  and  Va.) 

Clergy— Edna  J.  Banes,  Alexandria,  Va.;  Sue  Berry,  Washing- 
ton; Gregory  Busby,  Washington;  and  James  G.  MacDonnell, 
Rockville,  Md.;  Elders — Jean  Fri,  Bethesda,  Md.;  Charity 
Singletary,  Silver  Spring,  Md.;  William  E.  Sudduth,  Warrenton, 
Va.;  and  Billie  P.  Sutter,  Burke,  Va.;  YAD— Eric  Larsen, 
Oakton,  Va. 

New  Castle  Presbytery  (Del.  and  Md.) 

Clergy — ^William  Groettler,  Wilmington,  Del. 
Elder — John  R.  Lewis,  Wilmington,  Del. 

New  Hope  Presbytery  (N.C.) 

Clergy — ^Antonio  Lawrence,  Rocky  Mount;  William  Klein,  Wil- 
son; Jim  McKinnon,  Wilson;  Elders — Jack  Cover,  Raleigh; 
Maxine  Fisher,  Kinston;  Mildred  Hogard,  Durham;  YAD — 
Thomas  Robinson,  Durham. 

Presbytery  of  the  Peaks  (Va.) 

Clergy— G.  Wilson  Gunn,  Roanoke;  and  C.  Russell  Lee,  South 
Boston;  Elders — Ed  Deberry,  Roanoke;  and  Harriet  Rice, 
Phenix. 

Salem  Presbytery  (N.C.) 

Clergy — James  Henderson,  Statesville;  S.  Edwin  Lewis, 
Mooresville;  Guy  W.  Hunt  Jr.,  Danbury;  Dennis  Sebesan, 
Jamestown;  Elders — Dr.  Moon  Won  Suh,  Raleigh  (Greensboro 
Korean);  Debbie  Coles,  North  Wilkesboro;  Esther  Preston, 
Winston-Salem;  Diane  Luce,  Winston-Salem;  YAD— William 
Fisher,  Burlington. 

Shenandoah  Presbytery  (Va.  and  W.Va.) 

Clergy— Ann  Reed  Held,  Harrisonburg,  Va.;  and  Carlyle 
McDonald,  Winchester,  Va.;  Elders— Ethel  Frances  Keys, 
Churchville,  Va.;  and  Charles  Sensabaugh,  Penn  Laird,  Va.; 
YAD^ohn  Hicks,  Romney,  W.  Va. 

Western  North  Carolina  Presbytery 

Clergy — "Ike"  Kennerly,  Brevard;  and  Albert  Kissling, 
Hendersonville;  Elders — Helen  AUison,  Sylva;  and  James  Miller, 
Belmont;  YAD — Caroline  Keir,  Gastonia. 


Campus  Notes 


Barber  Scotia  president  forced  out 

CONCORD,  N.C.— Barber-Scotia  College  trustees  forced  Presi- 
dent Noel  Nwagbaraocha  to  resign  effective  March  15.  He  was 
replaced  by  Asa  Spaulding,  former  trustees'  chairman.  George 
Shinn,  owner  of  the  Charlotte  Hornets  of  the  NBA,  was  elected 
chairman  to  succeed  Spaulding. 

Nwagbaroacha's  forced  resignation  came  in  the  wake  of  a 
financial  crisis.  Barber-Scotia  is  more  than  $1  million  in  debt 
and  local  utility  companies  and  other  service  providers  were 
threatening  to  end  service  to  the  campus  because  of  unpaid  bills. 

Nwagbaroacha  had  been  president  since  1990.  While  the 
school  was  already  in  debt  then,  the  situation  has  grown  with 
unpaid  bills  and  uncollected  fees.  Also,  trustees  cited 
Nwagbaroacha's  failure  to  increase  the  school's  endowment. 

Barber-Scotia  College  was  founded  by  Presbyterians  in  1867 
and  is  owned  by  the  church.  A  plan  to  turn  ownership  over  to  the 
college's  board  of  trustees  has  been  underway  for  several  years. 
The  school  has  an  enrollment  of  about  750  students. 

P.O.W.E.R.  Conference  Aug.  11-14 

The  P.O.W.E.R.  Conference  is  slated  for  Aug.  11-14  at  the  Myers 
Park  Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C.  The  focus  of  the  event  is 
developing  leadership  through  the  faith  community.  This  con- 
ference will  offer  a  hands-on  approach  to  the  development  of 
student  leadership  skills  through  such  workshops  as:  Leader- 
ship Skills  101  and  102;  Time/Stress  Management;  Mission 
Trips/Study  Abroad;  What  Is  My  Faith;  Creative  Bible  Studies; 
Hot  Potato  Issues  in  Society;  Creative  Worship;  Conflict  Reso- 
lution and  How  To  Build  Community. 

Participants  must  have  graduated  from  high  school  and  be 
enrolled  in  a  college  or  imiversity  for  Fall  1994.  For  more 
information  call  Judi  McMillan  at  (703)  568-4959  or  Jim 
Kirkpatrick  at  (615)  926-2522. 

Teacher  education  expands 

BANNER  ELK,  N.C— Lees-McRae  College  has  completed  the 
final  phase  of  its  plan  to  offer  a  complete  K-12  Teacher  Educa- 
tion program  by  adding  classes  geared  specifically  toward 
elementary  education  certification  beginning  during  the  1994 
fall  semester.  The  Lees-McRae  Teacher  Education  program, 
which  was  established  by  the  board  of  trustees  in  1987,  has  been 
recognized  statewide  for  its  unique  approach  to  learning  and  for 
the  work  of  its  director,  Dr.  Roma  Angel. 

Friends  create  scliolarship  for  Terry 

DAVIDSON,  N.C— WiUiam  Holt  Terry,  a  member  of  the  Dav- 
idson College  family  for  more  than  31  years,  has  announced  that 
he  will  retire  at  the  end  of  the  1993-94  school  year.  Terry  is  best 
known  for  his  tenure  as  Davidson's  Dean  of  Students,  a  position 
he  has  held  for  the  past  23  years. 

As  a  tribute  to  Dean  Terry's  service  and  dedication,  a  group 
of  alumni,  faculty,  friends  have  established  the  William  Holt 
Terry  Scholarship.  The  scholarship  was  initially  established 
with  a  $500,000  goal,  but  response  was  so  positive  that  a  new 
goal  of  $1  million  was  set.  Donors  were  scheduled  to  present  the 
scholarship  to  the  college  at  an  April  19  dinner  honoring  Terry. 

Gift  made  in  memory  of  Hawkins 

ATLANTA,  Ga.— Mrs.  Inez  F.  Hawkins,  widow  of  the  Rev.  O.  J. 
Hawkins,  has  presented  Johnson  C.  Smith  Theological  Semi- 
nary with  a  substantial  gift  in  his  memory.  The  gift  will  be  used 
to  provide  scholarship  assistance  to  seminarians  preparing  to 
be  ordained  as  ministers  of  the  Word  and  Sacraments. 

Hawkins,  a  1937  graduate  of  JCSTS,  primarily  served 
churches  in  North  CaroUna  and  the  former  Cape  Fear  Presby- 
tery. His  final  pastorate  was  at  Calvary  Church  in  Wilson,  N.C. 

Scottisli  lieritage  awards  presented 

LAURINBURG— Royce  Neil  McNeill  of  Charlotte  and  Catriona 
Maclver  Parsons  of  Dartmouth  College  were  honored  during 
the  Fourth  Annual  Scottish  Heritage  Awards  Banquet  here 
March  26.  McNeill  received  the  Scottish  Heritage  Center  Ser- 
vice Award.  He  and  his  wife,  Doris,  have  been  instrumental  in 
I  starting  several  Scottish  games  and  societies.  Parsons  received 
j  the  Flora  Macdonald  Award  for  her  contributions  to  education. 

Reuscliling  to  lead  Florida  college 

LAURINBURG,  N.C— Dr.  Thomas  L.  Reuschhng,  who  re- 
signed as  president  of  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College,  will 
assume  the  presidency  of  Florida  Southern  College  in  Lakeland, 
Fla.,  on  Aug.  1.  Dr.  Warren  L.  Board  succeeded  Dr.  Reuschling 
at  St.  Andrews  effective  March  1. 


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Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1994,  Page  9 


St.  Andrews  group  studying  in  China 


A  group  of  St.  Andrews  Col 
lege  students  has  spent  the 
last  four  months  in  Beijing, 
engaging  in  intensive  study  of 
the  Chinese  language  and 
learning  about  the  country  and 
its  people. 

The  eight  students  are  Elise 
Eleazer,  a  senior  from  Char- 
lotte, N.C;  Dan  Albert,  a  se- 
nior from  Savanna,  111.;  Beth 
Kerley,  a  senior  from  Lexing- 
ton, N.C;  Logan  Hejl,  a  junior 
from  Harare,  Zimbabwe; 
Jenifer  Miller,  a  sophomore 
from  Marshall,  N.C;  and 
Alison  Corley,  a  sophomore 
from  Salem,  S.C 

Each  year  a  professor  ac- 
companies the  group  to  China, 
with  art  professor  Robert 
Carter  of  St.  Andrews. 

The  China  program,  begun 
in  1988,  is  one  of  numeroiis 
international  study  opportu- 
nities at  St.  Andrews. 

This  years's  China  group 
may  be  the  best  prepared  and 
best  qualified  in  the  history  of 
the  program,  according  to 
Carter.  The  students  were  se- 
lected from  a  pool  of  highly 
qualified  applicants  with 
strong  academic  records  at  the 
college.  All  but  one  of  those 
selected  has  had  at  least  a  se- 
mester of  Chinese. 

In  addition  to  language  stud- 
ies, the  students  will  partici- 
pate in  a  seminar  conducted 
by  Carter.  They  will  have  re- 
sponsibility for  presentations 
on  various  areas  of  Chinese 
history  and  culture,  including 
medicine  and  science,  the  role 
of  women  in  Chinese  society 
and  the  economy.  As  they  learn 
about  China,  they  will  have 
the  benefit  of  visiting  many  of 
the  sites  they  are  discussing. 

Some  in  the  group  are  expe- 
rienced travelers,  who  have 
studied  abroad;  for  others,  this 
will  be  their  first  trip  outside 
the  United  States. 


The  St.  Andrews  College  group  selected  to  study  in 
Beijing,  China  this  spring:  Jenifer  Miller  (front);  Elise 
Eleazer,  Beth  Kerley  (second  row);  Alison  Corley,  Gareth 
John,  Logan  Hejl,  Dan  Alber,  professor  Robert  Carter 
and  Jason  Dyke  (left  to  right). 


Eleazer,  who  participated  in 
the  China,  program  in  spring 
1992,  plans  to  attend  graduate 
school  in  Asian  studies  and  felt 
the  extra  language  training  to 
be  gained  by  returning  to 
Beijing  would  be  helpful.  She 
also  visited  Vietnam  with  a  St. 
Andrews  group  in  January 
1993. 


Hejl,  who  has  always  been 
interested  in  China,  thinks  liv- 
ing half  a  world  away  from 
home  and  family  until  June 
will  teach  him  independence. 
A  history  major,  Hejl  said  he 
wants  to  see  how  China  was 
affected  by  the  Cultural  Revo- 
lution, "how  much  of  the  past 
was  lost." 


Osboume  to  teach  youth  ministry 


RICHMOND,  Va.— Paul  E. 
Osbourne  has  been  named  as- 
sociate professor  of  youth  min- 
istry and  recreative  arts  at  the 
Presbyterian  School  of  Chris- 
tian Education.  "While  I  will 


continue  to  offer  courses  in  rec- 
reative arts,  my  new  role  will 
include  expanding  and  devel- 
oping youth  ministry  as  a  pro- 
gram at  PSCE,"  said  Osboume. 


Presbyterian  Home  & 
Family  Services,  Inc. 

We;om  in  thanking 


The  Association  for 
Retarded  Citizens-Augusta 

Waynesboro,  Virginia 


who  donated  land  and  provided  support 
for  our  new  Presbyterian  Group  Home — Waynesboro 
for  persons  with  mental  retardation. 

Contributions  for  this  new  ministry 
may  be  sent  to  the  Reverend  E.  Peter  Geitner,  Presi(ient, 
150  Linden  Avenue,  Lynchburg,  VA  24503. 


Page  10,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1994 


i 


Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

TOs  page /s  sponsored  by  Barium  SpMngs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCRE0tTATO>. 
OF  SERVICES  FOR  FAMIUES 
AND  CHILDREN.  INC 


Barium  alumnus  to  study  in  France 


Former  Barium  resident  Larry 
Buie  has  been  selected  to  study 
at  the  Universite  de  Mont- 
pellier  in  Southern  France  for 
the  1994-95  school  year. 

A  rising  junior  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  North  Carolina  at 
Chapel  Hill,  Buie  was  one  of 
five  students  selected  for  the 
program,  which  is  sponsored 
by  UNC-CH's  Department  of 
Romance  Languages. 

Buie  was  a  resident  of  the 
Preparation  for  Adult  Living 
Program  in  the  Adolescent 
Center  for  three  years.  He 
graduated  from  South  Iredell 
High  School  in  1991.  He  has 
been  attending  UNC-CH  with 
assistance  from  the  Home's 
Higher  Education  fund. 

No  stranger  to  France,  Buie 
has  made  two  educational/cul- 
tural trips  there  in  the  past 
four  years.  In  1990  he  went  as 
part  of  a  cultural  exchange 
with  South  Iredell  High 
School.  In  1993  (the  summer 
between  his  freshman  and 
sophomore  years  at  UNC)  he 
received  college  credit  for  a 
month-long  intensive  lan- 
guage course  in  France. 

Where  did  he  develop  such 
an  interest  in  France  and  its's 
language?  Buie  said  he  has 
always  loved  Uterature  and  the 
arts.  By  the  time  he  reached 


Homecoming 
1994 

August  6th  &  7th 

Dear  Alumni,  families 
and  friends: 
Please  join  us  this 
year  for  a  lot  of  fun! 


'New'  gift 
wish  list 


Larry  W.  Buie 


high  school,  he  had  become 
fascinated  with  European 
countries  and  culture  because 
of  their  deep  roots  in  the  fields 
he  loved. 

Once  he  decided  that  he 
wanted  to  go  to  college,  he  con- 
sidered a  degree  in  compara- 
tive literature,  but  felt  that  a 
degree  in  the  languages  would 
lend  him  more  opportunities 
when  it  came  to  graduate 
school  and  career  choices. 

"My  ultimate  goal  is  to  teach 
French  on  a  college  level,"  said 
Buie.  "The  languages  have 
given  me  so  much.  I'm  very  in- 
terested in  helping  others  find 
the  joy  and  satisfaction  in  them 
that  they  have  given  to  me." 

Avery  determined  and  dedi- 
cated young  man,  Buie  already 
has  plans  to  spend  a  semester 
in  Spain  and  to  write  an  hon- 
ors thesis  in  French  his  senior 
year.  Then  he  would  like  to  go 
on  to  graduate  school  and  get 
his  doctorate  in  French. 

"The  main  reason  I'm  so 
thrilled  about  being  selected 
for  this  program  is  that  it  could 
really  help  me  when  it  comes 
to  being  accepted  into  gradu- 
ate school,"  said  Buie.  "How 
much  time  you  have  actually 
spent  in  the  country  whose  lan- 


*  15-passenger  Van 

*  Automobiles 

*  Dining  Room  Table 
(seats  12) 

*  Washing  Machines  (2) 

*  Dryers  (2) 

*  2  Vacuum  Cleaners 

*  2  Twin  Mattresses 

*  2  Twin  Box  Springs 

*  Twin  Bed  Linens  and 
Bedspreads 

*  3  Couches 

*  2  Night  Stands 

*  1  Large  Bookcase 

*  Toiletries 

*  Towels  and  Washcloths 

*  Sports  Equipment  (balls, 
gloves,  frisbees,  bats,  ping- 
pong  paddles,  balls  &  net) 

*  New  Clothes  (girls  &  boys, 
10-18  years) 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, Post  Office  Box  1, 
Barium  Springs,  N.C.,  28010- 
000  i,  phone  number  704/872- 


Slide  show 
available 

Need  a  30-minute  pre- 
sentation, including  a 
nine-minute  slide  pro- 
gram, at  your  Sunday 
night  suppers,  meetings 
of  the  Men's  and 
Women's  Church  Groups, 
Sunday  School  classes, 
etc.?  Call  Reade  Baker, 
Vice  President,  Finan- 
cial Resources,  at  (704) 
872-4157  to  schedule  a 
presentation. 

Staff  members  are 
available  to  come  to  your 
church  or  organization, 
free  of  charge,  to  dis- 
cuss the  Home's  activi- 
ties and  answer  any 
questions.  On-campus 
tours  and  programs  are 
also  encouraged. 

You  need  to  see  this 
ministry  in  action  to 
fully  understand  how 
your  support  changes 
the  lives  of  children  and 
families. 


guage  you  are  studying  makes 
a  great  deal  of  difference." 

Buie  was  inducted  into  the 
French  Honor  Society  at 
Chapel  Hill  on  April  5  and  he 
lives  in  the  French  House,  a 
live-in  learning  program  in 
Carmichael  Dormitory  on  cam- 
pus. He  made  the  Dean's  List 
last  semester  and  currently  has 
a  3.2  grade  point  average. 

Though  Buie  definitely  has 
the  grades  and  determination 
to  do  well  in  the  program 
abroad,  he  was  afraid  that  his 
health  might  keep  him  from 
being  accepted.  Buie  has  epi- 
lepsy, and  even  though  he 
hasn't  had  a  seizure  for  22 
months,  he  had  to  get  his  doc- 
tors to  send  a  great  deal  of  in- 
formation about  his  health  to 
the  program's  administrators. 

"I  don't  blame  them  for  be- 
ing very  wary,"  Buie  said.  "I 
guess  they  were  afraid  I'd  get 
over  there  and  something  bad 
would  happen  to  me  and  I,  or 
my  family,  would  try  to  sue  the 
university  or  something.  Once 
they  researched  my  medical 
history,  I  thought  they  would 
accept  me." 

Larry's  story  continues  in 
the  June  issue.  He  will  describe 
his  problems  at  home  and  tell 
what  Barium  Springs  did  to 
help  change  his  life. 


Wagner  Center  to 
celebrate  25th  year 

The  L.  C.  Wagner  Family  and 
Child  Development  Center  will 
be  25  years  young  in  Septem- 
ber 1994!  A  celebration  is  be- 
ing planned  for  the  tentative 
dates  of  Sept.  16  and  17  and  we 
need  your  help! 

The  celebration  planning 
committee  would  like  to  deco- 
rate the  fellowship  hall  at  Little 
Joe's  Church  with  "then  and 
now"  photos  of  former  day  care 
children  and  staff;  favorite 
memories  of  children  and  staff; 
and  "what  I'm  doing  now"  sto- 
ries. If  you  or  your  child  at- 
tended the  day  care,  please 
send  us  any  such  photos  or 
memories  you  wish  to  share. 
Photos  will  be  returned  to  you 
after  the  celebration. 

Also,  if  you  now  of  a  family 
with  a  child  who  attended  the 
day  care,  pass  the  word!  If  they 
want  more  information,  they 
can  contact  the  L.C.  Wagner 
Family  and  Child  Development 
Center  at  (704)  872-7351  or 
write  to  L.C.  Wagner  FCDC, 
P.O.  Box  209,  Barium  Springs, 
NC  28010-0209. 

As  plans  are  made,  we  will 
be  reporting  on  them  in  future 
editions  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian,  in  the  Home's 
quarterly  newsletter — The 
Barium  Messenger,  and 
through  local  newspapers  and 
radio  stations. 

Please  help  us  make  this  a 
fun,  interesting  and  informa- 
tive celebration.  We  are  look- 
ing forward  to  comparing  how 
day  care  was  then  to  how  it  is 


...Or  SO 
it  seems 


Earie  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

"Some  things  need  doing  bet- 
ter than  they've  been  done  be- 
fore. Some  things  just  need 
doing.  Other  things  don't  need 
doing  at  all.  Know  which  is 
which."  — Author  Unknown 

This  quote  reminded  me  of  the 
recent  series  of  articles  in  a 
Charlotte  paper  on  foster  care, 
the  last  of  which  called  for  a 
return  to  the  orphanages.  The 
writer  suggests  that  since 
growing  up  in  an  orphanage 
was  so  good  for  him,  all  chil- 


dren needing  to  grow  up  away 
from  home  would  be  better  off 
in  an  orphanage. 

If  this  logic  holds  true  for 
everyone,  I  could  easily  say 
that  since  working  mules  while 
growing  up  on  a  farm  was  such 
a  good  experience  for  me,  all 
people  living  on  farms  should 
do  the  same. 


March  of  Dimes  Mini-Walk 

The  children  at  the  L.  C.  Wagner  Family  and  Child 
Development  Center  had  a  mini-walk  to  raise  money  foi 
the  March  of  Dimes  Walk  America.  MOD  Chairpersoni 
for  the  Home,  Edith  Harmon  and  Kathy  Gaither,  saic 
most  of  the  children  were  too  small  to  walk  in  the  Walk 
America,  and  this  way  the  parents  could  sponsor  theu 
own  children. 

Thanks  for  the  labels! 


The  L.C.  Wagner  Family  and 
Child  Development  Center's 
Campbell  Soup  label  campaign 
has  been  a  success,thanks  to 
many  individuals  and  church 
groups  who  saved  their  labels 
and  sent  them  to  the  Home. 

After  turning  in  their  la- 
bels, the  Center  had  enough 
points  to  buy  several  items  for 
the  After-School  program. 
They  ordered  two  science  kits 
on  light  and  magnetism  for  the 
Science  Centers;  a  set  of  three 
big  prisms;  and  two  official  soc- 
cer balls. 

Center  Director  Fran  Ohver 
said  she  was  pleasantly  sur- 


prised to  find  that  most  of  th 
labels  they  received  were  sen 
by  people  in  response  to  ai 
article  in  the  Mid-Atlantit 
Presbyterian  and  in  th( 
Barium  Messenger. 

"I  thought  we  would  receive 
the  bulk  of  our  labels  fi-om  par- 
ents and  staff,"  said  Oliver.  "I 
think  it  is  just  wonderful  that 
the  people  who  read  about  it  in 
the  paper  and  newsletter 
thought  enough  of  us  to  save 
their  labels  and  send  them  to 
us.  It  just  goes  to  show  that 
there  are  a  lot  of  good  people 
out  there!" 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $  

I  wish  to:   Honor 


s  enclosed 
 Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs.  NC  280 JO 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Guide-Lesson  10,  June  1994 


Prayers  from  the  Bible  for  a  Faithful  Journey 


By  ROSAMOND  C.  McCARTY 

Attention,  please,  attention!  Will  all 
the  passengers  waiting  to  board  the 
prayer  bus  to  spiritual  maturity  please 
proceed  to  the  narrow  gate.  Repeat. 
Will  the  passengers  who  want  to  get  to 
spiritual  maturity  please  proceed  at 
once  to  the  narrow  gate  to  board  the 
prayer  bus. 

Thank  you  for  assembling.  May  I 
introduce  myself.  My  name  is  H.S. 
Paraclete,  or  you  may  call  me  Counse- 
lor or  Comforter.  I  am  your  tour  guide 
and  am  here  to  answer  your  questions, 
calm  your  fears,  strengthen  you  for  the 
journey,  provide  refreshment  for  your 
souls,  and  to  give  insights  you  may  find 
helpfiil  on  your  trip.  You  will  be  pro- 
vided with  two-way  headsets  so  that  I 
can  speak  to  you  and  you  can  speak  to 
me  in  complete  privacy. 

It  is  hoped  that  all  of  you  will  stay  on 
the  bus  and  complete  your  journey,  but 
some  of  you  wiU  not.  You  may  disem- 
bark at  any  time,  but  I  would  urge  you 
to  stay  with  the  tour  until  we  reach 
your  destination.  It  will  be  well  worth 
your  time  and  attention. 

The  purpose  of  the  trip  is  to  study 
prayers  of  the  Bible  to  gain  insights 
into  becoming  more  Christ-like  or  spiri- 
tually mature.  Each  of  you  has  been 
provided  with  a  tour  guide  book,  and 
we  will  be  consvdting  it  fi-equently. 

Are  there  any  questions?  Yes,  sir? 
Where  do  you  get  a  ticket  for  the  tour? 
Right  up  the  hill  at  the  foot  of  the 
middle  cross.  How  much  do  they  cost? 
The  tickets  are  fi-ee  to  the  taker,  but 
they  cost  the  provider  his  life,  so  they 
aren't  cheap. 

Yes,  Ma'am?  You  are  right.  The  tick- 
ets are  messy.  Anything  made  of  blood 
is  messy  and  uncomfortable  to  handle. 
Yes,  many  do  have  to  overcome  a  cer- 
tain revulsion  and  fastidious  distaste 
to  accept  the  ticket.  No  ma'am.  There  is 
no  other  acceptable  ticket  for  getting  to 
your  destination. 

Sir?  Yes,  you  are  correct  in  your 
observation.  There  are  no  luggage  racks 
on  this  bus.  No  Baggage  is  allowed.  I'm 
sorry,  you  will  have  to  leave  all  your 
good  intentions  and  good  works  be- 
hind. It  is  helpful  to  fi-ee  yourself  from 
all  preconceived  ideas  about  prayer 
and  spiritual  maturity  also,  so  that  I 
can  bring  you  fresh,  new  insights. 

Let's  begin  boarding  now.  Please 
give  me  your  name  as  you  present  your 
ticket. 

Martha?  Yes,  here  you  are.  I  was 
expecting  you  on  the  bus  your  brother 
and  sister  took  earlier.  Oh,  I  see,  you 
needed  to  vacuum  the  house  after  they 
left.  Oh,  yes,  you  will  arrive  at  the 
same  destination  they  did  if  you  stay 
with  the  tour,  this  bus  just  takes  a  Uttle 
longer.  Incidentally,  why  don't  you 
leave  your  knitting  behind  so  that  you 
can  concentrate  on  the  tour?  Thank 
you.  You  may  be  seated. 

To  begin  with,  let  me  explain  the 
principle  upon  which  the  prayer  bus 
operates.  Anyone  who  has  a  ticket  may 
ride  it,  but  it  will  be  very  uncomfort- 
able to  some  who  don't  understand  how 
it  works,  and  as  I've  already  men- 
tioned, some  wiU  give  up  on  the  trip. 
The  purpose  or  principle  of  the  prayer 
bus  is  to  get  you,  the  passengers,  to  the 
place  that  God's  will  can  be  done  in  and 
through  you,  that  is,  to  spiritual  matu- 
rity. Now,  that  runs  contrary  to  what 
some  people  beUeve.  They  think,  by 
boarding  the  prayer  bus,  they  will  be 
able  to  manipulate  god,  and  get  Him  to 
do  what  they  want  done.  If  any  one  has 
had  that  misunderstanding,  perhaps 
you  need  to  disembark  now.  Yes, 
Martha?  You  think  you  will  stay  a 
while  longer  although  you  aren't  sure 
you  like  the  concept.  I'm  glad  you  are 
honest,  Martha. 

That  brings  up  another  point  we 
need  to  observe — total  honesty  before 


I 


God  and  me.  Please  not  Hannah  and 
Job  out  your  scripture  windows,  and 
turn  to  your  tour  guide — book  for  their 
stories  in  I  Samuel  and  Job.  The  both 
felt  that  God  had  forgotten  them  or  was 
punishing  them  unfairly,  and  they  told 
Him  so.  God  wants 
that  honesty.  It's  the 
key  to  unlocking  the 
secret  places  of  the 
heart,  and  it  allows 
Him  to  clean  out  the 
dark  corners  and  let 
His  sunshine  in. 

Yes,  Martha?  You 
want  to  be  honest 
with  me.  You  have  ^ 
felt  unappreciated 
for  all  your  hard  J^M 
work  at  holding  the  , 
family  together.  You 
could  have  married  McCarty 
and  had  children, 
but  you  chose  to  stay 
at  home  and  take  care  of  your  younger 
siblings.  Often  you  have  felt  imposed 
upon  and  your  own  needs  neglected. 
You've  been  jealous  of  the  attention 
Lazarus  has  gotten  and  the  ease  with 
which  Mary  makes  friends.  Martha, 
you  do  feel  sorry  for  yourself,  don't 
you? 

While  you  are  open  and  honest,  let 
me  probe  a  bit  deeper.  Please  look  out 
the  window  at  David  pouring  out  his 
heart  to  the  Lord  in  confession.  His 
prayer  is  also  found  in  your  tour — 
guide  book  in  Psalm  32.  Does  your 
stomach  often  get  tied  in  knots,  as  his 
does,  and  your  strength  seem  to  disap- 
pear? Do  you  have  tension  headaches, 
arthritis  and  occasional  colitis?  Is  it 
possible,  Martha,  that  your  feelings  of 
self-pity,  jealousy,  and  bitterness  are 
destrojdng  your  spiritually  and  physi- 
cally? Yes,  Martha,  I  know.  That's  an 
impertinent  question,  but  one  you  need 
to  answer  honestly  before  you  can  con- 
tinue on  this  trip.  You  see,  Martha, 
part  of  my  job  is  to  confront  you  with 
the  truth.  You  may  accept  it  oar  reject 
it,  but  if  you  reject  the  truth,  you  will 
have  to  leave  the  tour.  Oh,  Martha,  I'm 
glad  you  have  chosen  to  stay  on  the 
bus,  and  that  you  have  confessed  your 
sin  of  self-righteousness.  You  have  come 
a  long  on  yoxir  journey  to  spiritual 
maturity  when  you  do  that! 

The  free,  clean  feeling  that  you  are 
experiencing  after  confession  naturally 
leads  to  praise  and  thanksgiving  to  the 
Lord.  Look  through  the  bus  windows 
and  observe  Mary,  Simeon,  and  Isaiah 
as  they  offer  up  sincere  praise  for  past, 
present,  and  future  blessings  from  the 
Lord.  Their  stories  are  also  in  your  tour 
guide  book.  Oh  yes,  Martha,  they,  too, 
had  many  heartaches  in  their  lives, 
and  Fm  sure  you  can  relate  to  that,  but 
they  knew  the  Lord  was  faithful  and 
they  could  hang  in  there,  and  praise 
Him.  If  you  keep  your  eyes  fixed  on  the 
Author  and  finisher  of  our  faith  jour- 
ney, and  not  on  the  obstacles  along  the 
path,  you,  too,  can  always,  in  every 
circumstance,  praise  the  Lord,  Martha. 

Yes,  I  agree,  that's  the  hard  part — 
keeping  your  eyes  fixed  upon  Jesus. 
Look  now  out  your  window  and  ob- 
serve one  of  the  sons  of  Korah.  Listen 
to  his  songs  of  deliverance.  These  are 
foimd  in  the  center  of  your  tour  guide 
book  in  Psa.  42  and  43.  He  remembers 
the  many  intimate  times  of  fellowship 
he  has  had  with  the  Lord,  but  now  he 
feels  forsaken,  and  he  longs  for  a  re- 
turn of  that  closeness.  He  is  also  dis- 
turbed by  the  taunts  of  people  around 
him  who  are  enjo3ring  his  distress.  Did 
you  ever  feel  like  that,  Martha?  Of 
course,  you  did.  When  the  One  you 
loved  and  revered  failed  to  come  imme- 
diately when  Lazarus  was  so  sick,  you 
were  hurt  and  confused  and  fiight- 
ened.  An  then  your  precious  brother 
died,  and  still  no  word  from  his  best 
fiiend,  Jesus.  Oh,  yes,  you  knew  your 


so-called  friends  were  talking  behind 
your  back  and  sajdng  it  served  you 
right  for  putting  your  faith  in  that 
charlatan.  That  hurt,  too,  almost  as 
much  as  losing  Lazarus.  And  yet, 
Martha,  there  was  that  little  ray  of 
hope  still  there.  Mary  knew  he  would 
come  and  everything  would  be  all  right. 
You  wanted  so  much  to  believe,  and 
then,  he  did  come  and  restored  Lazarus 
to  you!  What  joy!  Then  you  could  ad- 
vise others,  like  the  psalmist  did,  to  put 
their  hope  in  God. 

But  then,  this  man  himself,  who  told 
you  he  was  the  resurrection  and  the 
life,  he,  too,  died,  and  once  again  your 
faith  stumbled  and  your  heart  failed 
you.  But  later,  he  was  also  miracu- 
lously restored  to  life,  and  your  joy  and 
faith  soared.  Martha,  you  say  you  are 
tired  of  the  roller  coaster  ride  of  your 
faith  and  your  emotions.  You  want  to 
be  steadfast  and  confident  in  him,  and 
him  alone.  You  don't  want  the  opinions 
of  others  to  sway  you.  You  want  to  keep 
your  eyes  fixed  on  him.  Look  out  the 
window  now,  Martha,  and  see  Jesus 
praying  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane. 
Turn  to  John  17  in  your  tour  guide 
book  and  listen  to  his  prayer  for  unity 
for  all  believers  in  him  and  for  his  life 
to  be  lived  out  in  them.  He  is  praying 
for  your  protection  from  the  evil  influ- 
ences of  the  world  that  cause  your  faith 
to  waver.  He  is  asking  the  Father  for 
sanctification,  joy,  and  glory  for  his 
followers.  That's  you,  Martha,  for  whom 
he  is  prajdng.  Yes,  it  often  causes  tears 
when  you  realize  how  much  he  loves 
you. 

You  still  have  questions,  don't  you, 
about  how  to  get  to  the  place  of  spiri- 
tual maturity  where  Jesus  can  fully 
live  in  and  through  you.  Where  you 
will  truly  be  in  unity  with  him  and  the 
Father  and  experience  that  joy  of  inti- 
mate fellowship. 

Look  out  your  window  once  again, 
Martha.  Observe  King  Solomon  in  all 
his  finery,  standing  on  the  bronze  plat- 
form before  the  beautiful  Temple  he 
had  built.  Listen  as  he  presents  the 
Temple  to  the  Lord  in  a  prayer  of  dedi- 
cation. His  prayer  is  found  in  second 
Chronicles  in  your  tour  guide  book.  He 
asks  that  God's  presence  will  fill  the 
sanctuary  and  that  the  prayers  offered 
there  will  be  heard  and  answered. 

Martha,  with  Jesus'  death,  resur- 
rection, and  ascension  there  is  not  fur- 
ther need  for  animal  sacrifices  or 


Temples.  He  comes  now  to  dwell  inthe 
heart  of  every  believer.  Each  Christian 
is  the  Temple  of  his  Spirit,  and  each 
believer  must  make  a  firm,  clear  dedi- 
cation of  that  temple  in  his  heart  to  the 
Lord.  This  must  be  done  daily.  Are  you 
listening,  Martha?  Do  you  want  to  stop 
the  roller  coaster  emotions?  Do  you 
want  to  be  rid  of  the  jealousy,  bitter- 
ness, and  resentments  you  have  har- 
bored? Do  you  really  want  to  be  able  to 
praise  the  Lord  with  your  whole  heart 
and  thank  Him  for  all  the  circum- 
stances of  your  life?  Do  you  sincerely 
long  to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of 
Christ  and  to  reach  spiritual  maturity? 
If  so,  make  that  total  dedication  of  the 
temple  of  your  heart  now,  Martha. 

The  end  of  our  journey  is  in  view. 
You  will  soon  be  disembarking  the 
prayer  bus.  I  am  glad  so  many  of  you 
stayed  with  the  tour  to  reach  your 
destination  of  Christ — likeness  or  spiri- 
tual maturity. 

You  will  note  that  on  this  journey 
through  prayers  of  the  Bible  we  have 
seen  all  the  various  forms  that  prayers 
can  take.  We  have  seen  praise  and 
thanksgiving,  confession,  intercession, 
petition,  prayers  of  dedication  and  of 
complaint,  and  we  have  heard  Jesus 
pray  his  high  priestly  prayer  for  us.  As 
we  have  looked  at  these  prayers,  you 
have  seen  yourself  and  your  circum- 
stances. You  have  allowed  me,  your 
tour  guide,  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  confront 
you  and  lead  you  into  a  deeper  commit- 
ment to  him  who  is  both  the  driver  of 
the  bu§  and  your  destination.  At  times, 
that  deeper  commitment  has  been  pain- 
ful, but  you  have  also  tasted  some  of 
the  glory  that  awaits  you  at  the  end  of 
our  trip,  and  it  has  all  been  worth- 
while. 

Now,  as  the  bus  is  preparing  to  stop, 
would  all  the  Marthas  (and  Marvins) 
join  me  in  the  greatest  prayer  ever 
prayed: 

"Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven, 
hallowed  be  thy  name.  Thy  kingdom 
come,  thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is 
in  heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily 
bread.  And  forgive  us  our  debts  as  we 
forgive  our  debtors.  And  lead  us  not 
into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from 
evil.  For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the 
power,  and  the  glory  forever.  Amen." 

Rosamond  McCarty  is  a  member  of 
Royal  Oak  Church  in  Marion,  Va. 


1994  Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic 
Women's  Gathering 

Christ  is  All  ...  For  All 

June  9-12 
St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College 
Laurinburg,  N.C. 

Bible  Study  Platform  Leader 
The  Rev.  Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender 
Charlotte,  N.C. 


Gathering  Director 
Hilda  Williamson,  Mt.  HoUy,  N.C. 

Contact  your  moderator  for  a  registration  form 


'age  12,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1994 


Consultation  promotes  biblical  literacy 


NASHVILLE,  Tenn.— "People 
in  our  congregations  recognize 
Lorena  Bobbitt  but  have  no 
idea  who  Zipporah  was." 

That  was  the  guest 
preacher's  lament  at  a  National 
Council  of  Churches-sponsored 
consultation  here  March  11-13 
to  address  the  widespread  "bib- 
lical illiteracy"  among  North 
American  church  members. 

"We  believe  that  knowledge 
of  the  Bible  stories  is  essential 
for  faith,"  said  the  Rev.  Wayne 
Weissenbueller,  pastor  of 
Bethany  Lutheran  Church  in 
Englewood,  Colo.,  preacher  at 
the  consultation's  closing  wor- 
ship service.  "But  we  live  in  a 
time  when  there's  little  knowl- 
edge about  the  scriptures." 

More  than  130  delegates 
from  17  denominations 
wrestled  with  the  goal  of  "en- 
couraging people  to  read  the 
scriptures  with  deeper  under- 
standing and  to  live  out  that 
word  in  their  Uves." 

Conferees  met  together  for 
plenary  presentations  and  a 
"resource  fair"  featuring  a  va- 
riety of  Bible  study  aids  and 
methods.  Then  denomina- 


tional team  members  caucused 
separately  to  outline  propos- 
als for  increasing  biblical  lit- 
eracy in  their  churches. 

Presbyterian  participants 
included  Carolyn  Brown  and 
Byron  Wade,  both  from  Rich- 
mond, Va. 

The  consultation  launched 
a  long-term  ecumenical  "bibli- 
cal literacy  project"  under  the 
auspices  of  the  NCC's  Bible 
Translation  and  Utilization 
and  Ministries  in  Christian 
Education  departments. 

The  Translation  and  Utili- 
zation office  oversaw  transla- 
tion of  the  New  Revised  Stan- 
d£ird  Version  Bible,  which  since 
1990  has  sold  4.1  million  cop- 
ies. Its  predecessor,  the  Re- 
vised Standard  Version,  has 
sold  58.5  million  copies  since 
publication  in  1952. 

The  extent  of  biblical  illit- 
eracy among  North  American 
church  members  and  in  the 
general  population  has  been 
explored  in  various  studies. 
Gallup,  in  a  1990  study,  con- 
cluded that  of  U.S.  adults  age 
18  and  older,  only  one-half 
could  name  any  one  of  the  four 


Gospels.  Just  37  percent  could 
name  all  four.  A  higher  per- 
centage remembered  where 
Jesus  was  born,  but  when  it 
came  to  identifying  who 
preached  the  Sermon  on  the 
Mount,  most  respondents  were 
stumped. 

"Pastors  and  other  congre- 
gational leaders  report  that 
people  no  longer  read  the  Bible 
and  very  few  attend  adult  study 
groups,  and  that  people  do  not 
relate  even  the  concerns  of  the 
church  to  scripture,"  said  the 
Rev.  Arthur  O.  Van  Eck,  direc- 
tor of  the  Translation  and  Uti- 
lization office.  "How  can  the 
church  know  its  mission  or 
being  without  being  rooted  in 
scripture?" 

Keynoter  Renita  J.  Weems, 
professor  of  Old  Testament  at 
Vanderbilt  Divinity  School, 
said,  "The  Bible  provides  us 
with  the  story  of  our  faith,  the 
foundations,  the  ancient 
memory  of  our  faith.  ...  There 
are  many  devout,  genuine, 
humble  believers  worldwide 
who  have  never  read  a  page 
from  their  scriptures." 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


Presbyterian  journals  address  Re-imagining  issues 


With  the  turor  over  the  Pres- 
bjrterian  Church's  participa- 
tion in  the  November  Re-imag- 
ining Conference  showing  no 
signs  of  abating,  three  denomi- 
national publications  are  in- 
cluding information  about  the 
conference  and  the  questions 
it  raised  in  their  current  or 
upcoming  issues. 

Horizons,  the  magazine  of 
Presbyterian  Women,  included 
in  its  March/April  issue  an 
eight-page  "special  section"  on 
the  conference.  The  section 
begins  with  a  brief  chronology 
of  the  conference  and  its  after- 
math. Included  is  a  brief  sum- 
mary of  participants'  evalua- 
tion of  the  conference,  com- 
piled by  the  denomination's 
Research  Services  office. 

There  follow  three  essays:  a 
response  to  charges  leveled 
against  the  conference  by  crit- 
ics, written  by  the  Rev.  Ann 
Young,  a  Presb3rterian  minis- 
ter and  pastoral  psychothera- 
pist from  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  who 
attended  the  conference;  a  re- 
flection on  the  theological  is- 
sues raised  by  the  conference 
written  by  renowned  Presby- 
terian theologian  and  author, 
the  Rev.  Robert  McAfee  Brown 


of  Palo  Alto,  Calif.;  and  a  theme 
by  the  Rev.  Eunice  Poethig, 
director  of  the  Congregational 
Ministries  Division  and  Re- 
imagining  participant,  on  the 
vision  of  the  church  and  the 
world  the  conference  at- 
tempted to  articulate. 

Planned  last  summer. 
Church  &  Society  magazine 
devotes  its  entire  May/June 
1994  issue  to  Re-imagining. 
Content  editor  of  the  issue  is 
the  Rev.  Karen  Dimon,  of 
DeWitt,  N.Y.,  who  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  steering  and  pro- 
gram committees  for  the  con- 
ference. 

The  heart  of  the  magazine 
is  the  texts  of  the  eight  major 
addresses  to  the  conference — 
by  Mary  Bednarowski,  Bar- 
bara Lundblad,  Rita  Naka- 
shima  Brock,  Ophelia  Ortega, 
Joan  Martin,  Lois  Wilson, 
Elizabeth  Bettenhausen,  and 
Mercy  Oduyoye.  Each  address 
is  followed  by  questions  for  re- 
flection and  discussion. 

Former  General  Assembly 
moderator  Thelma  Adair  has 
written  an  article  on  the  con- 
text of  the  conference.  Also 
included  are  articles  on  the 
planning  and  carrying  out  of 


the  conference  written  by  three 
of  its  organizers-Sally  Hill,  Pam 
Joem  and  Sue  Seid-Martin. 

The  May/June  issue  of 
Church  &  Society  was  sched- 
uled for  publication  in  early 
May. 

In  its  April  issue,  also 
planned  well  before  Re-imag- 
ining came  to  the  fore,  Presby- 
terian Survey  launched  a  se- 
ries of  essays  on  primary  te- 
nets of  Presbyterian/Reformed 
faith  entitled  "What  Presbyte- 
rians Believe." 

Isabel  Rogers,  former  Gen- 
eral Assembly  moderator  and 
professor  of  applied  Christian- 
ity at  the  Presbyterian  School 
of  Christian  Education,  writes 
about  the  doctrine  of  atone- 
ment. This  doctrine  has  be- 
come a  hot  issue  in  the  church 
as  the  result  of  a  widely  quoted 
address  to  the  Re-imagining 
conference  by  Delores  Will- 
iams. 

Articles  on  the  Trinity  (an- 
other Re-imagining  flash  point) 
and  eschatology  (final  events) 
will  follow  in  the  May  and  June 
issues. 

— Jerry  L.  Van  Marter 
PC(USA)  News  Service 


Ecumenical  student  gathering  scheduled  in  St.  Louis 


College  and  university  stu- 
dents from  all  over  the  United 
States  and  around  the  world 
will  gather  in  St.  Louis  in  late 
Decemberfor"Celebrate!  Gath- 
ering at  the  Crossroads,"  an 
ecumenical  Christian  student 
gathering  sponsored  by  nine 
denominations. 

Conference  organizers  are 
billing  the  gathering  as  "an 
opportunity  for  college  and 
university  students  to  unite 
and  celebrate  a  common  belief 
in  Jesus  Christ  and  to  serve 
the  needs  and  concerns  of  the 


world  as  people  of  God." 

Kejmote  speaker  at  the  Dec. 
28-Jan.  1  event  is  Edwina 
Gately,  founder  of  Genesis 
House  in  Chicago,  a  place  of 
hospitality  and  nurture  where 
women  involved  in  prostitu- 
tion have  an  opportunity  to 
grow  in  self-respect  and  make 
decisions  allowing  them  to 
change  their  lifestyle. 

The  Rev.  James  Forbes,  pas- 
tor of  Riverside  Church  in  New 
York  City,  will  preach  at  the 
opening  worship  service.  Mu- 
sic will  be  provided  by  Bread 


for  the  Journey,  a  group  that 
specializes  in  global  Christian 
music. 

Among  activities  featured 
at  the  conference  will  be  wor- 
ship, denominational  gather- 
ings, seminars,  conversations 
with  international  students 
and  New  Year's  festivities. 

More  information  is  avail- 
able from  Linda  Freeman  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church's 
Higher  Education  and  Student 
Ministries  office  in  Charlotte, 
N.C.  Phone  (704)  588-2182. 

— Jerry  L.  Van  Marter 


Many  Christians  killed  in  Rwanda 

According  to  a  report  from  the  World  Council  of  Churches  in 
Geneva,  many  Christians  have  been  among  those  slaughtered 
in  Rwanda.  Others  being  wiped  out  are  people  involved  with  one 
of  the  political  parties  who  are  against  a  dictatorship,  and  some 
journalists. 

Among  the  church  leaders  targeted  were  Tutsi  and  Hutu 
moderate  priests  and  nuns.  As  of  mid-April,  it  was  estimated 
that  over  100  priests  and  nuns  had  been  killed.  The  Jesuits 
suffered  the  greatest  because  they  have  sheltered  refugees.  In 
one  of  their  centers  in  Kigali,  four  priests  an^  13  others  were 
hacked  to  death. 

A  refugee  worker  known  to  the  ecumenical  community  and 
who  attended  a  recent  gathering  in  Ethiopia  concerning  refu- 
gees is  Mrs.  Esther  Mujawayo.  She  and  her  baby  were  killed, 
according  to  information  from  Geneva. 

The  incident  happened  when  the  Rev.  Michel  Twagirayesu, 
president  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Rwanda  and  of  the 
Christian  Council  there  was  in  the  western  part  of  the  country 
attending  the  national  synod  of  his  church.  He  has  been  cut  off 
from  the  city.  The  general  secretary  of  the  Rwanda  Presbyterian 
Church,  the  Rev.  Leonidas  Ntibimenyahjas,  apparently  fled  his 
residence.  Attempts  to  reach  him  were  imsuccessful. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  works  in  partnership  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Rwanda,  but  had  received  no  word 
by  April  11  of  events  there.  No  mission  workers  from  the  States 
are  there  at  this  time.  The  Hunger  Office  has  supported  a 
program  to  distribute  food  through  church  schools  and  that 
office  had  not  heard  from  the  person  in  charge  of  that  program. 

— Marj  Carpenter,  Mission  Interpreter 

Church  coming  alive  in  Albania 

In  1939,  as  Hitler  marched  across  Europe,  the  last  missionary 
ejected  from  Albania  was  Presbyterian  Ed  Jacques,  now  in  his 
90s  and  living  in  Maine. 

Jacques  never  gave  up  on  the  dream  of  the  church  returning 
to  Albania.  When  he  came  back  to  the  United  States  he  passed 
on  his  love  for  Albania  and  the  church  there  to  many  others, 
including  the  Rev.  Arthur  Beals,  who  is  pastor  of  mission  and 
stewardship  at  University  Presbyterian  Church  in  Seattle. 

Now,  more  than  50  years  after  the  Presbyterian  Church's 
departure.  University  Church  has  formed  a  partnership  with 
the  Worldwide  Ministries  Division  in  Louisville  to  try  and 
restore  the  church's  missionary  presence  in  Albania. 

Six  mission  workers  have  gone  to  Albania.  They  are  serving 
in  cooperation  with  the  Orthodox  Church  there,  which  has  kept 
Christianity  alive  in  the  country  since  World  War  II. 

Churches,  church-sponsored  schools  and  other  projects  are 
bringing  the  church  back  to  life  in  Albania  at  a  rapid  rate. 
Jacques  has  been  able  to  return  for  several  visits  in  recent  years. 

The  story  of  a  revitalized  church  in  Albania  is  proof  again  that 
once  the  seeds  of  Christianity  are  planted  in  a  place,  they  are 
never  lost.  — Marj  Carpenter,  Mission  Interpreter 

Housing/homeless  network  formed 

A  national  network  of  Presbyterian  individuals,  congregations 
and  organizations  involved  in  housing  ministries  and  ministries 
with  homeless  people  has  been  formed.  The  network  will  pro- 
vide periodic  mailings,  information  about  available  resources 
and  technical  assistance,  educational  material,  ministry  mod- 
els, and  advocacy  for  housing  ministries  and  ministries  with 
homeless  people. 

The  network  will  be  coordinated  by  the  PC(USA)  Urban 
Ministry  Office.  For  more  information  contact  the  Rev.  Phil 
Tom,  Urban  Ministry  Office  coordinator,  100  Witherspoon  St., 
Louisville,  KY  40202-1396  or  phone  (502)  569-5845. 

Camping,  conference  centers  featured 

The  May  issue  of  Presbyterian  Survey  will  feature  a  favorite 
summer  activity.  In  "Is  this  Heaven?"  "No,  This  is  is  Presbyte- 
rian Camping"  authors  Linda  and  Peter  Surgenor  reveal  why 
attending  a  church  camp  or  conference  can  be  a  life-changing 
experience.  Linda  is  president  of  Presbyterian  Church  Camp 
and  Conference  Associates.  Peter  is  director  of  Camp  Crestfield 
near  Slippery  Rock,  Pa.. 

Also,  William  E.  Phipps,  a  professor  of  religion  and  philoso- 
phy at  Davis  &  Elkins  College,  writes  on  The  Triune  God,  the 
second  in  a  series  of  articles  on  "What  Presbyterians  Believe." 

Publishing  corporation  loss  lower 

The  fledgling  Presbyterian  Publishing  Corporation's  (PPC) 
board  of  directors  learned  at  its  March  7-8  meeting  here  that  the 
corporation's  operating  loss  for  1993  was  less  than  the  $1.2 
million  projected  just  two  months  ago  and  may  end  up  under  $1 
million  when  the  year-end  figures  are  complete.  Board  chair 
Price  Gwynn  of  Charlotte,  N.C,  expressed  deUght  at  the  budget 
news,  "especially  considering  the  net  cost  of  $800,000  for 
downsizing  last  year." 


Who's  receiving  this  page 

Persons  in  the  following  presb3rteries  should  be  receiving 
this  back  page  this  month:  Baltimore,  Eastern  Virginia, 
National  Capital,  New  Hope,  Peaks,  and  Salem.  Baltimore 
Presbytery  is  scheduled  to  recontinue  its  back  page  with 
the  July/August  issue.  Salem  Presbytery  readers  will  have 
their  own  news  page  in  the  June  issue. 


New  Hope  Presbytery  News  -  see  page  8 


For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Vol.  LX,  Nxunber  5 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Restructuring  plan 
goes  to  Assembly 


The  140  Synod  Assembly  com- 
missioners who  gather  June 
23-25  at  Davidson  College  will 
receive  a  restructuring  plan 
which  would  redirect  the 
synod's  mission  emphases. 

Commissioners  will  be  di- 
vided into  eight  committees. 
The  Synod  Mission  Commit- 
tee, to  be  chaired  by  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Rutland  of  Coastal 
Carolina  Presb5d;ery,  will  re- 
view the  new  mission  plein. 

Other  committees  will  re- 
view the  synod's  work  with 
institutions,  finance,  educa- 
tional ministries,  partnerships, 
racial  ethnic/ecmnenical/social 
justice  ministries,  conferences/ 
camps,  and  related  groups. 

New  mission  plan 

Racial  ethnic  and  social  jus- 
tice ministries  will  be  the 
synod's  primary  mission  pro- 
grams under  the  recommended 
plan.  Communication,  partner- 
ships with  presbyteries,  and 
campus  ministries  will  also  re- 
main sjTiod  functions. 

For  campus  ministries  it  is 
a  temporary  placement.  The 
long-range  goal  is  to  transfer 
oversight  of  the  synod's  42  cam- 
pus ministries  to  presbyteries 
or  coalitions  of  presbyteries. 

Other  current  synod-based 
program  areas — conference 
centers,  counseling  centers, 
colleges,  child  and  youth  care 
agencies,  ecumenical  relations, 
and  older  adult  care  agencies — 
are  the  subject  of  consultations 
which  will  recommend  where 
they  will  relate  to  the  chiirch. 

Under  the  proposed  design, 
there  will  be  no  Synod  Coun- 
cil. All  decisions  will  be  made 
by  a  96-member  Synod  Assem- 
bly which  will  have  two  ses- 
sions each  year. 

Based  on  communicant 
membership,  each  of  the  13 
presbj^eries  will  have  between 
six  and  12  commissioners, 
equally  divided  between  min- 
isters and  elders.  Commission- 
ers will  serve  three-year  terms. 

The  moderator  and  vice 
moderator  will  be  elected  from 


the  commissioners. 

Each  presbytery  will  also 
have  one  youth  advisory  del- 
egate. 

The  96  conmiissioners  will 
be  divided  up  for  service  on 
one  of  six  standing  commit- 
tees. The  Racial  Ethnic  Minis- 
tries and  Administration  &  Co- 
ordination standing  commit- 
tees will  have  22  members 
each.  Partnership,  Communi- 
cation, Campus  Ministry,  and 
Justice  and  Mercy  will  each 
have  13  members,  (see  diagram 
on  page  3.) 

A  special  Transitional  Com- 
mittee of  five  persons  elected 
by  the  current  council  will  work 
to  aid  the  transition  process  to 
the  new  structure. 

The  restructured  synod  will 
have  three  professional  staff 
members  and  nine  technical/ 
support  personnel. 

The  professional  staff  in- 
cludes an  executive/stated 
clerk,  an  associate  executive 
for  finance/treasurer,  and  an 
associate  executive  for  racial 
ethnic/justice  ministries. 

The  technical  support  staff 
includes  work  in  partnerships, 
print  media,  data  base/net- 
work, accounting,  older  adult 
ministries,  and  administrative 
assistant  to  the  executive. 

The  plan  presupposes  that 
many  programs  now  carried 
out  and  staffed  at  the  synod 
level  will  be  supported  and 
staffed  at  the  presbytery  level. 

Moderator's  election 

Departing  from  tradition, 
the  Nominating  Committee  is 
recommending  that  the  Synod 
Assembly  re-elect  the  Rev.  Joe 
Steele  and  the  Rev.  Beverly 
Bullock  as  moderator  and  vice 
moderator,  respectively. 

The  committee  stated  that 
Bullock,  a  minister  from  Colo- 
nial Heights,  Va.,  would  be 
available  to  be  elected  modera- 
tor of  the  new  Synod  Assembly 
which  would  first  meet  in  1995. 

All  council  and  committee 
members  will  also  remain  in 
their  positions  during  1994. 


Princeton  Theological  Seminary  students  and  South 
African  citizens  Annari  Griesel  and  Bobby  Musengwa 
talk  before  going  to  vote. 

Photo  by  Kryshn  Granberg,  PTS  Photo  Services 

Seminary  students  celebrate 
S.  Africa's  first  open  election 


PRINCETON,  N.J.— Because 
they  are  black  or  colored,  Bobby 
Musengwa,  Malcolm  Damon 
and  D.J.  Matshiga  had  never 
voted  in  a  South  African  elec- 
tion. Recently,  however,  they 
joined  millions  of  their  fellow 
countrymen  and  women  an 
ocean  away  as  they  cast  ballots 
in  the  historic  election  of 
Nelson  Mandela. 

The  three  South  Africans, 
students  at  Princeton  Theo- 
logical SeminEiry,  traveled  to 
New  York  City  with  two  white 
South  African  classmates  and 
a  professor  to  vote  at  the  United 
Nations. 

"It  was  an  overwhelming 
feeling     to     vote,"  said 


Weeks  called  as  president 
of  Union  Seminary-Va. 


Louis  B.  Weeks 


RICHMOND,  Va.— Louis  B. 
Weeks  has  been  called  as  the 
sixth  president  of  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  Virginia. 

The  seminary's  board  of 
trustees  elected  Weeks  on  May 
17.  He  will  succeed  T.  Hartley 
Hall  IV,  who  is  retiring  this 
July  1  after  serving  13  years. 

Weeks  comes  to  Union  from 
Louisville  Theological  Semi- 
nary where  he  was  the  Paul 
Tudor  Jones  Professor  of 
Church  History.  He  served  as 
dean  of  the  seminary  from  1982 
to  1993. 


Weeks  is  well  known  as  a 
leading  scholar  in  theology, 
American  church  history,  and 
the  Presbjrterian  Church  in 
contemporary  America.  He 
served  as  editor  of  The  Presby- 
terian Presence:  The  Twenti- 
eth Century  Experience,  a 
seven-volume  work  published 
between  1990  and  1992. 

Weeks  holds  a  doctorate  in 
philosophy  from  Duke  Univer- 
sity. He  graduated  from  Union 
in  1967  and  also  holds  a 
bachelor's  degree  from 
Princeton  University. 


Musengwa,  a  black  native  of 
Pretoria  who  has  been  in  the 
United  States  studying  since 
1987.  "As  a  student  at  home  I 
had  participated  in  our  de- 
mands for  equality.  Some  of 
my  friends  were  killed  or  ar- 
rested in  the  violence.  I  held 
them  in  my  mind  as  I  dropped 
the  ballot  in  the  box." 

Damon,  classified  as  colored 
in  his  homeland,  also  had 
mixed  feelings.  He  was  glad 
for  the  opportunity  to  share  in 
his  nation's  moment  on  the 
international  stage,  but  he  also 
remembered  those  who  had 
given  their  lives  in  the  struggle. 

"It  made  a  difference  to  me 
that  my  classmates  and  I  trav- 
eled together  to  New  York  to 
vote.  We  are  a  community  of 
all  races.  We  were  experienc- 
ing the  same  feeMngs.  We  un- 
derstood each  other.  I  was  not 
lonely  even  though  I  was  thou- 
sands of  miles  away  from  my 
family  voting  at  home,"  he  said. 

In  an  ironic  note,  Damon 
explained  that  when  he  voted 
he  had  to  show  his  identity 
card.  That  same  card,  which 
he  has  had  for  20  years,  is  the 
"dompass"  or  passport  used  for 
years  by  whites  to  identify 
blacks  and  regulate  their  move- 
ment in  South  Africa. 

Annari  Griesel  and 
Marietjie  Odendaal,  both  Ph.D. 
students  at  the  seminary,  voted 
as  well  but  not  for  the  first 
time.  They  are  white  South 
continued  on  page  3 


PC(USA) 
seeks  aid 
for  Rwanda 

By  ALEXA  SMITH 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— Three 
appeals  on  behalf  of  Rwanda 
have  been  made  in  recent 
weeks  by  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.),  according  to 
Jon  Chapman,  area  coordina- 
tor for  East  Africa. 

The  denomination  has: 

•  provided  $5,000  One  Great 
Hoiu"  of  Sharing  money  for  a 
World  Council  of  Churches  and 
All  Africa  Conference  of 
Churches  on-the-ground  as- 
sessment team  working  now, 
whose  task  includes  locating 
church  leaders  and  $25,000 
more  for  crisis  relief; 

•  estabUshed  a  Rwanda  Cri- 
sis Response  (account  number 
#9-2000112)  for  relief  efforts, 
with  a  goal  of  $250,000;  and 

•  sent  six  recommendations 
toward  re-establishing  and 
maintaining  peace  to  President 
Bill  CHnton  and  other  interna- 
tional officials. 

The  four-person  assessment 
team  is  now  visiting  refugee 
camps  in  Burundi,  Tanzania, 
Uganda  and  Zaire,  with  the 
intention  of  entering  Rwanda 
as  soon  as  possible,  according 
to  Susan  Ryan,  associate  for 
services. 
'They  are  still  assessing 
what  are  the  most  helpful 
things,"  Chapman  said,  citing 
both  assistance  with  refugees 
and  the  possibility  of  church 
mediation  to  end  the  violence. 

Currently  the  whereabouts 
of  the  Rev.  Michel  Twa- 
girayesu,  president  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Rwanda 
and  of  the  Protestant  Council 
of  Rwanda,  are  unknown,  Ryan 
said.  Chapman  said  there  is 
an  unconfirmed  report  that 
Twagirayesu  is  stiU  alive. 

The  Presbyterian  and  An- 
glican churches  are  the  larg- 
est Protestant  denominations 
in  the  country. 

Long-term  effort 

"We  are  in  it  for  the  long- 
term  response  ...  a  long-term 
process  of  healing  trauma, 
(what  is  not)  on  the  govern- 
ment or  United  Nations' 
plates,"  Ryan  told  the  Presby- 
terian News  Service  in  an  in- 
terview, citing  the  church  pres- 
ence there  as  providing  trauma 
counsehng  for  survivors  of  vio- 
lence and  reintegration  coun- 
seling for  the  displaced. 

She  described  that  work  as 
"a  compassionate,  Christ-based 
response  where  we  are  dealing 
with  people's  emotional  heal- 
ing and  pain." 

The  letter  to  government  of- 
ficials— dated  May  3 — calls  for 
an  international  response  to 
mounting  death  in  Pwanda, 
including  the  ests ;  v. 

continue  '  :  3 


Page  2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  June  1994 


Avoid  'small  potatoes' 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

As  one  gets  older  (and  the  days  do  grow 
short  when  you  reach  September), 
memories  from  earlier  times  return 
with  amazing  clarity.  That  is  some 
consolation  for  the  loss  of  short  term 
memory.  Simone  deBeauvoir  suggests 
that  the  old  treasure  childhood  memo- 
ries because  "for  a  fleeting  moment 
they  give  us  back  a  boundless  future." 

One  memory  that  returns  from  teen- 
age years  is  the  only  time  I  ever  worked 
on  a  farm.  Potatoes  were  the  chief 
money  crop  and  at  harvest  time  there 
was  always  demand  for  more  workers 
in  the  field.  From  the  crack  of  dawn  to 
sundown  I  followed  the  assigned  rows 
as  the  August  sun  bore  unmercifully 
on  my  aching  back. 


Working  for  a  few  dollars  a  day 
under  the  broiling  sun  was  a  difficult 
but  endurable  task.  What  really  made 
it  unbearable  was  an  old  man  who 
walked  behind  us  with  a  cane,  poking 
into  the  dead  weeds  and  into  the  sides 
of  the  furrow. 

Stirring  up  some  obscure  little  po- 
tato he  would  gleefully  exclaim,"Look 
at  the  one  you  missed!  You  ought  to  be 
more  careful."  He  seemed  so  concerned 
about  those  little  potatoes  that  he  never 
saw  the  row  upon  row  of  overflowing 
sacks  of  potatoes  we  had  not  missed. 
All  he  seemed  to  think  about  was  small 
potatoes. 

All  of  us  have  without  us  the  small 
potato  complex.  We  are  so  prone  to  look 
for  small  potatoes  in  the  other  person's 
row  that  we  fail  to  see  the  abundant 


Commentary 


harvest.  We  get  em- 
broiled in  some 
event  and  overact 
with  disdain,  rather 
than  celebrating  the 
good  already  har- 
vested. 

Jesus  put  it 
clearly,  "We  pick  out 
splinters  in  others 
eyes  when  there  are 
logs  in  our  own." 

The  accusers  of 
Jesus  lived  in  such  a 
small  potato  patch 
that  they  never  did  comprehend  the 
vastness  of  His  kingdom.  "Can  any- 
thing good  come  out  of  Nazareth?"  they 
asked.  They  were  men  with  such  closed 
minds  who  only  made  so  much  dust 
while  digging  out  potatoes  in  other 
people's  rows. 

In  every  age  of  Christian  history  we 
have  the  small  potato  experts.  They 
create  frustrating  havoc  over  situa- 
tions that  tend  to  sidetrack  the  church 
from  Christ's  mission.  "Go  ...  make 
disciples  ...  baptize  ...  teach."  Those 
words  remain  the  main  business  of  the 


Just  try  to  make  a  joyful  sound 


By  ARTHUR  E.  SANZERBACH 

After  38,160  days  on  this  beautiful 
planet,  I  am  convinced  that  there  are 
more  good  people  than  evil  people  in 
this  world.  The  bad  people  just  get 
most  of  the  publicity. 

As  Albert  Schweitzer  put  it,  "How- 
ever concerned  I  was  at  the  problems  of 
the  world  I  never  let  myself  get  lost  in 
brooding  over  it."  I  believe  that  one 
person  can  make  a  difference — as 
Mother  Teresa  and  Martin  Luther  King 
Jr.did — and  as  you  and  I  can. 

As  John  Quincy  Adams  said,  "I  am 
fine,  but  the  house  I  live  in  is  becoming 
a  bit  dilapidated."  To  keep  young  in 
body,  mind,  and  soul,  I  do  my  exercises 
each  morning,  take  a  2,640-foot  walk 
each  day,  read  the  Sunday  New  York 
Times,  the  Roanoke  Times  And  World 
News,  the  National  Geographic, 
Newsweek,  and  many  biographies  of 


famous  people.  I  perform  such  house- 
hold chores  as  taking  out  the  garbage, 
picking  up  the  mail,  feeding  the  birds, 
vacuuming  rugs  when  unavoidable, 
wiping  the  dishes  except  when  I  play 
the  piano  in  exchange  for  this  chore, 
which  I  do  most  days  after  each  meal. 

My  happiness  comes  from  my  loving 
wife,  only  80  years  old,  my  family, 
friends  like  you  all,  and  Vitamins  B,C, 
and  E,  and  living  in  the  good  old  U.S.A. 
I  wouldn't  want  to  live  in  any  other 
country,  even  though  I  am  critical  of 
the  U.S.A.  at  times. 

At  91,  I  realize  the  first  80  years 
were  the  hardest,  and  that  now  I  am 
slowly  but  surely  reaching  maturity.  I 
try  not  to  let  the  clock  and  the  calendar 
determine  my  actual  age.  As  Satchel 
Paige  said,  "Don't  look  back.  They  might 
be  gaining  on  you."  So  I  don't  let  it 


worry  me  that  they  are  making  the 
stairways  steeper,  curbstones  higher, 
and  that  the  pickup 
trucks  ride  my  car 
bumper. 

As  the  days  go  by, 
I  find  time  to  think, 
play,  read  the  Good 
Book,  pray,  love,  be 
friendly,  and  medi- 
tate. God  gives  me 
1,440  minutes  each 
day  to  do  as  I  wish, 
and  I  feel  I  should 
spend  some  of  it  with 
my  Maker  and 
Sustainer. 

Some  rewarding 
activities  include  attending  worship 
and  Sunday  School  at  the  Blacksburg 
Presbyterian  Church,  being  a  part  of 


church. 

How  often  we  have  heard  someone 
say,"Them's  small  potatoes."  Perhaps. 
But  it  is  the  small  potatoes,  the  little 
foxes,  that  spoil  the  vine.  No  wonder 
Paul  warned  us  not  "to  have  an  un- 
healthy interest  in  controversies  and 
arguments  that  result  in  envy,  quar- 
reling, malicious  talk,  evil  suspicions 
and  constant  friction."  (I  Timothy  6:5,6 
NIV).  Sounds  incredibly  familiar! 

Isn't  it  time  to  cease  from  poking 
into-dead  weeds  for  small  potatoes  and 
to  start  celebrating  the  harvest?  One 
blessing  of  growing  older  is  being  l^ss 
critical  and  more  considerate  of  those 
whose  views  differ  from  mine.  Can  we 
really  reimagine  being  the  body  of 
Christ,  encouraging  dimly  burning 
wicks  and  bruised  reeds?  Or  is  that  not 
what  Christ  intended? 

Dr.  Richard  L.  Morgan  of  Lenoir, 
N.C.,  is  a  retired  Presbyterian  minis- 
ter, interim  pastor,  and  author  of  sev- 
eral books  on  aging.  His  next,  "Medita- 
tions for  the  Sick  and  Their  Caregivers, " 
will  be  published  by  Upper  Room  Press 
next  fall. 


its  Peace,  Justice  and  Global  Mission 
Committee,  and  a  part  of  the  Coalition 
for  Justice  in  Central  America,  The 
Coalition  for  Community,  and  serving 
on  the  New  River  Sentencing,  Inc. 
Board  of  Directors  (my  last  of  a  three- 
year  term),  being  Co-chaplain  of  the 
AARP,  attending  plays,  concerts  and 
other  events  on  Tech  campus  and 
aroimd  town.  Interspersed  among  all 
these  pursuits  I  still  find  time  to  con- 
tinue editing  my  autobiography  en- 
titled An  Ordinary  Man. 

I  approach  the  year  2000  A.D.  with 
confidence,  hope  and  love  (after  all,  my 
driver's  license  was  just  renewed  to  the 
year  1995),  and  just  try-to  make  a  joyful 
sound! 

Arthur  Ernst  Sanzenbach  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Blacksburg  (Va.)  Church.  He 
wrote  this  article  for  a  church  retreat. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 
Edith  Cxoodman  and  Laura  Jurman, 
Editorial  Assistants 

Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additionai  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 

Vol.  LX 
June  1994 


A  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Top  Ten  List 


Editor's  Note — This  is  another  in  the 
series  of  guest  columns  on  "What  It 
Means  to  Me  to  be  a  Presbyterian." 
Beverly  Bullock,  synod's  vice  modera- 
tor, has  compiled  the  following  list 
(with  apologies  to  David  Letterman). 

By  BEVERLY  BULLOCK 

Belonging  to  a  denomination  that  is 
reformed  and  always  reforming,  here 
is  my  "Top  Ten  List"  concerning  what  it 
means  to  me  to  be  a  Presbyterian. 
lO.Because  I  am  an  African-American 
female  Minister  of  the  Word  and 
Sacraments,  the  assumption  that  I 
am  a  graduate  of  the  Interdenomi- 
national   Theological  Center 
(Johnson  C.  Smith  Seminary). 
9.  During  the  Lord's  Prayer,  saying 
debts  and  debtors  instead  of  tres- 
passes and  trespassers. 


8.  Hearing  too  often,  "I  don't  like  women 
ministers,  but  I  like  you." 

7.      Being  ecu- 

Bmenical  and  inter- 
faith  in  outreach. 
6.  When  seeking 
ultimate  guidance — 
to  pick  up  and  read 
the  Holy  Bible  in- 
stead of  the  Book  of 
Order. 
5.  Being  nobod/s 
"good  little  African- 
American"  and 
nobody's  "good  little 
girl." 

4.      Being  held  sus- 
pect by  my  brothers  and  sisters  in 
"Black  Denominations"  for  belong- 
ing to  a  predominantly  "White"  one. 
3.  Explaining  for  the  zillionth  time, 


Beverly 
BuUock 


"Yes,  clergy  couples  are  bibUcally 
based." 

2.  Having  a  long  and  personal  talk 
with  John  Calvin  and  Martin  Luther. 
And  the  number  one  reason  is  ... 
1.  Knowing  who  I  am  and  whose  I  am. 

A  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  the 
James,  the  Rev.  Beverly  Sherrill  Bul- 
lock is  in  "specialized  ministries"  which 
include  the  victims  of  sexual  assault, 
domestic  violence  and  clergy  sexual 
misconduct.  Her  past  ministries  have 
included  parish  ministry,  campus  min- 
istry and  volunteer  hospital  chaplaincy. 
She  is  married  to  the  Rev.  Sylvester  H. 
Bullock  and  they  are  the  proud  parents 
of  Carrie  Louise  and  Sylvia  Sherrill 
Bullock. 


Reader's  comment 

Change  is  necessary 


I  write  this  letter  ...  as  one  who  has 
been  a  Presbyterian  for  54  years  and  a 
pastor  for  25  of  those  years.  I  write  as 
one  who  is  deeply  saddened,  stricken 
with  sorrow,  by  the  hundreds,  perhaps 
even  thousands  of  my  brothers  and 
sisters  in  Christ,  who  so  easily  fall  into 
a  frozen  conformity  and  lock  step  in 
judging  and  condemning  the  staff  in 
our  denomination.  ... 

During  my  lifetime,  practically  ev- 
ery major  institution  in  our  culture  has 


changed  so  that  today  it  is  hardly  rec- 
ognizable. ...  The  church  ...  has  been 
slow  in  getting  the  message  that  a  new 
day  demands  new  and  radical  adjust- 
ments. 

Change  is  natural  to  all  life  and  to  all 
institutions.  Sadly,  some  in  the  church 
are  so  threatened  by  change  that  they 
become  rigid  and  judgmental  of  others 
who  are  in  the  least  way  different.  ... 

I  love  the  Presb3d;erian  Church  for 
continued  on  page  3 


Letters 
to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  Tie  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and  length. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Proposed  Synod  Structure 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  June  1994,  Page  3 

Renewed  calls,  budget  going  to  Assembly 


In  addition  to  the  restructur- 
ing plan,  the  208th  Synod  As- 
sembly will  have  numerous 
other  business  to  consider. 

The  assembly  will  receive 
the  Synod  Council's  recommen- 
dation that  the  calls  of  S3nnod 
Executive  Carroll  D.  Jenkins 
and  Associate  Executive  for  Fi- 
nance/Treasurer Joseph  L. 
Pickard  be  renewed  for  indefi- 
nite terms  "in  view  of  the  ongo- 
ing changes  in  the  Synod." 

Previously  both  had  been 
called  for  six-year  terms,  which 
they  are  completing  this  year. 

The  council  also  is  recom- 
mending new  position  descrip- 
tions for  the  these  positions, 
plus  one  for  the  new  Associate 
Executive  for  Racial  Ethnic  and 
Justice  Ministries.  This  posi- 
tion will  be  added  if  the  new 
synod  structure  is  approved. 

Also  coming  from  council 
will  be  a  proposed  1995  Mis- 


sion and  Program  budget  of 
$1,644,757  and  a  Governance 
budget  of  $879,969. 

The  mission  and  program 
budget  will  be  decreased  about 
$13,200  from  1994.  Staff  ex- 
penses will  be  down  $59,000, 
but  almost  $46,000  is  added 
for  contingency  expenses. 

The  governance  budget  will 
be  the  same  overall  as  in  1994, 
but  there  are  some  internal 
changes.  With  the  expected 
savings  of  having  fewer  meet- 
ings, that  portion  of  the  bud- 
get has  been  reduced  by 
$59,400  to  $245,000. 

Like  the  mission  budget, 
$48,600  has  been  alloted  for 
contingencies  during  the  tran- 
sition to  a  new  structure  and 
staffing.  Also,  administration 
costs  are  up  $10,800  from  1994. 

The  proposed  per  capita 
from  presbyteries  to  the  Synod 
for  1995  will  remain  $2.55. 


Church  is  important  in  South  Africa's  new  future 


continued  from  page  1 
Africans. 

Odendaal  remembered  the 
last  time  she  voted — in  the  ref- 
erendtun  on  whether  or  not  to 
begin  negotiations  between  the 
government  and  the  ANC  for  a 
new  South  Africa.  "Atthattime 
I  felt  it  was  crazy  to  be  voting 
on  behalf  of  other  people,"  she 
said.  "It  didn't  seem  right.  This 
time  I  voted  with  my  country- 
men and  women  and  I  voted 
with  a  prayer  and  a  hope  that 
this  will  be  the  beginning  of  a 
good  thing  for  my  country." 

Griesel  spoke  succinctly  of 
the  significance  of  the  histori- 
cal moment:  "Apartheid  is 
dead.  Democracy  is  here.  We 
have  a  new  South  Africa." 

She,  too,  recalled  voting  in 
1991  when  De  Klerk  was 
elected.  "So  much  has  changed 


in  only  a  few  years,"  she  said. 
"When  I  voted  for  De  Klerk 
then  I  hoped  and  believed  he 
wouJd  work  toward  something 
new." 

All  of  the  students  missed 
being  home  for  the  election. 

"Part  of  me  was  crsdng,"  said 
Griesel.  "I  wanted  to  be  part  of 
the  conversations  and  the  cel- 
ebrations at  home.  But  on  the 
other  hand,  I  could  stand  out- 
side a  bit  and  look  with  a  dif- 
ferent eye.  I  could  watch  tele- 
vision and  see  the  people  stand- 
ing patiently  for  blocks  and 
blocks  to  vote  and  be  proud  of 
my  country.  It  was  very  peace- 
ful. There  was  no  violence.  For 
that  I  thank  God. 

The  Princeton  professor  who 
accompanied  the  group  to  the 
United  Nations  was  J.  Wentzel 
Van  Huyssteen,  who  grew  up 


Aid  going  to  strife-torn  Rwanda 


continued  from  page  1 
safe  havens  for  citizens  unable 
to  cross  a,  border  and  peace  cor- 
ridors allowing  delivery  of  hu- 
manitarian aid.  It  also  recom- 
mends the  UN  seek  contact  with 
the  Rwandan  government  and 
the  Rwandan  Patriotic  Front 
leaders  to  establish  order,  "with 
UN  forces  remedning  in  place 
imtU  peace  is  assured." 

Citing  recent  debate  argu- 
ing that  intervention  in 
Rwanda  is  not  in  the  strategic 
interest  of  the  United  States, 


Ryan  said,  "(That  is)  strategic 
interest  as  defined  as  business, 
as  a  market  for  arms  or  as  oil. 
...  It  is  in  our  interest  to  help. 
The  protection  of  innocent  life 
has  to  be  an  interest  for  us." 

Church  World  Service  (CWS) 
figures  indicate  that  more  than 
250,000  refugees  have  fled  to 
Tanzania,  with  another  50,000 
expected  to  follow.  More  than 
8,000  people  have  crossed  the 
border  from  Rwanda  into  Zaire 
and  approximately  6,000  into 
Uganda. 


Change  is  necessary 


continued  from  page  2 
its  clear  presentation  of  the 
Gospel  and  its  respect  for  di- 
versity. I  believe  that  different 
is  beautiful,  that  God  is  the 
author  of  diversity.  I  applaud 
those  who  sought  a  new  and 
firesh  way  to  image  our  faith. . . . 

I  hope  Presbyterians  still 
believe  that  "God  alone  is  Lord 
of  the  conscience."  I  would  hope 
that  we  might  put  a  morato- 
rium on  mean-spirited  judg- 
ment and  hatred.  It  is  a  time 
for  humiUty,  for  tolerance,  for 
loving-kindness.  ... 

...  Faith  must  be  wilhng  to 
press  forward,  nakedly  trust- 
ing the  Lord  of  history.  If  you 
make  some  mistakes,  so  be  it. 
A  mistake  is  a  sign  that  at  least 
someone  tried  to  do  something. 


Thank  you  for  trying.  Thank 
you  for  risking. 

I,  for  one,  am  glad  to  hear 
people  speaking  of  their  "expe- 
rience" of  God.  These  people 
are  kin  to  Albert  Schweitzer, 
who  wrote  of  the  Christ,  "and 
in  their  own  experience  they 
shall  know  who  he  is." 

As  we  approach  the  begin- 
ning of  the  third  millennium  of 
Christianity,  the  very  message 
and  mission  of  the  Gospel  de- 
mand reformulation  and  re- 
enfleshment.  Moving  into  that 
new  day,  God  needs  new  men 
and  women  with  a  new  vision 
and  a  new  trust  in  the  Lord  of 
not  only  yesterday,  but  of  to- 
day, tomorrow  and  forever. 

Robert  M.  Close  Jr. 
Annandale,  Va. 


in  a  black  South  African  church 
although  he  is  white. 

For  him,  the  journey  to  New 
York  to  vote  was  especially 
poignant  because  every  seg- 
ment of  the  South  African 
population  was  represented  in 
the  small  group.  "We  were  a 
little  microcosm,  driving  in  our 
two  cars,  voting  together,  and 
then  going  out  for  lunch  and 
celebrating  together,"  he  said. 
"I  cannot  put  into  words  what 
it  was  like  to  share  these  events 
at  this  unique  time  in  our  his- 
tory. It  was  hard  for  us  to  leave 
each  other  that  day." 

The  group  had  no  illusions 
about  South  Africa's  future. 

"We  have  taken  the  solving 
of  our  problems  as  a  nation 
into  our  own  hands,"  said  Van 
Huyssteen.  "Making  this  new 
nation  with  such  a  complex 
history  will  be  hard, . .  .but  I  am 
hopeful  that  we  can  do  this 
without  violence  and  be  an 
example  for  the  world." 

"The  imbalance  of  power  will 
not  be  redressed  overnight,  but 
the  new  dispensation  has 
dawned,"  said  Matshiga,  who 
returned  to  South  Africa  after 
graduating  on  May  27. 

A  Baptist  minister,  he  be- 
lieves the  Christian  churches 
of  South  Africa  must  be  part  of 
the  building  process.  "Our 


churches  must  help  with  edu- 
cation, must  help  assure  the 
freedom  of  religion  that  is  part 
of  the  new  construction." 

The  other  students  agreed 
on  the  importance  of  the 
churches'  role. 

Many  South  Africans  are 
spiritually  inclined  ...  we  are  a 
spiritual  nation,"  said  Musen- 
gwa,  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  South  Africa. 
"We  South  Africans  know  a  lot 
about  hope.  We  hoped  all 
through  the  state  of  emer- 
gency, through  the  violence. 
We  hoped  for  Mandela's  re- 
lease and  it  happened.  We  be- 
lieved in  what  we  could  not  see 
with  our  eyes.  That  is  essen- 
tially the  Christian  message." 

The  South  African  students 
also  had  a  message  for  the 
United  States.  "In  a  way,  we 
have  reached  equality  between 
blacks  and  whites  quicker  in 
South  Africa  than  you  have  in 
America,"  said  Matshiga.  "Un- 
like here,  blacks  are  in  the 
majority  there.  I'm  not  sure 
you  are  as  open  about  your 
differences  as  we  are." 

Damon  added  a  thought  for 
Americans  who  don't  vote. 

"You  must  never  take  the 
right  to  vote  for  granted,"  he 
said.  "People  die  for  that  right." 


A  major  factor  in  the  deci- 
sion to  restructure  the  Synod 
is  the  continuing  decline  in 
mission  proceeds  being  for- 
warded to  s5Tiod  from  the  pres- 
byteries. 

During  the  May  6-7  Synod 
Council  meeting,  Finance 
Committee  Chair  Fred  Ward 
said  that  Mission  and  Program 
receipts  from  the  presbyteries 
were  down  by  34  percent  for 
the  first  quarter  of  1994. 

As  a  result,  the  Synod  had 
to  use  funds  from  its  cash  re- 
serve early  this  year  to  man- 
age the  cash  flow. 

One  possible  reason  is  reac- 
tion to  the  Re-imagining  Con- 
ference of  last  November. 
Council  member  Patricia  Wood 
said  that  half  of  the  churches 
which  have  officially  protested 
the  denomination's  involve- 
ment in  the  event  are  within 
this  Synod. 

Massanetta  Springs,  the 
synod-owned  conference  cen- 
ter at  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  will 
again  become  an  independent 
corporation  if  a  task  force's 
recommendation  is  approved 
by  the  Synod  Assembly. 

The  task  force,  which  has 
been  studying  the  future  of  the 
conference  center,  recom- 
mended-and  the  council  ap- 
proved-letting Massanetta 
Springs  move  toward  incorpo- 
ration by  Jan.  1,  1995. 

Under  the  proposal,  the 
Synod  would  still  own  the  con- 
ference center  and  elect  the 
board  of  trustees.  The  confer- 
ence center's  trustees  would 
have  control  of  its  funds  and 
assets,  but  would  not  be  able  to 
buy  or  sell  real  estate  without 
Synod  approval. 

The  council  approved  simi- 
lar task  force  plans  for  Chesa- 
peake Center  and  the  Career 
and  Personal  Counseling  Cen- 
ters in  Laurinburg  and  Char- 
lotte, N.C. 

Several  presbyteries  are 
scheduled  to  hold  a  consulta- 
tion regarding  a  possible  coaU- 
tion  that  would  support  Chesa- 
peake Center,  which  is  located 
in  Port  Deposit,Md. 

It  is  recommended  that  the 
counseling  center's  board  of 
trustees  be  given  policy-mak- 
ing powers.  Also,  it  is  recom- 
mended that  a  coalition  of  pres- 
byteries take  over  financial 
support  and  election  of  trust- 
ees by  Dec.  31,  1995. 


\Lnmmcmg  a 
wedal  Undofcare 
foraspedal 
person  in  your  life. 


Mail  to 

1  King's  Way  Road,  Martinsville.  VA  241 12 

-6610 

Name 

Address 

City 

riif  Lacy  HrM  furf  1 
Ihi  Cray  Asxicd  Livm 

King's  @rant' 

A  Simnyside  Retirement  Community 


The  Lacy  Health  Center  is  now  open  at 
King's  Grant  Here,  your  loved  ones  can  enjoy 
a  lovely  suite  while  receiving  services  and 
nursing  care  from  a  supportive,  nurturing 
staff.  We  offer  activities,  a  dining  room  and 
beauty  salon,  and  residents  are  encouraged  to 
be  as  active  as  they  would  like.  For  those  who 
need  help  daily  but  do  not  require  nursing 
care,  our  Assisted  Living  residences  are  an 
ideal  option. 

Ours  is  an  environment  where  residents 
maintain  their  dignity  and  pride  For  a  special 
person  in  your  life,  please  write  or  call 
705-654- 1 000  or  800-462-4649. 

MP-0694-AL     .  !  Presbyterian  Mmislr^-  smce  1912 


Page  4.  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  June  1994 


At  Monireat  and  in  Colorado 

Summer  family  conferences  scheduled 


Montreat  Conference  Center 
and  the  Presbyterian  Mariners 
have  announced  plans  for  their 
1994  family  conferences. 

The  Family  Conference  at 
Montreat  (N.C.)  Conference 
Center  wiU  explore  the  topic 
Christians  Raising  Children: 
Help  with  the  Tough  Issues. 

To  be  held  July  5-9,  the  event 
is  an  opportunity  for  parents 
to  learn  how  to  gviide  their 
children  to  make  choices  that 
are  consistent  with  their  be- 
Uefs  and  values. 

Donna  Sinclair  and  Yvonne 
Stewart,  editors  of  children's 
materials  for  the  United 
Church  of  Canada  and  authors 
of  Christian  Parenting:  Rais- 
ing Children  in  the  Real  World, 
will  lead  the  conference.  They 


win  guide  the  search  for  prac- 
ticed help  with  issues  such  as 
materialism,  competition, 
sexuality,  £md  self-esteem. 

Recreation  and  family  time 
together  are  important  parts 
of  the  conference.  Afternoons 
are  unscheduled  so  families 
will  have  time  to  be  together. 
The  Montreat  Child  Care  and 
Clubs  Program  are  included  in 
the  program  fee. 

Glenn  and  Evelyn 
Bannerman  will  lead  an  hour 
of  family  recreation  and  wor- 
ship each  evening. 

The  conference  extends  a 
special  welcome  and  support 
for  famihes  who  have  children 
with  special  needs. 

The  program  fee  is  $181  per 
family.  It  does  not  include  hous- 


Zuni  Center  to  host 
two  summer  events 


ZUNI,  Va.— Zuni  Presbyterian 
Center  has  scheduled  two  pub- 
Uc  events  for  the  summer. 

Zxmi's  Fifth  Annual  Auc- 
tion will  be  held  June  11.  A 
large  assortmentof furniture,  gift 
certificates,  accommodations  at 
motels,  appliances,  and  more  wOl 
be  offered  for  bidding. 

The  auction  starts  at  10  a.m. 

All  items  are  donated  and 
the  proceeds  go  to  help  fund 
the  center's  operating  cost. 

Zuni's  20th  Annual  Day 
in  the  Country  will  be  held 
July  23. 

At  11  a.m.,  the  Zuni  guest 
lodge  will  be  named  The  Jerry 
M.  Newbold  Jr.  Guest  Lodge 
in  honor  of  the  former  execu- 
tive director  of  Presbyterian 
Home  and  Family  Services, 
Inc.,  Zuni's  parent  agency. 

Country  music  performer 


Bill  Wilkerson  Jr.  will  perform 
later  in  the  day.  Last  year  his 
recording  of  "Tou're  My  One 
and  Only  You"  was  number 
one  on  several  polls. 

Other  entertainment  will 
include  the  Carolina  Girl  Fid- 
dlers, clowns,  mule  wagon 
rides,  hay  rides,  greasy  pig 
races,  fishing,  swimming,  and 
bingo.  The  activities  will  last 
until  3  p.m. 

Produce,  plants  and — of 
course — peanuts  will  be  sold, 
along  with  other  food. 

Zuni  Presb3d;erian  Center  is 
a  residential  employment  cen- 
ter for  more  than  50  young, 
mentally  retarded  adults.  For 
information  call  Robert  Bishop, 
director  of  the  Mental  Retar- 
dation Division  of  Presbyterian 
Home  and  Family  Services, 
Inc.,  at  (804)  242-6131. 


-  the  Si/nod  of  the  Mid-Atlar 


71st  Annual  Bible  Conference 
and  Church  Music  Workshop 
July  31-Aug.  6 


Bible  Conference  Speakers 
and  Leaders 
1  nomas  u.  Are,  Jr. 
Rosalind  Banbury-Hamm 
Linda  McKinish  Bridges 
Ernest  T.  Campbell 
Anthony  Campolo 
Robert  L.  Hock 
James  Logan 
D.  P.  "Pat"  McGeachy 
Douglas  Oldenburg 

Bible  Study  Leader 
Thomas  G.  Long 
"Living  God's  New  Righ- 
teousness: A  Study  of  the 

Gospel  of  Matthew" 


Church  Music  Workshop 
Clinicians 


Adult  Choir 
John  Guthmiller 


Organ 
John  Fast 


Children's  Choir 
Cynthia  Wright 


Handbells 
Nancy  Powell 


Worship  Leader 
John  M.  Irvine,  Jr. 


Bring  your  children  when  you  come! 
•  Morning  and  evening  programs  for  children  ana  yomn 
under  the  direction  of  outstanding  Christian  educators 
•  Children  in  grades  2-5  will  sing 
in  the  Children's  Choir 
•Nursery  care  for  infants  and  toddlers 
•  Afternoon  childcare  during  seminars  and  workshops 

For  information  and  brochures  write  to: 
Massanetta  Springs,  P.O.  Box  1286,  Harrisonburg,  VA  22801 
(703)  434-3829 


ingreservation,  however,  there 
are  a  variety  of  housing  op- 
tions available  in  Montreat  and 
the  surroimding  area. 

For  more  information  on 
housing  or  registration,  con- 
tact the  conference  center  at 
P.O.  Box  969,  Montreat,  NC 
28757,  (800)  572-2257. 

Mariner's  conference 

The  Presbyterian  Mariners 
wiU  hold  their  Family  Confer- 
ence July  31-Aug.  4  at  the 
University  of  Northern  Colo- 
rado in  Greeley. 

Family:  Where  the  Genera- 
tions Meet  will  be  the  theme. 

Dr.  Joe  Leonard,  a  staff 
member  of  the  Commission  on 
Family  Ministries  and  Human 
Sexuality  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil of  Churches,  will  be  the 
principal  speaker. 

The  newly  elected  modera- 
tor of  the  PC(USA)  has  also 
been  invited  to  address  the  con- 
ference. 

For  more  information,  write 
to  Presbyterian  Mariners,  3704 
N.  Belt  West,  Belleville,  IL 
62223,  or  phone  (618)  234-1662. 

Presbyterian  Mariners  is  a 
family  ministry  of  the  PC(USA) 
based  in  local  congregations. 
The  organization's  annual 
meeting  is  held  concurrently 
with  the  Family  Conference. 


C.  H.  Hinnant  HI,  Mrs.  Nora  Grenfell,  and  Edwin  E. 
Gatewood  Jr.  break  bround  for  esqpansion  of  the  health 
center  at  Westminster-Canterbury-Blue  Ridge. 

W-C  Blue  Ridge  breaks  ground 
for  expansion  of  health  center 


CHARLOTTESVILLE,  Va.— 
Westminster-Canterbury  of 
the  Blue  Ridge  broke  ground 
recently  for  a  32-unit  expan- 
sion of  the  Health  Center,  ac- 
cording to  C.  H.  Hinnant  III, 
president  and  chief  executive 
officer. 

The  addition  includes  12  as- 
sisted Uving/memory  impgdred 
units.  It  has  been  designed  to 
provide  residents  needing 
these  services  with  a  homeUke 
environment,  Hinnant  said. 


North  Carolina  Council  of  Churches 
calls  for  defense  spending  cuts 


RALEIGH,  N.C— The  House 
of  Delegates  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina Council  of  Churches 
(NCCC)  has  adopted  a  policy 
statement  that  calls  for  cut- 
backs in  military  spending  and 
increased  investment  in  do- 
mestic programs. 

The  statement  said  that 
while  there  have  been  some 
cutbacks  in  mihtary  spending, 
they  have  been  disappointingly 
modest.  It  argues  that  in  1994 
the  U.S.  will  spend  more  on  its 
military  than  it  did  in  1980  at 
the  height  of  the  Cold  War. 

The  consequence,  according 
to  the  statement,  is  a  continu- 
ing scarcity  of  funds  that  are 
urgently  needed  for  health 
care,  job  training,  job  creation, 
child  development  and  crime 
prevention. 

"Our  nation  is  in  danger  of 
missing  a  propitious  opportu- 
nity to  make  a  shift  in  national 
priorities  away  from  swords 
and  spears  to  ploughshares  and 
priming  hooks,"  the  statement 
concluded. 

Collins  Kilbum,  the  NCCC's 
executive  director,  said  "It  is 
really  appalling  that  we  are 
allowing  ourselves  to  be  locked 
into  this  Cold  War  level  of 
spending.  We  need  a  strong 
military,  but  we  don't  need  to 
act  as  though  we  are  still  in  an 


Peacemaking 
worker  dies 

WILMINGTON,  Del.— Betty 
Buerrmann,  who  for  many 
years  was  active  in  the  S5mod 
(and  the  former  Piedmont 
Synod),  especially  in  peace- 
making efforts,  died  May  15. 

Memorial  services  were  held 
May  20  at  Westminster  Church 
here,  where  she  was  a  mem- 
ber. 


arms  race  with  a  nuclear  su- 
perpower. And  we  need  rev- 
enue. All  of  the  progressive 
proposals  coming  from  the 
Clinton  Administration  are 
st5Tnied  for  lack  of  funds." 

The  North  Carolina  Council 
of  Churches  is  comprised  of  25 
denominational  bodies,  includ- 
ing the  ^5mod  of  the  Mid-At- 
lantic of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.),  and  five  indi- 
vidual congregations.  The 
House  of  Delegates,  the 
NCCC's  governing  body,  is 
made  up  of  representatives 
from  the  member  bodies. 


This  is  the  first  faciUty  at  a 
Charlottesville  retirement 
community  specifically  de- 
signed for  the  needs  of  those 
with  memory  impairment. 

Hinnant  said  Westminster- 
Canterbury  is  using  a  "house- 
hold design"  concept  that  al- 
lows residents  to  maintain 
their  independence. 

"We  want  our  residents  to 
have  the  privacy  of  home  yet 
the  seciuity  of  a  thoughtfiilly 
designed  care  faciUty,"  he  said. 
"This  is  being  achieved  through 
an  innovative  design  that  pro- 
motes interdependence  be- 
tween staff  and  the  residents. 
It  has  been  carefully  planned 
to  help  Westminster-Canter- 
bury staff  meet  the  varying 
needs  of  residents  in  the  early 
states  of  memory  impairment. 
The  design  places  the  resident 
rooms  around  and  in  view  of  a 
Uving  and  service  area  thus 
promoting  individual  decision 
making  while  boosting  staff  ef- 
ficiency." 

The  project  is  scheduled  for 
completion  in  February,  1995. 

Westminster-Canterbiuy  of 
the  Blue  Ridge  is  a  life  care 
retirement  commimity  operat- 
ing under  guidelines  of  the 
Episcopal  and  Presbyterian 
churches  of  Virginia. 


Employment  Opportunities 


President/Chief  Executive  Officer 
Barium  Springs  for  Chiidren 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children,  located  at  Barium  Springs,  N.C,  in  the 
Piedmont  Section  (40  miles  north  of  Chariotte),  is  a  a  non-profit  family 
service  agency  related  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  In  existence 
for  104  years,  thehome's  ministry  includes  the  providing  of  specialized 
residential  services  for  pre-adolescents  and  adolescents  and  their  fami- 
lies, accompanied  by  a  correlated  Preparation-for-Adult  Living  program. 
Thehome  also  operates  a  full-to-capacity  model  day  care  center  onsite. 

The  current  President  plans  to  retire  in  May  1995,  following  19  years 
of  caring  service  at  BSHC.  The  position  will  begin  on  June  1,  1995. 

The  Board  of  Regents  seeks  qualified  applicants  who  have  a  Master's 
Degree  and/or  five  years  of  related  experience  in  institutional  administra- 
tion, financial  development  and  child-caring.  Salary  is  negotiable  and 
commensurate  with  experience. 

Send  resume  and  related  references  by  Aug.  15  to:  Mr.  Randy  Shaw, 
P.O.  Box  472023,  Chariotte,  NC  28247-2023.  EOE. 


Friendly  and  family-oriented  700-member  congregation  in  Northern  Vir- 
ginia suburbs  seeks  applicants  for  two  half-time  positions. 

Youth  Director 

Energetic,  well-organized  individual  to  coordinate  active  junior  and  senior 
high  programs  (25-30  youth).  Must  be  knowledgeable  in  Presbyterian 
tradition.  Degree  desired,  musical  inclination  helpful. 

DCE 

To  coordinate  ongoing  educational  programs  for  infants  through  adults. 
Must  be  knowledgeable  in  Presbyterian  and  Refomied  Tradition.  Degree 
desired. 

Send  resume  or  PIF  to  Greg  Suess  (for  Youth  Director)  or  Mary  Helmantoler 
(for  DCE),  Grace  Presbyterian  Church,  7434  Bath  St.,  Springfield,  VA 
22150. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  June  1994,  Page  5 


Campus  Notes 


Colleges,  seminaries  hold 
commencement  programs 

Colleges  and  seminaries  in  and  around  the  synod  have  provided 
the  following  information  regarding  their  commencement  and 
baccalaureate  services  marking  the  end  of  the  academic  year. 

Lees-McCrae  College:  May  14;  Baccalaureate-^.  Ned 
HoUandsworth,  trustee  and  pastor  of  First  Church,  Morristown, 
Tenn.;  Commencement-Paul  Dietzel,  trustee,  college  coach, 
educator  and  inspirational  speaker. 

Montreat-Anderson  College:  May  14;  Commencement- 
Dr.  Anderson  Spickard,  professor  of  medicine  and  national 
program  director  of  Fighting  Back,  a  community  drug  preven- 
tion program;  special  music  by  M-AC  alumnus  George  Darden, 
assistant  conductor  and  pianist  with  the  Metropolitan  Opera. 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary:  May  16;  Commence- 
ment-The  Rev.  Joyce  C.  Tucker,  coordinator  of  theological 
education  for  the  PC(USA). 

St.  Andrews  College:  May  7;  Baccalaureate-The  Rev. 
Jerold  D.  Shetler,  trustee  and  pastor  of  First  Church  of  Greens- 
boro; Commencement-Andrew  A.  Goodman,  graduating  En- 
glish major  from  Richmond,  Va.,  and  Dr.  Thomas  E.  Williams, 
chair  of  the  history  department. 

Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia:  May  29;  Com- 
mencement-The  Rev.  Agnes  Norfleet,  pastor  of  North  Decatur 
Church  in  Atlanta,  Ga.  and  a  1986  Union  Seminary  graduate. 

'Angus'  Brown  receives  award 

RICHMOND— -Angus  T.  ("A.T.")  Brown  received  the  1994  Pres- 
byterian School  of  Christian  Education  Trustees'  Distinguished 
Muiani/ae  Award  during  the  school's  Alumni/ae  Weekend  lun- 
cheon on  April  16. 

A 1960  alunmus,  Brown  has  served  the  church  as  a  designer, 
developer,  and  leader  of  church  camp  and  conference  minis- 
tries. He  was  the  founding  director  of  Camp  Glenkirk  in 
Gainesville,  Va.  (the  camp  and  conference  center  of  the  National 
Capital  Presbytery),  and  Camp  Cedarkirk  in  Lithia,  Fla.  He 
retired  from  Camp  Cedarkirk  in  1990. 

Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education  (PSCE)  board 
member  and  alumna  Dr.  Louise  H.  Farrior  said  during  the 
award  presentation,  "A.T.  and  [his  wife]  Doris  trained  their  staff 
to  seize  every  opportunity  to  show  a  child  the  beauty  of  nature 
and  the  beauty  of  friendship.  Many  of  us  came  to  know  more 
deeply  the  friendship  of  Jesus  Christ  through  their  witness." 

When  accepting  his  award,  Brown  stressed  the  importance  of 
camp  and  conference  center  ministries  to  the  church.  He  chal- 
lenged those  present  at  the  luncheon  to  keep  a  watchful  eye  over 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  and  see  that  its  camp  and 
conference  centers  are  well  maintained,  staffed  and  supported. 

The  PSCE  Trustees'  Distinguished  Alumni/ae  Award  is  pre- 
sented each  year  to  a  graduate  of  the  School  in  recognition  and 
celebration  of  a  life  that  has  been  a  testimony  to  the  ministry  of 
Christian  education  in  the  world. 

Church  helped  Queen's  graduate 

Poon  Eve,  who  moved  to  the  United  States  when  she  was  11,  was 
one  of  247  students  who  graduated  from  Queens  College  in 
Charlotte  in  April.  This  was  thanks  to  about  175  families  who 
attend  Sardis  Church. 

Those  families  helped  sponsor  her  and  her  family  when  she 
arrived  in  1982.  She  still  recalls  her  first  automobile  ride.  She 
thought  the  trees  and  flowers  were  moving  and  that  she  was 
sitting  still.  She  graduated  later  from  West  Charlotte  High 
School  and  studied  nursing  two  years  at  Central  Piedmont 
Conmumity  College  and  did  well.  But  when  she  wanted  to 
transfer  to  Queens  College,  her  finances  came  up  short. 

That's  when  families  at  Sardis  Church  stepped  forward  and 
sent  her  through  college.  She  is  planning  to  eventually  become 
a  nurse-  anesthetist.  Sardis  held  a  reception  so  that  her  friends . 
and  supporters  could  come  and  visit  her. 

St.  Andrews  honors  SalmonCampbell 

LAURINBURG,  Va.— Dr.  Joan  SalmonCampbell,  pastor  of  St. 
Mark's  Presbyterian  Church  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  a  past 
moderator  of  the  Presb3rterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  has  been  named 
the  1994  E.  Hervey  Evans  Distinguished  Fellow  by  St.  Andrews 
Presbyterian  College.  Dr.  SalmonCampbell  visited  the  St. 
Andrews  campus  on  April  9-11,  giving  two  major  addresses  and 
speaking  at  two  worship  services. 

St.  Andrews  presented  an  honorary  doctor  of  science  degree 
to  Dr.  Struther  Amott,  principal  (president)  of  the  University 
of  St.  Andrews  in  Fife,  Scotland,  during  an  April  11  convocation. 
He  is  "an  enthusiastic  support  of  deepening  ties"  between  the 
two  schools,  according  to  spokesperson  Elaine  Thomas. 

Warren  Wilson  selected  for  alliance 

ASHEVILLE,  N.C.— Warren  Wilson  College  has  been  selected 
by  the  Council  of  Independent  Colleges  to  participate  in  its  new 
learning  and  service  alliance.  A  $22,000  grant  will  be  used  to 
explore  links  between  student  learning  and  service  and  work 
experiences,  according  to  Nancy  Rigby,  director  of  the  service- 
learning  center  at  the  college. 


Campus  ministry  comer 


They  want  more  than  'Sunday-only'  faith 


By  RICK  HILL 

Presbyterian  Campus  Minis- 
try at  James  Madison  Univer- 
sity co-sponsored  a  spring 
break  trip  to  Florida  in  March. 
One  hundred  students  faculty 
and  staff  travelled  in  10  vans 
to  Homestead,  Fla.,  to  work  on 
various  housing  projects 

Fifty  folks  spent  the  week 
helping  Habitat  for  Humanity 
build  21  homes.  The  other  50 
worked  with  Tropical  Florida 
Presbirtery^s  Hurricane  Relief, 
adding  finishing  touches  to 
area  homes  and  churches.  Most 
of  the  participating  students 
had  some  church  background, 
but  most  were  not  involved  in 
any  campus  ministry. 

Presbyterian  Campus  Min- 
istry has  been  working  with 
this  type  of  student  for  several 
years.  We  have  discovered  that 
many  students  are  leaving  the 
church  because  they  find  it 
boring  and  irrelevant  or,  sim- 
ply because  they  are  rebelling 
against  their  parents. 

By  offering  programs  which 
don't  look  like  the  church,  or 


programs  that  address  very 
specific  student  concerns,  we 
find  that  we  can  take  the  first 
steps  in  helping  young  adults 
reconnect  with  the  church. 

The  process  is  very  slow.  It 
takes  time  to  rebuild  the  trust 
which  20  years  of  neglect  has 
destroyed.  Young  adults  do  not 
want  to  be  treated  like  num- 
bers. They  are  leery  of  simply 
becoming  another  "notch"  on 
someone's  Bible.  They  want  to 
know  that  the  church  really 
cares  about  them;  who  they 
are,  what  their  interests  are, 
what  their  concerns  are,  the 
language  they  speak,  and  how 
they  perceive  the  world. 

What  they  want 

Young  adults  want  to  know 
that  the  Church  cares  about 
the  world.  I  am  always  sur- 
prised by  how  many  students, 
even  Presbyterians,  do  not 
know  of  the  many  ways  the 
Presbyterian  Church  is  in- 
volved in  helping  people 
around  the  world.  They  are 
unaware  of  the  Mission  Volun- 
teers programs  both  in  the  U.S. 


Five  students  receive 
scholarships  from  PSCE 


RICHMOND,  Va.— Five  stu- 
dents at  the  Presbyterian 
School  of  Christian  Education 
(PSCE)  received  scholarships 
during  the  annual  awards  din- 
ner on  April  16. 

Three  of  the  students  are 
from  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic.  They  are: 

Kat  DuVal  of  Midlothian, 
Va.,  recipient  of  the  Beryl  B. 
and  Charles  E.  S.  Kraemer 
Scholarship; 

Sara  Glenn  Woodard  of 
Charlotte,  N.C.,  recipient  of 
the  Edward  Bland  and  Tommie 
Pinkney  Paisley  Scholarship; 
and 

Kimbra  Marble  of  Rich- 
mond, recipient  of  the  Wade 
and  Lou  Boggs  Scholarship. 

The  other  recipients  are 
Mary  Cunningham  of  Arvada, 
Colo.,  and  Ann  Ferguson  of 
Wichita  Falls,  Texas. 

The  Kraemer  Scholarship 
was  awarded  to  DuVal  on  the 
basis  of  academic  and  personal 
qualifications.  She  practiced 
law  for  20  years  before  coming 
to  PSCE  to  earn  a  master  of 
arts  degree  in  Christian  edu- 
cation. As  a  participant  in  the 
dual  degree  program,  she  will 
also  earn  a  master  of  divinity 
degree  from  Union  Theologi- 

=  PEW  CUSHION  S 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG.  VA  24502 

=  1-800-572-2283  ^ 


REFINISHING 


cal  Seminary. 

The  Bland-Paisley  Scholar- 
ship was  awarded  to  Woodard 
for  her  qualities  of  consecra- 
tion and  leadership  and  her 
promise  of  future  usefulness 
in  a  church  vocation.  She  is  a 
member  of  Newell  Church  in 
Charlotte. 

The  Boggs  Scholarship  was 
awarded  to  Marble  for  her  dem- 
onstrated excellence  in  the 
study  of  Christian  theology.  A 
Richmond  native,  she  is  a  mem- 
ber of  New  Covenant  Church 
in  Chesterfield  County. 

Marble  plans  to  graduate  in 
May  1995  and  go  on  to  a  career 
in  Christian  education  and 
community  outreach. 

PSCE  is  a  graduate  theo- 
logical institution  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  (U.S.A.)  and 
specializes  solely  in  the  aca- 
demic and  theolgical  discipline 
of  educational  ministry. 


and  abroad.  They  are  unaware 
of  the  many  ways  local  congre- 
gations serve  their  communi- 
ties. As  they  find  these  places, 
they  are  eager  to  join  in  and 
help. 

Young  adults  want  to  know 
that  the  church  has  meaning 
for  them  in  their  lives  as  stu- 
dents. They  want  more  than  a 
"Sunday-only"  faith.  So,  Pres- 
byterian Campus  Ministry  is 
involved  in  lots  of  activities  on 
the  JMU  campus. 

We  are  in  the  Wellness  Cen- 
ter, the  Leadership  Training 
program,  and  Natural  Highs 
(a  program  which  encourages 
positive  lifestyle  choices).  We 
sponsor  a  coffeehouse  on  cam- 
pus and  participate  in  events 
like  Earth  Week  and  Holocaust 
Remembrance  Day. 

Through  fellowship  programs 
and  weekly  worship,  we  help  stu- 
dents find  meaning  in  what  they 
do  every  day.  All  these  programs 
help  students  relate  in  positive 
ways  to  one  another,  to  profes- 
sors and  staff,  to  their  environ- 
ment and  to  God. 

In  his  article  "Is  There  Bib- 
lical Warrant  for  Evangelism," 
George  Huns-berger  says  that 
Paul  "was  willing  to  give  the 
gospel  away  to  new  possessors 
of  it  and  to  lose  it  to  their  new 
styles,  responses,  and  defini- 
tions. There  he  expected  it  to 
sparkle,  startle,  surprise  and 
shine."  (Interpretation,  April 
1994,  p.  140) 

As  we  bring  the  gospel  to 
our  campus,  our  expectation  is 
that  these  new  hands  into 
which  we  have  placed  the  gos- 
pel will  find  the  Good  News 
behaving  in  a  similar  fashion. 

Rick  Hill  is  Presbyterian 
campus  minister  at  James 
Madison  University,  one  of  42 
campus  ministries  in  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 


FREE  ESTIMATES 


A&H 

ART  &  STAINED  GLASS 
COMPANY,  INC. 

P.O.  Box  67  Phone 
Harmony.  N.C.  28634        (764)  546-2687 


fOTLAND 

History  &  Hospitality 

September  29  -  October  11, 1994 


Spectacular  scenery.  Intriguing  history.  The  charm 
of  Scottish  hospitality.  Good  food  and  drink.  It's 
all  woven  together  for  you  in  this  special  trip  led 
by  T.  Hartley  Hall  IV,  who  is  retiring  this  summer  as 
Union  Seminary's  president.  In  addition  to  Dr.  Hall's 
spirited  commentary,  resident  Scots  will  lecture  on 
Scottish  history  and  genealogy.  And  there  is  ample 
time  for  shopping,  research,  and  even  a  round  or 
two  of  the  "royal  and  ancient  game." 
Price  per  person,  including  airfare,  is  $2490. 
For  complete  information  and  an  itinerary,  please 
contact  trip  coordinator  Bruce  Frye,  Travel  Time, 
Inc.,  Laurinburg,  NC,  1-800-672-6696. 


A  Travel  Program  Sponsored  by 
Union  Theobgiad  Seminary  in  Virginia 
3401  Brook  Road,  Richmond  VA  23227 
1-800-229-2990 


Page  6,  Mki-Atlantic  Presbji;erian,  June  1994 


mitt    Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 


This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCRECKTATION 
OF  SERVICES  FOR  FAMIUES 
AND  CHILDREN.  INC 


Barium  alumnus  to  study  in  France 


Editor's  note — Last  month  we 
introduced  you  to  Larry  Buie, 
a  former  Barium  Springs  resi- 
dent and  rising  junior  at  UNC- 
Chapel  Hill,  who  is  one  of  five 
UNC  students  selected  to  study 
in  France  next  year. 

Besides  epilepsy,  Larry  Buie 
has  had  one  other  major  hurdle 
to  get  over  during  his  life  to  get 
to  where  he  is  now.  That  hurdle 
was  his  home  situation.  He 
came  to  live  at  the  Preparation 
for  Adult  Living  (PAL)  Pro- 
gram at  Barium  Springs  in 
1988. 

"I  was  having  some  real 
problems  at  home,  some  that  I 
was  creating,  and  some  my 
parents  were,"  said  Buie.  "Be- 
ing away  from  home  with  other 
people  gave  me  not  only  a  new 
perspective  on  Ufe,  but  a  wider 
perspective  as  well.  The  staff- 
especially  Rochelle  Haimes, 
Donna  Forte  and  Lynn 
Gambel — made  me  take  a  long 
look  at  myself  and  what  I 
wanted  out  of  life.  I'd  have 
never  had  the  motivation  to 
accomplish  the  things  I  have 
without  them. 

"Being  away  from  home  also 
gave  my  parents  an  opportu- 
nity to  work  things  out  be- 
tween themselves,"  said  Buie. 
"The  staff  helped  them,  too.  I 
always  knew  that  I  was  very 
different  from  my  parents,  but 
at  PAL  I  learned  that  it  was 
okay,  and  that  it  didn't  mean  I 
didn't  love  them,  I  just  couldn't 
live  with  them.  The  people 
there  were,  and  are,  the  best 
influence  I've  ever  had." 

Buie  said  he  still  talks  with 
Johnson  and  Gambel  from  time 
to  time,  and  was  in  contact 
frequently  with  Donna  Forte 
before  her  untimely  death  in 


'New'  gift 
wish  list 

*  15-passenger  Van 

*  Automobiles 

*  Washing  Machine  (1) 

*  Dryers  (2) 

*  2  Vacuum  Cleaners 

*  2  Twin  Mattresses 

*  2  Twin  Box  Springs 

*  Twin  Bed  Linens  and  Bed- 

spreads 

*  2  Couches 

*  2  Night  Stands 

*  1  Large  Bookcase 

*  Toiletries 

*  Towels  and  Wash 

cloths 

*  Sports  Equipment  (balls, 
gloves,  frisbees,  bats; 
ping-pong  paddles,  balls 
&  net) 

*  New  Clothes  (girls  &  boys, 

10-18  years) 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, Post  Office  Box  1, 
Ba- ■',im  Springs,  N.C.,  28010- 
'     '  number  704/872- 


January. 

"It  really  knocked  me  for  a 
loop,"  said  Buie.  "I  couldn't  even 
come  to  the  memorial  service 
they  had  for  her.  I  guess  I  just 
didn't  want  to  believe  it  was 
true.  I  don't  think  I'll  ever  for- 
get the  shock  of  realizing  that 
one  minute  someone  can  be 
young  and  full  of  life,  and  gone 
the  next." 

Bviie  has  very  frequent  con- 
tact with  Rochelle  Haimes,  vice 
president  of  services  for  the 
Home.  Haimes  administers  the 
Higher  Education  Funds  which 
Buie  receives  to  attend  UNC- 
Chapel  Hill. 

"It  makes  me  feel  somewhat 
privileged  to  have  someone  like 
Rochelle  that  I  can  call  when  I 
have  a  problem  and  need  some- 
one to  talk  to,"  said  Buie.  "She 
listens,  she  consoles  me,  and  if 
she  needs  to,  she  tells  me  to  get 
off  my  duff  and  do  something 
about  it.  She's  great." 

Buie  said  that  he  feels  like 
he  knows  more  about  life  and 
about  survival  in  the  "real 
world"  than  his  college  friends, 
and  he  owes  it  all  to  this  time  at 
Barium  Springs. 

"I  learned  how  to  live  on  my 
own  while  I  was  at  Barium," 
said  Buie.  "I  knew  that  I  was 
responsible  for  my  actions  and 
would  suffer  any  consequences 
which  resulted  from  them.  My 
friends  here  had  to  go  through 
all  that  after  they  got  here,  and 
as  a  result,  couldn't  concen- 
trate on  their  studies  as  well  as 
I  could. 

"The  things  I  learned  at  the 
PAL  Program  made  the  transi- 
tion from  living  at  'home'  to 
living  'on  my  own'  very  smooth. 
I  learned  not  to  be  afraid  to  set 
goals  for  myself,  because  even 
if  I  set  them  too  high,  I  can 
always  step  back,  re-evaluate 
them,  and  set  more  realistic 
ones. 


"Most  people  never  set  goals 
for  themselves  at  all  because 
they  are  afraid  of  failure.  The 
things  that  frighten  me  are 
the  things  I  may  never  get  to 
try,  but  I  might  have  been 
good  at." 

Buie  said  he  realizes  that 
without  Barium  Springs,  he 
probably  wouldn't  even  be  in 
college.  He  is  thankful  that 
the  Home  exists,  and  he  is 
thankful  for  all  of  the  donors 
who  make  it  possible.  He  re- 
cently wrote  this  note  to  staff 
and  donors: 

"My  appreciation  is  immea- 
surable. Once  again,  thank  you 
for  allowing  me  to  make  my 
contributions  to  society.  With- 
out your  help  and  guidance,  it 
would  have  all  been  impos- 
sible." 


Slide  show 
available 

Need  a  30-minute  pre- 
sentation, including  a 
nine-minute  slide  pro- 
gram, at  your  Sunday 
night  suppers,  meetings 
of  the  Men's  and 
Women's  Church 
Groups,  Sunday  School 
classes,  etc.?  Call  Reade 
Baker,  Vice  President, 
Financial  Resources,  at 
(704) 872-4157  to  sched- 
ule a  presentation. 

Staff  members  are 
available  to  come  to  your 
church  or  organization, 
free  of  charge,  to  dis- 
cuss the  Home's  activi- 
ties and  answer  any 
questions.  On-campus 
tours  and  programs  are 
also  encouraged. 

You  need  to  see  this 
ministry  in  action  to 
fully  understand  how 
your  support  changes 
the  lives  of  children  and 
families. 


...Or  SO 
it  seems 


Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

I  stopped  by  to  hear  a  minister 
friend  preach' and,  as  is  my 
custom,  timed  his  sermon 
which  went  slightly  over  12 
minutes.  Later,  I  kidded  him 
about  not  giving  his  people 
their  money's  worth.  He  said  it 
probably  went  back  to  his  un- 
dergraduate training  in  math 
where,  when  you  arrive  at  the 
answer,  you  stop! 

I've  thought  about  that  in 
relation  to  our  work  here  and 
it  seems  that,  so  often,  we  re- 
ally don't  know  when  we  have 
arrived  at  the  answer,  but  it 
proves  not  to  be  so.  Fortu- 


nately, there  are  times  when 
we  don't  know  that  we  have 
arrived  at  the  answer,  but  find 
later  that  we  did.  A  parent 
wrote,  "...  Your  skillful  care 
was  an  abundant  answer  to  a 
long-standing  prayer  for  our 
child." 

I'm  more  and  more  con- 
vinced that  our  task  is  to  plant 
and  water.  We  cannot  be  "Lords 
of  the  Harvest." 


Parker  honored  for  30  years  of  service 


Linda  S.  Parker,  chief  book- 
keeper at  Barium  Springs,  was 
honored  in  May  for  30  years  of 
excellent  service  to  the  Home. 

On  the  evening  of  May  26, 
Mrs.  Parker  was  surrounded 
by  family  and  friends  at  a  din- 
ner held  at  Lineberger's  Steak 
Barn.  After  dinner,  she  was 
presented  with  a  $100  gift  cer- 
tificate to  Farm  House  Gar- 
deners (a  favorite  store)  and 
an  engraved  gift  commemo- 
rating her  service  to  the  Home. 

On  the  morning  of  May  27, 
Mrs.  Parker  was  honored  with 
a  tea.  She  displayed  her  gifts 
and  was  greeted  by  many  co- 
workers, business  acquaintan- 


ces and  alumni. 

Mrs.  Parker  came  to  work 
at  the  Home  on  May  27,  1964, 
the  day  after  graduating  from 
Mitchell  College.  She  worked 


in  a  secretarial  position  and 
eventually  moved  into  the 
bookkeeping  department.  She 
has  had  her  current  duties  for 
the  past  15  years. 

On  April  15,  1986,  Mrs. 
Parker  was  appointed  to  the 
position  of  treasurer  of  the 
Board  of  Regents.  In  this  posi- 
tion she  presents  a  financial 
report  to  the  Home  at  each  of 
the  Board's  semi-annual  meet- 
ings. 

Mrs.  Parker  is  the  daughter 
of  Lilie  A.  Shoemaker  and  the 
late  Lathan  R.  Shoemaker.  She 
and  her  husband,  Jim,  and 
their  son,  Corey,  14,  live  on 
Route  14  in  Statesville. 


Special  thanks  to 


The  children,  staff  and  Board 
of  Regents  would  like  to  say  a 
special  thanks  to: 

Dr.  David  Leininger  and  the 
congregation  of  St.  Paul  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Greens- 
boro for  the  huge,  wonderful 
Easter  baskets  filled  with 
candy,  toys,  books,  clothes  and 
other  delights  for  the  cottages; 

Mr.  Steve  Scott  of  Concord 
for  the  school  bus,  motorcycle, 
bathroom  vanity  cabinets  and 
other  items; 

Mr.  Wayne  B.  Roberts  of 
Davidson  for  the  sofa,  chair 
and  washing  machine; 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  White 
of  High  Point  for  the  buffet, 
dining  room  table,  and  six 
chairs;  and 

The  Presbyterian  Women  of 
First  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Newton  Conover  for  the  bags 
of  assorted  ball  caps  for  the 
boys  and  the  wrapped  gifts  for 
the  girls. 


Easter  baskets  given  by  St.  Paul  Presbyterian  Church 


HOMECOMING 
1994 

August  6th  and  7th 

Dear  Alumni,  families 

and  friends: 
Please  join  us  this  year 
for  a  lot  of  fun! 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $  is  enc 

I  wish  to:   Honor   R 

Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  . 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1.  Barium  Springs.  NC  28010 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  June  1994,  Page  7 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Guide— Lesson  1 1,  July  1994 

Matthew  7:7-11 


By  ROSAMOND  McCARTY 

During  the  past  year  we  have  been  studying 
prayers  of  the  Bible  in  our  Presbyterian 
Women's  groups,  and  this  month  I  propose  we 
look  at  Jesus's  directive  for  us  to  pray  in  the 
Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

The  verb  tense  used  in  this  passage  means  to 
"keep  on  asking,  keep  on  seeking,  and  keep  on 
knocking."  Paul  in  I  Thessalonians  5:7  tells  us 
to  pray  always,  and  at  least  two  reasons  for 
persistent  prayer  come  to  mind:  first,  the  effect 
continual  praying  has  on  us,  and,  second,  the 
effect  it  has  on  the  person  or  situation  for  which 
we  are  praying. 

Persistent  prayer  refines  us  and  our  prayers. 
Prayer  brings  us  into  an  intimate  relationship 
with  God,  and  that  relation- 
ship changes  us.  We  begin  to 
see  things  from  His  perspec- 
tive and  to  want  His  will 
done  more  than  our  own.  As 
the  Holy  Spirit  shines  His 
discerning  light  into  the  deep 
recesses  of  our  spirit,  we  are 
cleansed  and  enlightened. 
Our  prayers  then  are  subtly 
changed  from  selfish  con-  ^ 
cerns  to  requests  in  line  with    WKL  mM 
His  purposes.  ^Hk 

Secondly,  we  are  told  to 
pray  persistently  because  our  Rosamond 
prayers  release  the  Holy  McCarty 
Spirit's  power  upon  the  per- 
son or  situation  for  which  we  are  praying  much 
like  a  thrown  switch  releases  the  power  of  a 
huge  generator.  Of  course,  God  is  always  ac- 
tively working  for  our  good,  but  because  His 
work  is  a  work  of  grace.  He  waits  for  us  to  ask 
before  He  releases  the  fullness  of  His  power.  If 
He  did  not  so  limit  Himself,  there  would  be  no 
such  thing  as  free  will,  and  we  would  be  noth- 
ing more  than  puppets.  Someone  has  said, 
"Without  Him  we  cannot,  without  us  He  will 
not." 

If  prayer  changes  us  and  changes  the  world, 
why  then  don't  we  pray? 

Perhaps  many  fail  to  pray  reasoning  that 
there  is  no  need  because  God  already  knows  the 
situation.  Richard  Foster  in  Prayer:  Finding 
the  Heart's  True  Home  says  that  the  most 
straight-forward  answer  to  that  excuse  is  that 
God  likes  to  be  asked.  We  like  our  children  to 
ask  us  for  things  we  already  know  they  need 
because  the  very  asking  enhances  and  deepens 
the  relationship.  He  states  that  Jesus  keeps 
drawing  us  into  the  most  basic  relationship  of 
child  and  parent,  to  asking  and  receiving. 
(Please  note  that  I  have  quoted  from  several 
books  on  prayer  during  this  series  with  the 
hope  the  readers  will  be  inspired  to  read  the 
books.  Foster's  book  is  a  classic.) 

A  second  reason  some  people  don't  pray  is 
that  they  don't  want  to  bother  God  unless  it  is 
absolutely  necessary.  They  will  just  muddle 
through  on  their  own.  After  all,  they  reason, 
God  is  so  busy  keeping  the  planets  from  collid- 
ing, and  the  Jews  and  Arabs  from  annihilating 
each  other,  by  comparison,  their  own  problems 
seem  petty.  But  Jesus  tells  us  to  ask  and  to  keep 
on  asking.  I  Peter  5:7  tells  us  to  "cast  all  our 
cares  upon  Him"  and  Philippians  4:6  says,  "in 
everything"  to  bring  our  requests  before  Him. 
These  passages  indicate  there  is  nothing  that 
concerns  us  that  doesn't  concern  God.  Our 


burdens  do  not  have  to  measure  a  certain 
degree  on  the  seriousness  scale  to  be  brought 
before  Him.  His  ears  are  ever  attentive  to  the 
cries  of  his  people. 

Closely  related  to  this  reason  for  not  praying 
is  the  belief  that  God  is  disinterested  or  disen- 
gaged from  His  creation  now  that  He  has 
gotten  us  off  on  our  own.  Jesus  corrects  that 
false  idea  when  He  calls  God  "our  heavenly 
Father."  God  loves  each  of  us  as  though  we 
were  His  only  child  and  is  never  too  busy  or 
uninterested  to  hear  and  act.  Ray  Stedman  in 
Talking  to  My  Father  says,  "True  prayer  is  an 
open  channel  to  the  eagerness  of  God  to  help 
us...  It  is  never  to  be  addressed  to  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee  for  Welfare  and  Relief  or 
the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Investigation  or  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury ...  but,  rather,  prayer 
is  to  the  Father  with  a  father's  heart,  a  father^s 
love,  and  a  father's  strength." 

Again,  perhaps  we  fail  to  pray  because  we  are 
afi'aid  we  won't  like  the  answer.  We  are  not  sure 
God  really  wants  us  to  have  things  that  give  us 
pleasure.  We  tend  to  think  of  His  benefits  like 
trips  to  the  dentist  or  bad-tasting  medicine — 
something  good  for  us  in  the  long  run  but  un- 
pleasant at  the  time.  This  passage  in  Matthew 
assures  us  that  the  Father-heart  of  God  will  not 
pull  dirty  tricks  on  us  but  will  give  us  even  better 
things  than  those  for  which  we  ask. 

Simple  unbelief  in  God's  ability  to  grant  our 
requests  is  another  reason  we  don't  pray.  Our 
God  is  too  small.  Sure,  He  can  cure  pneumonia 
with  the  newer  medicines,  but  what  about 
cancer?  Aren't  some  things  just  too  hard  for 
God?  Those  miracles  in  the  Bible  were  for 
primitive  times,  and  we  really  don't  need  them 
now  with  our  advanced  scientific  knowledge, 
we  reason.  Besides,  miracles  ceased  with  he 
apostolic  age,  right?  Some  of  us  would  answer 
with  a  loud,  "Wrong!"  We  know  that  God  is  still 
in  the  miracle-workingbusiness,  and  that  noth- 
ing is  impossible  with  Him.  (Matthew  19:26) 
We  don't  have  because  we  don't  ask,  James 
tells  us.  The  problem  is  with  our  lack  of  faith, 
not  God's  ability  to  perform.  Jesus  tells  us  to 
ask,  seek,  and  knock. 

The  last  excuse  for  our  prayerlessness  is 
that  we  are  just  too  busy  to  pray.  Someone  has 
said  that  if  we  are  too  busy  to  pray,  we  are  too 
busy.  The  last  three  years  of  Jesus'  life  were  far 
fuller  than  anything  any  of  us  have  ever  expe- 
rienced. Hundreds  of  people  crowded  around 
Him  with  their  needs.  Yet,  He  always  made 
time  for  prayer,  usually  early  in  the  morning. 
It  was  the  pattern  of  His  life.  If  Jesus,  the  Son 
of  God,  needed  frequent  retreat  and  solitude 
before  beginning  His  day,  how  much  more  do 
we? 

This  passage  in  Matthew  and  Jesus'  ex- 
ample help  us  set  our  own  priorities.  Prayer 
must  come  first  in  our  schedules  so  that  our 
actions  will  be  guided  and  empowered.  Too 
often  in  our  lives  and  in  our  churches  we  have 
set  our  agendas  and  then  belatedly  asked  the 
Lord  to  bless  them! 

C.H.  Spurgeon  has  said,  "Whether  we  like  it 
or  not,  asking  is  the  rule  of  the  Kingdom." 
Jesus  tells  us  to  ask.  We  know  that  prayer 
changes  us  and  releases  God's  power.  What 
further  encouragement  do  we  need  to  get  us  to 
pray?  Lord  forgive  us  that  we  do  not  pray! 

Rosamond  McCarty  is  a  member  of  Royal 
Oak  Church  in  Marion,  Va. 


1994  Synod  of  the  Mid -Atlantic  Presbyterian  Women's  Gathering 

Christ  is  All  ...  For  All 

June  9-12 

St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  •  Laurinburg,  N.C. 

Bible  Study  Platform  Leader 
The  Rev.  Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender 

Contact  your  moderator  for  a  registration  form 


New  Resources 


Book  of  Common  Worship 

Prepared  by  the  Theology  and  Worship  Ministry  Unit  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  and  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  Westminster/John  Knox  Press.  May 
1993.  Hardcover.  1,008  pages.  $25. 

This  ambitious  undertaking  gathers  in  one  volume  all  the 
important  elements  of  the  seven  Supplemental  Liturgical  Re- 
sources published  earlier  and  now  revised  following  extensive 
use  throughout  the  church.  It  is  useful  to  ministers  and  congre- 
gations in  planning  and  leading  worship.  The  book  provides 
orders  of  worship  and  liturgical  texts  for  each  Sunday,  for  every 
festival  and  season  throughout  the  year,  and  includes  the  Lord's 
Supper,  Baptism,  daily  prayer,  marriage,  funeral,  and  pastoral 
liturgies.  The  lectionary,  a  collection  of  prayers  for  a  variety  of 
uses,  and  the  psalms,  are  also  included.  This  practical  and 
valuable  book  will  certainly  be  the  church's  principal  resource 
for  planning  and  leading  worship  for  decades  to  come. 


God  with  a  Human  Face 

By  John  C.  Purdy.  WestminsterXJohn  Knox  Press. 
February  1993.  Paper.  128  pages.  $9.99. 

"In  these  twelve  chapters  [John  Purdy]  discusses  the 
incarnational  movement  of  God's  nature  and  spirit  in  a  series  of 
pivotal  episodes  in  the  life  and  ministry  of  Jesus." — Donald 
Macleod,  professor  emeritus  of  preaching  and  worship,  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary,  Princeton,  N.J. 

"The  face  of  Gk)d"  is  a  potent  metaphor,  like  none  other.  To  see 
God's  face  is  something  more  than  theoretical,  mystical,  or 
conceptional — and  to  see  it,  we  must  look  at  the  face  of  Jesus.  In 
this  innovative  book,  John  Purdy  focuses  on  the  face  of  Jesus  and 
explores  twelve  Gospel  stories  beginning  with  Jesus'  birth  and 
moving  through  his  crucifixion  and  resurrection.  Purdy  shows 
us  that  by  looking  at  Jesus,  God's  intentions  toward  us  can  be 
discerned. 

"Jack  Purdy  'unearths  layer  after  layer  of  familiar  biblical 
episodes,  giving  us  fresh  understandings  of  what  they  say  to  us 
in  human  situations,  here  and  now  ....  This  book  is  not  merely 
quotable.  It  is  thoroughly  readable. '"  Vic  Jameson,  editor  emeri- 
tus, Presbyterian  Survey. 

John  C.  Purdy  is  a  freelance  writer  who  lives  in  Ridgewood, 
N.J.  He  is  author  of  Returning  God's  Call:  The  Challenge  of 
Christian  Living  and  Parables  at  Work,  and  editor  oi  Always 
Being  Reformed:  The  Future  of  Church  Education. 

Prayers  for  Puppies,  Aging  Autos, 
and  Sleepless  Nights 

God  Listens  to  it  All — Prayers  for  the  Daily  Grind 

By  Robert  Jones.  Westminster/ John  Knox  Press.  March 

1993.  Paper.  96  pages.  $6.99. 

Robert  Jones  "succeeds  in  presenting  prayers  which  are 
natural,  down-to-earth  and  even — and  this  is  truly  hard  to 
believe — genuinely  funny  at  times. "  J.  Barrie  Shepherd,  author 
of  books  of  meditation  and  pastor.  The  First  Church,  New  York. 

This  unique  and  practical  book  takes  moments  from  everyday 
life  and  turns  them  into  powerful  ingredients  of  unpretentious 
prayers..  Illustrated  with  Gay  Guidotti's  sensitive  drawings, 
everything  from  puppies,  divorces,  stray  cats,  short  putts,  diets, 
headaches,  serious  illnesses,  and  anxiety  is  mentioned  in  these 
prayers  that  get  to  the  heart  of  what  life  is  all  about. 

Robert  Jones  is  an  ordained  Presbyterian  minister  and  ad- 
junct professor  of  preaching.  Pacific  School  of  Religion,  Berke- 
ley, Calif. 


When  Life  Tumbles  In 

A  Handbook  for  Coping 

By  C.  WeltonGaddy.  Westminster/ John  Knox  Press. 
August  1993.  Paper.  128  pp.  $9.99. 

C.  Welton  Gaddy  uses  firsthand  knowledge  and  draws  upon 
the  experiences  of  others  who  have  shared  their  struggles  with 
him  to  deal  with  the  feelings  and  pain  that  one  endures  when  a 
major  crisis  evolves.  He  takes  a  holistic  approach  and  writes 
clearly  and  realistically  to  offer  advice  concerning  what  one  can 
and  cannot  do  in  hard  times  when  the  help  of  other  people  and 
God  is  always  needed. 

Gaddy  provides  ten  suggestions  for  coping  with  a  crisis,  none 
based  on  theory  alone.  Topics  discussed  include  being  honest 
about  the  situation,  getting  plenty  or  rest,  reaching  out  to 
friends,  fighting  cynicism,  keeping  a  sense  of  humor,  praying, 
channeling  anger,  renewing  dreams,  exercising  faith,  and  offer- 
ing to  help  someone  else. 

C.  Welton  Gaddy  has  a  wide  range  of  pastoral  experience. 
Presently,  he  works  at  Northminster  Church  in  Monroe,  La. 


t FIBERGLASS  STEEPLES  i 
CROSSES  ■  BAPTISTRIES  /V 
WATER  HEATERS  {\ 

uhlegTaKmnufV 

Box  51 8 /Orange  \ 

DIAL  TOLL  FREE  l  -SC  j 


PEW  REFINISHING  *  CARPET 
PEWS  *  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 

E.  C.  Moore  &  Co.,  Inc. 
P.O.  Box  524  -  Monroe,  N.C.  281 1 
704-289-581 7 • 704-289-1 599-Home 


Page  8,  Mid-Atl£intic  Presbjd«ri£in,  June  1994 


Presbytery  welcomes 
new  ministers 


Historic  First  Church  in  New 
Bern,  organized  in  1817,  acted 
as  host  of  the  22nd  Stated 
Meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Hope  on  April  19.  Beverly 
Guernier,  an  elder  at  First 
Church,  welcomed  the  258 
ministers,  elders,  and  guests. 

Highlighting  the  da^s  ac- 
tivities was  the  Committee  on 
Ministry  report  that  included 
the  transfer  of  foiir  ministers 
into  the  Presbytery. 

New  additions  to  the  New 
Hope  family  included  the  Rev. 
Eade  Anderson,  who  wiU  be- 
come the  interim  pastor  at  First 
Church  in  New  Bern.  Ander- 
son, who  formerly  served  as 
interim  pastor  of  the  Grovem- 
ment  Street  Church  in  Mobile, 
Ala.,  was  a  member  of  Arkan- 
sas Presbytery. 

Also  received  was  the  Rev. 
A.  M.  "Mac"  Hart  who  is  com- 
ing from  Texas.  Hart,  former 
executive  of  Grace  Presbytery, 
will  be  interim  pastor  at  First 
Church  in  Rocky  Mount. 

Received  as  Ministers  at 
Large  were  the  Rev.  Ann  Hoch 
Cowdery  and  the  Rev.  Portia 
Turner  Williamson.  Cowdery, 
who  comes  from  Salem  Pres- 
bytery, is  serving  as  director  of 
student  life  and  associate  di- 
rector of  field  education  at 
Duke  Divinity  School. 
Williamson  transferred  from 
New  York  Presbytery  and 
serves  as  assistant  professor  of 
New  Testament  Studies  at 
Shaw  Divinity  School. 

Two  churches  in  the  Pres- 
bytery will  be  welcoming  new 
pastors.  The  Presbytery  ap- 
proved a  call  by  the  Triangle 
Church  in  Durham  to  the  Rev. 
David  Crow.  He  will  serve  as 
associate  pastor.  Crow  comes 
to  the  Triangle  Church  from 
Huntingdon  Presb3^ry ,  where 
he  served  as  pastor  of  the  Up- 
per Spruce  Creek  Church  in 
Furnace,  Penn. 

Also  approved  was  the  call 
to  the  Rev.  George  "Spike" 
Coleman  to  become  the  pastor 
of  the  Rivermont  Church.  A 
graduate  of  Union  Seminary, 
he  was  under  the  care  of  New 
Hope  Presbytery  during  his 
candidacy. 

The  Rev.  Billy  Joe  Martin, 


pastor  of  West  New  Bern,  was 
honorably  retired  effective  July 
1,  1994.  Martin,  a  graduate  of 
Columbia  and  McCormick 
seminaries,  served  pastorates 
throughout  the  Southeast. 

Upon  his  ordination  in  1971, 
Martin  served  his  first  pastor- 
ate at  the  Etowah  Church.  He 
also  served  as  pastor  of  the 
First  Church  of  Swannanoa, 
N.C.,  and  chaplain  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Home  for  Children  in 
Black  Mountain. 

The  Preparation  for  Minis- 
try report  included  approval  of 
the  reconunendation  that  Pe- 
ter Hausmann  of  White  Me- 
morial, Raleigh,  enter  the  can- 
didacy phase  of  the  process. 
Hausmann  is  a  student  at 
Princeton  Seminary. 

Covmcil  business  included 
the  approval  of  the  following 
recommendation:  "That  when- 
ever a  new  congregation  is  or- 
ganized by  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Hope,  all  other  congrega- 
tions of  the  Presbytery  are  re- 
quested and  urged  to  send  to 
that  new  congregation  one  copy 
of  The  Presbyterian  Hymnal, 
with  an  appropriate  inscrip- 
tion or  book-plate  naming  the 
congregations  to  which  and 
from  which  it  is  given." 

This  policy,  which  will  af- 
fect the  newly  organized  North 
Carolina  Korean  Church  in 
Durham,  will  be  retroactive  to 
include  other  recently  orga- 
nized congregations — Roanoke 
Island  in  Manteo,  Wake  For- 
est, and  the  Korean  Church  of 
Gk)ldsboro. 

Presb3rtery  also  approved 
the  option  to  purchase  10.25 
acres  of  land  on  Davis  Drive  in 
Cary.  The  option  includes  a 
price  range  from  $33,000  to 
$37,000  per  acre. 

Other  business  included  a 
presentation  by  Dr.  Joseph 
Small  concerning  the  theologi- 
cal perspectives  of  the  Re-imag- 
ining Conference.  Small  is  co- 
ordinator for  Theology  and 
Worship  for  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.). 

The  next  meeting  of  Presby- 
tery will  be  a  two-day  meeting 
scheduled  for  July  18-19  at 
Peace  College  in  Raleigh. 


station  Square,  Suite  136,  Rocky  Mount,  NC  27804        (919)  977-1440 


The  Bicentenntal  Fund  campaign 

To  'proclaim  with  bold  actions' 


An  excerpt  from  the  Mission 
Statement  of  the  Bicentennial 
Fund  states, 

"Our  witness  is  expressed 
throughout  the  whole  world  as 
we  respond  to  Jesus'  Great 
Commission  with  new  vigor 
and  proclaim  with  bold  actions 
and  creative  strategies  that  the 
Good  News  leads  to  abundant 
life  in  Jesus  Christ." 

This  statement  underscores 
the  goals  and  aspirations  lived 
out  in  the  projects  that  shape 
the  prospectus  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church's  Bicentennial 
Fund.  It  also  reflects  the  com- 
mitments of  the  many  congre- 
gations in  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Hope  that  are  presently 
participating  in  the  campaign. 

The  Presbyterian  Church 
held  the  first  special  funding 
campaign,  the  "Fund  for  Pious 
Uses,"  in  1717  to  bring  the 
Good  News  to  the  Pennsylva- 
nia frontier.  Today's  campaign, 
the  Bicentennial  Fund,  also 
intends  to  bring  the  Good  News 
to  others.  Projects  funded 
through  this  campaign  com- 
prise four  categories  that  rep- 
resent the  Church's  holistic 
approach  to  ministry. 

Through  Developing  and 
Revitalizing  Congregations 
and  Evangelizing;  Educating 
Grod's  People  for  Service;  Shar- 
ing Compassion,  Doing  Jus- 
tice; and  Undergirding  Global 
Mission,  the  campaign  shares 
its  vision  in  projects  across  the 
Church  and  within  The  Pres- 
bytery of  New  Hope. 

Congregations  in  the  Pres- 
bjdery  have  currently  pledged 
almost  $1.2  million  dollars  to 
support  711  churchwide 
projects  and  24  Synod  projects 
as  well  as  projects  within  The 
Presbytery  of  New  Hope.  The 
Presbytery's  prospectus  in- 
cludes nineteen  projects  that 
embrace  the  mission  areas  re- 
flected in  the  campaign. 


First  Roanoke  Rapids  dedicates  building 

By  EUDEAN  GABRIEL 


On  March  20,  First  Church  in 
Roanoke  Rapids  reached  an- 
other milestone  as  members, 
friends  and  guests  gathered  to 
dedicate  the  newly  expanded 
and  renovated  Loy  Memorial 
Fellowship  Building. 

This  was  the  second  major 
endeavor  of  a  long-range  plan 
initiated  in  1986,  the  first  be- 
ing the  construction  of  a  new 
Christian  Education  Building, 
dedicated  April  21,  1991. 


Membership  growth — from 
279  in  1982  to  420— and  in- 
creased Sunday  School  atten- 
dance necessitated  the  expan- 
sion. 

The  new  facility  features 
almost  3,000  square  feet,  an 
increase  of  more  than  a  third, 
and  includes  a  new  kitchen, 
modern  kitchen  appliances, 
expanded  dining  and  storage 
areas,  an  attractive  foyer  and 
furnishings  as  well  as  modem 
lighting,  heating  and  cooling 
system,  with  many  other  added 


ed  Loy  Memorial  Fellowship  Building 


conveniences. 

The  Loy  Building  was  origi- 
nally dedicated  in  March  1958 
in  memory  of  Swain  and 
Suzanne  Loy,  children  of 
Henry  and  Mary  Sue  Loy  who 
were  victims  of  a  tragic  lake 
drowning  in  December  1956. 

"Together  We  Can"  is  the 
theme  for  the  Capital  Funds 
Campaign  which  was  launched 
for  this  building  project  Octo- 
ber 1989.  Dr.  Frank  Covington, 
minister  of  the  church,  re- 
sponded to  the  questionability 
of  the  church's  ability  to  raise 
the  needed  funds  by  saying, 
"Yes  We  Can  ...  through  the 
sacrificial  giving  of  every 
church  member! 

"Unlike  some  aspects  of  our 
church's  work  that  require  the 
direct  involvement  of  only  a 
few  people,  this  project  de- 
mands that  we  all  rise  up  to- 
gether to  meet  the  challenge." 

Church  members  have  al- 
ready contributed  $520,000 
toward  the  $620,000  total  nec- 
essary to  fund  the  two  projects. 


Developing  &  Revitalizing 
Congregations  / 
Evangelism 

The  Presbyter/s  prospectus 
includes: 

New  Church  Develop- 
ment funding  will  facilitate 
the  purchase  of  land  and  the 
encouragement  of  new  congre- 
gations. Six  growth  areas  in 
the  Presbjrtery  have  been  tar- 
geted. 

Peace  Church,  a  new 

church  development  in 
Greenville  that  is  literally  bust- 
ing at  the  seams,  will  receive 
funding  for  a  much  needed 
building  expansion  program. 

Duraleigh  Church,  a  Ko- 
rean Congregation  in  Raleigh, 
will  receive  assistance  in  meet- 
ing debt  obligations  for  much 
needed  physical  improvements 
to  their  church  building. 

Faith  Church,  which  was 
formed  by  a  merger  of  the 
Shiloh,  Goldsboro  and  Saint 
Matthews,  Dudley  congrega- 
tions, will  receive  assistance 
in  securing  an  existing,  more 
centrally  located  facility  that 
will  allow  the  congregation  to 
continue  their  witness  in  the 
community. 

Roanoke  Island  Church, 
a  yoimg,  developing  congrega- 
tion in  Manteo  will  receive  as- 
sistance in  developing  and  ex- 
panding a  compassionate  min- 
istry to  meet  the  needs  of  the 
community. 

Educating  God's  People 
for  Service 

The  Presbytery's  prospectus 
includes: 

Training  Seminars  for 
Rural  Ministry  will  receive 
funding  to  continue  its  train- 
ing of  seminarians  from  our 
Presbyterian  theological  insti- 
tutions for  small  town  rural 
ministry  in  Appalachia  and 
beyond. 

Clergy  Continuing  Edu- 
cation will  recognize  the  im- 
portance of  continuing  educa- 
tion by  providing  continuing 
education  funds  for  study  at 
Union  Seminary. 

The  McElmon  Lodge  at 
Camp  Albemarle  serves  as  an 
important  new  addition  to  the 
Presbyter/s  outdoor  ministry 
program.  Bicentennial  fund- 
ing will  help  retire  the  debt  on 
the  newly  constructed  facility. 

Spiritual  Life  Coordina- 
tor for  Peace  College  will 
provide  funding  to  help 
strengthen  the  religious  com- 
ponent of  the  college  experi- 
ence at  the  two  year  women's 
college. 

Campus  Ministry  at  East 
Carolina  University  will 
assist  in  maintaining  a  Pres- 
byterian Campus  Ministry  at 
a  university  that  serves  16,000 
students. 

After-School  Enrich- 
ment Program,  will  assist  the 
St.  Paul  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Louisburg,  which  has  been 
offering  childcare  services  to 
the  community  for  fifteen 
years,  to  support  their  mission 
of  social  justice  and  economic 


equality  by  providing  an  en- 
richment program  for  children. 

Youth  Mission  Trips  help 
capture  the  interest  and  com- 
mitment of  young  people  for 
mission.  Bicentennial  fijnding 
will  help  facilitate  the  involve- 
ment of  yoimg  people  by  subsi- 
dizing the  cost  of  five  mission 
trips  sponsored  for  youth 
throughout  the  Presbytery. 

Sharing  Compassion, 
Doing  Justice 

The  Presbj^ry's  prospectus 
includes: 

Glenaire  Retirement 
Community,  a  division  of 
Presbyterian  Homes,  Inc.,  pro- 
vides a  variety  of  services  for 
its  residents.  Bicentennial 
funding  will  augment  an  en- 
dowment fund  that  will  insure 
that  older  adults  with  limited 
means  wiU  be  eUgible  to  be- 
come residents. 

The  Mobile  Soup  Kitchen 
in  Henderson,  sponsored  by 
Area  Christians  Together  in 
Service  in  Vance  Coimty,  will 
receive  funds  enabling  it  to  feed 
the  hungry  and  homeless  in 
the  area. 

Roots  and  Wings  is  a 
project  of  the  Faith  Presbyte- 
rian Church  that  is  helping 
children  to  realize  their  self- 
worth  and  full  potential  by 
providing  a  program  that  ad- 
dresses such  basic  needs  as 
better  nutrition,  tutoring,  and 
counseling. 

Step-Up  Ministry  pro- 
gram in  Raleigh  provides  a 
comprehensive  ministry  to 
homeless  families  in  the  area. 
Funding  will  assist  in  provid- 
ing housing,  budget  planning, 
job  readiness  and  personal 
coimsehng  to  program  partici- 
pants. 

Religious  Community 
Services  of  Craven  County 

will  help  congregations  in  the 
New  Bern  area  provide  emer- 
gency food,  clothing  and  finan- 
cial assistance  to  over  5,000 
needy  families  in  Craven 
County. 

Undergirding 
Global  Mission 

The  Presb5d;ery's  prospectus 
includes: 

Cormiers  Development 
Project  in  Faith  will  provide 
funding  for  the  development 
of  the  watershed  and  valley  of 
the  Cormiers  River  in  Leogane, 
Haiti.  The  4,500  residents  of 
the  12-square-mile  area  are 
receiving  assistance  in  health, 
education,  soil  conservation, 
reforestation,  agriculture,  and 
micro-enterprise . 

Each  of  these  projects  meets 
clearly  defined  needs  within 
the  Presbytery  that  address 
ministries  of  compassion,  edu- 
cation of  individuals  for  ser- 
vice, and  evangelism  and  new 
church  development.  Commit- 
ments made  by  New  Hope  Pres- 
b3^erians  through  the  Bicen- 
tennial Campaign  will  touch 
many  Uves  and  spread  the  Good 
News  throughout  the  Presby- 
tery and  beyond. 


New  Hope  Presbytery  News-see  page  8 


For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


July/August  1994 


Vol.  LX,  Number  6 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Mission  statement  revised, 
mission  'concept'  adopted, 
but  details  still  to  come 


DAVIDSON,  N.C.— The  Mid- 
Atlantic  is  still  a  synod  in  the 
process  of  restructuring. 

Commissioners  to  the  208th 
Stated  Meeting  here  June  23- 
25  at  Davidson  College  ap- 
proved a  rewritten  mission 
statement  and  a  revised  basic 
mission  concept. 

With  time  running  short, 
however,  they  voted  to  recess 
until  January  1995,  when  they 
will  attempt  to  complete  the 
mission  structure  and  decide 
related  staffing  issues.  Toward 
that  end,  the  mission  commit- 
tee will  continue  its  work  until 
January. 

From  the  start  of  the  three- 
day  June  session,  commission- 
ers expressed  dissatisfaction 
with  the  mission  statement  and 
structure  proposed  by  the 
Synod  Council. 

During  the  mission  com- 
mittee's preliminary  report 
Friday  morning,  several  com- 
missioners stated  that  the  pro- 
posed mission  statement  and 
mission  structure  did  not  re- 
late well  to  each  other.  Other 
commissioners  expressed  con- 
cerns about  mission  areas  not 
included  or  not  emphasized  in 
the  proposed  structure. 

The  mission  committee, 
chaired  by  the  Rev.  Sam 
Rutland  of  Whiteville,  N.C., 
worked  past  midnight  Friday 
to  come  up  with  a  proposal. 
Commissioners  received  the 
report  Saturday  at  breakfast 
and  started  work  on  it  first 
thing  that  morning. 

Rutland  prefaced  his  report 
with  an  anecdote  about  a  new 
dog  food  company  which  had 
spent  thousands  of  dollars  on 
packaging,  marketing  and  ad- 


vertising. Sales  were  bad,  how- 
ever, so  the  company  presi- 
dent called  in  his  sales  staff  to 
find  out  why. 

"'Sir,  the  dogs  don't  like  the 
food,'  one  finally  said. 

"When  we  were  here  yester- 
day we  perceived  something ... 
it  was  obvious  yesterday  that 
the  dogs  didn't  like  it,"  Rutland 
told  the  commissioners,  a  few 
of  whom  responded  with  barks. 

The  committee  first  pre- 
sented a  rewritten  mission 
statement  (see  box  below  for 
complete  text).  After  a  few  com- 
ments, it  was  quickly  adopted 
as  presented. 

The  rest  of  the  committee's 
report  faced  much  tougher 
scrutiny. 

The  mission  concept  pro- 
posed by  the  committee  (see 
page  3  for  chart)  divided  the 
functions  of  synod  into  three 
categories:  administration,  fi- 
nance and  mission. 

Under  mission  the  commit- 
tee added  evangelism/new 
church  development/church 
redevelopment  as  a  priority 
area  of  its  own.  In  the  council 
plan,  this  area  was  listed  un- 
der partnerships. 

Racial  ethnic  ministries 
remained  a  mission  emphasis, 
along  with  campus  ministries, 
justice/mercy  issues  and  part- 
nership ministries.  The  com- 
mittee did  not  prioritize  the 
mission  categories,  preferring 
to  list  them  in  alphabetical  or- 
der on  the  chart. 

The  committee  added  the 
following  areas  under  partner- 
ship ministries:  child  care 
agencies.  Christian  nurture, 
global/ecumenical  missions, 
continued  on  page  2 


Mission  Statement 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  is  an  intermediate  govern- 
ing body  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  It  affirms 
that  Christ  is  Head  of  the  Church  and  that  all  power  in 
heaven  and  earth  is  given  to  Jesus  Christ  by  Almighty 
God,  who  raised  Christ  from  the  dead,  who  comes  to  dwell 
in  believers  through  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  sends  God's 
people  into  the  world  to  carry  out  God's  mission.  This 
mission  is  clearly  stated  in  the  "Great  Ends  of  the  Church" — 
to  proclaim  the  gospel  for  the  salvation  of  humankind;  to 
shelter,  nurture,  and  give  spiritual  fellowship  to  the  chil- 
dren of  God;  to  maintain  divine  worship;  to  preserve  truth; 
to  promote  social  righteousness;  and  to  exhibit  the  King- 
dom of  Heaven  to  the  world. 

The  Synod  is  responsible  for  ministry  and  mission 
within  the  region  encompassing  Delaware,  the  District  of 
Columbia,  Maryland,  North  Carolina,  Virginia,  and  a 
section  of  West  Virginia.  We  are  of  different  racial  ethnic 
groups,  ages,  sexes,  and  vocations  who  have  various  abili- 
ties, different  theological  positions  consistent  with  the 
Reformed  tradition,  and  different  marital  conditions  (single, 
married,  widowed  and  divorced).  In  this  diversity,  we  seek 
wholeness  to  achieve  the  "Great  Ends  of  the  Church." 

Through  this  diversity,  the  Holy  Spirit  enables  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  to  perform  its  mission  and 
ministry  in  partnership  with  the  General  Assembly  and 
the  member  presbyteries  of  the  Synod. 

(Adopted  by  the  208th  Synod  Assembly,  June  25,  1994) 


Listening  and  speaking 


At  left,  Lisbon  Berry,  an  elder  commissioner  from  Wilmington,  N.C.,  listens  as,  at  right, 
the  Rev.  Samuel  F.  Rutland  III,  chair  of  the  mission  committee,  explains  his  committee's 
report  to  the  208th  Synod  Assembly.  Unable  to  complete  work  on  the  synod  mission, 
the  meeting  recessed  until  January,  (see  story  at  left) 


Presbyterian  college  trying 

Offering  to  be 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.— After 
hearing  a  straightforward, 
first-hand  description  of  the 
situation  at  Barber-Scotia  Col- 
lege, commissioners  to  the 
208th  Synod  Assembly  ap- 
proved a  special  synod-wide 
emergency  offering  for  the 
school. 

At  presstime,  plans  were 
still  being  made  for  the  offer- 
ing, which  will  probably  be  in 
September,  according  to  Synod 
Executive  and  Stated  Clerk 
Carroll  Jenkins. 

The  college,  located  in  Con- 
cord, N.C.,  is  one  of  two  his- 
torically black  higher  educa- 
tion institutions  owned  by  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 
The  other  is  Mary  Holmes  Col- 
lege in  West  Point,  Miss. 

Barber-Scotia  has  been  in 
turmoil  since  March,  when 
then-president  Joel  Nwagba- 
raocha  resigned  amid  reports 
of  financial  mismanagement 
and  debts  of  about  $1.3  mil- 
lion. This  spring,  many  of  the 
school's  700-plus  students  left 
after  college  officials  told  them 
to  pay  their  overdue  bills  if 
they  wanted  to  stay. 

Also,  the  Southern  Associa- 
tion of  Colleges  and  Schools 
has  asked  for  updated  infor- 
mation on  the  school's  finan- 
cial situation.  A  former  college 
vice  president  has  said  the 
school  fudged  its  records  to  get 
reaccredited  last  fall. 

Dr.  Mable  Parker  McLean, 
senior  vice  president  and  a 
former  president  of  Barber- 
Scotia,  told  s3Tiod  commission- 
ers that  more  than  90  percent 
of  the  students  at  the  127-year- 
old  college  receive  some  finan- 
cial aid  and  that  many  were 
the  first  members  of  their  fami- 
lies to  attend  college. 

Serving  so  many  students 
who  come  from  low-income 
backgrounds  has  left  the  col- 


to  recover  from  crises 

tal<en  for  Barber-Scotia 


Dr.  McLean 


lege  "financially  fragile,"  she 
said. 

The  school  has  taken  steps 
to  insure  that  its  educational 
program  is  "student-driven," 
said  McLean.  "Excessive" 
course  offerings  and  staff  are 
being  reduced.  "We're  putting 
the  focus  on  the  reason  for 
being,  which  is  always  the  stu- 
dents." 

"The  record 
of  Barber- 
Scotia  is  one 
that  requires 
no  apologies. 
It  has  done 
well  with  its 
resources," 
McLean  said. 
She  listed 
some  of  the 
school's 
well-known 

alvmmi,  including  Thelma  Dav- 
idson Adair  (moderator  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church 
in  1976),  Sara  B.  Cordery  (cur- 
rent church-wide  moderator 
for  Presb3rterian  Women)  and 
Katie  Cannon  (the  first  Afri- 
can-American woman  or- 
dained as  a  minister  by  the 
UPC). 

McLean  told  commissioners 
that  Barber-Scotia  is  working 
for  a  $300,000  matching  grant 
from  the  Cannon  Foundation. 
To  receive  the  grant  the  school 
has  to  raise  $800,000  in  cash 
by  Aug.  1. 

After  McLean's  presenta- 
tion, James  Logan,  a  clergy 
commissioner  from  Charlotte 
Presbytery,  moved  that  the 
synod  take  up  an  emergency 
offering  to  help  the  college.  The 
motion  was  quickly  approved. 

Barber-Scotia  is  already  re- 
ceiving assistance  from  sev- 
eral other  sources. 

The  National  Association  for 
the  Advancement  of  Colored 
People  (NAACP)  announced 


May  3 1  that  it  would  join  forces 
with  (National  Basketball  As- 
sociation) Charlotte  Hornets 
owner  George  Shinn  to  try  and 
save  the  college. 

Benjamin  Chavis,  the 
NAACP's  national  executive 
director,  said  that  the  local  and 
state  branches  would  work 
with  Shinn,  chairman  of  the 
college's  board  of  trustees,  to 
help  the  school  out  of  its  large 
debt. 

"At  a  time  when  education 
is  so  vital  ...  we  need  to 
strengthen  institutions,  not 
begin  to  dismantle  the  institu- 
tions that  we  have,"  said 
Chavis,  who  was  in  Charlotte 
(May  31)  as  part  of  a  three-day 
state  tour  to  boost  NAACP 
membership. 

A  goal  of  $2  milUon  has  been 
set  to  help  the  college  give  its 
employees  back  pay  and  retire 
some  debts,  said  Shinn,  who 
met  with  Chavis  before  the 
announcement. 

Barber-Scotia  is  closed  for 
the  summer,  but  Shinn  said  at 
least  some  of  the  laid-off  fac- 
ulty members  will  be  rehired 
when  school  starts  in  the  fall. 
Since  April,  the  college  has  laid 
off  102  of  its  159  employees— a 
layoff  that  includes  the  school's 
entire  faculty — to  cut  costs. 


GA  report 
inside 

In  the  middle  of  this  is- 
sue of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  is  a  special 
16-page  report  of  the 
206th  General  Assembly 
prepared  by  the  The  News 
of  the  PC(U£ 
denomination's: 


,  Mid-Atlantic  Presb3rterian,  July/August  1994 


Commentary 


Spiritual  message  should  be  core 
of  the  churches'  work  in  the  world 


From  the  Wichita  (Kansas)  Eagle  of 
June  15.  1994 

In  the  grand  scheme  of  human  exist- 
ence, it  matters  little  whether  Chris- 
tian churches  ordain  homosexuals, 
whether  God  is  seen  in  a  masculine  or 
feminine  image  or  whether  the  annual 
parish  budget  is  adequate  to  support 
the  Sunday  school  and  pay  the 
congregation's  electric  bill. 

In  the  grand  scheme  of  human  exist- 
ence, what  is  important  is  whether  the 
Christian  churches  help  people  cope 
with  an  increasingly  fragmented  world 
and  gain  the  spiritual  enlightenment 
that  offers  a  sense  of  meaning  and 
purpose  to  existence. 

Yet,  as  evidenced  by  the  206th  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  meeting  in  Wichita 
this  week,  some  church  members  are 
more  concerned  about  organizational 
politics  and  personal  agendas  than  in 
offering  divine  guidance  to  a  spirit- 
starved  society. 

The  Presbyterians  are  not  alone. 
Much  of  institutional  Christianity  is  so 
absorbed  in  internal  problems  or  try- 
ing to  use  religion  to  transform  politics 
that  it  is  failing  to  minister  to  a  world 
desperately  in  need  of  the  Christian 
message  of  love  and  hope. 

The  great  challenge  for  Christians 
is  to  proclaim  the  Gospel  to  a 
postmodern  world — to  a  society  that 
has  lost  its  moorings  in  a  time  of  rapid 
historical  change.  Indeed,  the  late  20th 


century  is  marked  by  a  radical  break- 
down of  traditional  sources  of  author- 
ity, especially  religious  authority.  Part 
of  the  reason  for  that  breakdown  is 
that  many  churches  have  not  responded 
well  to  the  feelings  of  isolation  and 
vulnerability  that  seem  endemic  to 
toda3^s  society. 

Ironically,  while  millions  of  people 
are  disenchanted  with  mainline 
churches,  there  is  a  deep  interest  in 
spiritual  matters.  Some  people  have 
turned  to  dogmatic,  fundamentalist 
churches  that  preach  a  clear,  uncom- 
promising message.  Others  have  cre- 
ated their  own  belief  systems,  drawing 
from  a  variety  of  religious  sources. 

The  novelist  Saul  Bellow  wrote  that, 
"The  dream  of  man's  heart,  however 
much  he  may  distrust  and  resent  it,  is 
that  life  may  complete  itself  in  signifi- 
cant pattern.  Some  incomprehensible 
way." 

We  live  in  an  age  of  anxiety,  a  time 
when  many  people  struggle  for  self- 
awareness  in  a  world  that  seems  to  sap 
the  vitality  of  the  self  and  alienate 
people  from  one  another. 

Here  is  where  the  Christian  Gospel 
is  so  powerful.  It  teaches  compassion 
toward  others.  It  speaks  of  God's  love 
for  his  creatures.  It  shows  that  there  is 
an  ultimate  purpose  in  life. 

That  is  what  people  want  to  hear 
from  the  Presbyterians  and  all  reli- 
gious groups — a  sense  of  human  dig- 
nity and  divine  acceptance  of  our  inevi- 
table failures. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Several  letters  were  received 
after  the  publication  of  the  last 
issue.  Due  to  a  shortage  of  space, 
however,  they  will  be  held  until 
the  September  issue  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  Presbyterian. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  SnifFen,  Editor 


Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 

Vol.  LX 
July/August  1994 


Bowen  Award  to  late 
Elizabeth  McWhorter 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.— St.  Andrews  Pres- 
byterian College  awarded  its  annual 
Margaret  Bowen  Award  posthumously 
to  the  late  Elizabeth  Lee  McWhorter. 

St.  Andrews  chaplain  David 
Thornton  announced  the  award  here 
June  24  during  the  208th  Synod  As- 
sembly. 

McWhorter,  a  graduate  of  the  Pres- 
byterian School  of  Christian  Educa- 
tion, served  as  director  of  Christian 
education  at  churches  in  Wilmington, 
N.C.,  Houston,  Knoxville,  and  Rich- 
mond. She  also  worked  in  curriculum 
development  for  the  General  Assembly 
Mission  Board  for  five  years  until  her 
retirement  in  1977. 


Position  Available 


President/Chief  Executive  Officer 
Barium  Springs  for  Children 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children,  located 
at  Barium  Springs,  N.C.,  in  the  Piedmont 
Section  (40  miles  north  of  Charlotte),  is  a 
non-profit  family  service  agency  related  to 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  In  exist- 
ence for  104  years,  the  home's  ministry 
includes  the  providing  of  specialized  residen- 
tial services  for  pre-adolescents  and  adoles- 
cents and  their  families,  accompanied  by  a 
correlated  Preparation-for-Adult  Living  pro- 
gram. The  home  also  operates  a  full-to- 
capacity  model  day  care  center  on  site. 

The  current  President  plans  to  retire  in 
May  1995,  following  19  years  of  caring  ser- 
vice at  BSHC.  The  position  will  begin  on  June  1 , 
1995. 

The  Board  of  Regents  seeks  qualified 
applicants  who  have  a  Master's  Degree  and/ 
or  five  years  of  related  experience  in  institu- 
tional administration,  financial  development 
and  child-caring.  Salary  is  negotiable  and 
commensurate  with  experience. 

Send  resume  and  related  references  by 
Aug.  1 5  to:  Mr.  Randy  Shaw,  P.O.  Box  472023, 
Charlotte,  NC  28247-2023.  EOE. 


Commissioners  add  to  mission 
structure,  delay  staffing  decisions 


continued  from  page  1 
health  issues,  older  adults,  Presbyte- 
rian Men,  Presbyterian  Women,  and 
youth. 

What  these  additional  partnership 
titles  will  mean  in  the  future  structure 
remains  to  be  determined.  Under  cur- 
rent guidelines,  new  partnerships  can 
only  be  formed  when  the  presbyteries 
call  a  consultation,  which  determines 
that  a  need  exists  for  partnership  in  a 
given  area  of  ministry. 

The  committee  also  created  an  over- 
sight committee  which  would  function 
like  the  current  Sjmod  Council  during 
the  transition.  All  three  sections  of  the 
synod  organization  would  report 
through  the  oversight  committee  to 
the  S5mod  Assembly. 

The  committee's  mission  concept  was 
adopted,  but  only  after  all  references  to 
staffing  were  deleted.  The  committee's 
concept  chart  had  included  three  ex- 
ecutive-level positions:  executive  and 
stated  clerk,  associate  for  mission  part- 
nership, and  associate  for  finance. 

First,  a  motion  to  remove  the  posi- 
tions of  executive  and  associate  for 
finance  was  easily  defeated  after  a 
lengthy  debate  with  ominous  overtones. 

"I  feel  that  the  budget  is  out  of  bal- 
ance," said  Elizabeth  Talbot,  a  clergy  com- 
missioner from  Onancock,  Va.  Speaking 
in  favor  of  the  motion,  she  added,  "We  are 
spending  almost  $1  million  on  adminis- 
tration versus  $1.4  million  on  mission.  I 
do  not  feel  that  the  people  in  the  pews  are 
putting  their  money  in  the  pot  to  pay  for 
administration. 

"I  would  hope  that  in  saving  money 
from  administration,  we  could  move  to 
two  synod  associates,  one  for  mission 
partnerships  and  one  for  racial  ethnic 
ministries." 

Asked  about  his  committee's  discus- 
sion of  staffing,  Rutland  said  it  decided 
"the  associate  executive  for  finance  is 
important  because  money  is  a  very 
spiritual  issue.  If  you  don't  believe  it, 
see  what  happens  Sunday  if  nobody 
gives  anything." 

Other  commissioners  saw  the  mo- 
tion as  a  personal  attack  on  the  men 
who  currently  hold  the  positions,  Ex- 
ecutive and  Stated  Clerk  Carroll 
Jenkins  and  Associate  Executive  for 
FinanceATreasurer  Joe  Pickard. 

Bernice  Warren,  a  clergy  commis- 
sioner from  Wilmington,  Del.,  and  a 
member  of  mission  committee,  was  one 
of  numerous  speakers  against  the  mo- 
tion. 

"I  feel  like  it's  a  personal  attack  on 
the  synod  executive  and  his  work.  I 
think  there's  an  underlying  reason  why 
these  positions  are  being  broken  down. 
You  need  to  know  ...  that  they're  trying 
to  break  it  down  and  make  it  look  like 
something  else,  but  it  is  an  attack,  a 
personal  attack  against  our  synod  ex- 
ecutive and  his  partners  who  work 
with  him." 

Noting  "distinct  differences  in 
ethnicity  between  pros  and  cons ,"  clergy 
commissioner  J ames  Logan  from  Char- 
lotte, N.C.,  issued  a  warning. 

"What  I've  discovered  is  that  percep- 
tions often  times  matter  most.  Percep- 
tion among  racial  ethnics  is  that  re- 
gardless of  what  anyone  says,  this  is  a 
personal  attack.  There's  not  going  to  be 
any  way  ...  to  change  our  minds  about 
that. 

"We're  already  polarized  ...  if  we  are 
really  interested  in  coming  together 
instead  of  pulling  apart,  we  need  to 
stop  playing  games  and  be  serious  about 
what  we're  doing.  If  we  have  problems 
with  individuals,  we  need  to  be  clear 
about  that.  Until  we're  honest  with 
each  other  that's  not  going  to  happen. 

"I'm  deathly  afraid  that  all  we  are 
doing  is  pulling  ourselves  further  and 
further  apart.  We're  not  able  to  com- 
municate; and  where  there's  no  com- 
munication there's  no  cooperation,"  con- 
cluded Logan. 

Although  the  positions  survived  this 


vote,  they  soon  fell  to  another  motion 
which  removed  all  staffing  from  the 
concept  chart. 

Robert  Curry,  a  committee  member 
and  clergy  commissioner  from  Wash- 
ington, D.C.,  made  the  motion,  stating 
that  "we  are  not  prepared  to  act  on 
staffing  patterns." 

The  motion  passed  easily. 

While  the  208th  Synod  Meeting  did 
not  decide  any  future  staffing  patterns, 
it  did  overturn  the  Synod  Council's 
action  dissolving  the  position  of  associ- 
ate executive  for  synod  ministries.  The 
position,  now  held  by  Rosalind 
Banbury-Hamm,  was  to  have  ended  as 
of  Dec.  31,  1994. 

Another  executive-level  position, 
transitional  associate  executive  for 
partnership  ministries,  is  being  filled 
by  contract  with  Warren  Lesane 
through  the  end  of  1994. 

Financial  concerns 

Commissioners  were  warned  sev- 
eral times  that  the  changes  they  were 
proposing  would  have  financial  impli- 
cations. Fred  Ward,  chair  of  the  synod's 
finance  committee,  said  that  reconven- 
ing the  synod  meeting  would  cost 
$50,000  to  $90,000. 

"We  do  not  have  the  money... in  con- 
tingency or  anywhere  else,"  he  said.  "If 
you  pass  this  motion  (to  recess),  you 
are  passing  us  into  an  unbalanced  bud- 
get." 

The  motion  to  recess  was  approved 
without  further  discussion  of  the  fi- 
nancial implications. 

Ward  said  there  was  money  avail- 
able for  meetings  of  the  mission  stand- 
ing committee  since  funds  had  been 
budgeted  for  a  transitional  committee 
which  would  not  be  meeting. 

Executive  Staffers,  moderator, 
vice  moderator  re-elected 

Synod  Executive  and  Stated  Clerk 
Jenkins  and  Associate  Executive  for 
Finance/Treasurer  Pickard  were  re- 
elected by  a  vote  which  was  delayed 
from  Thursday  afternoon  until  Satur- 
day morning. 

The  terms  for  the  executive  and  the 
associate  for  finance  are  "indefinite''  in 
light  of  the  transitional  nature  of  the 
synod.  A  three-year  term  was  set  for 
the  stated  clerk,  as  that  position  re- 
quires a  set  limit. 

Those  who  supported  moving  the 
election  said  it  needed  to  follow  action 
on  the  mission  structure.  Both  re-elec- 
tions were  unopposed. 

Joseph  Steele,  a  minister  from 
Kinston,  N.C.,  and  Beverly  Bullock,  a 
minister  from  Colonial  Heights,  Va., 
were  re-elected  as  moderator  and  vice 
moderator,  respectively. 

The  nominating  committee  recom- 
mended the  re-elections  so  that  Steele 
could  continue  as  moderator  during 
the  restructuring  process. 

Mission  Committee  members 

In  addition  to  Rutland,  members  of 
the  standing  committee  on  mission  are 
Vice  Chair  Betty  McGinnis  of  Arnold, 
Md.  ;  Recorder  Jean  N.  Bane  of  Bristol, 
Va.;  the  Rev.  Beverly  S.  Bullock  of 
Colonial  Heights,  Va.;  Jennifer  Bunch 
of  Newport  News,  Va.;  and  the  Rev. 
Nancy  Clark  of  Germantown,  Md.; 

Also,  the  Rev.  Robert  C.  Curry  of 
Springfield,  Va.;  the  Rev.  C.  William 
Cox  of  Monterey,  Va.;  the  Rev.  Susan 
D.  Fricks  of  Durham,  N.C.;  the  Rev. 
Edward  Y.  Hopkins  of  Madison 
Heights,  Va.;  Ginger  Hudson  of  Rich- 
mond, Va.;  and  the  Rev.  Tully  J.  Hunter 
of  Raeford,  N.C. 

Also,  M.  Lauchlin  MacDonald  of 
Raeford,  N.C;  Catherine  Reed  of 
Clemmons,  N.C;  Elinor  Ritchings  of 
Petersburg,  Va.;  Joel  Stegall  of  Char- 
lotte, N.C;  the  Rev.  Bernice  Warren  of 
Claymont,  Del.;  and  John  Winings  of 
Wake  Forest,  N.C. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1994  F;;  '6 


SYNOD  ASSEMBLY 


SYNOD  COUNCIL 
i  STDG.  COMMITTEE  ON  MISSION 


ADMINISTRATION 

COMMUNICATIONS 
NOMINATIONS 

  OVERSIGHT 

PERMANENT  JUDICIAL 
COMMISSION 
REPRESENTATION 
REYNOLDS  FUND 
TRUSTEES 


SELF-DEVELOPMENT 
OF  PEOPLE 
SPEER  TRUST 


MISSION 

CAMPUS  MINISTRIES  — i 
EVANGELISM  /  NEW  \ 
CHURCH  DEVELOPMENT/  ^ 
CHURCH  REDEVELOPMENT 

JUSTICE  /  MERCY 
PARTNERSHIP  MINISTRIES 
CHILD  CARE  AGENCIES 
CHRISTIAN  NURTURE 
GLOBAL/ECUMENICAL 
HUNGER 
HEALTH 
OLDER  ADULTS 
PEACEMAKING 
PRESBYTERIAN  MEN 
PRESBYTERIAN  WOMEN 
RESOURCE  CENTERS 

YOUTH   ^ 

RACIAL  ETHNIC  MINISTRIES 


FINANCE 

BUDGETING 
COMPTROLLER 
McCALLUM  TRUST 


SYNOD  OF 
MID-ATUNTIC 
CAMPUS  MINISTERS 


INCLUDES 
•YOUTH  COUNCIL 
•LEADERSHIP  DEV. 
•YADs  TRAINING 


BLACK  CAUCUS 
KOREAN  CAUCUS 
WOMEN  OF  COLOR 


Organizational  Mission  Concept 


This  chart  is  the  "organizational  concept"  for  sjTiod's  structure  adopted  by  the  208th 
Sjmod  Assembly  on  June  25  at  Davidson  College.  All  references  to  staff  were  removed 
from  the  chart  before  its  adoption.  The  208th  Synod  Assembly  will  reconvene  in 
January  to  complete  work  on  the  structure  and  consider  staffing. 


Synod  first  in  PC(USA) 
Foundation  receipts 


Personal  gifts,  investment  ac- 
counts, bequests  and  additions 
to  existing  accounts  from 
throughout  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic  through  the 
PC(USA)  Foundation  exceeded 
$10.7  million  in  1993,  the  great- 
est amount  for  any  synod 
within  the  denomination. 

Nationally,  the  foundation 
reported  new  deposits  of  $85.2 
million,  bringing  total  assets 
under  management  to  more 
than  $1  billion,  according  to 
John  Pilutti,  regional  develop- 
ment officer. 

All  funds  administered  by 
the  foundation  are  restricted 
either  by  the  wishes  of  the  do- 
nors or  the  instructions  of  the 
clients.  In  1993,  distributions 
from  investments  totaled  $61.3 
million. 

"The  positive  impact  of  these 
distributions  touched  the  mis- 
sion and  program  of  our  church 
in  thousands  of  meaningful 
ways,"  said  Pilutti. 

Pilutti  and  the  foundation's 
other  three  regional  develop- 
ment officers  who  serve  the 
synod  made  hundreds  of  visits 


and  presentations  to  individu- 
als, churches,  governing  bod- 
ies and  other  church-related 
entities  during  1993. 

During  these  presentations 
they  interpreted  the 
foundation's  four  services:  wills 
emphasis,  life  income  gift 
plans,  endowment  develop- 
ments, and  investment  man- 
agement services. 

A  breakdown  of  funds  re- 
ceived through  the  foundation 
from  within  the  synod  includes 
$2,527,862  in  personal  gifts; 
$127,614  in  bequests;  and 
$8,052,149  in  investment  ac- 
counts. 

For  more  information,  con- 
tact one  of  the  regional  devel- 
opment officers  below: 

Doug  Aitken,  (919)  672-6042, 
Charlotte,  Salem  and  Western 
North  Carolina;  Riley  McDon- 
ald, (410)  381-0689,  New  Castle, 
Baltimore  and  National  Capital; 
John  Pilutti,  (919)  231-9524, 
New  Hope,  Coastal  Carolina  and 
Eastern  Virginia;  and  Jan 
Schneider,  (703)  949-5590, 
Abingdon,  the  James,  the  Peaks 
and  Shenandoah. 


Christian  Vocation 
Sunday  is  Sept.  4 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
will  mark  the  concept  of  Chris- 
tian vocation  by  observing 
Christian  vocation  Sunday  on 
Sept.  4. 

The  synod's  Career  and  Per- 
sonal Counseling  Service 
(CPCS)  has  prepared  a  packet 
of  suggestions  on  how  churches 
can  observe  the  day.  The  ser- 
vice is  sending  the  packets  to 
each  church  in  the  synod. 

"Each  year  a  number  of  con- 
gregations use  this  Sunday  to 
emphasize  the  connection  be- 
tween work,  life  and  faith," 
said  Dr.  Elbert  Patton,  the 
counseling  center  director. 

Synod's  counseling  service 
operates  on  a  basic  premise 
that  each  individual  is  called 
to  serve  God  through  every 
area  of  life.  The  purpose  of 
observing  Christian  Vocation 
Sunday  is  to  help  people: 

•  Understand  that  concept 
of  Christian  Vocation  as  the 
call  to  serve  God  and  human- 
ity through  every  area  of  life; 

•  Interpret  the  place  of  work 
within  the  vocation  of  a  Chris- 
tian; 

•  Understand  how  Chris- 
tians' work  and  working  rela- 
tionships witness  to  their  faith; 

•  Deal  creatively  with  ca- 
reer change  or  retirement 
within  the  concept  of  Chris- 
tian vocation;  and 

•  Be  aware  of  services  of- 
fered by  synod's  counseling 
centers  in  Laurinburg  and 
Charlotte,  N.C. 

The  Career  and  Personal 
Counseling  Service  offers  a 
comprehensive,  three-day  pro- 
gram that  focuses  on  all  as- 
pects of  one's  life  in  determin- 
ing the  vocational  call.  An  al- 
ternate two-day  program  fo- 
cuses more  strictly  on  career 
planning.  These  programs  are 
for  adults. 

For  more  information,  con- 
tact Dr.  Patton  or  Glenda 
Phillips  at  the  center  in 
Laurinburg  (phone  910  276- 
3162)  or  Sue  Setzer  at  the  cen- 
ter in  Charlotte  (704  523-7751). 


Sharing  What  You  Have 
Can  Lead  To  Miracles 

Whether  your  charitable  gift  is  designated  for  your  church,  a 
retirement  home,  a  college  or  other  worthy  recipient,  your  gift  can  work 
wonders.  Ask  your  pastor  for  information  about  charitable  gifts.  Or,  call 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation.  We've  been  helping  Pres- 
byterians with  charitable  gift  plans  since  1799.  So,  from  endowments  to 
charitable  annuities  to  bequests,  we  can  help  you  select  the  option  which 
may  be  best  for  you.  |^ 

1-800-289-0313  |1  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation 


Page  4,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbjd;erian,  July/August  1994 


Dr.  Canon  served  four 
Presbyterian  colleges 


MONTREAT,  N.C.— The  ca- 
reer of  the  late  Dr.  Alfred  O. 
Canon  spanned  40  years  of  col- 
lege administration  through- 
out the  South,  including  ser- 
vice to  four  Presbyterian-re- 
lated institutions. 

Canon  died  Jan.  25  at  his 
home  here  after  a  year-long 
battle  with  cancer.  He  was  71. 

He  was  named  president  of 
Warren  Wilson  College  in  1988 
and  held  that  position  until 
the  summer  of  1991,  when  he 
became  director  of  church  re- 
lations for  the  college. 

During 
his  three 
years  as 
president, 
the  college 
received 
more  than 
$6  million  in 
jT^  #         gifts.  He  in- 

B  stituted  the 

WL.    _  ^  Corner- 

Dr.  Canon       stone  Cam- 
paign, a 
capital  fund  effort  which 
brought  in  nearly  $2  million. 

"Warren  Wilson  College  and 
the  Asheville  and  Montreat 
communities  have  been  espe- 
cially blessed  with  Alf  Canon's 
wonderful  spirit,  vision  and 
leadership,"  said  Warren  Wil- 
son President  Douglas  Orr  Jr. 
"I  could  not  have  had  a  more 
gracious  and  supportive  pre- 
decessor and  will  miss  this  good 
and  gentle  man." 

Canon  was  a  ruling  elder 
and  clerk  of  session  at  Black 
Mountain  Church,  where  he 
also  chaired  the  building  com- 


Coordinator 
for  Mission 

The  Coalition  for  Appalachian 
Ministry  (CAM),  the  Presby- 
terian and  Reformed  witness 
in  Appalachia,  seeks  a  Coor- 
dinator for  Mission.  The  Co- 
ordinator provides  staff  lead- 
ership to  the  Board  of  CAM. 
This  half-time  position  will 
begin  August  1995.  Inter- 
ested persons  may  contact 
Paul  Alderink,  601  Maple 
CreekDr.,  Holland,  Ml  49423; 
phone  (616)  396-0382.  Ap- 
plications must  be  received 
by  Nov.  1,  1994. 


mittee. 

He  also  served  in  a  variety 
of  capacities  at  the  presbytery, 
synod  and  General  Assembly 
levels.  He  was  a  former  GA 
representative  on  the  board  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  Foimdation. 

Canon  held  a  master's  and 
doctoral  degrees  in  political 
science  from  Duke  University. 

He  was  also  a  graduate  of 
Southwestern  College  at  Mem- 
phis (now  Rhodes  College)  and 
served  that  Presbyterian-re- 
lated school  from  1956  to  1968. 

At  Queens  College  in  Char- 
lotte he  served  as  vice  presi- 
dent for  academic  affairs  ( 1970- 
74),  president  (1974-77)  and 
chancellor  (1977-78).  He  was 
vice  president  for  development 
at  Peace  College  in  Raleigh 
from  1978  to  1980. 

Canon  helped  develop  $2 
milUon  in  foimdation  support 
for  the  Appalachian  College 
Association.  Since  1991  he  had 
served  as  executive  director  of 
the  organization  dedicated  to 
the  support  of  29  colleges  in 
five  states. 

He  is  survived  by  his  wife, 
Betty  Ruth  Brown  Canon; 
three  daughters,  Susan 
Lothner  of  Atlanta,  Carolyn 
Dolen  of  Augusta,  Ga.,  and 
Ethel  Allison  of  Charlotte;  a 
son.  Bates  Canon  of  Dalton, 
Ga.;  and  seven  grandchildren. 

Funeral  services  were  held 
Jan.  29  at  Warren  Wilson 
Church.  A  reception  followed 
in  the  Canon  Lounge  of  the 
Gladfelter  Student  Center  at 
Warren  Wilson  College. 

The  family  requested  that 
memorial  donations  be  made 
to  the  Alf  Canon  Scholarship 
Fund  at  Warren  Wilson  Col- 
lege, to  Black  Mountain 
Church,  or  to  the  Mountain 
Area  Hospice  of  Asheville. 


REFINISHING 


HIGH  SCHOOL  SENIORS! 


Want  more  than  high  school  will  offer  you  next  year? 
Only  a  few  requirements  away  from  graduation? 

Ready  for  college  now? 

Consider  your  senior  year  at  The  St.  Andrews  Academy: 
An  early  residential  college  experience  for 
students  who  have  completed  11th  grade. 

Prepare  now  for  admission  to  highly  selective  colleges. 

Applications  are  being  considered  for  fall  1994.  Write  or  call: 
The  St.  Andrews  Academy  -  St.  Andrews  College 
1700  Dogwood  Mile  Laurinburg,  NC  28352 

1-800-763-0198 


ACADEI 


Synod  Moderator  Joseph  I.  Steele  (right)  presents  a  Moseley  Scholarship  certificate 
to  Pinkie  Machelle  Jenkins  of  Brookneal,  Va.  Inset  are  other  recipients  Kham  Pakone 
Chanthyasak  of  Madison,  Va.,  and  Jochelle  Young  of  Richmond.  Not  present  for  the 
ceremony  were  Tasha  Monette  Thomas  of  Newport  News  and  Sherry  Lynn  Williams 
of  Cullen,  Va. 

Five  Moseley  scholarships  presented 


DAVIDSON,  N.C.— Five 
Annie  B.  and  L.  Essex  Moseley 
Scholarships  were  presented 
June  24  during  the  208th 
Ssmod  Meeting  at  Davidson 
College. 

The  scholarships,  awarded 
to  college-bound  racial  ethnic 
students,  come  from  a  fund 
established  in  1988  through 
the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  Foundation  by  Mr. 
Moseley,  a  long-time  public 
school  educator  from  Charlotte 
Court  House,  Va. 

Mr.  Moseley  received  his 
first  education  through  a  mis- 
sion school  operated  by  the 
Refuge  Presbyterian  Church 
(now  dissolved)  in  Charlotte 
Court  House.  He  furthered  his 
education  at  Mary  Potter  Me- 
morial High  School,  another 
Presbyterian-sponsored  mis- 
sion school  in  Oxford,  N.C. 

After  graduation  from  Vir- 
ginia State  University  and  fol- 
lowing 32  months  of  military 
service  in  the  South  Pacific 
during  World  War  11,  he  taught 
and  served  in  public  schools  in 
Charlotte  County  for  more 
than  27  years. 

Mr.  Moseley,  an  elder  in  the 
Gethsemane  (Dhvirch  in  Drakes 
Branch,  Va.,  is  also  active  in 
several  capacities  with  the 
Presbytery  of  the  Peaks. 

"With  a  little  boost,  students 
with  ability  and  desire  who 
want  to  go  to  college  can  be- 
come outstanding  and  produc- 
tive," Moseley  once  said.  "I  be- 


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PEWS  *  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 


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P.O.  Box  524  -  Monroe,  NC  281 1 1 
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lieve  that  helping  people  is 
what  the  church  is  all  about." 

The  five  1994  recipients, 
who  each  received  one-time 
scholarships  of  $1,200,  are: 

Jochelle  Young,  a  member 
of  First  United  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Richmond,  who  will 
be  entering  the  University  of 
Virginia  in  the  fall  and  will 
major  in  psychology; 

Pinkie  Machelle  Jenkins,  a 
member  of  New  Shiloh  Baptist 
Church  in  Brookneal,  Va.,  who 
will  be  entering  Virginia  State 
University  as  a  premedical  stu- 
dent; 

ICham  Pakone  Chanthy- 
asak, a  Laotian  refugee,  whose 
family  came  to  this  country 
with  the  assistance  of  the  Madi- 
son (Va.)  Presbyterian  Church 
and  two  other  churches  in  1980. 
She  will  be  entering  Virginia 
Commonwealth  University  in 
the  fall  to  study  communica- 
tion art  and  design; 

Tasha  Monette  Thomas,  a 
member  of  Carver  Memorial 
Church  in  Newport  News,  Va., 
who  will  enter  Hampton  Uni- 
versity as  a  student  of  mass 
media  arts;  and 

Sherry  Lynn  Williams,  a 


member  of  St.  Andrews  Bap- 
tist Church  of  Cullen,  Va. ,  who 
will  attend  Hampton  Univer- 
sity and  major  in  political  sci- 
ence with  the  intent  of  going  to 
law  school. 

Recipients  are  nominated  by 
the  local  church  and  church 
participation  is  one  of  the  key 
criteria  in  determining  who 
will  receive  the  scholarships. 

Other  criteria  used  in  de- 
termining the  Moseley  Schol- 
arship recipients  include  dem- 
onstrated academic  and  scho- 
lastic achievement,  graduation 
from  a  pubUc  secondary  school, 
demonstrated  financial  need, 
and  acceptance  or  enrollment 
at  an  accredited  college  or  uni- 
versity. 

Also,  the  recipients  must  Uve 
within  the  former  Southern 
Virginia  Presbjd;ery,  the  area 
which  now  includes  the  pres- 
byteries of  The  Peaks,  The 
James  and  Eastern  Virginia. 

The  scholarship  program  is 
administered  by  the  Racial 
Ethnic  Ministries  Committee 
of  the  Ssmod  of  the  Mid-Atlan- 
tic. For  more  information  con- 
tact Warren  Lesane  in  the 
synod  office. 


Dr.  Art  Ross 


White  Memorial  calls  new  pastor 

RALEIGH,  N.C— Dr.  Arthur  (Art)  Ross  III  has  accepted  a  call 
from  White  Memorial  Church  here  effective 
in  mid  August.  Since  1984,  he  has  served  as 
senior  pastor  at  the  1,300-member  First 
Church  of  St.  Petersburg,  Fla. 

Ross  grew  up  in  Asheboro,  N.C,  and  is  a 
1965  graduate  of  Davidson  College.  He  holds 
a  master's  degree  and  a  doctor  of  divinity      w,fm.-'  - 
degree  from  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  wm^t*'^ 
Virginia. 

He  will  succeed  the  Rev.  Dr.  H.  Edwir 
Pickard,  who  retired  in  April  1993  after  more 
than  26  years  as  pastor  of  White  Memorial, 
which  has  more  than  4,200  members  and  is  the  largest  church 
in  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

Dr.  Little  receives  service  medal 

Dr.  Sara  P.  Little,  visiting  professor  of  Christian  education  at 
the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education  (PSCE),  re- 
ceived the  1994  Distinguished  Service  Medal  of  the  Association 
of  Theological  Schools  in  the  U.S.  and  Canada.  J 
The  award  was  conferred  during  the  association's  biennial  1 
meeting  in  Atlanta  on  June  13.  Little  taught  Christian  educa-  j 
tion  at  PSCE  from  1951  to  1989. 

CAM  mission  coordinator  to  retire 

Frank  Hare,  coordinator  for  mission  for  the  Coalition  for  Appa- 
lachian Ministry  (CAM),  has  announced  his  intention  to  retire 
in  August  1995.  Hare,  a  Presbyterian  minister  from  Amesville, 
Ohio,  has  served  the  coalition  for  10  years.  CAM  is  in  the  process 
of  searching  for  a  replacement. 


H 

GA  asks: 


Re-Imagining 
response  wins 
by  hiuge  margin 

by  Ann  Anderson 

"We  bring  a  plea  for  reconciliation,  and 
acknowledgment  that  some  experienced  pain 
because  of  the  conference.. .and  we  encour- 
age all  who  have  hurt  others  to  apologize.  We 
ask  critics  of  the  church's  leadership,  and 
critics  of  the  critics,  in  the  name  of  God,  to 
cease  and  desist,  to  allow  healing  to  happen 
and  trust  to  be  rebuilt." 

The  Rev.  John  Buchanan,  pastor  of 
Fourth  Presbyterian  Church,  Chicago,  and 
moderator  of  the  Presbyterian  General 
Assembly' s  committee  on  General  Assembly 
Council  Review,  spoke  these  words  as  he 
introduced  to  the  Assembly  a  resolution  that 
had  been  passed  unanimously  by  that  com- 
mittee on  the  "Re-Imagining.  .  .God,  the 
Community,  the  Church. . ."  conference. 

Less  than  one  hour  after  Buchanan  intro- 
duced the  1 0-page  resolution,  it  was  approved 
without  change  by  the  Assembly  with  98.9 
percent  of  the  vote-an  unprecedented  margin 


Vol.  7 
No.  4 


June  1994 


OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


'Allow  healing  to  happen' 


HUGS,  HYMNS,  AND  TEARS  of  joy  abound  as  commissioners  celebrate 
on  the  PC(USA)  Re-Imagining  controversy.  When  the  report  was  adopted. 


the  end  of  their  long,  intense  work 
commissioners  spontaneously  sang. 


on  major  issues.  The  vote  was  followed  by  a 
standing,  cheering  ovation  and  a  long  period 
of  singing  hymns,  weeping  and  hugging 
among  commissioners. 

Buchanan,  in  explaining  the  committee 
process  of  listening  to  and  learning  from 


Boh  I  elected  moderator 


by  Ann  Anderson 

The  Rev.  Robert  Wayne  Bohl,  pastor  of 
First  Presbyterian  Church,  Fort  Worth,  Texas, 
was  overwhelmingly  elected  moderator  of 
the  206th  General  Assembly  (1994)  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  on  the  first 
afternoon  of  the  June  10-17  meeting. 

Bohl  was  elected  on  the  first  ballot,  re- 
ceiving 410  of  a  possible  555  votes.  Jean 
Kennedy,  elder  in  East  Liberty  Presbyterian 
Church,  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  received 
118  votes,  and  Bruce  Spence,  elder  in  Moun- 
tain View  Presbyterian  Church,  Loveland, 
Colorado,  got  27  votes. 

Bohl  was  nominated  by  the  Rev.  J.  Jerome 
Cooper,  pastor  of  Berean  Presbyterian  Church, 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  whom  he  has 
known  for  30  years.  Following  his  installa- 
tion as  moderator,  Bohl  aimounced  Cooper's 
appointment  as  his  vice-moderator. 

In  his  opening  statement  before  voting, 
Bohl  said  the  whole  church  is  "watching  and 
waiting  to  see  what  we  are  going  to  do  at  this 
Assembly,"  noting  that  churches  and 
presbyteries  have  taken  actions  to  withhold 
funds.  This  is  an  Assembly,  he  said,  that  will 
not  handle  business  as  usual.  "We  will  seek 
again  the  biblical  vision  of  the  church,  seek  to 
recapture  our  heritage  as  a  church,  and  take  a 
look  at  our  confessional  standards." 


"We  must  not  be  a  passive  Assembly," 
said  Bohl.  "We  must  not  let  one  group  or  one 
issue  set  the  agenda  for  the  whole  church.  We 
must  listen  to  the  Holy  Spirit."  If  the  Presby- 
terian Church  is  going  to  change,  he  added, 
"today  is  the  day  we  must  begin  that  change. 
We  must  be  able  to  say  that  we  are  a  Christ- 
centered  church,  a  Christ-committed  church, 
a  Christ-led  church." 

In  a  question  and  answer  period  preced- 
ing the  voting,  candidates  were  asked  whether 
they  support  involvement  in  The  Consulta- 
tion on  Church  Union  (COCU).  Bohl  pointed 
to  the  long  history  and  many  revisions  in 
COCU,  stating  that  COCU  is  another  step  in 
the  direction  to  find  ways  Presbyterians  can 
do  mission  with  others  who  are  not  a  part  of 
the  Reformed  heritage.  "We  need  to  let  the 
world  know  we  are  part  of  the  family  of 
Christ." 

Asked  about  the  need  for  youth  ministry 
in  the  church,  Bohl  responded,  "We  have  a 
tendency  in  many  churches  to  say  that  the 
youth  are  the  future  of  the  church.  They  are 
not  the  future,"  he  said,  "they  are  the  church." 

In  response  to  a  question  about  polarity 
in  the  church,  Bohl  said,  "The  thing  I  fear 
most  in  the  church  is  single  issue-oriented 
people."  See  Bohl,  page  8 


others  and  from  each  other,  said,  "We  lis- 
tened to  the  church.  We  met  with  the  overture 
advocates,  heard  substantive  presentations, 
and  engaged  in  conversation  with  the  advo- 
cates. Sunday  afternoon  and  evening  102 
persons  spoke  to  the  committee  in  an  open 
See  Re-Imagining,  page  2 

Pull  out  of  COCU? 
Assembly  says  no 

by  Pamela  Crouch 

The  206th  General  Assembly  defeated 
an  effort  June  14  to  remove  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  from  the  Consultation  on 
Church  Union,  more  commonly  known  as 
COCU,  during  the  report  of  the  Assembly 
Committee  on  Catholicity  and  Ecumenical 
Partnership. 

See  COCU,  on  page  16 


Inside  This  Edition 

Re-Imagining  issue:  Analysis.. 

.2 

The  first  of  many  worship 

services   

4 

Ministers  may  not  preside  at 

same-sex  unions  

8 

$30,000  budgeted  toward 

reconciliation  

11 

Future  Assemblies  to  be 

streamlined  

9 

Shared  mission 
arrangement  wins 
Assembly  approval 

by  Marj  Carpenter 

A  new  approach  to  sharing  recruiting 
and  funding  of  global  mission  personnel  was 
approved  by  the  Assembly  in  the  report  of  the 
Global  Witness  and  Mission  Personnel  Com- 
mittee report  late  Wednesday. 

The  expected  result  is  the  increased  in- 
volvement of  presbyteries  and  congregations 
in  the  selecting  and  deploying  of  PC(USA) 
missionaries. 

The  new  shared  mission  plan  is  seen  as 
an  improved  method  of  placing  mission  per- 
sonnel in  the  many  countries  of  the  world 
crying  for  help. 

The  204th  General  Assembly  (1992) 
approved  the  appointing  of  a  Task  Force  by 
the  then-Global  Mission  Unit  to  work  with 
the  Stewardship  Unit  and  initiate  this  process. 
Wednesday's  report  is  the  outcome  of  that 
work. 

Presbyteries  represented  on  the  task  force 
included  San  Gabriel,  from  which  the  origi- 
nal overture  came  on  the  subject,  along  with 
Los  Ranchos,  Hanmi,  North  Puget  Sound, 
Northern  Kansas,  The  Peaks,  and  Western 
New  York.  An  ecumenical  partner  on  the  task 
force  was  from  the  United  Church  of  Jamaica 
and  Grand  Cayman.  Claudette  Zodel  from  the 
former  Global  Mission  Unit  was  chair. 

The  report  lists  the  new  plan  as  part  of 
"days  of  exhilarating  change,  both  in  the 
world  and  the  church.  For  more  than  150 
years  Presbyterians  in  the  USA  have  given  of 
See  Global  Witness,  page  12 


Page  2 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


June  1994 


Re-Imagining 

(continued  from  page  1) 
hearing,  almost  evenly  balanced  between  those 
who  were  critical  of  the  church's  involve- 
ment in  the  conference  and  those  who  were 
supportive  of  it. 

"We  heard  pain,"  Buchanan  continued, 
"pain  firom  those  who  felt  their  own  faith  had 
been  maligned  by  the  conference,  and  the 
pain  of  those  who  attended  the  conference, 
found  it  to  be  a  wonderfully  enriching  and 
spiritually  deepening  and  profoundly  Chris- 
tian experience,  and  who  could  not  compre- 
hend the  reaction  of  others." 

The  committee  members,  Buchanan  con- 
tinued, had  come  to  Wichita  not  quite  with 
their  minds  made  up,  but  on  the  basis  of  "our 
mostly  second-hand  information,  having  read 
the  harshly  critical  reports  and  listened  to 
tapes  and  staked  out  something  of  a  position. 
But  after  listening  intently,  and  beginning  to 
talk  with  one  another  about  their  own  faith, 
something  important  began  to  happen.  Our 
early  positions  began  to  soften  a  bit,  and  many 
began  to  move,  and  we  discovered  something 
a  family  has  to  discover,  namely,  that  if  you 
want  to  stay  together,  you  can't  always  get 
exactly  what  you  want.  It  was,  of  course,  the 
Holy  Spirit  in  our  midst." 

What  the  committee  proposed  in  its  reso- 
lution, Buchanan  said,  is  that  "we,  the  church, 
this  part  of  the  body  of  Jesus  Christ,  find  some 
common  ground  to  stand  on,  some  place  to 


Analysis 


by  Barbara  Anderson 

As  Presbyterians  converged  on  Wichita, 
anxiety,  tension,  anger  and  pain  were  pal- 
pable at  every  turn.  Although  many  people  in 
the  pew  may  not  have  heard  about  the  Re- 
Imagining  conference,  commissioners  be- 
lieved that  the  future  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  depended  upon  the  deci- 
sions made,  and  the  processes  used  by  the 
Assembly  to  respond  to  the  conference  and 
its  aftermath.  Fear  and  trepidation  filled 
many  hearts.  Yet  they  also  knew  that  thou- 
sands of  Presbyterians  were  holding  them  in 
prayer.  They  hoped  God  would  somehow 
answer  the  prayers  of  the  church  in  ways  that 
would  strengthen  our  identity,  reaffirm  the 
ties  that  bind  the  church  in  love,  and  lead  us 
from  the  wilderness  of  enmity  and  distrust. 

Out  of  the  whirlwind  of  anger  and  pain, 
accusation  and  distrust,  God  spoke  and  was 
heard  in  Wichita.  God's  voice  was  heard  in 
the  testimony  of  those  who  spoke  to  the 
G.A.C.  Review  Committee,  in  the  sensitive 
listening  of  the  committee,  and  in  the  honest, 
carefully  chosen  words  of  their  report.  God' s 
voice  was  heard  in  the  moving  comments  of 
conservatives,  moderates  and  liberals  who 
asked  for  unanimous  approval  of  the  report. 
The  Spirit  was  evident  as  evangelicals  and 
"re-imaginers"  wept  tears  of  joy  on  each 
other's  shoulders  after  the  vote.  As  so  often 
happens,  when  Presbyterians  sat  down  to- 
gether in  a  covenant  of  honesty,  respect,  and 
love  that  acknowledged  one  another  as  dis- 
ciples of  the  Risen  Christ,  God's  wisdom  and 
grace  transformed  them.  One  commissioner 
said,  "I  was  told  to  bring  boxing  gloves  to  the 
Assembly;  they  didn't  tell  me  to  bring 
kleenex."  Former  Moderator  Thelma  Adair 
said  that  in  forty-four  years  of  attending  As- 
semblies, she  had  never  experienced  any- 
thing one  like  this.  Commissioners  who  had 
arrived  burdened  with  fear  and  trepidation, 
angry  and  distrustful,  confused  and  saddened, 
have  gone  home  with  a  message  of  reconcili- 


listen  to  and  talk  with  each  other,  some  way  to 
live  out  our  Lord's  command  to  love  one 
another  so  that  the  world  will  know  about 
him." 

BACKGROUND  ON  CONFERENCE 

The  Re-Imagining  conference  had  been 
planned  to  respond  to  the  World  Council  of 
Churches  "Ecumenical  Decade:  Churches  in 
Solidarity  with  Women,"  which  had  been 
attended  by  more  than  2,0(X)  persons  from  32 
denominations,  49  states,  and  27  countries. 
Among  those  attending  were  409  Presbyteri- 
ans, women  and  men.  The  conference,  the 


ation,  a  renewed  hope  for  the  church,  and  a 
unity  of  spirit  in  the  midst  of  diversity  within 
the  body  of  Christ. 

The  question  now  before  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  and  the  lower 
governing  bodies  is  whether  they  too  will 
open  themselves  to  the  same  Spirit  of  love, 
understanding,  respect,  forgiveness  and  for- 
bearance that  eventually  brought  healing  to 
the  206th  General  Assembly. 

In  A  Different  Drum,  M.  Scott  Peck 
writes  that  true  communities,  in  the  deepest 
Christian  sense,  are  formed  only  after  groups 
have  moved  successfully  through  the  chaos 
of  encountering  their  differences.  This  pro- 
cess depends  upon  all  parties  treating  each 
other  with  respect,  persevering  in  love  and 
commitment  to  one  another  in  the  midst  of 
strongly  divergent  perspectives,  and  being 
humble  enough  to  trust  the  Spirit  of  God  at 
work  between  and  within  them. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  has 
been  in  a  state  of  chaos  in  recent  years,  and 
heightened  chaos  since  November,  1993.  This 
chaos  can  be  either  a  centrifugal  force  that 
continues  to  throw  us  farther  apart,  or  the 
labor  pains  that  birth  a  new,  strengthened 
community  of  faith. 

The  honesty,  mutual  respect  and  forbear- 
ance exhibited  by  those  at  the  206  General 
Assembly  gives  hope  that  the  latter  might  be 
the  case.  Because  commissioners  trusted  the 
G.A.C.  Review  Committee  to  work  fairly  for 
the  good  of  the  church,  the  Re-Imagining 
controversy  did  not  consume  the  Assembly  as 
had  been  feared  by  many.  Conversations 
dominated  by  the  controversy  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Assembly  became  refocused  on 
other  aspects  of  the  church:  mission,  evange- 
lism, powerful  worship  experiences,  stew- 
ardship strategies  and  life-back-home  in  local 
churches.  As  people  at  the  206th  Assembly 
prayed  and  worked  diligently  to  respect  and 
listen  to  one  another  as  members  of  the  one 
body  of  Christ,  so  now,  as  they  return  to  the 
churches  from  which  they  came,  they  ask  the 


resolution  adopted  by  the  Assembly  states, 
was  identified  by  its  planners  as  an  opportu- 
nity to  enable  dialogue  and  discussion  around 
the  theme  of  "re-imagining,"  not  on  develop- 
ing confessional  statements;  "to  facilitate  theo- 
logical discussion,  not  to  write  new  creeds  for 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)." 

The  controversy  surrounding  the  Re- 
Imagining  conference,  the  introduction  to  the 
resolution  says,  is  "primarily  a  theological 
crisis."  It  notes  that  since  November  1993, 
when  the  conference  was  held,  the  Office  of 
the  General  Assembly  has  received  50  over- 


rest  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  to  do 
the  same.  The  Assembly  invites  the  church  to 
read  the  report,  to  trust  the  process  and  expe- 
rience of  those  who  participated  in  the  deci- 
sions made  in  Wichita,  to  study  the  theologi- 
cal issues  raised  by  these  controversies,  to 
continue  to  be  in  dialogue  with  one  another 
without  personal  accusation  or  inflammatory 
accusation,  and  to  get  on  with  the  mission  of 
our  church. 

Some  who  were  not  at  the  Assembly  will 
feel  the  report  does  not  go  far  enough  and  is 
not  strong  enough.  Questions  of  how  to  live 
within  the  boundaries  of  the  Reformed  tradi- 
tion while  continuing  to  be  open  to  God's 
Spirit  of  continuing  reformation  remain.  The 
centrifugal  force  of  our  time  will  continue  to 
pull  against  a  unifying  center.  The  temptation 
to  respond  to  each  other  in  untrustworthy 
ways  will  still  exist,  for  we  are  not  yet  living 
in  the  full  reign  of  God. 

There  will  be  other  moments  of  intense 
chaos,  dissension  and  division  in  the  church 
in  the  future.  In  fact,  the  chaos  of  which  Peck 
speaks  still  remains.  Yet  this  is  an  opportu- 
nity for  the  church,  guided  by  the  Spirit, 
humbled  by  its  own  complicity  and  instructed 
by  all  attainable  knowledge, ...  to  discern  the 
will  of  God  and  learn  how  to  obey  in  these 
concrete  situations.  (Book  of  Confessions, 
The  Confession  of  1967,  9.43]. 

In  the  words  of  Russell  Lee,  minister 
commissioner  and  overture  advocate  from 
Peaks  Presbytery,  the  report  gives  us  "a  re- 
sponse b?.'^rd  on  scripture  and  our  confes- 
sions that  we  can  take  home  to  our  people, 
that  in  reading  and  sharing  honestly  we  can  be 
glad  we  are  a  part  of  God's  family.  It  will  let 
our  people  know  that  our  church  has  heard 
every  voice  and  that  in  Christ  we  can  all  be 
one.  God  has  done  a  great  miracle.  The 
committee  has  done  well .  Our  overture  called 
for  strong  and  decisive  action.  No  one  got 
everything  they  wanted.  But  in  God's  way 
they  offer  what  we  need.  ...  As  members  of 
the  206th  General  Assembly  in  Wichita,  Kan- 


tures  and  thousands  of  letters  from  concerned 
Presbyteri^ins.  In  addition,  congregations  and 
presbyteries  have  cut  or  curtailed  mission 
support  and  per  capita  payments. 

ECUMENICAL  COMMITMENTS 

The  resolution  affirms  the  historic  ecu- 
menical commitments  of  the  denomination. 
"We  value  ecumenical,  cross-cultural,  and 
interfaith  conversations  and  the  right  of  all 
persons  to  attend."  It  goes  on  to  say  that 
participants  in  such  conversations  "anticipate 
that  their  own  theologies  will  be  challenged 
and  stretched,  and  that  their  sacramental  litur- 
gies may  not  be  appropriate  for  sisters  and 
brothers  from  other  communions."  All  of 
this,  the  resolution  states,  was  true  at  the  Re- 
Imagining  conference. 

Some  of  the  theological  content  of  the 
Re-Imagining  conference  presentations  and 
worship  rituals  not  only  extended  beyond  the 
boundaries  of  the  Reformed  theological  tra- 
dition, the  resolution  says,  "but  also  beyond 
that  tradition's  understanding  of  what  makes 
faith  Christian,"  even  though  the  conference 
had  not  been  planned  to  discuss,  defend,  or 
teach  the  tenets  of  the  Reformed  faith  as 
contained  in  the  creeds  and  confessions  of  the 
denomination. 

The  resolution  points  out  that  conference 
presentations  and  rituals  "used  language,  in- 
cluding the  term  'sophia,'  in  ways  that  imply 
worship  of  a  divine  manifestation  distinctly 
different  from  'the  one  triune  God. . .  whom 
See  Re-Imagining,  page  3 


sas,  we  can  thank  God  that  once  again 
out  of  the  confusion  has  come  clarity, 
out  of  the  hurt  has  come  healing, 
out  of  the  darkness  has  come  light, 

through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
Barbara  Anderson  is  a  minister  commissioner, 
Albany  Presbytery  .moderator  of  Churchwide 


Services  and  Programs 


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TWO  KEY  members  of  liie  Committee  on  General  Assembly  Council  Review  vote.  The  Rev. 
John  Buchanan,  pastor  of  the  Fourth  Presbyterian  Church  in  Chicago,  was  moderator,  and  the  Rev. 
CatherineUlrich,  pastor  of  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Arkadelphia,  Arkansas,  was  vice  moderator. 


What  will  result  from  the  Re-Imagining  decision? 


June  1994 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


Page  3 


Re-Imagining 

(Continued  from  page  2) 

alone  we  worship  and  serve  (Book  of  Confes- 
sions, A  Brief  Statement  of  Faith,  lines  5-6). 
Yet,  some  found  the  use  of  'sophia'  as  name 
for  God  to  be  liberating." 

The  adopted  resolution  "acknowledges 
and  regrets  that  many  in  the  Presbyterian 
family  were  offended,  dismayed,  hurt,  and 
angered  when  they  read  what  happened  at  the 
conference."  In  addition  to  hearing  the  re- 
sponses of  many  of  its  members,  the  resolu- 
tion recommends  that  the  General  Assembly 
Council  "ponder  the  depth  of  feeling  engen- 
dered by  this  theological  crisis."  Members  of 
the  denomination,  it  says,  were  "offended, 
dismayed,  hurt,  and  angered  because  they 
believe  that  the  (denomination)  either  no 
longer  adheres  to  its  traditional  theological 
moorings  or  is  afraid  to  say  that  it  does." 

"Our  response  to  those  Presbyterians," 
the  resolution  states,  is  "to  affirmjoyfully  and 
gratefully  our  Presbyterian  confessional  stan- 
dards, particularly  those  standards  that  were 
criticized  and  ridiculed  at  the  conference."  It 
affirms  "the  one  triune  God,"  the  "uniqueness 
of  God's  incarnation  in  Jesus  Christ,"  the 
"death  and  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  for  our 
salvation,"  the  "authority  of  Scriptures,"  and 
the  faith  "once  delivered  historically  expressed 
in  the  Nicene  and  Apostles'  Creeds  and  the 
other  historic  confessions  of  our  church." 
THEOLOGY  MATTERS 

"Let  there  be  no  doubt  that  theology 
matters,"  the  resolution  continues,"that  our 
Reformed  tradition  is  precious  to  us,  and  that 
we  intend  to  hand  it  down  to  the  next  genera- 
tion: our  children  and  our  grandchildren." 

In  adopting  the  resolution,  the  Assembly 
acknowledged  "the  use  of  imagination  as  part 
of  our  theological  task."  It  says:  "We  affirm 
that  the  task  of  the  church  is  to  express  the 
truth  of  Jesus  Christ  in  every  age,  effectively, 
clearly,  imaginatively. . .  We  affirm  that  our 
task  as  a  church  is  to  confront  and  converse 
with  our  culture  from  the  perspective  of  our 
theological  tradition.  This  task  requires  the 
use  of  imagination." 

CONVOCATIONS  PROPOSED 

The  resolution  recommends  that  the  de- 
nomination continue  the  churchwide  theo- 
logical conversation  that  has  begun  as  a  result 
of  the  (Re-Imagining)  conference  in  many 
new  ways.  It  asks  the  Moderator  of  the  206th 
General  Assembly  to  appoint  a  panel  of  Re- 
formed theologians  representing  the  diver- 
sity of  perspectives  within  the  Church' s  tradi- 
tion to  plan  theological  convocations.  These 
convocations  would  focus  on  the  issues  raised 
by  the  current  controversy  "in  light  of  our 
historic  confessions,  for  example,  atonement, 
incarnation,  language  about  God."  It  is  pro- 
posed that  these  convocations  be  held  several 
days  prior  to  future  general  assemblies,  and 
that  they  be  replicated  throughout  the  de- 
nomination. 

The  resolution  encourages  and  supports 
the  commitment  of  the  General  Assembly 
Council  to  conduct  a  more  careful  scrutiny  of 
future  allocations  and  disbursements  of  Bi- 
centennial Fund  monies.  There  had  been  some 
negative  reaction  to  a  $66,000  allocation  from 
that  fund  toward  the  Re-Imagining  confer- 
ence. A  request  from  a  former  Women's 
Ministry  unit  had  requested  funding  for  height- 
ening global  awareness  through  the  Bicen- 
tennial Fund  through  a  women's  theological 
colloquium  in  order  to  "broaden  the  perspec- 
tive of  Presbyterian  female  theologians 
through  greater  dialogue  and  interchange 
with  their  counterparts  overseas." 


GAC  RESPONSE 

One  of  the  problems  raised  by  the  Re- 
Imagining  conference,  the  resolution  states, 
came  from  "incomplete  and  late  statements 
generated  by  the  General  Assembly  Coun- 
cil." It  points  out  that  although  there  are 
extenuating  circumstances  that  explain  this  in 
part,  "the  fact  remains  that  the  lack  of  imme- 
diate, sensitive,  and  complete  response  fur- 
ther aggravated  a  climate  of  distrust  and  an- 
ger within  the  denomination."  It  points  to  the 
fact  that  the  past  year  has  been  a  transitional 
one  for  the  council  and  its  staff,  with  a  new 
council  and  the  first  year  of  three  new  minis- 
try divisions,  their  staffing,  and  interim  lead- 
ership. 

The  council's  latest  statement,  the  reso- 
lution says,  "accepts  responsibility  and  ac- 
knowledges the  primary  causes  for  the  lack  of 
trust,"  including  the  use  of  undesignated  Bi- 
centennial Fund  monies  for  a  "controversial 
and  potentially  divisive  conference,"  partici- 
pation of  staff  members  without  adequate 
guidelines  for  their  participation  in  what  were 
then  current  personnel  policies,  and  the  rais- 
ing of  theological  issues  and  worship  prac- 
tices at  the  Re-Imagining  conference  that 
have  been  troubling  to  many  persons  in  the 
church. 

The  combination  of  these  issues,  the  reso- 
lution goes  on,  "created  more  distrust,  anger, 
hurt,  and  frustration,"  adding  that  the  volume 
of  letters  received  by  the  General  Assembly 
Office  and  the  General  Assembly  Council 
demonstrate  the  extent  of  strong  feeling. 
"While  we  do  not  condone  the  withholding  of 
funds  and  urge  congregations  to  resume  mis- 
sion support  and  per  capita  payments,  we 
understand  the  feelings  that  prompted  such 
action,"  it  states.  It  affirms  the  General  As- 
sembly Council's  latest  statement,  and  trusts 
the  denomination  will  join  the  Assembly  in 
"seeking  wholeness  and  reconciliation  for  the 
future  of  the  mission  and  ministry  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)"  The  resolu- 
tion presents  additional  statements  in  this 
section: 

"ALL  WITHIN  THE  FAMILY' 

1.  Christians  of  diverse  theological 
positions  all  belong  within  the  Presbyterian 
family  and  break  bread  together  at  the  Lord's 
Table.  We  recognize  both  God's  gift  of  free- 
dom of  conscience  and  the  necessity  of  exer- 
cising that  freedom  within  certain  bound- 
aries... 

2.  Theological  dialogue  is  an  essential 
part  of  our  education  and  reflection  as  Chris- 
tians in  the  Reformed  tradition... 

3.  Revision  of  the  Bicentennial  Fund 
allocation  process  will  provide  fuller  account- 
ability in  the  future... 

4.  Personnel  policies  of  the  council  are 
being  revised. 

(The  General  Assembly  Council,  the  reso- 
lution notes,  already  has  acted  to  revise  its 
policies  related  to  employee  public  witness 
and  policies  for  staff  working  in  areas  of 
possible  controversy.)  The  revision  adds  that 
"employees  who  are  ordained  as  officers  or 
ministers  of  the  Word  and  Sacrament  are 
additionally  guided  by  their  ordination  vows, 
as  outhned  in  the  Book  of  Order,  and  are 
responsible  to  the  appropriate  governing  bod- 
ies for  the  upholding  of  these  vows." 

5.  "We  celebrate  the  growth  that  can 
occur  in  the  church  when  Presbyterians  en- 
gage one  another  and  other  Christians  in 
serious  theological  reflection,  acknowledg- 
ing the  history  and  commitments  of  our  Re- 
formed tradition."The  resolution  adds  that 
the  General  Assembly  Council  plans  to  de- 
velop a  process  for  dialogue  across  the  de- 
nomination during  the  coming  year  to  engage 
Presbyterians  in  conversations  around  a  vari- 
ety of  issues.  "We  hope  that  many  Presbyte- 


rians will  seriously  engage  in  conversation 
with  each  other  in  presbyteries  and  congrega- 
tions, as  well  as  with  the  General  Assembly 
Council,"  it  says  about  the  "deep-seated  issue 
of  distrust,  theological  differences,  and  shared 
commitment  to  the  mission  and  ministry  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)." 
MINISTRY  OF  RECONCILIATION 

The  personal  tragedy  of  the  Re-Imagin- 
ing conference,  the  resolution  says,  is  "the 
pain  experienced  by  many  Presbyterians  and 
our  apparent  reluctance  or  hesitancy  to  re- 
spond to  it."  It  points  out  that  laity  and  clergy 
have  been  hurt  "by  the  denial  of  essential 
tenets  of  Reformed  faith  by  conference  pre- 
senters" and  by  what  seems  like  the 
"trivializing  of  some  of  those  beliefs."  Gen- 
eral Assembly  staff  have  been  hurt,  it  goes  on, 
by  criticisms  of  their  integrity  and  intentions 
and  by  attacks  that  diminish  the  fact  that  they 
"have  been  called  by  God,  confirmed  by  the 
church,  and  seek  to  serve  the  church  with 
energy,  intelligence,  imagination,  and  love." 

In  a  pointed  reference  to  highly  critical 
attacks  on  individuals,  the  resolution  speci- 
fies that  some  of  those  who  attended  the  Re- 
Imagining  conference  have  been  hurt  by  criti- 
cisms of  the  conference.  They  are  further  hurt 
by  "personal  attacks  and  attacks  on  their 
friends  and  the  conference  in  print  publica- 
tions and  other  media  within  the  Presbyterian 
family."  Presbyterian  women  who  are  minis- 
ters and  elders,  it  says, "  have  been  hurt  by  the 
assumption  that  they  are  not  capable  of  criti- 
cal theological  judgment." 

The  resolution  repeatedly  affirms  that 
"Scripture  and  Reformed  speech  about  God 
include  feminine  and  masculine  images."  It 
says,  "in  the  strongest  possible  terms"  that 
"the  body  of  Christ  is  made  up  of  women  and 
men,"  and  that  any  attempt  "to  silence  or 
marginalize  any  voices  of  women  is  not  wor- 
thy of  Christ' s  body."  It  reaffirms  the  church' s 
commitment  to  solidarity  with  women,  "es- 
pecially in  the  important  task  of  thinking 
theologically."  It  encourages  Presbyterians 
who  have  hurt  other  Presbyterians  to  apolo- 
gize and  discover  God's  "sweet  gift  of  recon- 
ciliation." It  encourages  the  Assembly  "to 
apologize  to  all  who  are  hurt  and  to  seek 
God's  forgiveness  for  us  all." 

CONCLUSION 

"This  General  Assembly  hopes  that  the 
conflict  surrounding  the  Re-Imagining  Con- 
ference will  be  put  to  rest,"  this  section  be- 
gins. It  calls  on  all  Presbyterians  to  "accept 
apologies  offered  and  to  practice  forgiveness, 
acceptance,  understanding,  and  forbearance. 
"It  is  time  for  healing  and  for  getting  on  with 
the  mission  of  our  church,"  it  says. 

The  resolution  concludes  by  asking  all 
Presbyterians  to  assume  responsibility  "for 
extending  trust,  for  caring  about  our  church, 
for  generously  supporting  its  mission."  It 
calls  on  "critics  of  the  church's  leadership" 
and  "critics  of  the  critics"  to  cease  and  desist 
and  to  allow  healing  to  happen  and  trust  to  be 
rebuilt. 

It  calls  on  the  women  of  the  denomina- 
tion to  "hear  the  depth  of  our  hope  and  strength 
of  our  commitment  that  this  will  not  be  the 
last  opportunity  for  ecumenical,  cross-cul- 
tural, and  interfaith  conversation.  We  affirm 
the  importance  of  women's  voices  and  work 
in  the  church  and  the  important  task  of  devel- 
oping and  articulating  our  theology."  Finally, 
it  calls  on  the  whole  denomination  "to  affirm 
the  centrality  of  theology  in  the  service  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  who  is  '...the  way,  and  the 
truth,  and  the  life'  (John  14:6  NRSV)." 

By  action  of  the  Assembly  following 
adoptions  of  the  report,  the  resolution  will  be 
sent  to  all  congregations  and  presbyteries  of 
the  denomination. 


Lundy  departure 
stirs  questions 
at  the  Assembly 

by  Vic  Jameson 

Overtures  and  reporters'  questions  at  the 
Assembly  raised  the  issue  of  Mary  Ann 
Lundy  and  her  job  status.  Lundy,  associate 
director  for  planning  in  the  General  Assem- 
bly Council,  will  leave  that  job  July  1. 

Lundy  was  a  central  target  of  criticism  in 
the  Re-Imagination  fray  that  got  attention  in 
the  Assembly. 

Announcement  of  her  departure  was 
made  in  a  joint  statement  by  Lundy  and  the 
Rev.  James  D.  Brown,  executive  director  of 
the  GAC.  The  statement  made  no  mention  of 
the  mode  of  her  departure  and  Brown,  quizzed 
by  national  staff  members  at  that  time  and  by 
reporters  at  the  Assembly,  would  not  elabo- 
rate. A  part  of  the  arrangements  for  her  depar- 
ture was  confidential,  he  said,  adding  that  he 
was  honor-bound  not  to  disclose  further 
details. 

Both  Brown  and  the  Rev.  Neil 
Weatherhogg,  outgoing  chairperson  of  the 
GAC,  declined  to  comment  on  the  subject  at 
the  end  of  the  Assembly. 

Weatherhogg,  in  a  report  to  the  Assem- 
bly earlier,  affirmed  the  leadership  of  both 
Brown  and  Lundy,  along  with  ministry  divi- 
sions and  the  General  Assembly  staff.  "It  is 
my  experience  that  they  are  not  'heretics,'"  he 
said;  "they  love  the  church,  and  continue  to 
serve  at  great  sacrifice.  Th  ey  have  taken 
abuse  that  none  of  us  can  understand  unless 
we  walk  a  mile  in  their  shoes." 

Lundy  spoke  at  a  meeting  of  the  Presby- 
terian Health,  Education,  and  Welfare  Asso- 
ciation held  in  connection  with  the  Assembly, 
in  which  she  said,  "Check  the  assumption  that 
I  resigned." 

She  announced  that  she  has  accepted  a 
post  as  a  scholar-in-residence  at  Hartford 
Theological  Seminary,  a  United  Church  of 
Christ  institution.  She  could  not  be  reached 
for  comment  shortly  after  the  Assembly  ad- 
journed. 

General  Assembly  Stated  Clerk  James  E. 
Andrews,  questioned  on  Assembly  action 
regarding  Lundy,  said  several  overtures  had 
been  submitted  about  her  and  other  staff  mem- 
bers. 

"The  General  Assembly  answered  those 
overtures  by  adopting  the  resolution  pro- 
posed by  the  Committee  on  General  Assem- 
bly Council  Review,"  he  said. 

"The  processes  regarding  the  (Re-Imag- 
ining) conference,  including  funds,  staffing, 
and  participation,  all  were  reviewed  by  the 
General  Assembly  Council  and  the  Assembly 
made  no  changes,"  he  said. 

Of  Lundy's  terms  of  departure,  he  said, 
"A  paper  was  distributed  at  the  Presbyterian 
Center  announcing  her  departure  from  the 
staff  It  did  not  use  such  terms  as  'resigned,' 
'fired,'  or  'terminated.'  I  understand  Ms.  Lundy 
and  Dr.  Brown  have  agreed  not  to  use  those 
terms  in  describing  the  agreement  by  which 
she  left." 


Page  4 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


June  1994 


Assembly's  Wichita  hosts  roll  out  the  welcome  mat 


More  than  5,000  attend 
opening  worship  service 


by  Marj  Carpenter 

"God  chose  you  before  you  chose  God. 
The  trouble  of  it  is  that  many  of  us  want  to 
answer  God  with  'Lord,  not  me — not  me.'" 

Moderator  David  Dobler,  preaching  to 
more  than  5,000  Presbyterians  at  the  opening 
worship  service  for  the  206th  General  As- 
sembly, pointed  out,  "We  think  we  have  bur- 
dens too  heavy  to  bear,  but  those  burdens  did 
not  come  from  God.  Let  go  of  those  things 
that  bring  you  down.  Quit  worrying  about 
what  the  world  tells  you  to  do,  until  you  feel 
all  used  up.  Set  down  those  agendas  and  go 
with  God — who  sets  people  free." 

With  a  strong  message  of  service  and 
"taking  the  gospel  into  all  the  world  preach- 
ing Christ  Jesus,"  Dobler  called  on  the  con- 
gregation to  "remember  when  you  realized 
that  God  cared  for  you  or  yours.  Remember 
the  first  time  you  said  publicly  that  Jesus  is 
Lord." 

Then  with  a  touch  of  humor  he  reminded 
listeners  that  sometimes  people  are  prone  to 
think  'Surely  God  didn't  call  those  other 
people.'  And  surely  God  did." 

He  reminded  Presbyterians,  "There  is  no 
other  Lord  than  Christ  Jesus.  Go  therefore 
and  make  disciples  of  all  nations.  That's  a  lot 
of  folks,  and  Jesus  meant  it.  Let  us  first  and 
last  be  called  to  be  ambassadors  of  Christ 
called  to  make  the  gospel  winsome  and  holy. 
Let  us  share  that  truth  once  more.  I  know  there 
is  a  God  who  loves  me  and  the  same  God 
loves  you.  Lift  up  the  cross  of  Christ  Jesus." 

The  service  was  opened  with  bagpipes 
and  drums  processing  in  while  the  crowd 
sang  "Amazing  Grace."  The  call  to  confes- 
sion and  pardon  was  led  by  Sahara  Chea,  a 
student  at  San  Francisco  Theological  Semi- 
nary. Marian  Liggins,  recently  retired  man- 
ager of  moderatorial  services  in  the  Office  of 
the  General  Assembly,  read  the  Old  Testa- 
ment text  from  Isaiah,  and  the  Epistle  reading 
from  II  Corinthians. 

In  a  highly  traditional  Presbyterian  ser- 
vice, the  Gospel  reading  included  the  Great 
Commission.  The  affirmation  of  faith  came 


from  the  Brief  Statement  of  Faith,  which  had 
been  made  an  official  Presbyterian  creed  four 
years  ago. 

The  Rev.  Margaret  Barnes  Peery,  vice- 
moderator  of  the  205th  General  Assembly, 
conducted  the  Eucharist  and  prayed  to  "de- 
liver (us)  from  contempt,  bitterness  and  fear;" 
calling  for  "truth  in  love."  A  cantor,  the  Rev. 
David  Perkins,  Manhattan,  Kansas,  led  the 
psalm. 

About  600  choir  members  provided  spe- 
cial music,  including  one  anthem  emphasiz- 
ing the  church's  "Year  of  Africa"  program. 
Choral  director  was  Cheryl  Smith,  First 
Church,  Wichita,  and  the  organist  from  the 
same  church  was  Wallace  Dunn. 

Ministers  who  died  during  the  past  year 
were  honored  in  the  prayer  and  listed  in  the 
program.  The  service  concluded  with  the  Bi- 
centennial hymn,  "Come  sing,  O  Church  in 
Joy." 

The  offering  will  go  to  flood  and  earth- 
quake victims.  A  later  offering  at  the  Assem- 
bly will  go  to  Rwanda  victims. 


Kansas  Presbyterians  arrange  tours 
to  show  successes  at  two  sites 

Worship  services  for  persons  who  went  on  the  two  mission  tours  were  hosted  by  the 
congregations  of  the  First  Presbyterian  churches  of  Fredonia  and  Neodesha.  It  is  traditional 
for  area  churches  to  invite  Assembly-goers  to  attend  and  to  preach  in  their  services  on  the 
Sunday  during  Assembly.  Twenty  Wichita  churches  and  48  churches  in  other  Kansas 
communities  provided  transportation  and  welcomed  their  fellow  Presbyterians. 


by  Linda  Laird 

Like  many  a  good  Presbyterian,  Kyle 
likes  to  sing.  He  sings  with  enthusiasm  though 
he's  somewhat  out  of  tune. 

His  amens  may  be  his  favorites  and  mem- 
bers of  Northminster  Presbyterian  Church  are 
a  ware  of  Kyle '  s  regular  attendance  when  they 
hear  his  enormous  AMEN! 

Kyle  is  one  of  five  to  15  residents  of 
Hutchinson  Heights  who  regularly  attend 
Northminster  each  Sunday. 

Northminster  is  a  congregation  of  about 
180  on  the  northwest  side  of  this  Kansas 
community.  Sitting  at  the  end  of  an  elemen- 
tary school  yard,  Northminster  also  has  a 
latch  key  program  called  the  "Kids  Club." 

Kyle  and  his  friends  were  among  Presby- 
terians at  that  church  who  welcomed  visitors 
participating  in  the  Sunday  mission  tour. 

Tour  participants  attended  worship  ser- 
vices at  two  other  churches  in  Hutchinson — 
First  and  Forest  Park — before  touring  Kyle's 
home.  Kyle  and  his  friends  from  Hutchinson 
Heights  roll  into  worship  and  sit  alongside 
fellow  worshippers  who  assist  them  with 
music  and  the  Sunday  bulletin,  which  has 
been  printed  larger  than  normal  just  for  them. 
Smiles  abound,  not  just  from  worshippers  on 
wheels,  but  also  from  the  congregation  that 
has  accepted  and  adapted  to  their  special 
mission. 

Hutchinson  Heights  began  in  1986 
through  efforts  of  Kyle's  mother,  Virginia 
Hulet,  and  other  parents  of  nearly-adult 
young  people  with  cerebral  palsy,  spina 
bifida  or  closed  head  injury. 

Through  a  variety  of  financial  support  , 
including  from  Synod  of  Mid-America, 
Hutchinson  Heights  is  a  model  as  a  residence 
for  people  with  special  needs.  It  serves  not 
only  as  a  residence,  but  also  as  a  builder  of 
independence  for  people  like  Kyle. 

The  Heights  allows  Kyle  and  others  op- 
portunity to  achieve  their  own  level  of  inde- 
pendence in  a  Christian  setting.  The  tour  was 
arranged  by  the  Assembly's  Committee  on 
Local  Arrangements. 


Sing 


a  new 

by  Linda  Laird 

The  Committee  on  Local  Arrange- 
ments (COLA)  gave  the  206th  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A) 
a  new  hymn  as  part  of  its  presentation 
Saturday. 

The  hymn  composed  by  Jeffrey  R. 
Jolly  with  words  by  Jeffrey  R.  and  Russ 
Jolly  goes  as  follows: 

"Timeless  as  the  rolling  hills,  ageless 
as  the  prairies.  Life  awakens  new  each  day — 
since  the  dawn  of  time. 

"Author  of  Creation,  waken,  in  our 
hearts  today,  the  age  old  cycle  bom  anew — 
at  the  break  of  day. 

"Generations  long  ago  crossed  the 
trackless  prairies.  Pilgrims  in  the  wilder- 
ness— facing  the  unknown. 


song  . . . 


"Grant  us  courage  for  our  quest,  as 
you  gave  our  parents,  for  the  test  of  our 
own  worthiness — on  frontiers  of  faith. 

"Prayers  that  from  the  prairies  come, 
carried  on  the  rivers.  Shouts  of  joy,  our 
Lord  is  here  at  prairie,  pond,  and  stream. 

"Faithful  then  and  faithful  now,  hear 
your  church  at  worship,  here  and  there  and 
now  and  then  our  prayer — on  frontiers  of 
faith. 

"Each  new  season  needs  new  faith, 
every  voice  a  new  song.  Generations  yet 
to  come  will  face  the  ancient  wrongs. 

"Wilderness  will  find  new  guise;  still 
the  old,  old  sun  will  rise  on  those  who 
cross  the  new  frontiers,  trusting  in  the 
Lord!" 


by  John  Sniffen 

About  60  General  Assembly  commis- 
sioners and  guests  got  a  breath  of  fresh  air 
Sunday  as  they  trekked  eastward  to  visit 
Westminster  Woods,  a  camp  owned  and  op- 
erated by  the  Presbytery  of  Southern  Kansas. 

Westminster  Woods  is  about  80  miles 
from  Wichita  in  the  green  rolling  hills  and 
trees  of  southeast  Kansas. 

The  400-acre  facility  was  started  in  1962 
as  a  joint  operation  of  the  former  presbyteries 
of  Wichita  and  Neosho.  During  the  summer 
the  presbytery  offers  six  weeks  of  camping 
programs  which  serve  about  350  campers, 
according  to  Camp  Director  Carla  Bouren. 

During  the  rest  of  the  year  the  camp  is 
open  to  church  groups  and  serves  up  to  1,000 
persons  annually. 

Tour-goers  worshiped  at  First  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  nearby  Fredonia.  The  Rev. 
David  L.  Dobler,  moderator  of  the  205th 
General  Assembly,  delivered  a  sermon  en- 
titled "The  Response  of  God' s  People,"  based 
on  Mark  4:26-34. 


Moderator  Bohl 
lists  his  ^oals 
for  coming  year 


by  Pamela  Crouch 


"The  church  is  not  dead;  it's  far  from 
being  dead,"  according  to  the  Rev.  Robert  W. 
Bohl,  and  he  plans  to  spend  the  next  year 
telling  the  worid  just  that. 

The  newly-elected  moderator  of  the  206th 
General  Assembly  plans  to  emphasize  mis- 
sion, evangelism,  and  stewardship.  Bohl  said 
in  a  press  conference  following  his  election 
that  the  church  is  primarily  a  "missionary 
society"  and  he  plans  to  push  mission  every- 
where he  travels.  "You  cannot  separate  mis- 
sion and  evangelism;  they  go  together,"  Bohl 
said. 

One  of  the  essential  needs  in  the  denomi- 
nation, he  said,  is  the  development  of  a  "stew- 
ardship process"  where  people  "love  the 
church  enough  to  contribute  funds  to  keep  the 
church  doing  what  we're  trying  to  do."  Bohl 
said  the  strongest  thing  the  church  can  do  is 
return  to  talking  about  tithing. 

Bohl  has  a  historical  interest  in  steward- 
ship. It  has  been  a  major  emphasis  at  First 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Fort  Worth,  Texas, 
where  he  has  been  pastor  for  14  years.  From 
1 988- 1 993,  Bohl  served  as  chair  of  the  Bicen- 
tennial Fund,  a  major  churchwide  campaign 
that  has  received  $107.9  million  from  gifts, 
pledges,  and  goals  of  congregations. 


June  1994 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


Pages 


Money  matters:  overall  receipts  up;  new  budgets  established 


1994  spending 
plan  approved 

by  Peggy  Rounseville 

Despite  everything  commissioners  have 
heard  to  the  contrary,  overall  receipts  by  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  "are  actually 
up,  not  down,"  Michael  O'Brien  told  the 
206th  General  Assembly  Thursday. 

The  El  Cajon,  California,  minister  told 
commissioners  that  while  unified  giving  was 
down  some  16  percent,  funds  received  in 
"selected"  and  "supplemental"  (designated) 
giving  went  up  "more  than  enough  to  com- 
pensate." In  1993  the  denomination's  actual 
receipts  were  $104,157,996,  he  announced. 
O'Brien  was  reporting  for  the  Committee  on 
Mission  Directions  and  Budgets. 

The  Assembly  approved  without  objec- 
tion a  1994  Mission  program  and  budget  of 
$105,770,146.  The  approved  budget  is  an 
increase  of  approximately  $1.5  million  over 
1993  receipts.  Most  of  the  new  receipts  are 
projected  to  come  in  selected  and  supplemen- 
tal giving.  Receipts  from  congregations  for 
the  unified  budget  are  estimated  to  go  down 
by  $1.2  million  in  1994. 

For  the  first  time,  the  denomination's 
1995  budget  is  broken  down  by  mission  pri- 
orities. The  Assembly  adopted  a  1995  mis- 
sion budget  of  $  1 05,026,894.  Use  of  the  funds 


is  based  upon  four  "priority  goals:"  evange- 
lism, justice,  spiritual  formation,  and  partner- 
ship. By  priorities,  this  breaks  out  as: 
Evangelism  $25,883,258 
Justice  $22,718,000 
Spiritual  Formation  $26,437,082 
Partnership  $29,988,554 
Congregational  giving  to  the  1995  uni- 
fied budget  is  estimated  to  decline  another 
$1.3  million.  The  total  mission  budget  is 
$75,000  less  than  the  1994  budget. 

The  Assembly  also  adopted  a  1996  mis- 
sion budget  of  $  104,068,069.  This  is  just  over 
$1  million  less  than  the  approved  1995  bud- 
get, and  contains  an  estimated  $1.2  million 
drop  in  congregational  giving  to  the  unified 
mission  budget. 

While  the  mission  budgets  generated  little 
debate,  Bruce  Tammi,  Milwaukee  Presbytery, 
raised  a  series  of  questions  about  the  church' s 
Bicentennial  Fund.  He  asked  if  fund  expendi- 
tures have  exceeded  receipts,  if  it  had  bor- 
rowed money  to  pay  for  programs  it  is  cur- 
rently funding,  and  if  money  was  borrowed, 
how  it  would  be  repaid?  He  was  told  expen- 
ditures had  not  exceeded  receipts,  and  that 
funds  had  been  borrowed  to  pay  administra- 
tive but  not  program  costs.  There  would  be 
enough  income  to  repay  the  loan  "if  the  con- 
gregations and  presbyteries  are  faithful  in 
fulfilling  their  obligations." 

The  Assembly  approved  a  number  of 


guidelines  designed  to  tighten  oversight  of 
how  Bicentennial  Funds  are  spent.  This  is 
partially  in  response  to  the  furor  raised  over 
the  "Re-Imagining.  .  .  God,  Community,  the 
Church.  .  ."  conference  held  in  Minneapolis 
last  November.  Some  $66,000  in  Bicenten- 
nial Fund  receipts  were  used  to  help  plan  the 
conference.  The  guidelines  include: 

*Evaluating  all  ecumenical  programs  and 
projects  to  make  sure  they  "serve  the  mission 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church"  and  "recognize 
the  integrity"  of  the  Reformed  tradition; 

♦Ensuring  that  cost  projections  when  a 
program  is  actually  funded  are  "reasonable" 
compared  to  those  anticipated  when  the  project 
was  originally  approved; 

*Making  sure  each  project's  objectives 
are  "consistent  with  the  theology  and  pur- 
pose" of  the  program  outlined  when  the  money 
was  raised;  and 

♦Proposing  guidelines  for  the  use  of  gifts 
"when  previously  approved  programs  or 
projects  no  longer  serve  the  mission  and  the- 
ology" of  the  church. 

Stuart  Wattles,  Clay,  New  York,  per- 
suaded the  Assembly  to  instruct  next  year's 
budget  committee  to  use  the  "large  screen 
projection  system  and  appropriate  graphics" 
to  present  the  mission  budget.  "Some  people 
respond  very  well  to  numbers  on  the  page  and 
others  better  to  graphics,"  he  said. 


Shutdown  of  military  training  scliooi  urged 


by  John  Sniffen 
The  206th  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  (U.S.A.)  voted  by  a  3-1  mar- 
gin Thursday  to  ask  the  U.S.  government  to 
close  a  training  school  program  for  Latin 
American  military  officers. 

By  a  vote  of  373  to  132,  commissioners 
approved  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Cayuga-Syracuse  seeking  to  close  the  School 
of  the  Americas  at  Fort  Benning,  Georgia 

Proponents  of  the  overture  claimed  that 
the  school,  operated  by  the  Department  of 
Defense,  has  trained  officers  who  have  com- 
mitted numerous  atrocities  on  civilians  in 


Latin  America. 

Those  who  spoke  in  defense  of  the  school 
said  it  was  a  way  to  promote  democracy  in 
Latin  America  and  that  only  a  very  small 
percentage  of  its  graduates  had  been  impli- 
cated in  atrocities. 

The  vote  came  during  the  report  of  the 
Christian  Education,  Peacemaking  and  Stew- 
ardship Committee. 

During  the  report  the  General  Assembly 
also  approved  the  inclusion  of  additional 
materials  encouraging  chastity  before  mar- 
riage in  the  denomination's  human  sexuality 


curriculum. 

The  committee' s  resolution  was  approved 
by  a  373-146  margin  after  a  statement  was 
added  stating  that  the  material  would  not 
involve  the  signing  of  contracts  or  other  docu- 
ments similar  to  those  featured  in  the  South- 
em  Baptist's  "True  Love  Waits"  program. 

The  resolution  was  in  response  to  an 
overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Central 
Florida,  which  called  for  sending  information 
similar  to  the  Baptist  program  to  the  congre- 
gations. 


Honors  and  awards  bestowed  at  Assembly 


by  Ann  Anderson 
Mary  Ann  Lundy  and  Sally  Hill  were 
honored  at  the  Women's  Breakfast.  Women 
of  Faith  Awards  went  to  Bettie  J.  Durrah, 
Atlanta,  Georgia;  Freda  A.  Gardner,  Princeton, 
New  Jersey;  and  Shin-Hyung  Kim,  Los  An- 
geles. 

Honored  by  the  Peacemaking  Program 
as  presbyteries  where  at  least  50  percent  of 
the  congregations  have  adopted  the  "Com- 
mitment to  Peacemaking"  were:  Box  Butte, 
Los  Ranches,  Maumee  Valley,  North  Puget 
Sound,  Newton,  Northern  New  England, 
Southern  Kansas  and  Western  New  York; 
also  the  Synod  of  the  Covenant. 

The  Rev.  Fred  B.  Rogers,  host  of  the  TV 
show  "Mister  Rogers'  Neighborhood,"  re- 
ceived the  Presbyterian  Peace  Fellowship's 
annual  Peaceseeker  Award. 

Elena  Mackay  Reisner,  Longtime  mis- 
sionary to  Mexico  and  mission  worker  with 
Hispanics  in  Texas  churches  and  at  Pan  Ameri- 
can School,  received  the  Bell-Mackay  Prize 
for  service  to  mission  of  the  PC(USA). 


The  Rev.  Harry  Edmund  Smith  of 
Sherman,  Texas,  received  the  1994  Award 
for  Outstanding  Service  to  Higher  Education. 

Marj  Carpenter,  former  director  of  news 
services  for  the  denomination,  and  now  mis- 
sion interpreter,  was  honored  by  the  Assem- 
bly. 

William  P.  Thompson,  former  stated  clerk 
of  the  General  Assembly,  received  the 
Witherspoon  Society's  Andrew  E.  Muiray 
Award. 

Retiring  presidents  of  theological  insti- 
tutions honored  by  the  Assembly  were  the 
Rev.  J.  Randolph  Taylor,  San  Francisco  Theo- 
logical Seminary;  Howard  Dooley,  Omaha 
Seminary  Foundation;  and  the  Rev.  T.  Hartley 
Hall  IV,  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Vir- 
ginia. 

Recipients  of  the  Vision  Awards  pre- 
sented annually  by  the  Presbyterian  School  of 
Christian  Education  as  congregations  with 
creative  programs  in  Christian  education,  out- 
reach and  youth  ministry  were:  Berkeley- 
Hillside  Presbyterian  Church,  Hillside,  Illi- 


nois; Gibson  Heights  Presbyterian  Church, 
St.  Louis,  Missouri;  and  University  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana. 

C.  Norris  Houghton,  author,  professor 
and  Broadway  theatre  director,  received  the 
1994  Presbyterian  Writer  Guild's  Distin- 
guished Writers  Award.  Winner  of  the  guild' s 
first  Jim  Angell  Award  is  the  Rev.  Angus  M. 
Watkins  of  Ashville,  New  York. 

Ecumenical  service  awards  went  to 
Bethany  Presbyterian  Church,  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania;  Spring  Valley  Presbyterian 
Church,  Columbia,  South  Carolina;  and  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

Deborah  Haffner,  director  of  the  Eliza- 
beth Fry  Center,  an  alternative  sentencing 
program  for  women  prisoners  in  San  Fran- 
cisco, received  the  Assembly's  1994  Restor- 
ative Justice  Award. 

Ecumenical  Decade:  Churches  in  Soli- 
darity with  Women  Tributes"  were  awarded 
to:  Detroit  Presbytery  and  its  Presbyterian 
Women;  the  Denver  Interfaith  Planning  Com- 
mittee; and  Pittsburgh  Presbytery. 


Per  capita  rises 
after  three  years 

by  Peggy  Rounseville 

Presbyterians  will  pay  seven  cents  more 
per  member  in  1995  to  fund  essential  operat- 
ing expenses  of  the  General  Assembly.  The 
per  capita  apportionment  will  go  up  from 
$4.38  in  1994  to  $4.45  in  1 995.  This  is  the  first 
increase  in  the  per  capita  assessment  in  three 
years. 

The  increase  became  necessary  after 
the  206th  General  Assembly  approved  ac- 
tions which  added  $153,200  to  the  operating 
budget  funded  through  per  capita.  Barbara 
Murphy,  moderator  of  the  Assembly  Com- 
mittee on  General  Assembly  Procedures,  told 
commissioners  that  the  budget  could  not  ab- 
sorb that  amount.  The  Office  of  the  General 
Assembly  already  must  cut  $8 18,500  from  its 
1995  expenditures  to  balance  the  budget,  she 
noted. 

William  Lockhart,  Bridgeport,  Ohio, 
asked  why  expenses  for  the  World  Council  of 
Churches  and  the  National  Council  of 
Churches  of  Christ  were  included  in  the  per 
capita  budget.  "Many  people  in  my  presbytery 
[Upper  Ohio  Valley],"  he  said,  think  these 
expenses  belong  in  the  mission  budget."  Scott 
Schaefer,  associate  stated  clerk  of  the  Assem- 
bly, explained  that  WCC  and  NCCC  expenses 
included  in  the  per  capita  budget  represent  the 
denomination's  "membership  fees"  to  be- 
long to  these  ecumenical  bodies.  "These  funds 
pay  for  the  same  kind  of  expenses  General 
Assembly  per  capita  pays  for,"  he  noted. 
"They  do  not  pay  for  the  programs  of  these 
ecumenical  bodies."  Program  monies  are  in- 
cluded in  the  denomination's  mission  budget. 


Report:  Giving  is  up, 
members  are  down 

by  Peggy  Rounseville 

Total  Presbyterian  giving  was  up  while 
membership  continued  to  decline,  according 
to  statistics  released  here  today. 

Contributions  in  1993  totaled 
$1,450,109,142,  an  increase  of  $24,395,147 
over  1 992.  This  was  a  smaller  increase  than  in 

1992,  when  total  congregational  receipts 
went  up  more  than  $36  million. 

Per  member  giving  also  increased  in 

1993,  from  $512  in  1992  to  $529  in  1993. 
Giving  to  General  Assembly  mission, 

however,  went  down  more  than  $1 .5  million: 
$1,507,873.  At  the  same  time,  giving  to  local 
program,  mission,  and  capital  expenses  went 
up  by  $17,231,831. 

The  number  of  active  members  contin- 
ued to  decline,  from  2,780,406  to  2,742,192. 
This  is  a  loss  of  3  8,2 1 4  members.  The  number 
lost  is  slightly  higherthan  from  1991  to  1992. 
In  that  year  the  number  of  Presbyterians  de- 
cHned  by  34,639. 

For  the  first  time  in  several  years,  the 
number  of  adult  baptisms  and  the  number 
enrolled  in  church  school  also  declined.  There 
were  504  fewer  adult  baptisms  in  1993  than 
in  1992:  13,995 comparedto  14,499.  Church 
school  enrollment  went  down  by  39,459,  from 
1,156,381  to  1,116,992. 

At  the  same  time  that  membership  con- 
tinued to  decrease,  the  number  of  Presbyte- 
rian ministers  increased  slighdy:  from  20,527 
to  20,585.  There  were  50  more  candidates  for 
the  ministry  than  in  1992:  1,126  compared  to 
1,076. 


Pages  THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


Ecumenical  guests  from  around  the  world  say  'thank  you' 


by  Marf  Carpenter 

"Thank  the  Presbyterian  Church" 
This  message  rang  out  over  and  over  at  the 
annual  mission  dinner  when  ecumenical  del- 
egates were  briefly  introduced  to  the  World- 
wide Ministry  Division  members  and  staff. 

The  delegates  were  from  all  around  the 
world  and  the  thanks  were  for  many  different 
things: 

"Thank  you  for  standing  with  us  as  we 
finally  obtained  a  free  democratic  election,"  a 
woman  from  Malawi  said. 

"Thank  you  for  the  many  years  of  support 
and  concern  and  celebration  for  the  miracle 
that  has  occurred  in  South  Africa,"  a  man 
from  Southern  Africa  said. 

"Thank  you  for  the  missionaries  that  you 
sent  to  us  with  Allen  and  Underwood  the  first 
ones  110  years  ago.  And  thank  you  for  pray- 
ing with  us  for  reunification  of  Korea,"  del- 
egates from  that  country  added. 

"Thank  you  for  being  concerned  about 
our  treatment  as  a  racial  ethnic  group  in 
Japan,"  the  spokesperson  for  the  Korean 
Church  of  Japan  said. 

"Thank  you  for  helping  us  understand 
both  Christianity  and  social  action  and  thank 
you  for  your  missionaries,"  a  delegate  from 
Japan  added. 

"Thank  you  for  caring  about  what  is  hap- 
pening in  Uruguay  and  please  keep  us  in  your 
prayers." 

"Thank  you  for  helping  us  with  refugees 
in  Kenya  that  come  from  Ethiopia  and  the 
Sudan." 

"Thank  you  for  helping  us  in 
Mozambique." 

"Thank  you  for  helping  us  learn  English  in 
the  Hungarian  Reformed  seminaries." 

"Thank  you  for  caring  about  us  so  many 
years  in  Thailand,"  the  delegate  said  with  the 
traditional  bow. 

"Thank  you  for  trying  to  help  us  survive  in 


Sudan." 

"Thank  you  for  standing  with  us  in  Costa 
Rica." 

"Thank  you  for  making  the  church  more 
ecumenical  in  Finland." 

"Thank  you  for  helping  the 
Swedenborgian  Church. .  .for  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  Ghana.  .  .for  the  church  in 


Uruguay." 

"Thank  you  for  assisting  the  church  in 
Jerusalem."  and  "thank  you  for  standing  with 
Christians  in  Pakistan  as  we  were  being  shot 
and  killed  in  recent  months." 

The  crowd  was  quiet  and  the  Rev.  Clifton 
Kirkpatrick,  director  of  Worldwide  Minis- 
tries, acknowledged  his  introduction  from 


the  Rev.  John  R.  Hendrick,  chair  of  the  unit, 

who  presided. 

Kirkpatrick  in  turn  thanked  the  delegates 
"For  your  expressions  of  gratitude  and 

love  which  means  so  much  to  us,  as  we  take 

the  gospel  into  the  world." 


Andrews:  Reconciliation  is  the  remedy 


by  Pamela  Crouch 

Reconciliation  is  the  remedy  for  the  "vi- 
rus" of  "ideological  exclusiveness"  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  (U.S.A.)  is  suffering  from, 
according  to  the  Rev.  James  E.  Andrews, 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Andrews  told  the  206th  General  Assem- 
bly that  racism,  often  expressed  in  terms  of 
excluding  racial  ethnic  persons  from  full  par- 
ticipation, is  still  part  of  our  life.  Also,  he 
said,women  have  not  been  fully  included  in 
the  life  of  the  denomination.  In  addition,  he 
said,  the  church  "has  moved  on  to  the  less 
visible  practice  of  the  exclusion  of  the  loser- 
-the  exclusion  of  persons  holding  minority  or 
unpopular  views  or  opinions." 

This  "systematic  exclusion"  of  those 
whose  opinions  differ  "erodes  our  sense  of 
community,  damages  the  unity  of  the  church, 
and  slows  our  progress  toward  the  treasured 
goals  of  inclusiveness  and  diversity,"  he  said. 

These  practices  are  used  by  all  groups 
with  "equal  zeal,"  he  added,  and  that  "dimin- 
ishes everyone,  hurts  everyone,  and  its  worst 
feature  is  that  the  victims  of  it  become  its 
vengeful  practitioners  when  they  become  the 
majority." 

Andrews  suggested  that  the  usual 
"therapy"  of  structural  reorganization  is  not 
constructive  because  "persons  who  feel  ex- 


cluded do  not  trust  those  who  have  ignored 
them,  nor  do  congregations  trust  systems  that 
seem  unresponsive  to  their  needs." 

Prayer  is  the  only  point  at  which  to  begin 
a  recovery  of  trust  which  has  eroded  within 
the  denomination  in  recent  years,  said 
Andrews.  He  called  on  the  General  Assembly 
to  nurture  trust  by  exhibiting  acceptance  and 
trust  of  others  at  the  Assembly,  and  demon- 
strating reconciliation. 

"There  has  been  much  discussion  in  re- 
cent months  of  the  doctrine  of  atonement," 
the  stated  clerk  said.  "Let  us  recognize  that 


Dobler:  l\/lission  is  as  close  as  parking  lot 


By  Peggy  Rounseville 

"The  mission  field  has  come  as  close  as 
our  parking  lot,"  Moderator  David  Dobler 
told  commissioners  at  the  206th  General  As- 
sembly in  his  moderatorial  report. 

Presbyterians  used  to  think  of  mission  as 
"over  there,"  something  to  which  churches 
sent  people  and  money,  Dobler  reflected. 
Now  mission  opportunities  are  right  here, 
close  to  home.  The  church  is  caught  up  in 
changes  "we  didn't  expect  and  didn't  ask 
for,"  he  continued.  "There  is  no  common 
understanding  of  what  it  means  to  be  a  de- 
nomination. There  is  no  common  understand- 
ing of  what  we  expect  from  presbyteries  or 
the  General  Assembly.  We  are  in  the  process 
of  reinventing  the  Presbyterian  church  and 
that  is  not  something  we  will  get  over  in  a 
short  time." 

The  changes  that  the  church  faces  are 
unsettling,  Dobler  said.  "All  the  old  certain- 
ties are  becoming  undone.  .  .  We  are  called 
not  to  remake  the  church  as  we  would  like  to 
but  to  find  the  church  that  Jesus  Christ  wants 
us  to  become." 

Dobler  warned  Presbyterians  to  make 


sure  that  their  administrative  structure  reflects 
their  mission.  "Our  hope  comes  from  Christ 
Jesus  and  the  mission  he  calls  us  to.  If  we  will 
devote  ourselves  to  that  mission,  we  will  dis- 
cover what  patterns  will  work  for  us  in  this 
day.  It  won't  work  the  other  way.  If  we  serve 
the  mission,  the  structure  will  emerge." 

Thirty  or  forty  years  ago  Presbyterians 
had  a  common  vision  of  who  they  were,  Dobler 
commented.  Each  congregation  had  its  own 
building  "on  which  it  was  paying  or  had  paid 
for,"  and  each  had  its  own  pastor.  "More  and 
more  that  pattern,  that  model,  lies  broken  all 
around  us,"  he  noted.  This  "is  not  all  bad 
news,"  he  continued,  calling  attention  to  His- 
panic new  church  developments  in  storefronts 
in  Los  Angeles,  California. 

The  role  of  the  commissioned  lay  preacher, 
he  said,  "is  being  elevated  as  never  before." 
Commissioned  lay  preachers  are  women  and 
men  who  are  not  ministers  and  have  been 
approved  to  act  as  pastors  for  churches  that  are 
unable  to  call  pastors.  "In  presbyteries  being 
served  mostly  by  commissioned  lay  preachers 
in  storefronts,  decisions  will  be  made  differ- 


ently," he  predicted. 

Dobler  encouraged  Presbyterians  to  learn 
from  the  church  in  Africa.  Churches  there  are 
"filled  with  new  believers,  not  ours,"  he  said. 
"It  is  the  church  in  Africa  that  is  growing,  not 
ours."  He  observed  that  in  one  area  of  Sudan 
there  were  10,000  new  believers  and  only 
three  ministers,  so  they  are  looking  at  new 
ways  of  training  people.  He  also  called  atten- 
tion to  the  church  in  South  Africa  which,  he 
said,  "is  becoming  new,  too."  South  African 
Christians  "have  every  reason  to  fly  apart 
from  one  another,  or  to  fly  at  one  another,"  he 
noted,  yet  "they  are  hanging  on  to  one  an- 
other. It  is  the  love  of  Christ  Jesus  that  binds 
them  together  and  the  mission  of  Christ  Jesus 
that  leads  them."  The  challenge  facing  South 
African  Christians  is  the  same  one  facing 
Presbyterians,  he  said.  "With  their  [African 
Christians]  help  and  the  help  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  I  do  not  despair  of  us." 

Dobler  served  as  Moderator  of  the  205th 
General  Assembly  in  Orlando,  Florida.  He  is 
pastor  of  the  Jewel  Lake  Parish,  Anchorage, 
Alaska. 


the  doctrine  of  atonement  makes  us  at  one 
with  God  and  with  each  other  in  Jesus  Christ. 
Let  us  recognize  that  the  only  way  to  deny  the 
atonement  is  to  refuse  the  reconciliation  to 
which  we  are  called  by  the  fact  that  Christ 
died  for  our  sins." 

The  theology  of  the  doctrine  of  atone- 
ment is  one  of  many  issues  that  has  been 
raised  within  the  church  as  the  result  of  Re- 
Imagining,  a  controversial  ecumenical  con- 
ference held  last  November  in  Minneapolis  as 
part  of  the  "Ecumenical  Decade:  Churches  in 
Solidarity  with  Women." 

The  206th  General  Assembly  has  the 
responsibility  of  dealing  with  the  fallout  over 
Re-Imagining,  including  numerous  overtures 
calling  for  various  forms  of  response. 

Andrews  said  that  Re-Imagining  is  the 
"most  visible  conflict  at  this  time,"  but  that 
the  conference  itself  "is  not  the  reason  for  the 
current  crisis." 

"The  unity  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
has  been  stretched  thin  for  many  years  and  for 
many  reasons.  The  controversy  over  the 
Minneapolis  event  is  a  symptom  of  our  ill- 
ness, not  the  disease  itself,"  he  said. 

The  stated  clerk  suggested  that  the 
PC(US  A)  might  follow  some  examples  set  by 
the  witness  of  the  African  Christians  who 
openly  share  faith  stories  at  denominational 
and  ecumenical  meetings.  He  also  chal- 
lenged the  Presbyterian  Church  to  "make 
reconciliation  a  visible  part  of  its  hfe"  as 
Nelson  Mandela  did  in  the  midst  of  a  political 
process  in  South  Africa,  even  though  Mandela 
does  not  claim  to  be  a  Christian. 

"A  new  day  must  come,"  Andrews  said. 
For  the  PC(USA)  that  means  that  "we  must 
seek  out  those  who  dissent  and  make  them  a 
part  of  the  process,  and  that  we  must  stop 
making  attacks  on  the  character  and  motives 
of  others;  that  organized  efforts  to  violate  the 
Constitution  must  stop;  that  efforts  to  explain 
away  blunders  must  cease;  that  McCarthy 
tactics  of  establishing  guilt  by  association  or 
membership  in  organizations  must  be  elimi- 
nated." 

He  called  for  prayer  and  song,  and  shar- 
ing of  faith  stories  that  can  lead  to  "statements 
of  what  the  people  at  the  table  have  in  com- 
mon. 

"For  an  initial  period  the  topic  of  Presby- 
terian discussion  must  be  the  unity,  health, 
and  mission  of  the  Presbyterian  church;  not 
control  of  its  funds  nor  its  program,"  Andrews 
said.  "What  can  we  all  do  together  to  make 
visible  the  unity  God  has  given  us?" 

The  stated  clerk  received  a  standing  ova- 
tion at  the  conclusion  of  his  address. 


June  1994 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


Page? 


mm 


KONRAD  RAISER,  general  secretary  of 
the  World  Council  of  Churches,  preached 
at  Wednesday's  ecumenical  service. 


WCC  leader  speaks 
at  ecumenical  service 

by  Peggy  Rounseville 

The  "rich  legacy"  of  American 
Presybyterianism  to  the  ecumenical  move- 
ment "is  a  constant  reminder  that  as  Christian 
communities  we  never  live  just  for  ourselves 
but  in  order  to  glorify  God,"  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Konrad  Raiser  told  the  206th  General  Assem- 
bly Wednesday. 

Raiser,  the  general  secretary  of  the  World 
Council  of  Churches,  was  the  preacher  at  the 
Assembly's  annual  ecumenical  worship  ser- 
vice. He  reminded  commissioners  of  the  long 
line  of  Presbyterians,  from  William  Adams 
Brown  and  Samuel  McCrae  Cavert  to  John 
Foster  Dulles  to  Eugene  Carson  Blake,  who 
have  been  key  leaders  in  ecumenism. 

Using  the  Apostle  Paul' s  metaphor  of  the 
church  as  the  body  of  Christ,  Raiser  asked, 
"What  does  it  mean,  under  present  circum- 
stances, to  be  a  living  part  of  the  body  of 
Christ?"  Paul,  Raiser  said,  "transcends  our 
customary  approach  to  the  tension  between 
unity  and  diversity  in  the  church.  He  does  this 
by  making  a  fundamental  affirmation  about 
Christ:  'For  just  as  the  body  is  one  and  has 
many  members. ..so  it  is  with  Christ'.  Paul 
does  not  say:  The  Christian  community  can 
be  compared  with  the  body  ;  that  would  have 
been  the  custom.  Instead,  he  says:  the  living 
presence  of  the  risen  Christ  has  the  qualities 
of  a  body.  This  is  a  surprising  affirmation. 
Jesus  Christ  is  not  to  be  thought  of  as  a 
historical  person  of  the  past,  but  therisen 
Christ  has  become  something  of  a  'corporate 
personality.'" 

Seeing  Christ  in  this  way.  Raiser  contin- 
ued, has  far-reaching  consequences.  "It  bars 
the  way  to  all  attempts  to  spiritualize  or  indi- 
vidualize our  relationship  with  Christ.  We 
cannot  have  Christ  apart  from  living  in  com- 
munity." 

Raiser  insisted  that  "unity  and  diversity 
are  both  constitutive  for  the  body  of  Christ." 
But,  he  continued,  like  any  living  body,  "the 
body  of  Christ  remains  alive  only  in  the 
interaction  of  its  different  members." 

Commissioners  responded  with  know- 
ing laughter  to  Raiser' s  comment  that  "out  of 
anxiety  many  churches  today  respond  to  the 
manifestations  of  conflict  by  curing  the  symp- 
toms, for  instance  through  organizational  re- 
adjustments, rather  than  searching  for  the 
causes."  Raiser  said  he  is  convinced  that  most 
of  the  conflicts  facing  Presbyterians  and  other 
mainline  denominations  "are  manifestations 
of  what  I  have  called  a  crisis  of  growth  and 
transformation,  rather  than  of  an  internal  dis- 
turbance or  an  infection."  The  appropriate 
response,  he  continued,  is  not  to  attack  the 
symptoms  but  to  provide  "space  and  support 
for  the  body  to  reintegrate  and  reestablish  its 
wholeness." 

"It  is  the  trust  in  the  continuing  presence 
of  the  living  Christ  though  the  Spirit  which 
keeps  the  body  alive  and  maintains  its  whole- 
ness," Raiser  declared.  "This  trust  in  the  ac- 
tive presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  as  the  origin 
of  our  unity  as  well  as  of  the  diversity  of  our 
interdependent  gifts  is  the  most  effective  rem- 
edy against  anxiety  and  fear... Love  indeed  is 
the  secret  of  the  wholeness  of  the  body  of 
Christ." 

Raiser  designated  that  the  offering  re- 
ceived at  the  service  would  go  to  two  projects. 
The  first  is  Church  World  Action  for  Rwanda; 


Twenty-eight  new  churches 
recognized  by  Assembly 


the  second  is  the  Ecumenical  Program  for 
Peacemaking  and  Conflict  Resolution  in  Af- 
rica, with  special  emphasis  on  southern  Af- 
rica. 

Other  participants  in  the  service  included 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Eugene  Turner,  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, director  of  the  Department  of  Govern- 
ing Body,  Ecumenical  and  Agency  Relation- 
ships of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.); 
Ms.  Elizabeth  Delgado,  San  Jose,  Costa  Rica, 
representing  the  Fraternity  of  Evangelical 
Churches  of  Costa  Rica;  the  Rev.  Clifton 
Kirkpatrick,  Louisville,  Kentucky,  director 
of  the  Worldwide  Ministries  Division  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.);  Mrs.  Marga- 
ret Kraus,  Pretty  Prairie,  Kansas,  represent- 
ing the  Swedenborgian  Church. 

Also,  Ms.  Kathryn  Williams,  Wichita, 
Kansas,  representing  the  Christian  Church 
(Disciples  of  Christ);  the  Very  Rev.  Leonid 
Kishkovsky,  Syosett,  New  York,  Orthodox 
Church  in  America;  Fujiwara  Takanori,  To- 
kyo, Japan,  general  secretary  of  the  United 
Church  of  Christ  in  Japan;  Amosse  Baltazara 
Zita,  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Mozambique ; 
the  Rev.  Peter  Shidemantle,  DeWitt,  New 
York,  pastor  of  Pebble  Hill  Presbyterian 
Church;  Mrs.  Margy  Wentz,  Newton,  Kan- 
sas; the  Rev.  Dr.  James  E.  Andrews,  stated 
clerk,  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.);  and  the 
Rev.  Robert  W.  Bohl,  Fort  Worth,  Texas, 
Moderator  of  the  206th  General  Assembly. 

Music  was  led  by  a  choir  of,  as  Andrews 
described  it,  "commissioners  and  staff, 
spouses,  observers,  trailers,  and  hangers-on." 
It  was,  the  stated  clerk  said,  the  first  time  in  his 
memory  that  the  music  program  had  been 
"made  up  by  and  for  the  Assembly." 
KevinKouba,  a  member  of  the  staff  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  in  Louisville, 
directed  the  choir.  Mrs.  Julie  Warkentin, 
Wichita,  Kansas,  First  Mennonite  Brethren 
Church,  played  the  organ  and  piano.  Ms. 
Elizabeth  Gill,  Louisville,  Kentucky,  accom- 
panied the  anthem  on  the  trombone. 


by  Jerry  L.  Van  Marter 

Twenty-eight  new  churches  that  have 
been  chartered  since  the  last  General  Assem- 
bly were  recognized  by  the  206th  General 
Assembly  today. 

"This  is  the  fourth  year  that  the  Assem- 
bly has  taken  time  to  celebrate  these  proofs 
that  evangelism  is  working  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,"  said  the  Rev.  H.  Stanley  Wood, 
associate  for  new  church  development  in  the 
National  Ministries  Division  in  Louisville. 

Representatives  from  the  new  churches 
accepted  certificates  from  the  Rev.  Frank 
Beattie,  associate  director  for  evangelism. 
The  new  churches  (and  their  presbyteries) 
are:  Korean  Presbyterian  Bremerton  Wash- 
ington Church  (Seattle);  University  Presby- 
terian Church,  Akron,  Ohio  (Eastminster); 
Korean  Presbyterian  Church,  Columbus,  Ohio 
(Scioto  Valley);  Lincoln  Good  Shepherd  Pres- 
byterian Church,  Lincoln,  Nebraska  (Home- 
stead). 

Also,  Hamlet-Perryton  Presbyterian 
Church,  Reynolds,  Illinois  (Great  Rivers); 
Radcliffe  (Kentucky)  Presbyterian  Church 
(Louisville);  Montgomery  (Alabama)  Korean 
Presbyterian  Church  (Sheppards  &  Lapsley); 
Clanton  Presbyterian  Church,  Charlotte,  North 
Carolina  (Charlotte);  Argentine  Presbyterian 
Church,  Kansas  City,  Kansas  (Heartland); 
Korean  Presbyterian  Church  of  Goldsboro, 
North  Carolina  (New  Hope);  Roanoke  Island 


Presbyterian  Church,  Manteo,  North  Caro- 
lina (New  Hope). 

Further,  Primera  Iglesia  Presbiteriana 
Hispana  Principe  de  Paz,  Asbury  Park,  New 
Jersey  (Monmouth);  United  Korean  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Long  Island,  Huntington 
Station,  New  York  (Long  Island);  United 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Ridgewood,  Queens, 
New  York  (New  York  City);  Immanuel  Ko- 
rean Presbyterian  Church,  Rome,  New  York 
(Utica);  Foothill  Community  Presbyterian 
Church,  Strathmore,  California  (San  Joaquin); 
Covenant  Presbyterian  Church,  Vacaville, 
California  (Sacramento);  Valley  Community 
Presbyterian  Church,  Manteca,  California 
(Stockton). 

Also,  Alturas  Presbyterian  Church, 
Mayaguez,  Puerto  Rico  (Suroeste);  First  Af- 
rican Presbyterian  Church,  Lithonia,  Georgia 
(Peace  River);  North  Lakeland  (Florida)  Pres- 
byterian Church  (Tampa  Bay);  Ascension 
Peace  Presbyterian  Church,  Lauderhill, 
Florida  (Tropical  Florida);  Holy  Faith  Ko- 
rean Presbyterian  Church,  Artesia,  California 
(Hanmi);  St.  Peter's  By-The-Sea  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  Huntington  Beach,  California 
(Los  Ranchos);  Arroyo  Grande  (California) 
First  Presbyterian  Church  (Santa  Barbara); 
Highland  United  Presbyterian  Church,  New- 
port, Pennsylvania  (Carlisle);  and  Delaware 
Valley  Chinese  Presbyterian  Church,  Ambler, 
Pennsylvania  (Philadelphia). 


Presbyteries,  synod  get  peace  awards 


by  Jerry  L.  Van  Marter 

Stained  glass  doves  were  presented  to 
nine  presbyteries  and  one  synod  today,  signi- 
fying participation  by  50  percent  of  their 
congregations  in  the  Presbyterian  Church's 
commitment  to  peacemaking. 

The  Rev.  Ray  Morgan  of  North  Central 
Iowa  Presbytery,  vice  moderator  of  the  As- 
sembly Committee  on  Christian  Education, 
Peacemaking  and  Stewardship,  welcomed 
representatives  of  the  governing  bodies  to  the 
platform  of  the  206th  General  Assembly  to 
accept  their  awards. 

The  new  additions  bring  to  61  the  num- 


ber of  presbyteries  now  having  more  than  half 
their  congregations'  sessions  formally  com- 
mitted to  peacemaking.  The  addition  of  the 
Synod  of  the  Covenant  brings  to  six  the  num- 
ber of  synods  that  have  reached  the  50  percent 
mark  of  committed  congregations. 

In  all  more  than  4,300  of  the 
denomination's  11,500  congregations  have 
now  adopted  the  commitment. 

The  newly  recognized  presbyteries  are 
Box  Butte,  Los  Ranchos,  Maumee  Valley, 
Newton,  North  Alabama,  North  Puget  Sound, 
Northern  New  England,  Southern  Kansas  and 
Western  New  York. 


Pre- Assembly  prayer  sets  tone  for  GA 

of  national  prayer  groups,  national,  presbytery 
by  Marj  Carpenter  ^"'^  synod  staffmembers  of  the  General  As- 

sembly Council,  and  pew-sitting  Presbyteri- 
ans, many  not  commissioners,  concerned 
andpraying  for  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  committee  organizing  the  effort, 
which  was  suggested  by  the  Rev.  Clifton 
Kirkpatrick,  director  of  Woridwide  Minis- 
tries and  the  Rev.  Jeff  Ritchie,  associate  for 
international  evangelism,  included  Loyda  Aja, 
Frank  Beattie,  and  Rita  Dixon  from  the  GAC 
staff;  Walter  Ungerer,  Lydia  Sarandan-Grade, 
Jonathan  Wilson  and  Weingartner,  members 
of  the  GAC;  and  pastors  and  seminary  stu- 
dents including  Carter  Blaisdell,  Ilona  Buzick, 
Toby  Gillespie-Mobley ,  Eunice  McGarrahan, 
Brad  Long,  Byron  Wade,  Douglas  McMurry, 
and  Bob  Nordling. 

On  Thursday  evening.  Long,  who  is  di- 
rector of  Praise  Ministries,  led  a  special  seg- 
ment of  the  service  in  which  the  group  prayed 
for  General  Assembly  commissioners  and 
staff,  and  for  the  workers  in  the  city  of  Wichita 
who  have  to  deal  with  in  influx  of  visitors. 
Another  segment  was  led  by  McMurry. 
Prayers  were  spoken  for  Korea,  for  the  hope 
for  reunification  there,  and  for  the  Korean 
Presbyterians  in  America. 


"Pray  for  the  great  ends  of  church  to 
which  God  has  called  us,"  said  Robert 
Weingartner  of  the  Worldwide  Ministry  Unit 
in  a  pre-Assembly  service  as  he  officially 
opened  the  call  to  United  Prayer  for  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  (U.S.A.). 

Presbyterian  congregations  across  the 
land  and  sister  communions  across  the  world 
also  were  asked  to  pray  for  the  PC(US  A)  as  it 
enters  the  206th  General  Assembly.  "In  Alaska 
we  have  a  saying,"  said  the  Rev.  David  Dobler, 
moderator  of  the  205th  General  Assembly. 
"He  or  she  who  learns  to  pray — let  them  go  to 
sea.  Well,  I've  been  at  sea  this  year.  I  learned 
a  deep  lesson  as  I  traveled  around  a  troubled 
church. .  .1  learned  I  needed  the  strength  and 
prayers  of  many  of  you  and  the  strength  of  the 
Lord.  I  had  to  count  on  God  and  my  sisters  and 
brothers  in  the  church." 

Banners  with  messages  such  as  "In  My 
Father's  House"  and  "Remember  Me"  deco- 
rated the  meeting  room  in  the  Ramada 
Broadview  Hotel.  A  flutist  and  pianist  softly 
played  hymns  as  the  people  gathered. 

Those  who  gathered  included  members 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 

Ministers  not  permitted 
to  bless  same-sex  union 


Pages 


Ecumenical  guests 
bring  greetings  from 
places  near  and  far 

by  Theo  Gill 

Nearly  fifty  ecumenical  delegates,  rep- 
resentatives, and  visitors  brought  greetings 
and  insights  from  partner  churches  as  far 
away  as  Thailand  and  as  near  as  Pretty  Prairie, 
Kansas.  As  guests  of  the  Office  of  the  General 
Assembly,  these  officially  designated  partici- 
pants in  the  annual  Presbyterian  confabula- 
tion come  to  observe  the  meeting,  strengthen 
bonds  of  friendship  and  common  mission, 
and  assist  American  members  of  the  Assem- 
bly in  seeing  themselves  as  others  see  them. 

Ecumenical  advisory  delegates  are  se- 
lected by  their  churches  to  act  as  representa- 
tives to  the  General  Assembly,  casting  non- 
binding  advisory  votes  but  with  full  speaking 
privileges  in  plenary  sessions.  Advisory  del- 
egates both  speak  and  vote  in  the  assembly 
committees  to  which  they  are  assigned.  Spe- 
cific denominations  are  invited  by  rotation  to 
send  delegates  in  a  given  year. 

Ecumenical  representatives  and  visitors 
do  not  have  the  same  duties  as  delegates,  but 
are  compensated  with  greater  freedom  to  roam 
and  explore  the  periphery  and  environs  of  the 
Assembly  .Some  come  from  their  home  coun- 
tries specifically  for  this  meeting,  while  oth- 
ers are  international  students  or  participants 
in  the  "Mission  to  the  USA"program  of  the 
Worldwide  Ministries  Division. 

In  1994,  guests  from  partner  churches 
bring  with  them  a  wide  range  of  experience 
and  a  diversity  of  ways  in  which  they  live, 
work,  and  proclaim  the  Christian  faith.  Some 
have  travelled  from  contexts  of  peaceful  na- 
tional reform  and  transformation,  from 
Namibia,  South  Africa,  and  Malawi.  Others 
worry  over  tensions  at  home,  in  Lebanon  and 
Pakistan.  Two  ecumenical  advisory  delegates 
have  come  from  regions  torn  by  civil  war, 
Sudan  and  Yugoslavia. 

By  their  participation  and  presence  in  the 
Wichita  Assembly,  these  ecumenical  part- 
ners serve  as  living  reminders  to  commission- 
ers that  there  is  more  to  Christianity  than  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  more  to  God' s  world 
than  the  U.S.A. 


by  John  Sniff  en 
The  206th  General  Assembly  today  ap- 
proved an  overture  which  states  that  ministers 
are  "not  permitted"  to  bless  "any  same-sex 
unions." 

The  vote  to  approve  was  249  to  207.  It 
came  after  a  lengthy-yet-low-key  debate  of 
the  issue. 

As  originally  written  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Southern  New  England,  the  overture  said  it 
was  "inappropriate"  for  ministers  to  bless 
same-sex  unions.  The  Rev.  Earl  B.  Stewart 
from  New  Covenant  Presbytery  in  Southeast 
Texas  moved  that  "not  permitted"  be  substi- 
tuted for  "inappropriate,"  and  the  amendment 
passed  by  a  248  to  222  margin. 

Sixteen  commissioners  spoke  during  the 
debate.  The  Rev.  J.  Frederick  Fife  from  East- 
em  Tennessee  Presbytery  set  the  tone  for 
those  speaking  against  the  measure.  A  mem- 
ber of  the  Theological  Issues  and  Institutions 
Committee,  which  narrowly  approved  and 
forwarded  the  overture,  Fife  said  it  was  not 
necessary  since  existing  language  in  the  Di- 
rectory for  Worship  already  forbid  ministers 
from  performing  marriage  ceremonies  for 
same-sex  couples. 

Fife  also  said  the  overture  would  sepa- 
rate out  a  group — homosexuals — and  was 
counter  to  the  spirit  of  reconciliation. 
While  the  final  count  was  close,  more  com- 
missioners apparently  agreed  with  youth  ad- 
visory delegate  Julaine  Adair  who  stated  that 
"homosexuality  does  not  reflect  God' s  plan.. ." 

There  was  some  applause  for  early  speak- 
ers, but  after  a  gentle  reminder  from  Modera- 
tor Robert  W.  Bohl,  the  commissioners  and 
observers  withheld  further  response  to  the 
discussion. 

The  remainder  of  the  committee's  report 
to  the  General  Assembly  was  approved  with- 
out debate,  except  for  an  overture  calling  for 
"an  inquiry  into  the  theological  significance 
of  contemporary  science  for  the  reformed 


doctrines  of  humanity  and  sin." 

After  several  commissioners  said  they 
opposed  the  overture  because  they  feared  it 
endangered  the  church' s  confessional  nature, 
the  committee  chair,  the  Rev.  Aurelio  Garcia 
Archilla  of  the  Presbytery  of  San  Juan,  de- 
fended it.  He  said  there  is  a  need  to  address 
pressing  issues  of  science,  like  euthanasia, 
and  that  approval  of  the  overture  from  Pitts- 
burgh Presbytery  was  not  denying  the  confes- 
sional nature  of  the  church. 

The  overture  was  approved  by  a  hand 
vote. 

In  other  action  out  of  the  committee's 
report,  the  General  Assembly: 

*  approved  an  overture  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Detroit  on  developing  liturgies 
for  use  in  ministries  with  victims  and  those 
who  victimize; 

*  approved  an  overture  from  the 
Presbytery  of  New  Harmony  onbeginning  the 
process  of  creating  a  brief  catechism  which 
may  become  a  part  of  the  church's  constitu- 
tion; 

*  approved  with  amendments  an  over- 
ture from  the  Presbytery  of  Inland  Northwest 
on  declaring  1995  a  year  to  emphasize  repen- 
tance and  prayer  within  the  denomination; 
and 

*  disapproved  an  overture  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Shenango  on  directing  those 
who  plan  Presbyterian  Women's  gatherings 
to  adhere  to  Biblical  principles  in  preparing 
and  planning  future  meetings. 

*  approved  three  new  chief  executives 
for  Presbyterian  seminaries — Donald  W. 
McCuUough  at  San  Francisco  Theological 
Seminary,  David  Lawrence  Wallace  Sr.  at 
Johnson  S.  Smith  Theological  Seminary,  and 
Louis  B.  Weeks  at  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  Virginia. 


Bohl  (Continued  from  page  1) 

"It  is  not  right  for  this  church  to  be  torn 
apart  by  ordained  people  who  align  them- 
selves with  single  issues  unless  that  issue  is 
Jesus  Christ.  That's  what  we  are  about." 

On  the  subject  of  rebuilding  trust  in  the 
denomination,  Bohl  said  that  if  healing  is  to 
take  place  on  this  church,  "it  is  only  after  we 
begin  to  tell  the  truth  to  each  other." 

"What  is  your  reaction  to  churches  threat- 
ening to  withhold  funds?"  one  commissioner 
asked.  Bohl  responded:  "I  believe  that  is  an 
ecclesiastical  sin." 

The  57-year  old  new  moderator  has 
served  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Fort 
Worth  church  since  1980.  A  graduate  of  the 
University  of  the  Ozarks  and  Princeton  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  he  received  his  M.A.  and 
Ph.D.  from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  served  as  national  chairperson  of  the 
denomination' s  Bicentennial  Fund  from  1988 
to  1993.  He  was  moderator  of  Grace 
Presbytery  in  1994.  He  has  also  been  on 
various  synod  and  presbytery  councils. 

Bohl  is  married  to  Judith  Ann  Capshaw. 
They  have  two  daughters,  Angela  Suzanne 
and  Beverly  Ann. 


 June  1994 

Assembly  supports 
implementation  of 
sexuality  education 

by  Pamela  Crouch 

The  206th  General  Assembly  approved  a 
resolution  June  14  to  support  the  U.S.  Depart- 
ment of  Health  and  Human  Services'  imple- 
mentation of  comprehensive  sexuality  edu- 
cation in  public  schools. 

As  part  of  the  report  of  the  Assembly 
Committee  on  Social  Justice  Issues,  the  As- 
sembly approved  amendments  to 
Commissioner' s  Resolution  94-5 .  The  amend- 
ments state  that  support  for  public  education 
"should  not  absolve  the  church  of  its  respon- 
sibility" and  encouraged  congregations  to  be 
engaged  in  providing  additional  sexuality 
education  which  reflects  values  of  Reformed 
tradition. 

In  other  action,  the  Assembly  defeated 
the  committee's  recommendation  to  refer 
Overture  94-11  to  the  General  Assembly 
Council.  The  overture  called  for  stabilizing 
the  U.S.  population  through  maintenance  of 
fertility  rates  and  control  of  immigration. 

Several  speakers,  advocated  disapprov- 
ing the  overture  altogether,  saying  the  intent 
of  the  overture  was  "to  keep  out  "foreigners'" 
and  was  an  "attack  on  racial  ethnic  people." 

The  motion  to  refer  was  defeated,  and  the 
overture  was  disapproved  by  a  voice  vote. 

The  Assembly  also: 

—  approved  a  resolution  reaffirming 
opposition  to  legalized  gambling  and  encour- 
aging synods,  presbyteries,  sessions,  minis- 
ters, and  church  members  to  become  edu- 
cated on  the  issue. 

—  approved  a  resolution  encouraging 
congregations  and  governing  bodies  to  con- 
tinue to  advocate  for  universal  access  to  health 
care  during  this  "crucial  time"  of  health  care 
reform. 

—  approved  a  resolution  calhng  for  fed- 
eral and  PC(USA)  response  to  hate  crimes 
against  Asian-Pacific  Americans. 


THE  REV.  J.  JEROME  COOPER,  pastor 
of  Berean  Presbyterian  Church,  Philadel- 
phia, who  nominated  Robert  Bohl  as 
moderator,  was  named  vice-moderator  of 
the  206th  Assembly. 


MODERATOR  ROBERT  W.  BOHL  and  his  wife,  Judith  Ann  Bohl,  shortly  after  his 
election.    Bohl  was  elected  on  the  fu-st  ballot,  receiving  410  of  a  possible  555  votes. 


June  1994 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


Page  9 


WORSHIP  LEADER  the  Rev.  Cynthia  Campbell,  pastor  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Salina,  Kansas,  and  chairperson  of  the  Congregational 
Ministries  Committee,  was  a  preacher  in  the  daily  services  for  conmiissioners. 


Rules  for  overture  advocates  unchanged 


by  Peggy  Rounseville 

Rules  governing  how  Assembly  com- 
mittees deal  with  overture  advocates  remain 
unchanged  despite  extensive  discussion.  The 
206th  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  voted  338  to  212  to  leave  the 
rules  alone. 

The  Rev.  Jeffrey  Bridgeman,  Solvang, 
California,  argued  that  overture  advocates 
are  treated  differently  in  different  Assembly 
committees.  Current  rules  allow  advocates  to 
speak  about  the  background  and  intent  of  the 
requests  for  action  when  the  committee  is 
dealing  with  it  or  with  any  other  proposal 
which  might  affect  it.  They  are  to  be  available 
at  the  committee's  convenience. 

Bridgeman  said  that,  in  his  experience, 
overture  advocates  have  less  opportunity  than 
anyone  else  to  speak  before  Assembly  com- 
mittees. He  said  that  they  should  have  "the 
same  right  to  speak  as  any  staff  person  who 
has  expertise"  because  "they  are  the  voice  of 
those  thousands  back  home." 

The  Rev.  Drew  Nagle,  Rock  Island, 
Illinois,  argued  that  current  rules  are  suffi- 
cient. "Not  all  moderators,  not  all  overture 
advocates  are  equal,"  Nagle  said.  "Presbyteries 
who  desire  equal  access  should  not  appoint  a 
commissioner  to  be  their  overture  advocate." 
The  Rev.  Patricia  Pabst,  Del  Norte,  Colorado, 
countered  that  the  standing  rules  are  often 


Coming  Assemblies 


The  207th  General  Assem- 
bly (1995)  is  scheduled  in  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  July  15-21. 

In  1996,  The  Assembly  is  to 
meet  in  Albuquerque,  New  Mexico, 
June  29-July  5. 

The  1997  meeting  is  set  for 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  July  12-18. 


unclear  and  that  some  advocates  were  given 
"unclear  or 

even  misinformation  about  when  their  over- 
ture would  be  dealt  with."  Pabstargued  that  it 
would  be  helpful  to  clarify  the  procedure  so 
everyone  would  be  treated  the  same. 

The  request  for  clarification  came  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Savannah.  The  Rev.  Donnie 
Woods,  Savannah,  Georgia,  argued  that  his 
presbytery '  s  overture  would  guarantee  "equal 
opportunity"  for  advocates  to  speak  to  As- 
sembly committees. 

After  about  20  minutes  of  debate,  the 
Assembly  voted  as  its  Committee  on  General 
Assembly  Procedures  recommended,  and 
defeated  the  overture. 

GeneralAssembly  Fun 

The  Moderator,  airplanes  and  food  were 
in  competition  at  the  Monday  Assembly 
meeting. 

Food  won. 

An  explanation  for  the  benefit  of 
readers  who  were  not  in  the  plenary  hall 
as  Stated  Clerk  James  Andrews  led 
commissioners  through  voting  procedures. 
Several  questions  were  posed,  to  test  how 
the  electronic  voting  mechanisms  were 
functioning.  One  asked  voters  to  say  what 
they  liked  best  about  the  Monday  night 
outing,  when  their  Wichita  hosts  gave  a 
dinner  and  reception  for  the  Moderator  at 
the  Kansas  Aviation  Museum,  with  lots  of 
historic  things  to  see. 

One  asked  voters  to  say  what  they  liked 
best  about  the  Monday  night  outing:  meet- 
ing Moderator  Robert  Bohl,  seeing  an  air- 
craft display,  or  eating  the  dinner  served  at 
the  event. 

But  then,  they'd  already  voted  for  the 
Moderator. 

misc 

There  was  a  Presbyterian  banner  hang- 
ing on  the  outside  of  the  Century  II  Conven- 
tion Center  in  Wichita. 

It's  a  handsome  banner.  However,  it 
doesn't  hang  straight  up  and  down. 

It  slants  a  little  to  the  right  or  the  left, 
depending  on  the  observer's  viewpoint. 


Great  Commission  is  theme 
of  daily  worship  services 


by  Alexa  Smith 

The  power  of  God,  the  grace  found  in 
forgiveness  and  the  meaning  of  baptism  were 
themes  emerging  from  the  week's  worship  at 
the  206th  General  Assembly. 

The  entire  worship  week  —  including 
the  Assembly's  opening  and  closing  services 
—  wove  together  verses  from  the  Great  Com- 
mission in  the  closing  chapter  of  the  Gospel 
of  Matthew. 

"The  might,  the  authority  and  the  power 
do  not  belong  to  you  or  me.  It  is  the  Christ  who 
holds  them  for  you  and  me,"  the  Rev.  Rafael 
Aragon,  executive  of  the  Synod  of  Southern 
California  and  Hawaii,  told  worshippers  early 
in  the  week,  as  they  prepared  for  business. 

Aragon  punctuated  his  remarks  with  a 
faith  statement  attesting  to  God's  omnipo- 
tence. 

Using  the  text,  "Go  therefore  and  make 
disciples  of  all  nations  the  Rev.  Robert 
Burkins  of  East  Orange,  N.J.,  pushed  the 
denomination  to  reclaim  personal  witness, 
instead  of  developing  more  strategies  for  evan- 
gelism for  the  church  as  a  whole.  "We  must 


take  the  initiative  as  Jesus  commanded ...  Go  to 
the  people,"  he  said.  "...  It's  not  a  model  or  a 
method,  but  telling  the  story  of  Jesus  and  his 
love." 

In  a  service  of  reaffirmation  of  baptism, 
the  Rev.  Cynthia  Campbell  of  Salina,  Kan., 
called  Presbyterians  to  "remember  what  it 
means  that  we  have  been  baptized,"  and  to 
reconsider  what  that  commitment  means  for 
community  life:  cooperation  above  violence, 
unity  above  purity  and  more  outward  focus 
than  inward. 

The  Rev.  Floyd  Hart,  associate  executive 
for  Indian  Ministries  of  the  Synod  of  the  South- 
west, spoke  from  the  text, " ...  teaching  them  to 
obey  everything  that  I  have  commanded  you." 

Hart  told  commissioners,  "May  the  spirit 
of  Jesus  and  Jesus'  love  and  forgiveness  pre- 
vail in  all  we  teach  and  learn  from  this  Assem- 
bly." 

"Living  in  God's  Abiding  Presence"  was 
the  sermon  title  of  the  Rev.  Janice  Stamper  of 
Savoonga,  Alaska,  who  encouraged  worship- 
pers to  put  down  their  own  agendas  and  let  the 
power  of  God  be  at  work. 


Congregations  to  get  help 
in  making  concerns  known 


by  Peggy  Rounseville 

The  206th  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  (U.S.A.)  voted  today  to  tell 
congregations  how  to  lobby  commissioners 
to  future  Assemblies. 

By  a  vote  of  262  to  213  (with  10  absten- 
tions), commissioners  requested  the  stated 
clerk  to  provide  sessions  and  individuals  a 
written  explanation  of  "how  they  may  make 
their  concerns  known"  by  obtaining  the  com- 
missioners and  advisory  delegate  mailing  list. 
Carl  Allen  of  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth, 
moderator  of  the  Assembly  Committee  on 
Mission  Directions  and  Budgets,  explained 
that  the  committee  recommended  the  action 
as  a  way  of  addressing  a  concern  that  sessions 
had  no  official  way  of  communicating  with 
the  Assembly.  The  issue  had  been  raised  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Central  Florida.  The  As- 
sembly amended  the  committee '  s  recommen- 
dation, adopting  a  motion  offered  by  Gretchen 


KOREAN  PRESBYTERIAN  Moderator  Chang  In  Kim 
presents  a  $50,000  check  for  the  Presbyterian  Center  Chapel 
to  Moderator  Robert  Bohl.  In  his  address,  Kim  pled  for  peace 


Denton,  a  minister  from  Orchard  Lake,  Michi- 
gan. The  amendment  specifies  that  the  clerk' s 
letter  must  include  a  statement  on  the  role  of 
commissioners,  who  attend  the  Assembly  "not 
as  representatives  but  as  persons  who  gather 
to  seek  God's  will  guided  by  their  individual 
consciences." 

The  Assembly  also  expressed  its  "deep 
gratitude"  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Ko- 
rea and  the  National  Korean  Council  for  their 
generous  gifts  towards  the  completion  of  the 
chapel  in  the  Presbyteria  Center  in  Louisville. 
The  Moderator  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Korea  Tuesday  presented  a  check  for  $50,000 
for  this  project  to  Moderator  Robert  W.  Bohl. 

The  Assembly  turned  back  an  effort  to 
produce  a  "national  every  member  monthly 
newsletter"  beginning  in  October.  1994.  Wil- 
liam Goettler,  a  minister  from  Wilmington, 
Delaware,  argued  that  a 
newsletter  was  needed  to 
interpret  the  church's  mis- 
sion to  every  member.  Be- 
cause the  church  "has  not 
communicated  what  we  are 
doing  in  ministry  on  our 
own,"  he  said,  non-church 
publications  have  filled  the 
gap.  The  Assembly  voted 
instead  to  refer  the  matter 
to  the  General  Assembly 
Council  for  further  referral 
to  the  Advisory  Council  on 
The  News,  so  that  it  could 
be  studied  in  the  context  of 
an  overall  look  at  distribu- 
tion of  church  news. 


Page  10 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


June  1994 


Vocation  paper  sent  back  to  committee; 
support,  but  no  UN  seat,  voted  for  Taiwan 


THESE  ARE  AMONG  the  mission  workers  charged  to  "hold  on  to  your  faith  and 
spread  it  gently"  at  the  commissioning  of  missionaries  by  the  206th  General  Assembly. 


More  than  400  commissioned 
in  closing  communion  service 


by  Jeny  L  Van  Marter 

Without  ever  considering  it,  the  206th 
General  Assembly  today  referred  the  Advi- 
sory Committee  on  Social  Witness  Policy's 
major  policy  paper  on  the  theology  of  voca- 
tion and  issues  of  work  in  the  United  States 
back  to  the  advisory  committee  for  more 
work. 

The  motion  to  refer  and  the  debate  that 
followed  were  dominated  by  members  of  the 
Assembly  Committee  on  Social  Witness  Is- 
sues and  Policy  (SWIP),  the  committee  that 
had  spent  some  eight  hours  going  over  the 
paper  earlier  in  the  week. 

The  Rev.  Charles  Osbum,  a  committee 
member  from  San  Fernando  Presbytery,  made 
the  motion  to  refer,  which  prevailed  304-2 12. 
The  motion  to  refer  also  included  a  provision 
that  the  moderator  appoint  two  additional 
members  to  the  task  force  working  on  the 
paper  to  give  it  more  balance  of  opinion  on  the 
issues. 

Osbum  also  argued  that  more  time  is 
needed  by  next  year' s  Assembly  to  review  the 
paper  when  it  comes  back.  "This  paper  de- 
serves better,"  he  said. 

Other  commissioners,  also  SWIP  mem- 
bers, agreed.  "The  paper  is  flawed  and  in- 
complete," said  Solomon  Cardenas  of  Peace 
River  Presbytery,  who  served  as  SWIP' s  vice 
moderator.  Another  SWIP  member.  Moon 
Won  Suh  of  Salem  Presbytery,  argued  that 
since  the  task  force  began  work  in  1988, 
"circumstances  have  changed  dramatically  in 
the  U.S.  workplace  and  economy  and,  given 
the  significance  of  this  policy  paper,  it  needs 
to  go  back." 

Yet  another  SWIP  member,  the  Rev. 
Russell  Feroe  of  Hudson  River  Presbytery, 
said  the  four-year  development  of  the  policy 
"has  included  input  from  across  the  church 
and  to  refer  it  now  would  undercut  the  integ- 
rity of  that  process." 

The  Rev.  Wilbur  Cox  of  Western  Colo- 
rado Presbytery  said  the  committee  worked 
more  than  eight  hours  reviewing  the  docu- 
ment and  said  he  considered  it  "offensive  to 


refer  it  before  even  considering  it." 

The  commissioners  referred  the  report 
with  a  recommendation  that  more  time  be 
given  for  review  of  the  paper  by  next  year's 
social  witness  issues  and  policy  committee  by 
having  members  of  that  committee  come  to 
Cincinnati  (site  of  next  year's  Assembly)  a 
day  early  to  work  on  it. 
Support,  but  no  U.N.  seat,  voted  for  Tai- 
wan 

The  Assembly  approved  a  resolution 
expressing  "support  of  Taiwan  and  its  na- 
tional integrity  and  selfhood..."  but  stopped 
short  of  going  on  record  supporting  a  seat  at 
the  United  Nations  for  the  Taipei  govern- 
ment. 

At  issue  was  what  effect  such  a  recom- 
mendation would  have  on  the  Chinese  Chris- 
tian community,  which  has  a  fragile  relation- 
ship with  the  Beijing  government.  An  amend- 
ment to  include  advocacy  of  United  Nations 
membership  for  Taiwan  was  defeated  309- 
203. 

"We  have  stood  strong  with  Taiwan  and 
they  know  that,"  said  the  Rev.  Clifton 
Kirkpatrick,  director  of  the  Worldwide  Minis- 
tries Division  in  Louisville,  in  opposition  to  the 
amendment.  "Now  we  have  to  stand  strong 
with  our  Christian  brothers  and  sisters  in  China." 

The  Rev.  Barbara  Bundick  of  Chicago 
Presbytery  said  that  the  words  United  Nations 
membership  for  Taiwan  are  a  red  flag  in  the 
face  of  the  Chinese  bull.  (But)  'Selfhood' 
says  United  Nations  membership  without 
using  the  words." 

The  Rev.  Charles  Stewart  of  San  Fran- 
cisco Presbytery  took  issue  with  that.  "The 
Chinese  government  doesn't  care  one  whit 
what  the  Presbyterian  Church  says — let's  tell 
the  truth." 

The  resolution  expresses  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)' s  solidarity  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  Taiwan;  supports  developing 
relations  between  the  PC(USA)  and  Christians 
in  China;  and  calls  for  the  PC(USA)  to  work 
for  justice  and  reconciliation  between  the  people 
and  churches  of  China  and  Taiwan. 


by  Alexa  Smith 

Over  400  mission  workers  were  com- 
missioned by  the  206th  General  Assembly  in 
a  closing  communion  service  where  Presby- 
terians were  charged  to  stand  against  suffer- 
ing, poverty  and  death. 

"Hold  onto  your  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  and 
spread  it  gently,"  the  Rev.  Alice  Kyei-Anti  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Ghana  told  wor- 
shippers, stressing  the  urgency  of  that  task  in 
a  world  dominated  by  unfair  economics  and 
unjust  politics. 

Kyei-Anti  is  currently  serving  as  a  mis- 
sionary to  Malawi. 

The  Assembly's  theme  was  "Into  All  the 
Worid  -  Frontiers  of  Faith."  At  its  close,  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  commissioned 
what  Worldwide  Ministries  Division  Direc- 
tor Clifton  Kirkpatrick  called  its  "largest  group 
of  mission  personnel  in  over  a  decade." 

In  her  sermon,  Kyei-Anti  told  Christians 
here  "it  is  not  easy"  to  speak  of  God's  love  to 
people  hving  where  children  are  killed  and 
dead  bodies  float  in  the  drinking  water. 


"It  is  in  such  a  world  we  are  to  make  our 
presence  felt  as  God's  people  ...  a  world 
where  human  suffering,  human  killing,  has 
become  the  order  of  the  day,"  Kyei-Anti 
charged,  telling  the  scriptural  story  of  God's 
continued  presence  as  Moses  struggled  to 
define  a  strategy  to  lead  the  Hebrews  safely 
into  a  new  land. 

In  the  context  of  these  realities,  she  said, 
"we  are  invited  as  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ  to 
go  and  make  disciples  for  him."  Kyei-Anti 
told  worshippers  to  rededicate  their  lives 
"anew"  as  they  continue  to  pray  and  identify 
themselves  with  those  who  suffer. 

Associate  for  International  Volunteers 
Steve  Earl  told  the  Assembly  it  was  commis- 
sioning over  170  volunteers  for  both  interna- 
tional and  national  service,  including  93  in 
young  adult  programs.  Associate  for  Mission 
Personnel  Marcia  Borgeson  cited  66  long- 
term  personnel,  serving  in  such  locations  as 
the  People's  Republic  of  China,  Egypt,  Chile, 
Zaire  and  Slovakia. 

Commissioners  from  presbyteries  related 
to  mission  personnel  were  asked  to  stand  as 
part  of  the  conmiissioning  service.  Several 
mission  workers  were  recognized. 

More  than  400  workers  were  cited  in 
total. 

The  Rev.  John  R.  Hendrick  of  the  World- 
wide Ministries  Division  Committee  and 
Moderator  Robert  W.  Bohol  recognized  30 
retiring  mission  personnel  and  49  who  were 
completing  service. 

Kirkpatrick  cited  57  global  partners  in 
mission  work  in  the  United  States. 

The  Rev.  David  Glenn  Walker  of  First 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Wichita  was  a  litur- 
gist;  and  the  Rev.  David  Perkins  of  Trinity 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Manhatten,  Kan., 
served  as  cantor. 

"God' s  Spirit  has  blown  through  this  hall 
like  the  Kansas  wind  ...  and  we  who  are  here 
have  been  part  of  that  transformation,"  the 
Rev.  Paula  Vander  Hoven,  liturgist,  told  wor- 
shippers at  the  closing,  inviting  commission- 
ers, staff  and  guests  to  continue  in  that  call. 
Vander  Hoven  is  pastor  of  the  Riley  County 
Larger  Parish  in  Riley  County,  Kan. 

Wallace  Dunn  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Wichita,  was  organist;  and  Robert 
Crim  was  trumpeter. 


Proposed  changes  in  lay  preacher 
for  further  study  by  Church  Orders 


by  Alexa  Smith 

Proposed  changes  to  the  role  of  commis- 
sioned lay  preachers  were  deferred  Wednes- 
day for  more  study. 

A  274-260  vote  referred  the  lay  preach- 
ers overture  (93-88  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Sacramento)  to  the  National  Ministries  Divi- 
sion for  further  study.  A  report  on  the  theol- 
ogy of  ordination  is  already  under  way. 

Moderator  Robert  W.  Bohl  commented, 
"It  is  referred  ...  barely." 

"We' ve  been  told  we  face  a  crisis,  but  it' s 
an  old  crisis,"  said  one  commissioner  in  the 
midst  of  debate.  "We  survived  the  prior  crises 
and  we  can  survive  the  present  one." 

As  brought  to  the  floor  seeking  approval 
by  the  Committee  on  Church  Orders  and 
Vocations  (CCOV),  the  overture  recom- 
mended that  commissioned  lay  preachers  be 
allowed  to  baptize,  when  an  ordained  minis- 
ter is  not  readily  available  who  speaks  the 
language  of  the  worshipping  community,  and 
to  moderate  a  session,  with  supervision.  It  did 


not  propose  a  vote  for  commissioned  lay 
preachers  in  presbyteries. 

Supporters  of  the  overture  said  the  role  of 
the  commissioned  lay  preacher  is  becoming 
more  crucial,  particularly  in  congregations 
unable  to  afford  a  full-time  pastor  and  in 
churches  where  English  is  not  the  primary 


Debate  about  whether  denominational 
administrators  need  to  return  to  congrega- 
tions for  at  least  one  year  after  serving  five 
years  in  any  General  Assembly  agency  or  unit 
was  curtailed  by  a  48 1  -65  vote  not  to  set  term- 
Umits. 

The  Assembly  also  voted  not  to  set  term- 
limits  on  General  Assembly  executives,  man- 
agers, directors  and  administrators. 

The  overture  came  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Upper  Ohio  Valley  —  and  CCOV  recom- 
mended it  be  rejected. 

Commissioner  Charlotte  Easton  of  Peace 
River  Presbytery  proposed  10  year  limits. 


roles  referred 
and  Vocations 

saying,  "Congregations  and  churches  back 
home  feel  very  distant  from  General  Assem- 
bly people.  They  need  to  come  back  to  our 
local  churches." 

Questions  about  whether  the  restriction 
applied  to  non-clergy  and  about  the  ambigu- 
ity of  job  titles  listed  in  the  overture  were 
raised  from  the  floor. 

CCOV  vice  moderator  Carolyn 
Wilkerson  said  staff  undergo  comprehensive 
reviews  currently.  She  added,  "God  has 
given  us  many  different  gifts ...  and  an  admin- 
istrator or  a  program  planner ...  are  not  neces- 
sarily the  people  we  want  in  our  pulpits. 
That's  not  a  putdown.  Simply,  the  gifts  are 
different." 

Commissioner  William  Brown  of  Upper 
Ohio  Valley  Presbytery  said  the  overture's 
intent  was  not  to  penalize  staff,  but  to  begin  a 
process  where  program  leaders  "see  the  effect 
of  what  happens,  what  has  taken  place"  in 
offices  of  the  General  Assembly. 


June  1994 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


Page  11 


Pension  bonus  approved; 
medical  proposal  loses  narrowly 


Assembly  puts  its  money  where  its  thoughts  are 

$30,000  budgeted  toward  reconciliation 


by  Marj  Carpenter 

Nobody  objected  to  having  an  eight  per- 
cent "good  experience"  apportionment  for 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  pension  plan. 

But  commissioners  did  find  other  things 
to  object  about  in  the  report  of  Committee  on 
Pensions  and  Benefits  to  the  206th  General 
Assembly.  The  committee  was  called  unex- 
pectedly on  Wednesday  night  while  commis- 
sioners awaited  receiving  printed  copies  of 
the  General  Assembly  Council  Review  Com- 
mittee. 

Commissioners  rapidly  approved  amend- 
ments to  a  memorandum  of  understanding 
between  the  General  Assembly  Council  and 
the  Board  of  Pensions. 

But  not  all  Pension  actions  were  easily 
approved.  Possibly  the  closest  vote  in  the 
entire  General  Assembly  was  the  226-224 
count  on  disapproving  a  commissioner' s  reso- 
lution calling  for  steps  to  continue  to  provide 
fi-ee  medical  insurance  for  those  now  cov- 
ered, and  moving  toward  the  same  for  all 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  ministers. 

An  overture  requesting  that  clergy 
couples  major  medical  insurance  fee  be  single 
billing  was  referred  to  the  Board  of  Pensions 
for  additional  study  after  the  committee  had 
requested  that  it  be  answered  in  the  negative. 


In  answering  an  overture  on  directing  the 
Board  of  Pensions  to  make  immediate  provi- 
sions for  long-term  care  in  the  benefits  plans 
ofthe  church,  the  Assembly  voted  to  disap- 
prove, with  a  comment  that  "We  share  the 
concerns.  We  affirm  the  Board's  willingness 
to  study  optional  benefits  that  are  employee- 
paid  and  encourage  them  to  report  back  to  the 
207th  General  Assembly." 

Another  overture  sent  back  to  the  Board 
of  Pensions  called  for  restoring  the  coordina- 
tion of  benefits  or  providing  options  for  indi- 
vidual coverage  for  plan  members  whose 
spouse  and  families  are  covered  outside  the 
plan. 

The  most  discussion,  as  anticipated,  cen- 
tered around  a  "relief  of  conscience  clause"  in 
connection  with  funding  abortions.  Current 
provisions  allow  a  congregation  that  objects 
to  abortion  medical  fees  being  paid  by  the 
church  to  receive  the  approval  of  its  presbytery 
and  go  through  a  process  by  which  it  does  not 
participate  in  abortion. 

A  minority  report  requested  a  new  task 
force  to  study  the  issue.  After  lengthy  debate 
this  was  denied  and  the  recommendation  of 
the  committee  to  leave  the  present  method 
intact  was  approved. 


Program  directors  installed 


by  Alexa  Smith 

A  $30,000  budget  to  fund  a  special  com- 
mittee on  reconciliation  with  the  Presbyterian 
Lay  Committee  was  authorized  late  Tuesday 
afternoon  by  the  206th  General  Assembly. 

The  action  came  out  of  a  recommenda- 
tion by  the  Committee  on  Churchwide  Ser- 
vices and  Programs — and  the  brief  floor  de- 
bate focused  on  what  entity  should  finance 
the  committee's  work  and  who  should  ap- 
point the  committee  itself. 

Commissioners  authorized  exploring 
"the  possibility  of  obtaining  funding"  for  the 
committee's  work  through  the  Presbyterian 
Peacemaking  Offering,  and  voted  that  mod- 
erator Robert  W.  Bohl  appoint  the  committee, 
rather  than  the  General  Assembly  Council,  as 
originally  recommended. 

Per  capita  dollars  will  fund  the  special 
committee,  associate  stated  clerk  the  Rev. 
Scott  Schaefer  told  Presbyterian  News  Ser- 
vice after  the  meeting,  since  the  Peacemaking 
Offering  is  already  designated.  He  said  the 
financial  implications  team  met  after  the  ple- 
nary. 

In  other  action,  the  Assembly: 

*  endorsed  two  reports  on  Presbyterian 
commitment  to  higher  education; 

*  endorsed  an  ecumenical  and  inter-faith 
document  calling  for  compassionate  ministry 
in  dealing  with  HIV/AIDS; 

*  instructed  the  three  programmatic  divi- 
sions to  report  their  plans  regarding  AIDS- 
related  ministries  to  the  Assembly  over  the 
next  three  years. 

The  Rev.  Barbara  A.  Anderson  of  Al- 
bany Presbytery,  committee  moderator,  told 


by  Jerry  L.  Van  Marter 

Six  months  after  they  began  work,  the 
three  directors  of  the  General  Assembly's 
program  divisions  were  confirmed  Tuesday 
by  the  206th  General  Assembly. 

The  Revs.  Eunice  Poethig,  Curtis  A. 
Keams,  Jr.,  and  Clifton  Kirkpatrick  were  in- 
stalled to  the  offices  of  director  of  Congrega- 
tional Ministries,  National  Ministries  and 
Worldwide  Ministries,  respectively. 

Poethig  outlined  "three  arenas  of  special 
calling  about  which  I  am 
very  excited": 

*  theological  reflec- 
tion— "to  come 
together  around  whom 
and  what  we  believe" 

*  spiritual  forma- 
tion— "the  need  to  prac- 
tice the  presence 
of  God  in  our  lives" 

*  worship — "the 
center  of  our  gathered 
life.. .and  a  symbol  of 
the  unity  of  the  whole 
people  of  God  every- 
where in  the  world." 

Keams  articulated 


love  and  justice  that  I  fear  I  cannot  attain  but 
for  God's  grace." 

Kirkpatrick  acknowledged  that  "this  is 
not  an  easy  time,"  but  said  he  is  also  con- 
vinced that  "there  was  never  a  time  when 
God's  spirit  was  more  alive,  more  vital  and 
more  dynamic."  Kirkpatrick  said  the  church 
"by  its  very  nature  is  a  missionary  society. . . 
committed  to  the  great  commission." 

The  Rev.  James  D.  Brown,  executive 
director  of  the  General  Assembly  Council, 


NEW  PROGRAM  DIRECTORS  Kirkpatrick,  Poethig,  and 
Keams  were  installed  at  the  206th  Assembly. 


a  vision  that  his  division 
"will  use  the  power,  wisdom  and  right- 
eousness of  God  to  raise  our  ministry  to  new 
levels  of  perfection."  He  confessed  to  a  fear 
of  the  Lord,  "not  fear  in  the  sense  of  anxious- 
ness,  but  in  the  sense  of  awesome  respect  — 
a  fear  that  is  a  challenge  to  rise  to  a  level  of 


charged  the  new  directors  to,  in  the  words  of 
Romans  12,  "present  yourselves  as  a  living 
sacrifice. .  .transformed  by  the  renewal  of  your 
mind,  that  you  may  prove  what  is  the  will  of 
God,  what  is  good  and  acceptable  and  per- 
fect." 


Three  retiring 
presidents 
are  honored 

by  Jerry  L.  Van  Marter 


Three  retiring  theological  institution 
presidents  were  honored  by  the  206th  Gen- 
eral Assembly  tuesday. 

The  Rev.  Aurelio  Garcia  Archilla  of  San 
Juan  Presbytery,  moderator  of  the  Assembly 
Committee  on  Theological  Institutions  and 
Issues,  Faith  and  Worship,  introduced  the 
Rev.  J.  Randolph  Taylor,  former  Assembly 
moderator  and  for  the  last  nine  years  presi- 
dent of  San  Francisco  Theological  Seminary. 

Also  introduced  was  Howard  Dooley, 
for  the  past  20  years  president  of  the  Omaha 
Seminary  Foundation.  Honored  but  not 
present  was  the  Rev.  T.  Hartley  Hall  IV,  who 
is  retiring  after  13  years  as  president  of  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia. 

Garcia  Archilla  also  introduced  the  Rev. 
Joyce  Tucker,  who  after  serving  as  director  of 
the  Committee  on  Theological  Education  of 
the  General  Assembly  for  six  years  has  taken 
a  position  as  a  dean  of  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary. 


commissioners  the  $30,000  is  for  expenses  of 
five  committee  members  to  be  appointed  by 
the  General  Assembly  and  that  the  Lay  Com- 
mittee agreed  to  fund  its  own  representatives. 

The  special  committee  is  charged  to  work 
with  the  Lay  Committee  to: 

*  determine  appropriate  boundaries  for 
the  Lay  Committee's  work; 

*  encourage  the  Lay  Committee' s  "faith- 
ful commitment  to  the  peace,  unity  and  purity 
of  the  church"; 

*  work  collaboratively  on  this  task  with 
all  middle  governing  bodies. 

"Since  1992  there  has  been  no  progress 
in  the  process  of  reconciliation  with  the  Lay 
Committee  ...  and  a  report  of  no  progress  is 
unacceptable,"  committee  vice  moderator 
Judith  B.  Ferguson  of  Mission  Presbytery 
told  the  Assembly. 

Annual  reports  from  special  organiza- 
tions wishing  to  submit  them  are  now  re- 
ceived by  the  Christian  Faith  and  Life  Pro- 
gram Area  of  the  Congregational  Ministries 
Division,  though  consultations  are  set  for 
1994,  according  to  a  report  from  that  divi- 
sion. 

The  former  Theology  and  Worship  Min- 
istry Unit  was  instructed  in  1991  to  initiate 
and  maintain  dialogue  with  special  interest 
groups,  conducted  by  elected  members,  ofthe 
unit  committee.  Restructuring,  loss  of  elected 
members,  and  diminished  budget  "necessi- 
tate occasional  consultations  with  some  spe- 
cial organizations  to  be  conducted  by  staff," 
the  report  says. 

Anderson  told  Presbyterian  News  Ser- 
vice the  committee  felt  a  "more  representa- 
tive" group  was  needed  given  "the  state  ofthe 
church  and  the  state  of  the  relationship  be- 
tween the  denomination  as  a  body  and  the  Lay 
Committee." 

HIGHER  EDUCATION  REPORT 

"On  Being  Faithful:  The  Continuing 
Mission  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
in  Higher  Education"  was  approved  with  one 
amendment  to  its  proposals  for  mission  into 
the  next  century. 

Commissioners  voted  that  staff  report 
back  to  the  207th  General  Assembly  regard- 
ing the  feasibility  of  a  new  General  Assembly 
relationship  with  church-related  colleges,  af- 
ter consultation  with  middle  governing  bod- 
ies and  higher  education  constituencies. 

"On  Being  Faithful"  urges  congregations 
and  governing  bodies  to  exercise  appropriate 
responsibility  for  higher  education  ministry 
in  their  committee  structure.  It  designates 
1998  as  the" Year  of  Emphasis  on  Educa- 
tion," focusing  on  the  church  as  an  educating 
institution  and  on  the  church' s  mission  through 
education. 

The  paper,  "What  Is  a  Christian  Col- 
lege?" was  also  approved. 

HIV/AIDS  MINISTRY 

After  debate,  commissioners  voted  to 
approve  a  resolution  affirming  a  statement  in 
response  to  the  AIDS  epidemic  to  be  issued 
by  an  inter-faith  AIDS  network  for  presenta- 
tion at  the  United  Nations  on  World  AIDS 
Day,  December  1 . 

An  overture  asking  that  ministry  divi- 
sions and  lower  governing  bodies  "lift  up" 
models  for  ministry,  support  groups  and  edu- 
cation programs  "on  behalf  of  persons  and 
their  families  living  with  HIV/AIDS  was  also 
approved. 


Page  12 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


June  1994 


Global  Mission  (Continued  from  page  1) 


their  best  and  brightest  to  fulfill  Christ's  call 
to  'Go  into  all  the  wdrid  and  proclaim  the 
good  news'"  actording  to  the  Committee 
Report. 

A  generation  ago,  the  denomination  be- 
gan to  work  in  close  consultation  with  over- 
seas partners.  The  current  plan  is  thought  of  as 
a  similar  landmark  and  will  work  with  con- 
gregation and  presbyteries.  The  world  is  grow- 
ing smaller  and  Presbyterians  travel  more 
extensively  and  come  into  more  contact  with 
churches  outside  their  own  borders,  broaden- 
ing their  interest  and  involvement  in  world- 
wide mission. 

At  this  crossroad,  the  agreement  acts 
upon  the  need  for  a  common  set  of  under- 
standings about  the  recruitment  and  funding 
of  mission  personnel,  and  the  establishment 
of  partnerships  among  presbyteries,  congre- 
gations. General  Assembly  agencies,  and 
churches  in  other  countries. 

Rules  are  set  up  for  funding  positions 
after  they  go  through  a  validation  process.  A 
limited  number  of  newly  validated  positions 
will  be  given  priority  status  each  year  to 
receive  full  funding  through  General  Assem- 
bly Unified  Funds. 

The  Assembly  Committee  approved  an 
amendment  specifying  that  when  a  position 
has  been  validated  and  a  candidate  for  the 
position  approved,  the  appropriate  General 


Assembly  division  may  authorize  the  candi- 
date to  secure  up  to  80  percent  of  the  total 
supportrequired  for  a  full  term  of  an  appoint- 
ment. Assurance  is  provided  that  the  appoint- 
ment will  be  made  unless  changing  circum- 
stances make  it  impossible.  These  funds  are 
expected  to  represent  new  dollars  rather  than 
monies  shifted  from  other  presbyteries  causes. 

Joint  appointment  with  other  agencies  or 
denominations  may  be  made  through  nego- 
tiations to  share  the  cost. 

Some  schools,  hospitals  and  USA  mis- 
sion sites  will  share  in  the  cost  of  housing, 
salary  or  local  stipends.  Short  term  volunteer 
positions  will  be  funded  from  personal  mon- 
ies, gifts  and/or  scholarships  from  congrega- 
tions and  presybteries. 

With  any  combination  of  funding,  re- 
cruitment, and  placement  options,  the  coordi- 
nation of  mission  strategies  for  the  PC(US  A) 
remains  the  responsibility  of  the  General 
Assembly  Ministry  Divisions. 

Moments  before  approving  the  new  plan 
for  recruiting  and  funding  mission  personnel, 
the  Assembly  also  approved  a  comment 
stating:  "In  light  of  changes  in  the  1994  fund- 
ing of  global  mission  and  to  ensure  future 
funding  of  global  mission  personnel,  we  re- 
quest that  the  Global  Mission  personnel  bud- 
get not  descend  below  1993  Global  Mission 


ELENA  MACKAY  REISNER,  longtime  missionary  to  Mexico,  received  the 
Bell-Mackay  Award  presented  at  the  Presbyterians  for  Renewal  Meeting. 


personnel  levels.  In  the  event  that  budgetary 
cuts  need  to  be  made  in  the  unified  budget,  the 
committee  requests  that  the  Global  Mission 
personnel  budget  have  priority  and  be  the  last 
downsized. 

Prior  to  the  Global  Mission  report,  the 
Rev.  Syngman  Rhee,  Associate  for  Ecumeni- 
cal Mission,  prayed  for  reunification  andpeace 
in  Korea  in  the  month  which  notes  the  40th 
anniversary  of  the  war  there. 

In  other  action  proposed  by  the  Global 
Witness  and  Mission  Personnel  Committee, 
the  Assembly  approved  participating  with  the 
Korean  Churches  with  the  1995  Jubilee  Year 


for  Peace  and  Reunification;  approved 
churches  and  governing  bodies  taking  part  in 
activities  related  to  the  year  of  Africa;  com- 
mended for  study  and  implementation  the 
principles  for  Mission  and  Unity  in  the  Na- 
tions of  the  former  Soviet  Union;  approved  a 
resolution  expressing  profound  sorrow  at  the 
situation  in  Rwanda  and  set  a  day  of  prayer 
and  fasting  for  July  10;  approved  support  of 
universal  and  voluntary  family  planning  at  an 
international  conference  on  population  to  be 
held  in  Egypt  in  September;  and  expressed 
concern  for  the  persecuted  people  in  Chiapas, 
Mexico. 


Goals,  effects,  and  possible  problems  for  new  mission  plan 


by  Benjamin  Weir 

Why  is  it  necessary  at  this  time  to  take  a 
fresh  look  at  the  recruitment  and  funding  of 
mission  personnel?  Over  the  past  eight  years 
general  assemblies  have  affirmed  the  goal  of 
appointing  scores  of  new  missionaries,  but  at 
the  same  time  a  steady  decline  in  giving  to  the 
General  Assembly  Unified  Budget  has  made 
that  goal  impossible.  In  fact,  the  missionary 
force  is  today  less  than  one-third  of  the  num- 
ber in  1958. 

That  issue  was  addressed  by  an  overture 
from  San  Gabriel  Presbytery  in  1992,  asking 
for  "a  diversified  method  of  funding  mission- 
aries that  would  allow  for  a  more  direct  and 
personal  link  between  the  missionary  and  a 
local  base  support." 

In  response,  a  task  force  has  been  at  work 
for  our  developing  such  a  plan,  and  consult- 
ing with  presbyteries,  synods  and  congrega- 
tions to  get  their  ideas  and  responses.  The  task 
force  presented  its  proposal  to  the  Assembly 
Conmiittee  on  Global  Witness  and  Mission 
Personnel.  After  prolonged  discussion  the 
committee  voted  to  support  and  present  the 
proposed  plan  to  the  General  Assembly  for 
approval. 

The  main  goals  of  the  new  design  are: 

1 .  To  recognize  the  importance  of  par- 
ticipation by  presbyteries  and  congregations 
in  the  process  of  recruiting  and  supporting 
persons  for  mission  service.  In  effect,  it  will 
broaden  and  decentralize  the  process  of  re- 
cruiting, appointing  and  supporting  person- 
nel. 

2.  To  retain  with  the  Worldwide  and 
National  Ministries  responsibility  for  vali- 
dating projects,  certifying  persons  for  ser- 
vice, and  approving  plans  for  financial  sup- 
port of  individual  missionary  co-workers. 


3.  To  assure  that  relationships  with 
partner  churches  and  institutions  abroad  will 
be  respected  and  preserved,  but  also  be  re- 
sponsive to  new  opportunities  and  relation- 
ships developed  by  presbyteries  and  congre- 
gations. 

4.  To  provide  opportunity  for 
presbyteries  and  congregations  that  raise  funds 
for  mission  efforts  over  and  above  their  present 
support  of  the  denomination's  General  As- 
sembly Unified  Funds,  to  direct  those  funds 
for  support  of  Presbyterian  mission  personnel 
rather  than  to  non-denominational  causes. 

5.  To  develop  a  system  that  is  both 
flexible  and  responsive  to  needs  and  opportu- 
nities as  they  emerge.  Thus  in  1996  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  is  to  review  the  new  design  in 
the  light  of  two  years  of  experience.  Mean- 
while it  is  recognized  that  the  current  pattern 
of  missionary  recruitment  funding  and  ap- 
pointment will  continue,  but  in  an  expanded 
form. 

What  may  be  the  effect  of  these  changes? 

1 .  Presbyterian  mission  will  continue 
to  be  implemented  within  an  ecumenical  con- 
text and  in  faithfulness  to  our  partnership 
relations  with  churches  and  institutions. 

2.  The  current  pattern  of  Presbyterian 
mission  as  directed  by  the  Worldwide  and 
National  Ministries  will  continue  and,  it  is 
hoped,  be  expanded  and  undergirded. 

3.  Local  engagement  in  the  process 
can  stimulate  greater  prayer  support  and  in- 
terest in  the  work  of  missionaries. 

4.  Funds  now  flowing  from  Presbyte- 
rian sources  to  non-Presbyterian  projects  may 
be  redirected  to  support  new  denominational 
efforts. 

5.  Greater  participation  can  be  stimu- 
lated and  more  enthusiastic  support  given  to 


Presbyterian  mission  at  the  local  level. 

6.  The  new  pattern  will  allow  identifi- 
cation and  support  of  new  mission  efforts  as 
they  come  to  the  attention  of  congregations 
and  presbyteries. 

7.  The  plan  recognizes  the  locus  of 
policy  decision-making,  stating:  "With  any 
combination  of  funding,  recruitment,  and 
placement  options,  the  coordination  of  mis- 
sion strategies  for  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  remains  the  responsibility  of  the 
General  Assembly  Ministry  Divisions." 

What  may  emerge  as  problems  in  the 
new  pattern? 

1.  If  there  should  develop  a  lack  of 
trust  between  entities  or  insufficient  coordi- 
nation of  responsibility,  the  plan  will  not 
work  successfully.  Therefore  a  common  com- 
mitment to  open  communication  and  prompt 
response  to  requests  is  essential. 

2 .  If  individuals  who  want  to  be  recog- 
nized as  missionaries  proceed  to  raise  funds 
on  their  own  before  a  project  is  validated  or 
their  appointment  is  certified,  such  action 
will  be  contrary  to  the  intention  of  the  pro- 
posal and  can  spoil  an  otherwise  hopeful 
relationship. 

3.  The  temptation  to  short-circuit  the 
process  can  lead  to  frustration  and  disap- 
pointment. Only  faithful  commitment  to  the 
relationships  and  financial  support  as  out- 
lined in  the  plan  can  make  it  work.  Oversight 
is  lodged  with  the  Worldwide  and  National 
Ministries.  They  are  to  confirm  in  each  case 
the  work  assignment  (validation  of  the 
project),  the  suitability  of  a  particular  indi- 
vidual for  the  assignment  (certification),  and 
commitment  of  funds  to  support  the  co-worker 
for  the  entire  period  of  service. 

The  task  force  that  formed  the  plan,  and 


the  Assembly  committee  that  gave  serious 
attention  and  strong  support  to  the  proposal 
are  optimistic  that  it  will  provide  a  way  to 
respond  more  fully  to  many  mission  opportu- 
nities that  lie  before  us. 

Benjamin  M.  Weir  is  Professor  of  Mission 
and  Evangelism,  San  Francisco  Theological 
Seminary 


Assembly  confirms 
new  head  of  PPC 

by  Linda  Laird 

C.  Davis  Perkins  was  confirmed  as  presi- 
dent and  pubhsher  of  Presbyterian  Publishing 
Corporation  in  the  Tuesday  morning  plenary 
of  the  206th  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

In  response  to  his  appointment,  Perkins 
said  his  intentions  are  to  develop  the  Presby- 
terian Publishing  Corporation  as  a  healthy 
publishing  operation  with  three  goals.  They 
are: 

*  to  make  sure  churches  have  curriculum 
materials  that  teachers  can  easily  understand 
and  use; 

*  to  have  books  and  supplies  that  can  be  easily 
and  quickly  ordered  and  received; 

*  and  to  publish  books  of  distinction,  both  in 
the  mainstream  as  well  as  those  pushing  the 
boundaries  of  thought. 

As  the  chief  officer  of  the  Presbyterian 
Publishing  Corporation,  Perkins  will  coordi- 
nate the  functions  of  Westminster/  John  Knox 
Press. 


June  1994 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


Page  13 


Gay,  Lesbian  overtures 
answered  by  '93  action 


In  early  decision,  Assembly 
votes  to  rule  on  sexuality  issues 


by  Jerry  L.  Van  Marter 

Early  in  its  deliberations,  the  206th  Gen- 
eral Assembly  (1994) voted  292-216  to  con- 
sider 18  overtures  relating  to  human  sexual 
behavior  this  year.  The  decision  overturns  a 
recommendation  to  defer  action  on  human 
sexuality  matters  for  three  years  while 
churchwide  dialogue  and  smdy  takes  place. 

The  Committee  on  the  Office  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  and  a  supporting  overture  from 
San  Gabriel  Presbytery  had  urged  the  Assem- 
bly to  defer  action,  based  on  a  1993  call  for  a 
three-year  study  throughout  the  church.  The 
Assembly's  committee  on  Bills  and  Over- 
tures spent  half  a  day  Friday  hearing  from 
dozens  of  Presbyterians  on  the  proposal  to 
defer. 

In  the  end,  the  committee,  chaired  by  the 
Rev.  Morton  McMillan  of  South  Alabama 
Presbytery,  voted  18-1 1  to  reconmiend  to  the 
Assembly  that  the  overtures  be  considered 
this  year. 

"Despite  the  concerns  of  those  who  sup- 
port deferring  these  matters,  the  majority  of 
the  [Bills  and  Overtures]  conmiittee  believes 
it  is  necessary  and  urgent  for  them  to  be 
considered  this  year,"  McMillan  told  the  As- 
sembly. "We  need  to  say  to  thosechurches 
and  presbyteries  that  have  addressed  the  As- 


sembly on  these  issues,  'You  have  addressed 
the  General  Assembly  rightly  and  properly  on 
these  issues... and  so  it  is  right  and  proper  for 
this  Assembly  to  consider  them'." 

The  Rev.  Steven  Shoemaker  of  South- 
eastern Illinois  Presbytery  argued  that  defer- 
ring the  overtures  "will  give  commissioners 
time  to  consider  the  other  weighty  matters 
before  us." 

But  the  Rev.  William  Neely  of  Charles- 
ton-Atlantic Presbytery  said  the  overtures 
must  be  considered  this  year  "because  we 
cannot  lay  off  what  is  our  responsibility." 

The  Rev.  Sandra  Winter  of  Redwoods 
Presbytery,  who  chairs  the  sexuality  dialogue 
committee  of  her  presbytery,  pleaded  that 
"the  church  needs  a  more  loving  and  under- 
standing attitude  as  we  discuss  these  issues" 
and  expressed  concern  that  to  address  human 
sexuality  issues  now  "will  invalidate  our  care- 
fully laid  covenants  to  dialogue." 

"These  issues  are  regarded  with  such 
passion  that  they  cannot  be  ignored,"  said  the 
Rev.  Patricia  Pabst  of  Pueblo  Presbytery. 
Pabst,  who  is  vice-moderator  of  the  Bills  and 
Overtures  committee,  said,  "Delay  would  only 
exacerbate  and  deepen  the  divisions  in  our 
church  —  silence  is  not  helpful." 


The  206th  General  Assembly  answered  a 
cluster  of  1993  overtures  June  1 5  addressing 
the  ordination  of  gay  and  lesbian  people  with 
the  action  of  last  year's  General  Assembly. 

In  1993,  the  General  Assembly  answered 
dozens  of  overtures  addressing  the  ordination 
issue  by  calling  upon  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  to  engage  in  study  and  dialogue. 
The  Assembly  also  adopted  as  "authoritative 
interpretation"  that  "self-affirming,  practic- 
ing homosexual  persons  may  not  be  ordained 
as  ministers  of  the  Word  and  Sacrament, 
elders,  or  deacons." 

Six  overtures  (93-111,  112,  114,  116, 
1 17,  125)  did  not  make  the  deadline  for  the 
1993  General  Assembly.  The  Committee  on 
the  Office  of  the  General  Assembly  and  an 
overture  from  San  Gabriel  Presbytery  had 
recommended  that  the  overtures  be  deferred 
to  the  208th  (1996)  General  Assembly.  The 
206th  General  Assembly  did  not  agree,  upon 
recommendation  of  its  Assembly  Committee 
on  Bills  and  Overtures,  and  they  were  re- 
ferred to  the  Assembly  Committee  on  Church 
Polity. 

A  request  was  made  to  separate  Overture 
93-114  from  the  bundle  of  overtures  and 
approve  it.  The  overture  requested  that  the 
1993General  Assembly  dismiss  the  Perma- 
nent Judicial  Commission's  decision  in  the 
case  that  "set  aside"  the  Rev.  Jane  Spahr' s  call 
to  Downtown  United  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Rochester,  New  York. 

Earlier  in  the  Church  Polity  report,  the 
Assembly  had  defeated  an  overture  request- 
ing that  the  Book  of  Order  be  amended  to  give 


the  General  Assembly  the  responsibility  of 
confirming  decisions  of  its  judicial  commis- 
sion which  caused  confusion  on  the  floor. 
After  some  clarification,  the  General  Assem- 
bly denied  the  request  by  approving  its 
committee's  recommendation  481-65. 

In  other  action,  the  Assembly  approved 
an  overture  from  the  Synod  of  the  Pacific 
requesting  the  formation  of  a  Korean-Ameri- 
can presbytery  within  its  bounds. 

Several  commissioners  spoke  against  the 
overture,  characterizing  non-geographic 
presbyteries  as  "divisive"  and  "separative." 
John  Kelso,  an  overture  advocate  from  the 
synod,  said  that  these  presbyteries  are  "not 
exclusive,"  but  a  "paradigm  for  including 
disenfranchised  communities"  facing  lan- 
guage and  cultural  barriers  in  the  church.  The 
overture  was  approved  by  a  vote  of  331-1 12. 

Overture  94- 1 2  requesting  that  the  COCU 
(Consultation  on  Church  Union)  documents 
be  submitted  to  the  presbyteries  for  a  vote  was 
referred  to  the  207th  (1995)  General  Assem- 
bly. The  referral  included  a  comment  direct- 
ing the  stated  clerk  to  prepare  for  the  next 
General  Assembly  a  "complete  delineation  of 
all  changes  to  the  Book  of  Order  that  COCU 
would  necessitate."  The  Special  Committee 
on  Consultation  on  Church  Union  plans  to 
report  to  the  Assembly  next  year. 

A  commissioner's  resolution  was  ap- 
proved that  recommends  presbyteries  estab- 
lish youth  advisory  delegate  programs  to  "ef- 
fectively hear  the  voice  of  youth  membership 
representing  each  of  the  congregations." 


IVIore  specific  language  on  officers'  sexual  behavior  rejected 


by  Alexa  Smith 

An  attempt  to  define  more  precisely  what 
is  acceptable  sexual  conduct  for  clergy  and 
other  church  officers  was  rejected  after  sus- 
tained debate  Wednesday  afternoon. 

Instead,  the  Assembly  voted  to  amend 
the  language  of  its  constitution  to  say  the  lives 
of  deacons,  elders  and  ministers  of  the  Word 
and  Sacrament  should  demonstrate  Christian 
faith  and  life  "as  defined  by  Scripture  and  the 
Confessions." 

The  vote  was  357-176,  with  three  absten- 
tions, to  adopt  a  minority  report  from  the 
Committee  on  Church  Orders  and  Vocation 
(CCOV) — an  action  the  Rev.  Caroline  Price- 
Gibson,  a  commissioner  from  Pittsburgh 
Presbytery,  described  on  the  Assembly  floor 
as  "the  middle  ground." 

"Fidelity  within  the  covenant  of  mar- 
riage or  celibacy"  was  the  phrase  disputed  on 
the  Assembly  floor  and  in  committee  hear- 
ings prior  to  the  plenary.  The  phrase  appeared 
in  a  series  of  overtures,  the  most  publicized 
being  one  from  Savannah  Presbytery. 

CCOV  brought  Overture  94-25  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Charleston-Atlantic  to  the  As- 
sembly floor  because  it  considered  the  overall 
language  of  the  overmre  "more  pastoral," 
accordingto  the  Rev.  Edward  B.  Newberry  of 
Charlotte  Presbytery,  CCOV  moderator. 

The  minority  report  opposed  the  Charles- 
ton-Atlantic overture  —  which  came  out  of 
conunittee  on  a  31-26  vote  —  on  several 
grounds. 

Youth  Delegate  Laurie  Fields  of 


Whitewater  Valley  Presbytery  told  the  As- 
sembly that  drafters  of  the  minority  report 
rejected  the  original  overture  because  it  el- 
evated "one  particular  moral  issue"  above 
others  and  because  it  omitted  references  to 
other  abuses  of  power  by  ordained  officers. 

"We  want  to  keep  alive  the  dialogue  on 
human  sexual  behavior  and  ordination  as 
recommended,"  said  the  Rev.  Robert  L. 
Garrard  of  the  Presbytery  of  South  Dakota, 
who  also  presented  the  minority  report,  add- 
ing that  sexual  misconduct  policies  are  also  in 
place. 

During  debate,  a  commissioner  from 
Charleston-Atlantic  Presbytery  said  it  was 
not  the  intention  of  the  overture  to  "single  out 
any  group  ...  Nor  was  it  the  intention  to  start 
an  inquisition.  Our  concern  was  that  so  many 
ministers  of  the  Word  and  Sacrament  are  not 
keeping  their  vows ..."  He  said  the  presbytery 
wanted  to  spell  out  guidelines. 

In  hearings  earlier  this  week,  some  ar- 
gued the  overture  was  a  tactic  to  prohibit 
constitutionally  the  ordination  of  gays  and 
lesbians. 

All  constitutional  amendments  require  a 
majority  vote  of  presbyteries. 

Three  amendments  to  the  overture  were 
defeated  on  the  floor,  including  one  which 
sought  to  develop  examination  guidelines  for 
church  officers  and  another  specifying  tithes 
and  spiritual  disciplines  for  ordained  people. 

On  recommendation  of  the  CCOV,  the 
Assembly  refused  to  adopt  two  overtures 
addressing  ordination  of  gay  and  lesbian 
people.  Another  overture  on  "the  need  for  a 


holy  and  pure  life"  was  declared  out-of-order 
after  action  Tuesday  which  said  ministers  are 
not  permitted  to  bless  same-sex  unions. 

After  sustained  debate,  the  Assembly 
referred  an  overture  on  changing  the  func- 
tions of  commissioned  lay  preachers  to  the 
National  Ministries  Division  for  further  study 
by  a  274-260  vote.  Moderator  Robert  W. 
Bohl  said,  "It  is  referred  ...  barely." 

Commissioners  referred  another  over- 


ture asking  for  constitutional  change  to 
allow  temporary  pastoral  relationships  to 
become  permanent  to  the  General  As- 
sembly Council,  as  well  as  an  overture  on 
calling  tentmakers. 

In  other  business,  the  Assembly  re- 
jected an  overture  that  would  set  five- 
year  term  limits  for  directors,  managers, 
administrators  and  executives  of  General 
Assembly  offices,  agencies  and  units. 


ECUMENICAL  AWARDS-The  Rev.  Carroll  D.  Jenkins,  left,  executive  of  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic,  was  presented  an  award  by  Moderator  Robert  Bohls.  Looking  on  are 
the  Rev.  Syngman  Rhee,  of  the  Worldwide  Ministries  Division,  and  J.  Jerome  Cooper, 
vice-moderator  of  the  General  Assembly. 


Page  14 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


June  1994 


OVERTURES  TO  THE  206th  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 


1993  Late  Overtures 

Overture  93-88  On  Amending  G14.0516  b,c,  and  Re- 
garding the  Status  and  Rights  of  Commissioned  Lay 
Preachers — From  the  Presb^ery  of  Sacramento. — AP- 
PROVED W/AMENIJMB>JT  AND  COMMENT 

Overture  93-89  On  Amending  G- 1 8.0000  To  De- 
fme  "Overture,"  and  to  Give  Specific  Details  Describing 
Process  of  Proposals  on  Common  Concerns  to  the  Mis- 
sion of  the  Church — From  the  Presbytery  of  Beaver 
Butler.  —DISAPPROVED 

Overture  93-90         On  Amending  G- 14.0307  Regard- 
ing an  Inquirer  or  Candidate  Who  Has  Been  Previously 
Ordained  as  an  Elder — From  the  Presbytery  of  the 
Cascades  —ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESO- 
LUTION 

Overture  93-91  On  Numbering  the  Pages  of  the 
Book  of  Confessions,  and  Footnoting  Each  Page  with 
Scriptural  References  Pertaining  to  Statements  on  that 
Page — From  the  Presbytery  of  Northeast  Georgia. — 
APPROVED  W/AMENDMENT 

Overture  93-92  On  Amending  G-9.0105,  G- 
10.0301, G-1 1.0302,  G-12.0301,G-13.0108,G-13.0201- 
.0202,  and  G-14.0201-.0202  to  Insert  the  Word  "Minor- 
ity" after  the  Term  "Racial  Ethnic" — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Grace— DISAPPROVED 

Overture  93-93  On  Clarification  of  the  Word 
"Guidance"  as  Used  in  G- 1 1 .0103f— From  the  Presbytery 
of  Baltimore— ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  93-94  On  Amending  G-5.0204,  Affili- 
ate Member,  to  Include  Ordained  Ministers  of  the 
PC(USA)  Who  are  Members  of  a  Local  Congregation— 
From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Joaquin.— DISAPPROVED 

Overture  93-95  On  Resolving  the  Conflict  of  Au- 
thority Between  the  Book  of  Order  and  the  Annotated 
Book  of  Order — From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Fernando. — 
ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  93-96  On  Support  for  Family  Planning 
Education,  Outreach,  and  Services — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Winnebago— ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN 
ON  COMMISSIONERS'  RESOLUTION  93-1 

Overture  93-97  On  Designating  that  the  Christ- 
mas Joy  Offering  go  to  the  Board  of  Pensions  for  Retired 
Church  Workers,  and  On  an  Annual  Offering  for  Minor- 
ity Educational  Institutions — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Northeast  Georgia.— REFERRED  TO  THE  GEN- 
ERAL ASSEMBLY  COUNCIL  W/COMMENT 

Overture  93-98  On  Postponing  the  Vote  Upon 
Becoming  One  of  the  Churches  in  Covenant  Commun- 
ion—From the  Presbytery  of  Eastminster. — DISAP- 
PROVED 

Overture  93-99  On  Amending  W-4.900 1  Regard- 
ing Same  Sex  Unions — From  the  Presbytery  of  Southern 
New  England —APPROVED  W/AMENDMENT 

Overtures  Rescinded  by  the  Representative  Com- 
mittee 

On  Bills  and  Overmres  and  Referred 
to  the  206th  General  Assembly  (1994) 

Overture  93-1 1 1  On  Clarifying  the  Nature  of  the 
"Definitive  Guidance"  Regarding  Ordination — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Heartland.— ANSWERED  BY  ACTION 
TAKEN  BY  THE  205TH  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 
(1993) 

Ovemire  93-1 12  On  Affirming  That  the  Book  of 
Order  Alone  Governs  the  Standards  for  Election,  Ordi- 
nation, and  Installation  to  the  Offices  of  the  PC(USA)— 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Cascades.— ANSWERED  BY 
ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVERTURE  93-111 

Overture  93-114  On  Amending  the  General  As- 
sembly PJC  Decision  in  Remedial  Case  205-5— From 
the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore.— ANSWERED  BY  AC- 
TION TAKEN  ON  OVERTURE  93-111 

Overture  93- 116  On  Recasting  the  "Definitive 
Guidance"  of  1978  as  Guidance  for  the  Church  and  Not 
as  Church  Law — From  the  Presbytery  of  Giddings- 
Lovejoy  — ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON 
OVERTURE  93-111 

Overture  93-1 17  On  Holding  in  Abeyance  the  1978 
Policy  Statement  Providing  "Definitive  Guidance,"  and 
Provide  and  Promote  Resources  to  Dispel  Homophobia — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Giddings-Lovejoy. — AN- 
SWERED BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVERTURE 
93-111 

Overture  93-120  On  Declaring  the  Need  for  a  Holy 
and  Pure  Life — From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Joaquin. 


Concurrence:  Presbytery  of  Al^ka, 
Concurrence:  Presbytery  of  Mississippi, 
Concurrence:    Presbytery  of  East  Iowa  —AN- 
SWERED BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVERTURE 
94-25 

Overture  93- 1 25  On  Correcting  an  Erroneous  Ac- 
tion by  the  General  Assembly's  Permanent  Judicial 
Commission — From  the  Presbytery  of  Cayuga-Syra- 
cuse  — ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON 
OVERTURE  93-111 

Overture  93- 1 26  On  Bringing  to  the  206th  General 
Assembly  ( 1 994)  Proposed  Constitutional  Amendments 
Regarding  the  Eligibility  for  Ordination  of  Homosexu- 
als—From the  Presbytery  ofMississippi.  WITHDRAWN 

Overture  93- 1 27  On  Bringing  to  the  206th  General 
Assembly  ( 1 994)  Proposed  Constitutional  Amendments 
Stating  that  Holy  Living  is  an  Indispensable  Require- 
ment for  the  Church's  Officers — From  the  Presbytery  of 
South  Louisiana.— DISAPPROVED 

Overture  93- 1 28  On  Reaffirming  the  Historic  Prin- 
ciples of  Coimectionalism — From  the  Presbytery  of  South 
Louisiana —DISAPPROVED  W/COMMENT 

Ovemire  93- 1 29  On  Reaffuming  the  Official  Stan- 
dards for  Ordination,  and  Bringing  to  the  206th  GA 
(1 994)  Book  of  Order  Amendments  Making  Binding  the 
Language  of  "Definitive  Guidance" — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Shenandoah.  WITHDRAWN 

Overture  93-130  On  Continuing  to  Define  and 
Maintain  the  Official  Standards  for  the  Ordination — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Riverside.  WITHDRAWN 

Overture  93-131  On  Continuing  to  Define  and 
Maintain  the  Official  Standards  for  Ordination — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Prospect  Hill.  WITHDRAWN 

Overture  93-132  On  Rejecting  the  Overture  fi-om 
the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick  and  all  of  its  Sibling 
Overtures — From  the  Presbytery  of  Homestead.  WITH- 
DRAWN 

Overture  93- 1 33  On  Bringing  to  the  206th  General 
Assembly  (1994)  Proposed  Constitutional  Amendments 
to  G-1.0106-.0108— From  the  Presbytery  of  Pueblo. 
WITHDRAWN 

Overture  93- 1 34  On  Endorsing  Conclusions,  Rec- 
ommendations, and  Definitive  Guidance  of  the  190th 
General  Assembly  on  the  Issue  of  Ordination  of  Self- 
Affumed  Practicing  Homosexuals — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Los  Ranchos.  WITHDRAWN 

1994  Overtures 

Overture  94-1  On  Amending  D-8.1600  to  Re- 

store to  General  Assembly  the  Responsibihty  of  Con- 
firming Decisions  of  Its  Permanent  Judicial  Commis- 
sion— From  the  Presbytery  of  Albany.  Concurrence: 
Presbytery  of  Detroit.  Concurrence:  Presbytery  of 
New  York  City —DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-2  On  the  Board  of  Pensions  Provid- 

ing Options  for  Individual  Coverage  for  Plan  Members 
Whose  Spouse  and  Families  are  Covered  Outside  the 
Plan — From  the  Presbytery  of  Providence. — RE- 
FERRED TO  THE  BOARD  OF  PENSIONS  W/COM- 
MENT 

Overture  94-3  On  Amending  G-6.0106  to  Re- 

quire Fidelity  Widiin  the  Covenant  of  Marriage  or  Celi- 
bacy To  Hold  An  Ordained  Office— From  the  Presbytery 
of  Savannah. 

Concurrence:  Presbvterv  of  Mississippi.— AN- 
SWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVERTURE 
94-25 

Overture  94-4  On  Declaring  Paragraph  14  of  the 

Policy  Statement  of  the  190th  GA  (1978)  Regarding 
Ordination  of  Homosexual  Persons  as  Authoritative  In- 
terpretation of  the  Constitution — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Heartland— DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-5  On  Reaffirming  the  "Definitive 

Guidance"  of  the  Constitution  that  Self-Affirming,  Prac- 
ticing, Unrepentant  Homosexual  Persons  May  Not  be 
Ordained — From  the  Presbytery  of  Beaver-Butler. — 
DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-6  On  Approving  the  Union  of  Two 

Churches  [Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)/United  Meth- 
odist Church]  to  Form  "The  Shared  Ministry  of  Rolfe"— 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Prospect  Hill.— APPROVED 

Overture  94-7  On  Approving  the  Union  of  Two 

Churches  [Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A./United  Meth- 
odist Church]  to  Form  "The  United  Church  of  Manilla"— 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Prospect  Hill.— APPROVED 


Overture  94-8  On  Supporting  the  Position  of  the 

Presbyterian  Church  of  Taiwan  That  "There  is  One 
China  and  One  Taiwan" — From  the  Presbytery  of  Balti- 

Concurrence:  Presbvterv  of  Riverside— AN- 

SWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVERTURE 
94-17 

Overture  94-9  Regarding  Exhibit  Space  for 

"Christian  Endeavor  International"  at  the  207th  General 
Assembly  ( 1 995) — From  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore. — 
DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-10  On  Amending  G-10.0102  to  Add 
to  the  Responsibilities  of  Session  that  of  Evangelism — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Sacramento.— APPROVED 

Overture  94- 1 1  On  Stabilizing  the  United  States 
Population — From  the  Presbytery  of  Mackinac. — DIS- 
APPROVED 

Ovemire  94-12  On  Sending  the  COCU  Docu- 
ments to  the  Presbyteries  for  Their  Votes  in  Accordance 
with  G- 1 5.0302— From  the  Presbytery  of  Northern  New 
England  — REFERRED  TO  THE 207TH  GENERAL 
ASSEMBLY 

Overture  94- 1 3  On  Amending  G- 1 4.0502b  to  Re- 
quire Consultation  With  Associate  Pastors  and  Assistant 
Pastors — From  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Nebraska. — 
DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-14  On  Changing  Procedures  for 
Electing  a  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Assembly — From  the 

of  Heartland.  Concurrence:  Presbytery  of  Northern 
Kansas  —DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-15  On  Urging  Condemnation  of  In- 
donesian Actions  in  East  Timor — From  the  Presbytery  of 
San  Francisco.  Concurrence:  Presbytery  of  Balti- 
moEe— REFERRED  TO  THE  GENERAL  ASSEM- 
BLY COUNCIL  W/COMMENT 

Overture  94-16  On  Amending  G-6.0106  to  Re- 
quire Fidelity  Within  the  Covenant  of  Marriage  or  Celi- 
bacy To  Hold  An  Ordained  Office — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Riverside  —ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN 
ON  OVERTURE  94-25 

Overture  94-17  On  Standing  in  Solidarity  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Taiwan  in  its  Efforts  to 
Promote  Democracy  and  Peace — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Riverside.  Concurrence:  Presbytery  of  New  Cov- 
enant— ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLU- 
TION 

Overture  94- 1 8  On  Calling  for  the  Closure  of  the 
School  of  the  Americas — From  the  Presbytery  of  Ca- 

yuga-Syracuse.         Concurrence:  Presbytery  of 

Hudson  River.  Concurrence:  Presbytery  of  Balti- 
more. Concurrence;  Presbytery  of  Boston— AP- 

PROVED 

Overture  94-19  On  Directing  the  Board  of  Pen- 
sions to  Make  Immediate  Provisions  for  Long-Term 
Care  in  the  Benefits  Plan  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)— From  the  Presbytery  of  Donegal.— DISAP- 
PROVED W/COMMENT 

Overture  94-20  On  Requesting  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation  to  Withdraw  from  Certain 
Investments — From  the  Presbytery  of  the  Northern 

Plains.  REFERRED  TO  THE  PRESBYTERL^ 

CHURCH  (U.S.A.)  FOUNDATION  W/COMMENT 

Overture  94-21  On  Amending  G-10.0401d,  G- 
1 1 .0307,  G- 1 2.0305  to  Help  Explain  the  Terms  "Audit" 
and  "Full  Financial  Review" — From  the  Presbytery  of 
National  Capital.— APPROVED 

Overture  94-22  On  Providing  Accomplishments 
of  GA  Divisions  and  Lower  Governing  Bodies  Regard- 
ing Models  for  Ministry  and  Education  Programs  on 
Behalf  of  Persons  Living  With  HFV/AIDS- From  the 
Presbytery  of  Redwoods.  Concurrence:  Presbytery  of 
Genesee  Valley  —APPROVED  W/AMENDMENT 

Overture  94-23  On  Amending  G-6.0106  to  Re- 
quire Fidelity  Within  the  Covenant  of  Marriage  or  Celi- 
bacy To  Hold  An  Ordained  Office — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Southern  Kansas.  —ANSWERED  BY  ACTION 
TAKEN  ON  OVERTURE  94-25 

Overture  94-24  On  Amending  G- 1 2.0202  Regard- 
ing the  Quomm  of  a  Synod  Meeting — From  the  Presbytery 

of  Boulder.  ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 

RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-25  On  Amending  G-6.0106  to  Re- 
quire Fidelity  Within  the  Covenant  of  Marriage  or  Celi- 
bacy To  Hold  An  Ordained  Office — From  the  Presbytery 
ofCharleston-AUantic.— REPLACED  WITH  ALTER- 


NATE AMENDMENT  TO  G-6.0106  W/COMMENT 

Overture  94-26  On  Beginning  the  Process  of  Cre- 
ating a  Brief  Catechism  Which  May  Become  a  Part  of  the 
Constimtion  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)— From 
the  Presbytery  of  New  Harmony — APPROVED 

Overture  94-27  On  Changing  the  Board  of  Pen- 
sions' Major  Medical  Policy  for  Clergy  Couples — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Heartland.  —REFERRED  TO  THE 
BOARD  OF  PENSIONS  FOR  STUDY  WITH  IN- 
STRUCTIONS TO  REPORT  BACK  TO  THE207TH 
GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 

Overture  94-28  On  Investigating  the  Re-Imagin- 
ing Conference,  and  Upholding  the  Word  of  God  and  Our 
Reformed  Tradition  in  our  Worship  Experience — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Lackawanna.— ANSWERED  BY  AL- 
TERNATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-29  On  Amending  the  Standing  Rules 
Regarding  Overture  Advocates — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Savannah.  Concurrence:  Presbytery  of  St 

Andrsw— DISAPPROVED  W/COMMENT 

Overture  94-30  On  Instructing  that  Presbyterian 
Monies  Go  to  Programs  That  Conform  to  Theological 
Principles,  That  Staff  Are  Bound  by  These  Theological 
Principles,  And  Requesting  Disciplinary  Action  Against 
Staff  Who  Were  Involved  in  Planning/Executing  "Re- 
Imagining  1993" — From  the  Presbytery  of  Flint  River. — 
ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-3 1  On  Developing  Liturgies  for  Use 
in  Ministries  with  Victims  and  Those  Who  Victimize — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Detroit.- APPROVED 

Overture  94-32  On  Appointing  a  Seven-Person 
Committee  to  Inquire  Into  the  Re-Imagining  Conference 
and  Provide  the  207th  General  Assembly  (1995)  With 
Guidelines  in  Promoting  Conferences — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Hanmi.— ANSWERED  BY  ALTER- 
NATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-33  On  Establishing  a  Policy  That 
Only  Projects  Which  Are  Consistent  with  the  Scripture 
and  the  Constimtion  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
Be  Provided  Funding — From  the  Presbytery  of  St.  An- 
drew—ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLU- 
TION 

Overture  94-34  On  Conducting  a  Full  Inquiry  into 
Funding  and  Staff  Support  for  Re-Imagining,  and  Devel- 
oping Official  Guidelines  for  Future  Ecumenical  Con- 
ferences— From  the  Presbytery  of  Florida. — AN- 
SWERED BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-35  On  Calling  Denominational  Lead- 
ers and  Staff  Persons  Involved  in  "Re-Imagining"  Con- 
ference to  Affum  Their  Faith — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Beaver  Butler —ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-36  On  Asking  that  the  U.S.  Govern- 
ment Cease  Operation  of  the  School  of  the  Americas  at 
Fort  Benning,  GA — From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Jose. 
Concurrence:  Presbvterv  of  Louisville.  Concur- 
rence: Presbytery  of  New  Covenant.  Concurrence: 
Presbytery  of  New  York  City.  Concurrencg  ; 
Presbvterv  of  San  Francisco.  Concurrence: 
Presbytery  of  Albanv— ANSWERED  BY  ACTION 
TAKEN  ON  OVERTURE  94-18 

Overture  94-37  On  Cancelling  the  Participation 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  in  the  "Churches  in 
Covenant  Communion:  The  Church  of  Christ  Uniting" 
Agreement — From  the  Presbytery  of  Tampa  Bay. — 
DISAPPROVED  W/COMMENT 

Overture  94-38  On  Approving  the  Formation  of  a 
Korean-American  Presbytery — From  the  Synod  of  the 
Pacific— APPROVED 

Overture  94-39  On  Establishing  a  Policy  to  Re- 
view Ecumenical  Church  Conferences  and  Allocation  of 
Current  Bicentennial  Funds,  and  Affirming  Expectation 
of  Staff  Attending  Conferences— From  the  Presbytery 
of  Holston  — ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESO- 
LUTION 

Overture  94-40  On  Requesting  Specific  Actions 
be  Taken  with  Reference  to  the  Re-Imagining  Confer- 
ence— From  the  Presbytery  of  Peace  River. — AN- 
SWEllED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-41  On  Demanding  that  the  School  of 
the  Americas  at  Fort  Benning  GA  Be  Abolished — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Peace  River.— ANSWERED  BY 
ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVERTURE  94-18 

Overture  94-42  On  Developing  a  Task  Force  to 
Study  Inclusiveness/Exclusiveness  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.),  and  On  an  Investigation  of  the  Re- 


June  1994 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


Page  15 


Overtures  to  the  206th  General  Assembly-  continued 


Imagining  Convocation — From  the  Presbytery  of  Gla- 
cier—ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLU- 
TION 

Overture  94-43  On  Calling  for  An  Accountability 
Committee  Regarding  the  1993  Minneapolis  Re- Imag- 
ining Conference — From  the  Presbytery  of  Riverside. 
Concurrence;  Presbytery  of  New  Covenant.  Concur- 
rence: Presbytery  of  Central  Florida— ANSVyERED 
BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-44  On  Limiting  the  Ability  of  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  to  File  Amicus 
Briefs  Until  He/She  Has  Consulted  with  Presbyteries 
Affected — From  the  Presbytery  of  South  Louisiana. — 
DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-45  On  Appointing  a  Task  Force  to 
Consider  the  Re-Imagining  Conference — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Grace.— ANSWERED  BY  ALTER- 
NATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-46  On  Directing  Those  Who  Plan 
Presbyterian  Women's  Gatherings  to  Adhere  to  Biblical 
Principles  in  Preparing  and  Planning  Future  Meetings — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Shenango— DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-47  On  The  Church  Making  a  State- 
ment Regarding  Faith  and  Wimess,  and  the  General 
Assembly  Council  Having  in  Its  Employ  Only  Staff 
Who  Can  Serve  the  Church  Within  These  Boundaries — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Transylvania.  Concurrence: 
Presbytery  of  Indian  Nations— ANSWERED  BY  AL- 
TERNATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-48  On  A  fiiU  Inquiry  and  Disclosure 
Concerning  Staff  Roles  in  the  Re-Imagining  Conference, 
with  a  Report  of  Findings  Sent  to  Every  Session  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)— From  the  Presbytery  of 
Transylvania —ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-49  On  Resolving  the  Fallout  of  the 
Re-Imagining  Conference— From  the  Presbytery  of 
Washington  — ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-50  Affirmation  and  Dissent  in  a  Time 
of  Crisis — From  the  Presbytery  of  the  Pines. — AN- 
SWERED BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-51  On  Affirming  the  Faith  in  the 
Present  Crisis — From  the  Presbytery  of  Charlotte. — 
ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-52  Concerning  Correspondence  Be- 
tween Sessions  and  General  Assembly — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Central  Florida.— DISAPPROVED  W/ 
COMMENT 

Overture  94-53  On  Sending  to  Each  Congrega- 
tion Information  That  Encourages  a  Commitment  to  Pre- 
Marital  Chastity  by  Our  Youth — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Central  Florida —ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-54  On  Teaching  Related  to  Human 
Sexuality — From  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Florida. — 
DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-55  On  Reaffirming  Troths  of  Our 
Faith,  Investigating  How  the  PC(USA)  Came  to  Fund  the 
Re-Imagining  Conference,  and  Setting  Guidelines  to 
Avoid  Involvement  in  the  Future — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Scioto  Valley.— ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-56  On  Deferring  Constitutional  and 
Policy  Changes  Concerning  the  Issue  of  Homosexuality 
Until  the  208th  General  Assembly  (1996)— From  the 
Presbytery  of  San  Gabriel.— ANSWERED  BY  AC- 
TION TO  CONSIDER  OVERTURES  DEALING 
WITH  HUMAN  SEXUALITY  AT  THE 206TH  GEN- 
ERAL ASSEMBLY 

Overture  94-57  On  Celebrating  the  Year  of  Jubi- 
lee in  1995,  Proclaiming  Liberty  From  the  Bondage  of 
Weapons  of  Mass  Destruction — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Lake  Michigan —APPROVED  W/COMMENT 

Overture  94-58  On  Diminishing  Internationa! 
Violence — From  the  Presbytery  of  Long  Island.  — AN- 
SWERED BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  30.390-30.401 

Overture  94-59  On  Establishing  Policies  for  Fu- 
ture Ecumenical  Conferences  and  Allocation  of  Bicen- 
tennial Funds,  and  On  Amending  Personnel  Policies  to 
Evaluate  Staff  Who  Fail  to  Provide  Leadership  Consis- 
tent with  Book  of  Order — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Abingdon  —  ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESO- 
LUTION 

Overture  94-60  On  Requesting  the  General  As- 
sembly to  Investigate  Re-Imagining  1993 — From  the 
Presbytery  of  James.— ANSWERED  BY  ALTER- 


NATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-61  On  Calling  for  Regional  and  Na- 

tional Events  to  Explore  Our  Theological  Differences  as 
Occasioned  by  Reactions  to  the  Re-Imagining  Confer- 
ence—From the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle.— AN- 
SWERED BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-62  On  Proclaiming  1 995  as  the  Jubi- 
lee Year  for  Peace  and  Reunification  of  the  Korean 
Peninsula — From  the  Presbytery  of  Los  Ranchos.  Con- 
currence: Presbytery  of  Hanmi— ANSWERED  BY 
ACTION  TAKEN  ON  30.246  .251 

Overture  94-63  On  Calling  for  Accountability  Re- 
garding the  1993  Minneapolis  Re-Imagining  Confer- 
ence—From the  Presbytery  of  Olympia.— ANSWERED 
BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-64  On  Investigating  the  Re-Imagin- 
ing Conference,  and  Instructing  the  General  Assembly 
Council  Regarding  Future  Ecumenical  Involvements  of 
the  PC(USA)— From  the  Presbytery  of  Western  North 
Carolina  —  ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESO- 
LUTION 

Overture  94-65  On  Ceasing  Funding  of  the  School 
of  the  Americas,  and  Using  the  Operating  Expenses  for 
Programs  that  Work  to  Alleviate  the  Causes  of  Vio- 
lence— From  the  Presbytery  of  the  Twin  Cities  Area. — 
ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVER- 
TURE 94-18 

Overture  94-66  On  Appointing  an  Administra- 
tive Commission  to  Inquire  into  the  Facts  and  Circum- 
stances of  the  Re-Imagining  Conference  and  Report  to 
the  207th  General  Assembly  (1995)— From  the 
Presbytery  of  San  Francisco— ANSWERED  BY  AL- 
TERNATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-67  On  PuWicly  Repudiating  Certain 
Theological  and  Liturgical  Themes  of  the  Re-Imagining 
Conference  as  Incompatible  with  the  Constitution  of  the 
PC(USA) — From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Francisco. — 
ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-68  On  the  Allocation  of  Non-Desig- 
nated Bicentennial  Funds  and  the  Sponsorship  and  Fund- 
ing of  Ecumenical  Events — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Huntingdon.  Concurrence:  Presbytery  of 
Northumberiand- ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-69  On  Assessing  the  Leadership  and 
Conflict-Resolution  Style  With  Which  the  General  As- 
sembly Council  Responds  to  Concerns — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Huntingdon.Concurrence:  Presbytery 
of  Northumberiand— ANSWERED  BY  ALTER- 
NATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-70  On  Disavowing  Presbyterian  Par- 
ticipation in  the  Re-Imagining  Conference,  and  Estab- 
lishing a  Committee  to  Investigate  the  Role  Played  by 
GA  Staff  and  Report  to  the  207th  GA  (1995)— From  the 
Presbytery  of  Santa  Barbara.— ANSWERED  BY  AL- 
TERNATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-71  On  Affirming  the  Faith  in  the 
Present  Crisis — From  the  Presbytery  of  Santa  Barbara 
[Identical  to  Overture  94-51  up  through  Resolved  para- 
graph 3.]— ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESO- 
LUTION 

Overture  94-72  On  Beginning  High  Visibihty  Ad- 
vertising in  the  National  Media  to  Present  the  Gospel  in 
an  Appealing  Way  to  Secular  People — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Muskingum  Valley.— APPROVED  W/ 
AMENDMENT 

Overture  94-73  On  Calling  for  Accountability  Re- 
garding the  Re-Imagining  Conference — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Tropical  Florida  [Identical  to  Overture  94- 
43  with  an  additional  last  paragraph.]— ANSWERED 
BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-74  On  Adopting  a  Code  of  Conduct 
for  Arms  Sales — From  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore. — 
ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  30.390- 
30.401 

Overture  94-75  On  The  Comprehensive  Nuclear 

Test  Ban  Treaty  and  the  Nuclear  Non-Proliferation 
Treaty — From  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore. — AN- 
SWERED BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  30.390-30.401 

Overture  94-76  On  En viroiunental  Justice — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore.— ANSWERED  BY  AC- 
TION TAKEN  ON  OVERTURE  94-107 

Overture  94-77  On  Investigating  the  Re-Imagin- 
ing Conference,  Calling  for  Resignations,  and  Withhold- 
ing Per  Capita  Funds  Until  a  Satisfactory  Response  is 
Made  by  the  General  Assembly  Council — From  the 


Presbytery  of  Memphis.— ANSWERED  BY  ALTER- 
NATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-78  On  Uniting  the  Presbytery  of 
Boulder  and  the  Presbytery  of  Box  Butte  to  Form  a  New 
Presbytery— From  the  Synod  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. — 
APPROVED 

Overture  94-79  On  Appointing  an  Independent 
Board  of  Inquiry  Regarding  the  1993  Re-Imagining 
Conference — From  the  Presbytery  of  Stockton. — AN- 
SWERED BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-80  OnCallingfor  Accountability  Re- 
garding the  1993  Re-Imagining  Conference — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Northeast  Georgia.— ANSWERED  BY 
ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-81  On  Studying/Using  the  Directory 
for  Worship  During  This  Theologically  Challenging 
Period  Following  the  Re-Imagining  Conference — From 
the  Presbytery  of  San  Francisco.— ANSWERED  BY 
ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-82  On  Affinning  the  Right  of  Pres- 
byterian Men  and  Women  to  Attend  the  Re-Imagining 
Conference — From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Francisco. — 
ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-83  On  Requesting  Open  Dialogue 
Regarding  the  Important  Theological  Issues  Raised  by 
the  Re-Imagining  Conference — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Providence —ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-84  On  Appointing  a  Task  Force  to 
Consider  the  Re-Imagining  Conference — From  the 
Presbytery  of  West  Virginia.— ANSWERED  BY  AL- 
TERNATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-85  On  Calling  for  Accountability  Re- 
garding the  Re-Imagining  Conference — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Lake  Erie.— ANSWERED  BY  ALTER- 
NATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-86  On  Actions  Requested  in  Re- 
sponse to  the  Re-Imagining  Conference — From  the 
Presbytery  of  San  Fernando.— ANSWERED  BY  AL- 
TERNATE RESOLUTION 

Overmre  94-87  On  Organizing  a  Task  Force  to 
Study  Inclusiveness/Exclusiveness  in  the  PC(USA),  and 
For  an  Independent  Investigation  of  the  Re-Imagining 
Conference — From  the  Presbytery  of  Yellowstone. — 
ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-88  On  Eliminating  Funding  for  the 
School  of  the  Americas — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Eastminster  — ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN 
ON  OVERTURE  94-18 

Overture  94-89  On  Appointing  a  Committee  to 
Conduct  an  Inquiry  Into  the  Re-Imagining  Conference, 
and  On  Exploring  Distrust  Between  General  Assembly/ 
National  Staff  and  the  Local  Church — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Cherokee.— ANSWERED  BY  ALTER- 
NATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-90  On  Affirming  the  Faith  in  the 
Present  Crisis — From  the  Presbytery  of  Shenandoah. — 
ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-9 1  On  Requesting  No  Further  Study 

Regarding  the  Re-Imagining  Conference,  and  Encourag- 
ing GAC  and  the  General  Assembly  to  Move  Forward  in 
Mission — From  the  Presbytery  of  Missouri  River  Val- 
ley—ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLU- 
TION 

Overture  94-92  On  Calling  for  Positive  Action 
Regarding  the  Re-Imagining  Conference — From  the 
Presbytery  of  the  Peaks.— ANSWERED  BY  ALTER- 
NATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-93  On  Directing  the  General  Assem- 
bly Council  to  Evaluate  Its  Staff  Who  Participated  in 
Planning  of  the  Re-Imagining  Conference,  and  to  Moni- 
tor the  Use  of  Funds  In  Accordance  with  the  Confessions 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)— From  the 
Presbytery  of  Mississippi.— ANSWERED  BY  ALTER- 
NATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-94  On  Instructing  Congregational 
Ministries  to  Engage  in  an  Inquiry  Into  the  Theological 
Significance  of  Contemporary  Sciences  for  the  Re- 
formed Doctrines  of  Humanity  and  Sin — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Pittsburgh.— APPROVED  W/AMEND- 
MENT 

Overture  94-95  On  Amending  Reporting  Catego- 
ries and  Descriptions  in  the  Annual  Statistical  Reports — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Santa  Fe.— REFERRED  TO 
THE  OFFICE  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 
W/COMMENT 


Overture  94-96  On  Commending  the  National 
Leadership  of  our  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)— From 
the  Presbytery  of  Santa  Fe.— ANSWERED  BY  AL- 
TERNATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-97  On  the  Controversy  on  the  Re- 
Imagining  Conference — From  the  Presbytery  of  Santa 
Fe  — ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLU- 
TION 

Overture  94-98  On  Providing  Relief  of  Con- 
science to  the  Requirement  of  Participating  in  a  Medical 
Plan  Which  Pays  for  Abortion — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Western  Reserve.  —DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-99  On  Appointing  a  Committee  to 
Examine  the  Means  by  Which  Presbyterian  Women  Can 
Be  Moved  In  the  Organizational  Structure  to  Congrega- 
tional Ministries  Division — From  the  Presbytery  of  Sa- 
lem—DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-100  On  Communicating  Our  Deep 
Sense  of  Concern  Regarding  the  Denial  of  Religious, 
Human,  and  Civil  Rights  to  People  in  the  Chiapas 
Region  of  Mexico — From  the  Presbytery  of  Upper  Ohio 
Valley —ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESOLU- 
TION 

Overture  94-101  On  Requesting  Five  Ten-Year 
Term  Limits  for  Directors,  Managers,  Administrators, 
and  Executives  of  General  Assembly  Offices,  Agencies, 
and  Units — From  the  Presbytery  of  Upper  Ohio  Val- 
ley—DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-102  OnCallingForAccountability Re- 
garding the  Re-Imagining  Conference — From  Upper 
Ohio  Valley —ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  94-103  On  Amending  the  General  As- 
sembly Standing  Rule  Regarding  the  Election  of  a  Suted 
Clerk— From  the  Presbytery  of  Detroit.— DISAP- 
PROVED 

Overture  94- 1 04  On  The  HI V/ AIDS  Crisis  and  the 
Church's  Response — From  the  Presbytery  of  Detroit. — 
ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVER- 
TURE 94-22. 

Overmre  94-105  On  Creating  a  Special  Review 
and  Reconciliation  Committee  to  Study  the  Spiritual 
Climate  of  the  Denomination,  and  to  Develop  a  Strategy 
to  Bring  Reconciliation — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Carlisle  — ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE  RESO- 
LUTION 

Overmre  94-106  OnDeclaring  1995aYearofRadi- 
cal  Repentance  and  Prayer  Within  our  Denomination — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Inland  Northwest- APPROVED 
W/AMENDMENT 

Overture  94-107  On  Peacemaking  and  Environ- 
mental Justice — From  the  Presbytery  of  Inland  North- 
west.—REFERRED  TO  THE  GENERAL  ASSEM- 
BLY COUNCIL  W/COMMENT 

Overture  94- 1 08  On  Encouraging  Churches  of  Our 
Denomination  to  Celebrate  the  Contributions  of  Dr.  John 
Witherspoon  During  1994 — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Western  North  Carolina— APPROVED 

Overture  94-109  On  Amending  the  Standing  Rules 
Regarding  Election  of  the  Stated  Clerk— From  the 
Presbytery  of  Savannah.— DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94- 1 1 0  On  Recognizing  Those  Impacted 
by  the  Great  Rood  of  1993— From  the  Presbytery  of 
Giddings-Lovejoy.— APPROVED 

Overture  94- 1 1 1  On  Repudiating  Statements  Made 
at  the  Re-Imagining  Conference,  and  Investigating  the 
Role  of  General  Assembly  Staff— From  the  Presbytery 
of  Eastern  Virginia.— ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overmre  94- 1 1 2  On  Requesting  the  206th  General 
Assembly  (1994)  to  Adopt  a  Statement  Regarding  the 
Re-Imagining  Conference — From  the  Presbytery  of  East- 
ern Virginia —ANSWERED  BY  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  94- 1 1 3  On  Instructing  the  Board  of  Pen- 
sions to  Present  a  Strategy  for  the  Equalization  of  Pen- 
sions to  the  207th  General  Assembly  ( 1995)— From  the 
Presbytery  of  the  Cascades.— DISAPPROVED 

Overture  94-1 14  On  Peacemaking  and  Environ- 
mental Justice — From  the  Presbytery  of  Susquehanna 
Valley —ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON 
OVERTURE  94-107 


Page  16 


THE  NEWS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


June  1994 


206th  Assembly  votes  to 
how  its  successors  do 


by  Peggy  Rounseville 

The  206th  General  Assembly  Tuesday 
changed  the  way  its  successors  will  do  busi- 
ness. With  minimal  debate,  the  Assembly 
adopted  a  series  of  changes  to  its  Standing 
Rules  designed  to  speed  up  its  work  and  to 
keep  the  same  issues  from  dominating  its 
work  year  after  year.  The  changes  were  rec- 
ommended by  the  Assembly  committee  on 
General  Assembly  Procedures. 

The  Assembly  currently  refers  any  ac- 
tion requests  from  presbyteries,  overtures, 
not  received  by  specified  dates  to  the  subse- 
quent Assembly.  In  the  future,  such  overtures 
will  be  "returned  to  the  originating  governing 
body  for  reconsideration,"  according  to  the 
Assembly's  action.  The  Assembly  further 
voted  that  if  an  overture  deals  with  "substan- 
tially the  same  issue  considered  by  one  of  the 
two  previous"  Assemblies,  the  body  may 
choose  not  to  act  on  that  overture.  Instead,  it 
may  refer  it  to  a  subsequent  Assembly,  de- 
cline to  consider  it,  or  take  no  action.  When 
such  actions  are  recommended  to  commis- 
sioners, 25%  of  those  present  and  voting  are 
required  to  overturn  such  recommendations. 

The  Assembly  also  voted  to  allow  its 
successors  to  act  directly  on  business  without 
first  referring  it  to  an  Assembly  committee, 
currently  the  Assembly  can  only  act  on  mat- 
ters that  come  through  its  committees.  In  the 
future  assemblies  will  be  able  to:  refer  items 
to  conunittees  for  them  to  report  back  for 
action;  allowcommittees  to  take  final  action 
themselves;  allow  the  assembly  to  deal  with 
routine  items  directly  through  a  "consent 
agenda";  and  allow  the  assembly  as  a  whole 
to  debate  issues  without  going  through  a 
committee. 


The  Assembly  also  gave  the  stated  clerk 
authority  to  propose  editorial  changes  to  the 
Book  of  Order  "provided  they  do  not  alter  the 
substance  of  the  text  adopted  by  the  vote  of 
the  presbyteries."  The  Clerk  will  propose  any 
such  changes  to  the  Advisory  Committee  on 
the  Constitution,  which  may  approve  them  if 
they  do  not  alter  the  substance  of  the  text. 

The  Assembly  further  approved  a  new 
method  of  nominating  and  electing  the  Stated 
Clerk,  the  denomination's  highest  ecclesias- 
tical official.  The  clerk  serves  a  four  year 
term,  and  can  serve  a  total  of  12  years.  The 
Assembly  meeting  one  year  prior  to  the  end  of 
the  Clerk's  term  shall  elect  one  committee 
which  shall  both  review  the  incumbent's  per- 
formance and  nominate  a  Clerk  to  the  next 
Assembly,  the  Review/Nomination  Commit- 
tee must  place  a  single  candidate  in  nomina- 
tion within  48  hours  of  the  Assembly's  con- 
vening. If  there  are  no  nominations  from  the 
floor,  the  election  will  be  held  immediately.  If 
candidates  are  nominated  from  the  floor,  a 
Candidate  Review  Committee  will  be  formed. 
It  will  consist  of  the  9  members  of  the  Re- 
view/Nomination Committee  and  10  Assem- 
bly commissioners,  they  "shall  publish  mate- 
rial on  the  qualifications  and  views  of  all 
candidates  for  distribution  to  commissioners 
and  advisory  delegates."  The  election  shall 
take  place  as  "the  firstorder  of  business  on  the 
next  to  last  day  of  the  assembly's  session." 
The  election  process  will  follow  basically  the 
same  procedure  as  the  election  of  the  Mod- 
erator, the  Assembly's  presiding  officer. 

The  Assembly  also  adopted  a  1994  per 
capita  apportionment  budget  in  the  amount  of 


Streamline 
business 

$12,600,396. 

The  Assembly  approved  meeting  dates 
and  sites  for  the  1998  and  1999  Assembly. 
The  1998  Assembly  will  meet  in  Charlotte, 
North  Carolina,  June  13-19, 1998.1n  1999the 
Assembly  will  meet  in  Fort  Worth,  Texas, 
June  19-25. 

Barbara  Murphy  from  the  presbytery  of 
Los  Ranchos  presented  the  report  on  behalf  of 
the  Committee  on  General  Assembly  Proce- 
dures. 

186  newcomers 
join  GA  bodies 

by  Midge  Mack 

By  Assembly  vote  Wednesday  125  "new 
folks  on  the  block,"  including  three  youth, 
joined  186  others  who  serve  on  the  national 
level  committees,  commissions,  boards  and 
agencies  of  the  church.  Most  were  in  the  class 
of  1997  and  will  serve  for  three  years,  while 
a  few  were  replacements  in  classes  with  only 
a  year  or  two  to  serve. 

Only  one  committee  nominee  was  chal- 
lenged. Roberto  Delgado  of  the  Synod  of  the 
Sun  was  nominated  from  the  floor  and  elected 
instead  of  Heman  Rodriguez  of  Puerto  Rico 
as  an  at  large  member  and  the  voice  of  the 
Hispanic  Caucus  on  the  General  Assembly 
Council. 

A  nineteen-member  General  Assembly 
Nominating  Committee  selected  the  nomi- 
nees from  1,000  endorsements  currently  on 
file  with  the  committee. 


Analysis 


"The  Presbyterian  system  at  Its  best" 


by  John  Bartholomew 

In  the  months  ahead  of  the  206th  General 
Assembly,  veteran  assembly  watchers  looked 
to  the  writing  of  the  rules  for  electing  a  stated 
clerk  as  a  source  of  major  debate.  The  incum- 
bent clerk,  James  E.  Andrews,  will  complete 
his  third  term  in  1996,  and  is  ineligible  for 
another  term.  Because  each  election  since  the 
1983  reunion  has  seen  the  overturning  of  the 
recommendation  of  the  original  nomination, 
or  the  reversal  of  an  actual  election,  there  was 
considerable  interest  in  shaping  the  rules 
which  will  govern  the  next  election. 

What  actually  occurred  was  a  model  of 
the  Presbyterian  system  working  at  its  best, 
with  responsiveness  and  trust,  without  any 
floor  debate. 

The  Committee  on  the  Office  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  produced  its  initial  recom- 
mendation for  a  process  which  created  a  search 
committee  at  the  1995  General  Assembly. 
The  committee  would  have  worked  like  the 
pastor  nominating  committee  of  a  congrega- 
tion, bringing  a  single  name  to  the  1996 
Assembly,  for  election  or  rejection. 

Objections  and  alternative  strategies 
arose  from  three  presbyteries  through  over- 
tures. There  were  two  principal  sources  of 
concern.  One  was  the  objection  to  a  single 
name,  without  the  possibility  of  nominations 
from  the  floor.  The  other  was  the  desire  for  a 


transition  period,  naming  a  Clerk-Elect  in 
1 995 ,  who  would  assume  office  at  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  1996  General  Assembly,  and  who 
would  be  on  the  Assembly '  s  payroll  for  some 
portion  of  that  year. 

During  the  spring  of  1 994  the  Committee 
on  the  Office  of  the  General  Assembly 
(COGA)  offered  a  revision  to  its  plan,  which 
incorporated  the  possibility  of  nominations 
from  the  floor,  responding  to  one  major  con- 
cern expressed  in  the  overtures. 

The  proposed  rule  for  electing  a  stated 
clerk  was  sent  to  the  Assembly  Committee  on 
General  Assembly  Procedures.  Along  with  a 
host  of  other  detailed  revisions  of  the 
Assembly's  Manual,  many  of  which  were 
aimed  at  simplifying  or  reducing  the  work  of 
the  Assembly.  With  one  day  aheady  re- 
moved from  the  length  of  the  Assembly,  and 
another  day  to  be  cut  in  1995,  these  revisions 
seemed  more  urgent  this  year. 

The  Committee  on  General  Assembly 
Procedures  examined  its  options.  They  rec- 
ognized the  improvement  in  the  COGA's 
revised  draft.  They  also  recognized  the  costs 
implied  in  the  overtures'  calls  for  a  clerk- 
elect.  So,  with  minimum  debate,  they  sejit  the 
revised  COGA  proposal  to  the  floor. 

It  calls  for  the  Assembly  to  elect  a  search 
committee  of  nine  members  in  1995,  which 
will  gather  nominations  during  the  year.  They 
will  present  a  name  to  the  1996  Assembly.  In 


the  event  that  there  are  nominations  from  the 
floor,  the  Assembly  will  add  ten  members  to 
the  committee.  The  enlarged  committee  will 
interviewall  the  candidates,  and  publish  in- 
formation for  the  Assembly.  The  floor  pro- 
cess for  election  will  then  be  similar  to  the 
moderator's  election. 

The  Assembly  itself,  acting  shortly  be- 
fore the  supper  recess  on  its  first  day  of 
plenary  action,  agreed  to  the  proposal,  with- 
out discussion,  by  consent.  One  anticipated 
source  of  controversy  was  gone,  with  many 
commissioners  barely  noticing  they  had  acted. 

Assembly  observers  scrambled  to  ex- 
plain the  ease  of  this  action.  One  obvious 
explanation  is  the  COGA  move  to  revise  its 
proposal  in  ways  that  respond  to  the  over- 
tures. Other  factors  include  the  reahty  that 
commissioners  came  to  this  Assembly  much 
more  focused  on  other  issues,  and  under- 
standing that  they  needed  to  maintain  focus 
and  energy  on  the  central  concerns. 

The  great  clarity  with  which  GA  staff 
and  resource  people  presented  all  the  pro- 
posed manual  revisions  made  it  easy  for  the 
commissioners  committee  to  trust  their  rec- 
ommendations. Finally,  the  Stated  Clerk's 
speech  on  the  first  day  of  Assembly  business 
was  very  well  received,  and  gave  the  whole 
body  of  commissioners  a  sense  of  security  in 
the  role  of  the  Clerk,  and,  indirectly,  in- 
creased trust  in  the  election  process. 
John  Bartholomew  is  the  Executive  of  the  Synod 
of  the  South  Atlantic. 


cocu  (Continued  from  page  1) 

Overture  94-37  from  the  Presbytery  of  Tampa 
Bay  asked  the  General  Assembly  to  "rescind" 
the  action  of  last  year's  Assembly,  which 
approved  the  PC(US  A)'  s  entry  into  the  COCU 
agreement  to  begin  the  process  for  the  "rec- 
onciliation of  ordained  ministries"  and  entry 
into  the  covenant  communion. 

The  Assembly  voted  36 1  - 1 1 8-3  to  disap- 
prove the  overture  with  comment:  that  the 
Special  Committee  on  Consultation  on  Church 
Union  "take  special  care  in  the  preservation 
of  both  the  Reformed  understanding  of  the 
presbytery  functioning  as  the  authoritative 
bishop  of  governance,  and  the  role  of  the 
office  of  elder"  in  the  COCU  agreement. 

Criticism  has  surrounded  COCU  in  the 
denomination  because  the  documents  call  for 
the  identification  of  "bishops"  to  serve  pasto- 
ral roles  in  the  regional  covenanting  councils. 

Michael  E.  Livingston,  chair  of  the  spe- 
cial conunittee,  reassured  the  Assembly  that 
the  committee  has  been  "holding  high  the  ^ 
integrity  of  our  tradition"  in  its  work. 

Livingston  said  that  COCU  is  not  "struc- 
tural union,"  as  some  critics  have  claimed, 
but  a  unity  of  "sacred  things."  The  nine 
denominations  involved  would  be  "one  in 
faith,  ministry,  mission,  and  the  sacraments," 
he  said.  The  only  structure  is  the  establish- 
ment of  covenanting  councils,  he  explained, 
which  would  include  ministers,  elders,  and 
non-ordained  lay  people,  that  would  plan 
joint  eucharists,  mission  projects,  and  ordina- 
tions. 

The  Assembly  approved  the  continua- 
tion of  the  COCU  special  committee,  which 
will  report  to  the  207th  (1995)  General  As- 
sembly. The  special  committee  has  estab- 
lished a  task  force  that  will  bring  to  next 
year's  Assembly  any  constitutional  amend- 
ments necessary  for  the  PC(USA)  to  enter 
into  the  covenant  communion.  Any  amend- 
ments sent  to  the  presbyteries  will  require  a 
majority  vote. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  has  participated 
in  the  development  of  COCU  for  more  than 
30  years. 

The  General  Assembly  also  approved  a 
progress  report  from  the  Joint  Committee  on 
Cooperation  Between  the  PC(USA)  and  the 
Korean  Presbyterian  Church  in  America. 
Representatives  from  the  two  churches  will 
meet  twice  in  1994,  and  progress  reports  will 
be  made  to  each  General  Assembly  through 
1996.  The  churches  are  discussing  common 
concerns  and  cooperation  in  ministry  and 
mission. 

The  following  delegates  were  approved 
by  the  Assembly  to  the  Caribbean  and  North 
American  Area  Council  of  the  World  Alli- 
ance ofReformed  Churches  of  the  World  Al- 
liance of  Reformed  Churches  for  the  class  of 
1997:  the  Rev.  H.  Eugene  Farlough,  Rich- 
mond, California;  Melva  Costen,  Atlanta; 
Sunok  Chun  Pai,  Kansas  City;  and  the  Rev. 
Ann  Clay  Adams,  Lexington,  Kentucky. 


Met  at  General 
Assembly-28  times 

Lillie  Ross  of  Baltimore,  full  of  vim 
and  vigor,  has  been  visiting  this  General 
Assembly.  It's  her  28th  such  visit.  If 
you're  tired  or  not  having  a  good  time, 
think  of  Ms.  Ross.  She's  92  years  old. 

front  misc,  by  Vic  Jameson 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  I9'j4.  »'age  5 


Union  Theolc^cal  Seminaiv 


IN  VIRGINIA 

Genie  Addleton,  Editor   ^^^M   July  1994 


Synod  Congregations  and 
Pastors  Help  Prepare  Union 
Students  for  Ministry 

Thirteen  congregations  in  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  and  several  healthcare  organiza- 
tions in  the  area  are  providing  on-the-job  training  for  seminarians  completing  field  assignments 
in  preparation  for  ministry.  Pastors  of  the  congregations  and  pastoral  counselors — among  the 
group  are  eight  Union  alumni — are  serving  as  supervisors  for  the  students'  field  experience, 
which  is  a  requirement  for  the  Master  of  Divinity  degree  at  Union.  The  students  are  from 
various  parts  of  the  country,  and  several  are  either  from  the  synod  area  or  are  graduates  of 
colleges  within  the  synod. 

At  Union,  half  of  the  required  credits  in  supervised  ministry  must  be  completed  in  a  parish 
or  church  setting.  The  other  half  may  be  completed  in  what  is  called  an  alternative  context 
setting,  such  as  homeless  shelters,  nursing  homes,  camps,  social  agencies,  prisons,  and  hos- 
pitals. The  seminary's  supervised  ministry  program  is  headed  by  Kurtis  Hess,  director  of  the 
Office  of  Field  Education  and  Placement. 

CPE  Is  Popular 
Alterna31\^  Interns^ 

Many  Union  students  clioose  Clinical  Pastoral 
Education  (CPE)  as  an  alternative  context  for  their 
supervised  ininistry.  CPE  is  a  nationally  accredited 
program  offered  in  hospitals  and  other  institutions  that 
includes  chaplaincy  clinical  training,  peer  learning,  and 
supervision.  Several  locations  in  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  are  training  grounds  for  future  ministers. 

In  Richmond  this  summer,  alumnus  Rol>ert  A. 
Young,  Jr.  (M.Div.'59.  D.iVlin.73)  of  the  Medical  College 
of  VirginiaA''iTginia  Commonwealth  University  is  super- 
vising five  students  in  CPE.  The  students  are  Kiithiyn 
Beach,  a  graduate  of  Davidson  College;  Michael  Hoyt  of 
Columbia,  South  Carolina,  and  a  graduate  of  Presby- 
terian College;  Angus  McQueen  III  of  Danville,  Virginia, 
and  a  graduate  of  the  College  of  William  and  Mar\'; 
Jonathan  VariDeventer  of  Charieston,  South  Carolina, 
who  is  a  graduate  of  Presbyterian  College;  and  Beth 
Wierman-Lambert. 

Also  in  Richmond,  at  the  Hunter  Holmes  McGuire 
Department  of  Veterans  Affairs  Medical  Center,  I-Iarr>'  E. 
Simmons  is  supervising  the  woric  of  Jeremy  Grant,  Tom 
Houston,  and  Matthew  Sauer. 

Oilier  students  completing  CPE  assignments  in  the 
.synod  include  Ellen  D,  Crav»ford,  a  graduate  of  David- 
son College.  Ellen  is  working  at  the  Anne  Arundel 
Center,  Annapolis,  Maryland,  under  the  supervision  of 
I.ee  C.  Waltf.  Sue  Ebersberger  is  working  at  North 
Carolina  Baptist  Hospital,  Winston-Salem,  and  Farm  D. 
Grt^T  of  Norfolk  at  Riverside  Regional  Medical  Center, 
Newport  News,  Virginia,  under  tiie  supervision  of  Doug 
Watson.  Patricia  A.  Whitmore-McCullum  is  working  at 
the  District  of  Columbia  Comniission  on  Mental  Health 
Services,  Washington,  D.C,  with  supervisor  Clark  S.  Aist. 


Michael  Underwood  of  Greetisboro  is 
In-Ministry  internship  at  New  Hanov 
Mechanicstnlle,  Virginia. 


Gayle  Walker 
Named  Associate 
Dean  of  Students 

Gayle  Walker  has  joined  the  staff  of  Union 
Theological  Seminary  as  associate  dean  of  .students.  Ms. 
Walker  served  previously  as  associate  pastor  of  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  Charleston,  West  Virginia.  She 
also  served  as  aaing  dean  of  stucients  at  the 
Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education  in  the  early 
1980s, 

She  is  an  alumna  of  Union  Seminary  (M.Div,79j 
and  of  PSCE  (M.A.75).  She  is  also  a  graduate  of 
Maryville  College  (Tennessee)  with  a  B.S.  degree  in 
elementary  education.  She  has  a  master's  degree  in 
elementary  education  from  Indiana  Univer.sity. 

Student-ln-Ministry 
Assignments 

1994-95 Academic  Year 

Kathryn  A.  Beach,  Plattsbiirgh,  New  York 

Davidson  College,  B.A. 

Myers  Park  Presbyterian  Church 

Chariotte,  North  Carolina 

Rev.  Jane  Summey 
Robert  F.  Fuller,  Jr.,  Columbia,  South  Carolina 

Washington  and  Lee  University,  B.A. 

Tinkling  Spring  Presbyterian  Church 

Fishersville,  Virginia 

Rev.  Fred  Holbrook  (D.Min.82) 
Richard  Martindale,  Burlington,  Iowa 

University  of  Northem  Iowa,  B.A. 

Jamestown  Presbyterian  Church 

Jamestown,  North  Carolina 

Dr.  Dennis  J.  Sebesan  (D.Min.'Sl) 
J.  Kim  Steinhorst,  Kingwood,  Texas 

Northwestern  State  University  of  Louisiana,  B.A. 

Chester  Presbyterian  Church 

Chester,  Virginia 

Rev.  Gregory  K.  Jones 
•Michael  Underwood,  Greensboro,  North  Carolina 

Greensboro  College,  B.A. 

New  Hanover  Presbyterian  Church 

6543  Chamberiayne  Road 

Mechanicsville,  Virginia 
T wo-year  assignment 


Summer  Supervised  Ministry  1994-95 


At  the  Cross 
Roads 

Vocation  and  Identity 

New  Hope  Presbytery  Pastors'  Conference 
August  28-30,  1994 
Brown  Summit,  North  Carolina 

Workshop  Leader:  Gwen  Hawley,  professor  of 
Christian  Education,  the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian 
Education 

Cost:$40  per  person  includes  the  conference,  lodging 
for  two  nights  at  Brown  Summit  Conference  Center,  and 
meals,  beginning  with  supper  on  August  28  and 
concluding  with  breakfast  on  August  30. 

Registration:  Please  contact  The  Presbytery  of  New 
Hope  at  919-977-9878. 


Randall  S.  Benson,  Staunton,  Virginia 

Eastem  Mennonite  College,  B.S. 
New  Providence  Presbyterian  Church 
Raphine,  Virginia 
Rev.  John  H.  Lewis  (D.Min.'86) 
Frances  Carlsson,  Wayland,  Wyoming 
University  of  Massachusetts,  B.A. 
University  of  Wyoming,  M.A. 
Sandston  Presbyterian  Church 
Richmond,  Virginia 

Rev.  Xel  Sant'Anna  (Th.M.'65,  Th.D.73) 
William  A.  Green,  Dallas,  Texas 

Austin  College,  B.A. 
St.  Mary's  College,  J.D. 
First  Presbyterian  Church-Beulaville 
Beulaville,  North  Carolina 
Rev.  Powell  Sykes 
Jay  Hodge,  Nashville,  Tennessee 
Tennessee  Technological  University,  B.S. 
and 

Paul  Strikert,  Seatde,  Washington 

University  of  Wisconsin-Milwaukee,  B.A. 
Westminster-Canterbury  House 
Richmond,  Virginia 
Rev.  Ray  Inscoe  (M.Div.'89) 


Brian  Land,  College  Station,  Texas 

Texas  A  &  M  University,  B.B.A. 

Third  Presbyterian  Church 

Richmond,  Virginia 

Rev.  Donald  Marsden 
Melinda  A-  Merkley,  Seaford,  Delaware 

James  Madison  University,  B.A. 

St.  Giles'  Presbyterian  Church 

Richmond,  Virginia 

Rev.  Randy  Bremer 
Anthony  Osimo,  Irvine,  California 

Califomia  State  University,  B.A. 

Third  Presbyterian  Church 

Richmond,  Virginia 

Dr.  William  Long  (M.Div.'54,  D.Min.'74) 
James  Sledge,  Charlotte,  North  Carolina 

University  of  North  Carolina,  B.A. 
Howard  Memorial  Presbyterian  Church 
Tarboro,  North  Carolina 
Rev.  Robert  E.  Bums  III  (B.D.'62,  Th.M.'63) 
Christine  C.  Strachan,  Heathsville,  Virginia 
University  of  Rochester,  B.A. 
St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  Church 
Kilmarnock,  Virginia 
Rev.  Thomas  R.  Coyes 


PAID  FOR  BY  FRIENDS  AND  SUPPORTERS  OF  UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  IN  VIRGINIA 


Page  6,  >Iid-At]antic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1994 


Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCREOIIATON 
OF  SERVICES  FOR  FAMIUES 
AND  CHILDREN.  INC 


Graduate  motivated  at  Barium 


David  Gordon,  resident  at  the 
Preparation  for  Adult  Living 
Program  (PAL)  at  the  Adoles- 
cent Center,  graduated  June 
3,  1994,  from  South  Iredell 
High  School. 

David,  who  came  to  the  PAL 
program  in  January,  said  the 
stcifF  there  gave  him  the  moti- 
vation he  needed  to  graduate. 
He  has  also  learned  skills  that 
will  help  him  to  eventually  live 
on  his  own,  such  as  how  to  use 
his  money  wisely. 

David  will  continue  to  live 
at  PAL  and  work  full-time  this 
summer.  He  plans  to  attend 
Mitchell  Community  College 
next  fall,  where  he  will  study  to 
become  a  fireman  or  para- 
medic. 

Since  entering  the  PAL  pro- 
gram, David  hasn't  had  much 
time  to  be  involved  in  an3d;hing 
but  bringing  up  his  grades. 
Before  coming,  he  played 
drums  in  his  former  school's 
marching  band  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Students  Against  Drunk 
Driving  (SADD). 

Beth  Barker,  David's  social 
worker  at  PAL,  said  she  had 
never  seen  anyone  work  as  hard 
as  David  did  to  get  his  grades 
up  to  graduate. 

"He  only  came  to  the  pro- 
gram in  January,"  said  Beth. 
"So,  he  didn't  have  much  time 
to  get  adjusted  and  accept  the 


HOMECOMING  1994 

August  6  &  7 

Dear  alumni,  families 

and  friends: 
Please  join  us  this  year 
for  a  lot  of  fun! 


'New'  gift 
wish  list 

*  15-passenger  Van 

*  Automobiles 

*  Dining  Room  Table  (seats 

12) 

*  Washing  Machines  (2) 

*  Dryers  (2) 

*  2  Vacuum  Cleaners 

*  2  Twin  Mattresses 

*  2  Twin  Box  Springs 

*  Twin  Bed  Linens  and  Bed- 

spreads 

*  3  Couches 

*  2  Night  Stands 

*  1  Large  Bookcase 

*  Toiletries 

*  Towels  and  Wash 

cloths 

*  Sports  Equipment  (balls, 

gloves,  frisbees,  bats, 
ping-pong  paddles,  balls 
&  net) 

*  Copy  Machine 

*  New  Clothes  (girls  &  boys, 

10-18  years) 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, P.  O.  Box  1,  Barium 
Springs,  N.C.,  28010-0001, 
phone  number  (704)  872-4157. 


fact  that  he 
was  the  only 
one  who 
could  make 
the  grades. 
He  came 
around  fast, 
and  once  he 
made  up  his 
mind,  the 
teachers  at 
South  spent 
all  kinds  of 
time  with  him  after  school  to 
help  him  along.  They  were 
wonderful,  and  so  was  he." 

The  PAL  program  is  de- 
signed for  youth  16  to  20  years 
old  who  technically  do  not  have 
a  home,  or  whose  home  cir- 
cumstances are  such  that  it 
would  not  be  in  their  best  in- 
terest to  return  there. 

Residents  attend  the  local 
high  school  or  community  col- 


lege, while  working  part-time 
jobs  and  learning  skills  that 
will  help  them  eventually  be- 
come independent.  Staff  teach 
residents  about:  managing 
money,  bank  accounts  and 
loans;  grocery  shopping  and 
cooking;  job  hunting  and  inter- 
views; and  other  skills  they  will 
need  when  they  are  on  their 
own. 

But  it  doesn't  stop  there. 
Residents  can  apply  for  higher 
education  funds  to  help  them 
with  college  or  vocational  school 
tuition  and  supplies.  Staff  are 
also  available  to  former  resi- 
dents for  guidance  or  counsel- 
ing if  the  need  arises. 

Staff,  residents,  and  the 
Board  of  Regents  are  proud  of 
David  for  his  hard  work  and 
dedication.  We  all  wish  him 
well  as  he  begins  his  studies  at 
college. 


Haimes  resigns  from  Home 
to  work  independently 

Ms.  Rochelle  S.  Haimes,  vice  Children's  Home  in  Yonkers 

president  for  residential  ser-  from  1973  to  1976;  director  of 

vices  at  the  Home  for  the  past  the  division  of  community  care 

12  years,  resigned  from  that  at  Thompson  Children's  Home 


position  July  15  to  work  inde- 
pendently as  a  consultant  and 
trainer  with  family  service 
agencies. 

Haimes  was  hon- 
ored with  a  "south- 
em"  luncheon  by  co- 
workers and  friends 
on  July  14,  and  an 
afternoon  reception 
on  July  15.  At  the 
reception,  she  re- 
ceived an  engraved 
desk  clock  and  a  gift 
certificate  from  an 
office  supply  store 
to  help  her  set  up 
her  new  office  in 
Charlotte. 

Mr.  Earle  Frazier, 
president  of  the 
Home,  said  that 
Haimes'  reputation  as  an  ad- 
vocate and  her  dedication  to 
building  and  maintaining  qual- 
ity services  for  troubled  chil- 
dren and  families  is  well  known 
in  the  field  of  child  care  in  the 
southeast  and  nationally. 

"Ms.  Haimes'  contributions 
to  the  Home  and  the  commu- 
nity are  too  numerous  to  men- 
tion," said  Frazier.  "Let  it  suf- 
fice to  say  that  she  lent  a  dedi- 
cation and  professional  air  to 
the  Home's  services  that  is 
unprecedented.  Her  knowl- 
edge and  energy  will  be  sorely 
missed." 

Originally  from  Pennsylva- 
nia, Haimes  received  her  B.A. 
in  1963  from  Barnard  College 
of  Columbia  University,  New 
York,  and  her  master's  in  so- 
cial work  (MSW)  in  1971  from 
Columbia  University  School  of 
Social  Work. 

She  worked  at  Andrus 
Children's  Home  in  Yonkers, 
N.Y.,  as  a  child  care  worker 
and  social  worker  from  1964  to 
1973.  She  was  group  home  su- 
pervisor at  Leake  &  Watts 


in  Charlotte,  1976  to  1979;  and 
director  of  clinical  services  at 
Andrus  Children's  Home  from 
1979  to  1982,  when 
she  came  to  Barium 
Springs. 

Haimes  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  National 
Association  of  Social 
Workers  and  the 
Academy  of  Certi- 
fied Social  Workers. 
She  has  led  numer- 
ous workshops  and 
consulted  with  other 
agencies;  has  co- 
authored  a  book; 
been  published  in 
several  journals; 
and  has  chapters  in- 
cluded in  two  books. 
She  has  served  on 
numerous  committees  and 
boards  of  child  care  organiza- 
tions such  as:  the  North  Caro- 
lina Child  Care  Association; 
National  Association  of  Homes 
and  Services  for  Children; 
Council  on  Accreditation; 
Children's  Home  Society;  and 
the  University  of  North  Caro- 
lina School  of  Social  Work. 

As  if  all  of  these  commit- 
ments were  not  enough, 
Haimes  has  also  served  as  a 
volunteer  with  the  Iredell- 
Statesville  United  Way.  Since 
1986,  she  has  been  a  volunteer 
in  the  public  service  division; 
chaired  the  Troutman  and  the 
classified  business  divisions; 
served  twice  on  the  board  of 
directors;  and  been  vice  presi- 
dent for  distribution  on  the 
executive  committee. 

The  Board  of  Regents,  staff, 
children,  and  families  send 
their  sincere  thanks  to  Ms. 
Haimes  for  her  years  of  dedi- 
cated service  and  also  their 
best  wishes  for  a  successful 
future. 


...Or  SO 

it  seems 


Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

"We  call  on  the  critics  of  the 
church's  leadership  and  critics 
of  the  critics  to  cease  and  desist 
and  to  allow  healing  to  happen 
and  trust  to  be  rebuilt." 

From  the  Report  of  the 
Assembly  Committe 
on  the  Re-Imagining 
Conference 


How  badly  we  need  to  apply 
this  "call"  to  all  areas  of  our 
church's  life.  Or  should  we  just 
consider  a  merger  with  the 
Southern  Baptist  Convention? 


Celebration  plans  revealed 


The  L.  C.  Wagner  Family  and 
Child  Development  Center  is 
celebrating  its  25th  Anniver- 
sary on  Sept.  16  and  17. 

On  Friday,  Sept.  16,  area 
business  leaders,  political  fig- 
ures, and  day  care  profession- 
als are  invited  to  attend  a  lun- 
cheon from  11  a.m.  to  1  p.m.  at 
Little  Joe's  Presbyterian 
Church,  adj  acent  to  the  Wagner 
Center.  There  will  be  a  promi- 
nent keynote  speaker  (yet  to 
be  announced),  and  current 
and  former  staff  will  be  recog- 
nized. 

The  Fellowship  Hall  at  the 
church  will  be  decorated  with 
photos,  stories,  and  artwork 
from  current  and  former  stu- 
dents, directors,  and  teachers 
and  will  be  open  for  viewing 
before  and  after  the  program. 


On  Saturday,  Sept.  17,  there 
will  be  a  "family  Garnival"  at 
the  Wagner  Center  with 
clowns,  balloons,  game  booths, 
face  painting,  water  sports, 
relay  races  and  a  "then  and 
now^  fashion  show. 

The  festivities  will  begin  at 
10  a.m.,  with  a  hot  dog  limch 
being  served  from  11:30  a.m. 
to  1  p.m.,  and  will  end  at  2  p.m. 
The  display  in  the  Fellowship 
Hall  will  be  open  for  viewing 
during  the  carnival. 

If  you  or  someone  you  know 
were  enrolled  in  the  Center  in 
the  past,  please  come!  For  more 
information,  contact  the  L.  C. 
Wagner  Family  and  Child  De- 
velopment Center  at  (704)  872- 
7351  or  write  to  L.C.  Wagner 
FCDC,  P.O.  Box  209,  Barium 
Springs,  NC  28010-0209. 


Graduation! 

The  four-year-olds  at  the 
L.C.  Wagner  Family  and 
Child  Development  Cen- 
ter graduated  in  June 
complete  with  caps, 
gowns,  diplomas,  and  a 
reception.  They  will 
start  kindergarten  this 
fall.  Gabriel  Lindley, 
who  was  a  bit  nervous 
about  marching  down 
the  aisle  in  front  of  a 
crowd,  is  shown  here 
hold  onto  his  teacher's 
finger. 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $_ 
I  wish  to:   


.  Honor   

Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


enclosed 
_Remember 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  . 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1.  Barium  Springs.  NC  28010 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1994,  Page  7 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Guide — Introduction 

Who  is  the  Christ? — Introduction 


By  EUGENIA  S.  PHILLIPS 

Editor's  note — Eugenia  S.  Phillips  is  a 
member  of  Sinking  Spring  Church  in 
Abingdon,  Va.  She  is  presenting  back- 
ground and  enrichment  material  for 
this  year's  Presbyterian  Women's  Bible 
study. 

Dressed  in  a  brown,  belted  tunic  over 
which  a  li^ht  coat  of  dark  red  and 
yellow-striped  material  hung  loosely 
above  the  dusty  sandals,  and  leaning 
wearily  on  a  walking  staff,  the  stranger 
walked  slowly  toward  the  well  on  the 
edge  of  the  city. 

Women,  drawing  water,  drew  back, 
their  children  hiding  behind  their 
skirts.  Merchants  who  had  been  talk- 
ing together  stepped  forward  with  cus- 
tomary words  of  greeting.  Tired  as  he 
looked,  the  stranger  seemed  eager  to 
tell  them  his  name,  where  he  was  from, 
and  why  he  had  come  to  their  village. 
As  the  women  drew  closer  to  listen,  he 
said: 

"My  name  is  Paul,  and  I  have  come 
to  tell  you  about  the  Christ  whom  I 
have  met  and  know.  He  desires  all  the 
world  to  know  him.  Your  lives  will  be 
blessed  beyond  measure  when  you,  too, 
can  say  that  you  have  met  him  and 
know  him." 

Most  of  the  men  and  women  stared 
silently,  fascinated  by  the  strong  light 
in  the  man's  eyes  as  he  spoke.  One  of 
their  leaders  at  last  spoke  words  they 
were  all  thinking. 

"We  have  heard  that  the  Jews  have 


long  awaited  one  who  would  be  the 
chosen  and  anointed  one  of  their  God, 
but  we  do  not  know  who  he  is.  Who  is 
the  Christ?" 

We  can  imagine  such  a  scene  as  this 
recurring  many  times  in  the  life  of  Paul 
as  he  journeyed  throughout  his  world 
telling  the  good  news  that  he  had  expe- 
rienced. We  can 
hardly  imagine  the 
number  of  times 
since  then  that  the 
same  question  has 
been  asked  by  curi- 
ous bystanders,  in- 
tent scholars,  the 
unsatisfied  wealthy 
and  the  desperate 
poor,  and  answered 
by  missionaries,  po- 
ets, itinerant 
preachers,  scholarly 
theologians  and 
humble  Christians 
from  every  walk  of 
Hfe. 

Yet,  as  many  times  as  this  questions 
has  been  asked  and  answered,  each 
person  must  ask  and  answer  it  for 
herself  or  himself,  and  in  the  light  of 
personal  experiences  and  culture  come 
to  know  the  man  Jesus  who  is  the 
Christ. 

About  some  acquaintances  we  have 
known,  almost  all  of  us  have  said,  "I'll 
never  understand  her  (or  him),"  and 
often  we  shrug  off  as  useless  any  more 
thought  about  this  confusing  person. 
But  even  though,  or  perhaps  because, 


we  can  never  understand  all  about 
Jesus  Christ,  as  our  knowledge  of  him 
grows,  there  develops  within  us  a  long- 
ing to  know  more  and  to  draw  closer  to 
this  person  who  was  at  once  man  and 
God. 

The  Bible  study  for  this  year,  Who  is 
the  Christ?,  written  by  R.  David  Caller 
of  Davidson,  N.C.,  will  help  us  to  go 
beyond  the  point  which  had  been 
reached  by  the  imaginary  villagers 
depicted  above.  They  had  heard  the 
idea  of  Christ;  they  even  knew  that  the 
word  meant  the  anointed  one  of  God. 
But  they  did  not  know  the  man  whom 
God  had  chosen  to  be  the  Christ.  They 
had  yet  to  learn  why  a  man  named 
Jesus  who  had  lived  in  dusty  villages 
very  much  as  they  lived  was  now  being 
proclaimed  as  the  Son  of  God,  the 
anointed  one,  the  Christ. 

Can  you  imagine  the  thrill  of  hear- 
ing the  story  of  Jesus  for  the  first  time? 
Can  you  picture  the  faces  of  those  who 
had  very  little  to  look  forward  to  in  this 
world  suddenly  hearing  that  the  one 
God  of  heaven  loved  them  enough  to 
show  them  how  to  achieve  happiness 
in  this  world  and  life  everlasting  in  the 
world  to  come? 

Paul,  being  the  master  builder  that 
he  was,  was  not  content  simply  to  tell 
the  story  and  begin  a  church.  We  are 
thankful  that  he  reinforced  what  he 
said  by  also  writing  to  each  of  the 
churches  he  had  started  to  help  them 
meet  the  inevitable  problems  that  arose, 
even  as  problems  arise  in  our  churches 
today. 


It  is  from  those  letters  that  we  hear 
Paul's  inspired  instruction  and  encour- 
agement to  Christians  who  struggled 
to  be  faithful  in  a  world  that  had  cruci- 
fied Jesus  and  was  determined  that  his 
message  would  be  ignored. 

In  this  study  of  the  words  of  Paul,  we 
gain  greater  understanding  of  who 
Jesus  was,  of  his  teaching  by  word  and 
example  to  his  followers,  and  how  these 
teachings  are  meaningful  to  people  of 
all  times. 

Paul  took  these  teachings  to  foreign 
and  alien  cultures,  and  his  experience 
with  interpreting  them  is  invaluable 
for  us  today  as  we  also  attempt  to 
understand  and  spread  the  word. 

Such  is  the  intention  of  this  well- 
written  Bible  study.  Thought-provok- 
ing background  Bible  study  is  included 
as  well  as  teaching  helps  for  leaders. 
Like  those  to  whom  Paul  talked  in 
person,  those  today  who  listen  and 
wonder  about  the  subjects  of  these  stud- 
ies can  gain  new  assurance  of  God's 
presence  both  in  their  individual  and 
community  lives. 

To  the  world  of  his  day,  Jesus  was  an 
unusual  prophet,  a  great  man.  But 
Peter,  after  closely  walking  with  Jesus, 
hearing  his  words  and  seeing  his  ac- 
tion, was  the  first  to  speak  those  words 
revealing  what  others  would  echo 
through  the  centuries:  "You  are  the 
Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Living  God!" 

Now  it  is  our  turn  through  our  study 
to  listen  and  learn,  so  that  we  also  may 
emphatically  state  our  beliefs  to  our 
own  generation. 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Guide— Lesson  1,  September  1994 

Images  of  the  Resurrected  Jesus 


By  EUGENIA  S.  PHILLIPS 

This  lesson  begins  a  study  of  ways  that 
we  as  individuals  or  as  a  community  of 
Christian  believers  understand  and 
interpret  for  ourselves  the  Christ  in 
whom  we  profess  to  believe.  How  to 
view  Christ  was  a  difficulty  from  the 
beginning  of  our  church,  even  for  those 
who  had  known  him  in  his  own  coun- 
try. 

Prophets  appeared  from  time  to  time 
throughout  Palestine.  Much  like  the 
news  analysts  of  today,  many  of  them 
were  persons  who  looked  at  the  state  of 
their  society,  came  to  conclusions,  and 
then  tried  to  persuade  the  people  of  the 
importance  of  their  ideas.  Prophets  of 
days  past  had  enjoyed  high  esteem, 
awe,  and  prestige  because  they  spoke 
with  authority  and  performed  great 
deeds  in  God's  name.  However,  as  the 
strength  of  the  Jewish  nation  faded, 
many  false  prophets,  whose  words 
proved  useless,  had  arisen,  and  most 
people  paid  little  attention  to  their  loud 
voices  and  extravagant  claims. 

Jesus  was  different.  His  speech  was 
conversational,  and  each  listener  felt 
that  the  message  was  particularly  sig- 
nificant for  him  or  her.  An  authorita- 
tive relationship  with  God  echoed  in 
the  words  which  Jesus  spoke  and  drew 
great  crowds  of  men  and  women  from 
their  daily  tasks  to  find  him  and  listen. 
His  fame  as  preacher  and  healer  in- 


Survey  to  report  on  GA 

The  July/August  issue  of  Presbyterian 
!     Survey,  available  in  late  July,  will  in- 
elude  a  report  on  the  206th  General 
I     Assembly  in  Wichita,  Kansas. 

Also  in  the  issue  will  be  an  article. 
Why  Do  Presbyterians  Argue  So  Much  ?, 
by  James  Ayers,  pastor  of  Frankfort 
fKyJ  Presbyterian  Church. 

Subscriptions  to  Presbyterian  Sur- 
vey, the  official  magazine  of  the 
PC(USA),  may  be  ordered  by  calling 
^  800)  227-2872.  Special  group  subscrip- 
tion plans  are  available  to  churches. 


creased,  and  most  of  his  listeners  ac- 
cepted him  as  a  true  prophet  from  God. 
When  he  entered  Jerusalem  the  week 
before  his  crucifixion,  he  was  identi- 
fied as  "the  prophet  Jesus  from 
Nazareth  in  Galilee."  (Matt.  21:11) 

Then,  the  news  went  about  that  he 
had  been  killed  by  the  Roman  authori- 
ties. Sadness  fell  over  many  who  had 
heard  his  words,  and  the  question  they 
perhaps  asked  each  other  was,  "How 
can  we  do  what  he  taught  us,  now  that 
he  has  been  put  to  death?  How  can  we 
follow  him  now?"  His  words  had  filled 
them  with  hope,  but  now  they  felt 
abandoned  and  confused. 

Later,  they  began  to  hear  other  sto- 
ries. Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the  man  with 
whom  they  had  sat  on  a  hillside,  had 
been  seen  and  heard  again.  He  had 
spent  time  with  his  disciples  and  had 
revealed  to  them  that  he  was  the  long- 
awaited  Christ  anticipated  by  proph- 
ets and  psalmists.  (Luke  24:44-49)  God 
had  resurrected  Jesus  from  the  place  of 
the  dead,  and  once  again  he  was  seen 
and  heard.  Now  they  heard  of  Jesus  in 
a  new  light,  as  the  Son  of  God,  the 
Christ. 

Was  it  hard  for  them  to  make  the 
transition  in  their  thinking?  We  can 
believe  that,  like  other  listeners  who 
heard  Jesus,  they  remembered  their 
"hearts  burning  within"  (Luke  24:32) 
as  they  had  heard  him  talking.  On 
those  who  remembered,  a  new  spirit 
descended,  and  they  joined  crowds  of 
humble,  seeking  people  who  came  to- 
gether to  tell  what  they  remembered 
and  to  hear  more  about  Jesus. 

Today,  Jesus'  written  words  move 
our  hearts,  and  a  concentration  on  him 
brings  his  presence  close  to  us.  His 
spirit  fills  us  as  we  realize,  like  those 
people  of  long  ago,  that  the  man  Jesus 
who  lived  and  suffered  through  life  as 
we  know  it,  and  faced  death  even  as  we 
must,  was  also  the  Christ  who  brings 
us  to  God.  In  joy  and  excitement,  we, 
like  them,  should  gather  together  to 
talk  about  him,  and  tell  others  of  this 
wonder. 

About  six  years  later,  Paul  appeared. 


He  counted  himself  as  an  apostle,  one 
who  had  been  with  Jesus  and  was 
completely  convinced  that  the  message 
of  Jesus  was  indeed  the  message  of 
salvation  for  the  whole  world,  Jews 
and  Gentiles  alike.  Gradually,  he  trav- 
eled farther  away  from  Jerusalem  and 
Palestine,  telling  people  of  every  race 
and  nation  that  they  were  included  in 
God's  plan  of  salvation. 

One  of  Paul's  greatest  ambitions  was 
to  carry  the  message  to  Rome,  the 
capital  city  of  the  known  world.  In 
Rome  there  was  already  a  group  of 
believers  in  Jesus  Christ  who  wanted 
to  hear  more  about  him  and  the  new 
church.  Some  were  Romans,  but  many 
were  Jews  from  Palestine,  and  others 
who  had  come  from  Greece  and  coun- 
tries throughout  the  Empire.  Doubt- 
less, Paul  had  heard  about  them  often 
and  felt  a  great  interest  in  them  since 
they  were  an  "outpost"  of  believers  far 
from  the  source  of  original  leadership. 
With  this  in  mind,  he  wrote  to  them  a 
strong  statement  of  his  beliefs  about 
the  new  church. 

It  is  significant  that  he  begins  his 
letter  with  statements  that  were  prob- 
ably used  daily  in  new  churches,  a 
confession  of  what  the  new  church  be- 
lieved. These  are  the  verses  which  are 
central  to  this  lesson.  Paul  wrote  in 
Greek  which  must  be  translated  for 
our  understanding.  Perhaps  one  of  the 
clearest  statements  is  in  the  Good  News 
Bible,  Today's  English  Version: 

"The  Good  News  was  promised  long 
ago  by  God  through  his  prophets,  as 
written  in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  It  is 
about  his  Son,  our  Lord  Jesus.  Christ; 
as  to  his  humanity,  he  was  born  a 
descendant  of  David;  as  to  his  divine 
holiness,  he  was  shown  with  great 


power  to  be  the  Son  of  God  by  being 
raised  from  death." 

Throughout  the  history  of  the  Chris- 
tian church,  the  belief  that  Jesus  was 
both  human  and  divine  has  led  to  many 
theological  debates  and  definitions.  But 
what  does  this  mean  for  the  "average" 
church  member  who  seeks  to  measure 
his  or  her  life  by  the  life  of  Jesus?  We 
can  come  to  some  conclusions. 

Faith,  as  we  understand  it,  is  faith 
in  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ.  From  the 
outline  we  are  given  of  his  life,  we 
perceive  that  his  relationship  with  God 
was  so  close  that  the  mind  of  the  Father 
determined  the  words  and  actions  of 
the  Son.  In  like  manner,  the  love  of  the 
Son  reflected  the  love  of  the  Father  for 
all  of  humankind.  Christians  by  their 
faith  may  hope  and  work  toward  just 
such  an  interaction  with  God  that  will 
achieve  peace  of  mind,  joy  of  spirit,  and 
moral  determination  demonstrated  by 
the  man  Jesus.  Jesus  is  and  remains  a 
man  and  still  participates  in  the  life, 
thought  and  action  of  his  Father.  He  is 
at  the  same  time  the  glory  of  God  and 
the  glory  of  man. 

We  believe  not  only  in  the  human 
Jesus  who  showed  us  how  to  live  but 
also  in  the  divine  Christ  who  in  his 
death  and  resurrection  showed  us  his 
power  as  Messiah,  Christ,  Lord,  Word 
of  God  and  Son  of  God.  He  is  at  once  the 
human  Jesus  who  understands  us 
where  we  are,  and  God  himself  who 
rescues  us  from  the  finality  of  death 
with  promise  of  everlasting  life. 

Whatever  is  the  picture  in  our  minds 
of  Jesus  Christ,  it  is  undeveloped  if  we 
do  not  always  remember  the  reality 
both  of  his  physical  presence  upon  earth 
and  of  his  resurrection  whereupon  he 
took  his  place  at  the  throne  of  God. 


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Page  8,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1994 


Melva  Costen  to  keynote 
1994  'Growing  Together' 


The  annual  "Growing  To- 
gether" event,  sponsored  by  the 
Congregational  Nurture  Min- 
istry Unit,  continues  to  high- 
light the  programming  calen- 
dar for  The  Presbytery  of  New 
Hope. 

This  year's  leadership  train- 
ing event  will  be  held  at  the 
First  Church  in  Wilson  on  Sat- 
urday, Sept.  17,  from  9  a.m.  to 
3:15  p.m. 

Dr.  Melva  Costen  will  be 
the  keynoter  for  this  year's 
event.  Costen,  a  noted  lecturer, 
is  the  Helmar  Nielsen  Profes- 
sor of  Worship  and  Music  at 
the  Interdenominational  Theo- 
logical Center  in  Atlanta.  She 
also  chaired  the  denomi- 
nation's Presbyterian  Hymnal 
Committee.  The  committee 
was  responsible  for  the  devel- 
opment of  the  new  Presbyte- 
rian Hymnal. 

With  35  courses  scheduled, 
the  Growing  Together  Com- 
mittee has  once  again  planned 
an  event  which  promises  to 
offer  participants  leadership 
training  in  all  aspects  of  the 
life  of  the  Church.  Courses  to 
be  offered  this  year  include: 

AMI  Global  Missions  Up- 
date This  course  will  seek  to 
help  local  missions  committee 
chairs  to  plan  activities  high- 
lighting Global  Missions  in  the 
PC  (USA).  Course  leader- 
Marguerite  Bean 

AM2  Assimilating  New  Dis- 
ciples in  the  Larger  Church 

This  course  will  offer  sugges- 
tions and  possible  methods  for 
ministry  to  newcomers  which 
will  lead  them  to  a  positive 
identity  and  connection  with 
the  larger  membership.  Course 
leader — Arnold  Lovell 

AM3  "We  Belong  to  God" 

This  course  will  explore  the 
content  and  usage  of  The  Brief 
Statement  of  Faith,  the  most 
recent  confessions  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  (USA),  as  a 
means  of  increasing  our  un- 
derstanding of  what  we  be- 
lieve as  Christians  and  Pres- 
byterians. Course  leader — 
Edward  Newberry 

AM4  Restitution:  A  Comer- 
stone  of  Criminal  Justice 

This  course  explores  the  need 
to  strengthen  the  use  of  resti- 
tution as  a  key  to  restorative 


Melva  Costen 

justice  in  N.C.  Course  leader — 
Fred  Morrison 

AM5  What  Church  Officers 
Really  Need  to  Know  The 

course  will  provide  an  exami- 
nation of  the  skills  and  knowl- 
edge which  will  help  a  church 
officer  function  more  effec- 
tively and  efficiently.  Course 
leader  — Jim  Rissmiller 

AM6  Conflict  Resolution: 
An  Alternative  to  Violence 

This  workshop  will  enable  par- 
ticipants to  return  to  their 
home  church  with  a  new 
awareness  of  conflict  resolu- 
tion skills  and  resources  which 
they  can  utilize  within  their 
church  structures  and  educa- 
tional programs.  Course 
leader — Marion  O'Malley 

AM7  You  and  Your  Aging 
Parents  This  course  presents 
practical  strategies  for  the  care 
of  aging  parents.  Subjects  to 
be  covered  will  include  grow- 
ing in  friendship,  finding  op- 
tions for  care,  understanding 
time  management  and  claim- 
ing that  "Your  best  is  good 
enough".  Course  leader — 
Henry  Simmons 

AM8  Building  the  Ark  of 
Relationship  with  God  In 

this  workshop,  participants 
will  listen  for  God's  current 
action  in  their  lives  and  ex- 
periment with  several  forms  of 
prayer  which  might  be  used  in 
regular  times  with  God  includ- 
ing praying  scripture,  imag- 
ing prayer,  and  Taize  chant- 
ing. Course  leader — Jeannene 
Wiseman 


9{eziJ  Hope  (PresbyUry 

Station  Square,  Suite  136,  Rocky  Mount,  NO  27804        (919)  977-1440 


AM9  A  Church's  Response 
to  AIDS  This  workshop  will 
provide  a  Care  Team  model  for 
developing  an  effective  minis- 
try to  and  with  persons  with 
AIDS.  Course  leader — David 
Wiseman 

AMIO  Youth  Groups  from 
Small  Church  This  workshop 
will  focus  on  involving  youth 
in  the  life  of  the  church  and 
promoting  opportunities  for 
their  full  participation  in 
church  programs.  Participants 
will  see  models  of  small  church 
youth  groups  and  will  also  have 
the  opportunity  to  begin  net- 
working with  other  small 
churches.  Course  leader — Bob 
Ames 

AM  11  Grace  and  Disgrace: 
Sexuality  for  Church  Youth 

The  workshop  will  explore  the 
concepts  and  issues  of  human 
sexuality.  Participants  will 
begin  to  address  the  numerous 
controversial  ideas  surround- 
ing teenage/Christian  atti- 
tudes toward  sex.  Course 
leader — Marilyn  Avent 

AM12  Help!  I'm  a  Middle 
School  Advisor  This  work- 
shop will  cover  mixers,  games, 
program  ideas  and  shared  wis- 
dom from  the  group  on  how  to 
work  with  energetic  middle 
school  youth.  Emphasis  will 
be  placed  on  getting  new  advi- 
sors ready  to  go  with  program- 
ming. Course  leader — Paul 
Ransford 

AM13  Teaching  Adults  The 

workshop  will  cover  the  tried 
and  true  as  well  as  new  ways  of 
teaching  adults.  Course 
leader — Jocelyn  Hill 

AM14  Ministering  to  the 
Divorced  and  Separated  in 
a  Church  Setting  The  work- 
shop will  examine  how  the 
pastor  and  lay  person  can  offer 
help,  healing,  and  wholeness 
to  those  experiencing  the  pain 
of  divorce.  Course  leaders — 
Stan  and  Ann  Smith 

AM15  Who  is  the  Christ? 

The  workshop  will  introduce 
participants  to  the  Horizons 
Bible  Study  1994-95  (used  by 


Registration—  Growing  Together  1994 

Mail  this  registration  and  check  payable  to: 
GROWING  TOGETHER 
Presbytery  of  New  Hope,  Suite  136,  Station  Square,  Rocky  Mount,  NC  27804 


List  Course  Preference  by  number  and  name — Class  s 
AM  Course  (First  Choice)  


s  limited  due  to  space  limitations. 


AM  Course  (Second  Choice)_ 

PM  Course  (First  Choice)  

PM  Course  (Second  Choice)_ 


Request  for  Child  Care  (Kindergarten  age  _ 
  Ages  


Number  of  Children  

Bring  bag  lunch  for  each  child.  Cost  per  child — $3.50  (Pay  with  registration. 
Registration  Fee  (includes  lunch):  $12   DeadlineSeptember  10,  1994 
Late  Fee:  $15  (No  confirmation  will  be  sent  after  deadline  date.  No  refunds  after  Sept.  10.) 
A  limited  number  of  scholarships  are  available.  Apply  to  Presbytery  OfRce. 


Presbyterian  Women)  and  will 
offer  an  overview  of  the  con- 
tent and  methods  for  teaching. 
Course  leader — Ann  Hoch 
Cowdery 

PMl  Sharing  the  Blessing 
of  Ghana  Through  Partner- 
ship Workshop  participants 
will  share  the  experiences  and 
insights  of  individuals  that 
traveled  to  Ghana  on  a  sum- 
mer mission  trip.  Course 
leader — Clifford  Thomas 

PM2  Growth  Ministries  and 
the  Smaller  Church  The 

workshop  will  deal  with  creat- 
ing a  positive  outlook  for  the 
ministry  of  the  smaller  church. 
Participants  will  look  at  the 
strengths  and  priorities  of  their 
congregations  in  order  to  gen- 
erate a  new  vitality  in  their 
congregation's  ministry. 
Course  leaders — Phil  and 
Nancy  Gladden 

PM3  A  Potpourri  of  Activi- 
ties for  Teaching  Young 
Children  in  the  Church 
School  This  workshop  will 
provide  practical  teaching 
ideas  for  teaching  pre-school 
children.  Course  leader — Lib 
Parkin 

PM4  "Laity  Do  It  Daily:" 
Claiming  Ministries  in 
Daily  Life  This  workshop  fo- 
cuses on  how  laity  can  be  agents 
(as  well  as  objects)  of  ministry 
in  daily  life.  What  does  it  mean 
to  be  called  and  gifted  for  min- 
istry as  laity?.  Course  leader — 
Mac  Hulglander 

PM5  Sing  Psalms  and  Alle- 
luias and  say  Amen  This 
workshop  will  allow  partici- 
pants to  discuss  the  cultural 
intersections  of  the  music  life 
of  Presbyterians  as  they  learn 
new  Psalms,  Hymns  and  Spiri- 
tual Songs.  Sufficient  time 
will  be  allowed  to  respond  to 
questions  about  Presbyterian 
hymnody  in  general  and  the 
new  Presbyterian  H3rmnal  in 
particular.  Course  leader — 
Melva  Costen 

PM6  The  Passion  and  the 
Promise  This  workshop  ex- 
plores an  everyday  spiritual- 
ity of  aging  that  takes  seri- 
ously God's  call  to  intimate 
friendship  in  prayer,  in  love, 
in  loss,  in  growth,  and  in  a 
passionate  quest  for  wholeness . 
The  focus  is  practical  and  down 
to  earth!  Course  leader — 
Henry  Simmons 

PM7  Building  the  Ark  of 
Relationship  with  God  See 

description  of  AM8.  This  course 
is  offered  twice.  Course 
leader — Jeannene  Wiseman 

PM8  Group  Processing  and 
Group  DjTiamics  This  work- 
shop will  deal  with  vmderstand- 
ing  group  dynamics  in  order  to 
reach  youiig  people  and  using 
group  processing  for  fun  and 
growth.  This  class  will  enable 
both  junior  and  senior  high 
leaders  to  better  understand 
the  youth  in  their  groups. 
Course  leader  — Sam  Jones 

PM9  Senior  High  Program 
Trends  Theological  and  de- 
velopmental insights  for  work- 
ing with  senior  high  youth. 


Paul  will  share  insights  from 
hational  youth  events.  Scrip- 
ture, and  current  literature. 
New  and  experienced  senior 
high  youth  advisors  are  wel- 
come. Course  leader — Paul 
Ransford 

PMIO  Energizing  and  En- 
riching Your  Elementary 
Church  School  Program 

This  workshop  will  provide  a 
presentation  of  techniques  that 
will  enliven  and  improve  your 
church  school  program.  Course 
leader — Carolyn  Holmes 

PMll  Encouraging  the 
Traits  of  Healthy  Families 

Participants  will  take  a  look  at 
how  to  design  programs  and  to 
interact  in  ways  that  encour- 
age the  healthy  traits  that 
families  need  in  order  to 
emerge  and  bloom.  Course 
leader — Helen  Holshouser 

PM12  A  Stewardship  Cam- 
paign Without  a  Budget 

Helpful  suggestions  for  pas- 
tors and  committee  members. 
AcampaignfromAtoZ.  Course 
leader — Conway  Lanford 

PM13  Inviting  &  Encour- 
aging Volunteers  for  the 
Christian  Education  Min- 
istry This  course  will  help  the 
Christian  Education  Ministry 
of  your  church  tap  into  the 
many  talents  God  has  given 
His  people-your  people!  We 
will  look  at  ways  in  wfiich  you 
and  others  can  help  church 
members  to  encounter,  em- 
brace, and  employ  their  God- 
given  talents  in  service  to 
Christ  and  His  Church.  Course 
leader — Sue  McCaughan 

PM14  Running  the  Pro- 
gram The  nuts  and  bolts  of 
the  Christian  Education  com- 
mittee, including  the  worry 
and  wonder  of  recruitment, 
training,  and  support  of  lead- 
ers. Course  leader — Jocelyn 
Hill 

PM15  Recreation,  Fellow- 
ship, and  Group  Building 

This  course  is  for  folks  who  i 
wish  to  le  im  great  ways  of 
breaking  .own  barriers  and 
building  up  fellowship  among 
group  members.  Learn  ice- 
breakers and  games  appropri- 
ate for  your  youth  and  adult 
fellowship  groups.  Wear  com- 
fortable and  active  clothes. 
Course  leader-^oe  Sayblack 

PM16  Who  is  the  Christ?  . 

See  description  of  AM15.  This 
course  offered  twice.  Course 
leader — ^Ann  Hoch  Cowdery 

PM17  Introduction  to  The 

Book  of  Common  Worship  j 

How  do  Presbyterians  make 
use  of  a  prayer  and  service  ' 
book?  The  discussion  will  ex- 
plore the  benefits  of  uniform  ^ 
orders  of  worship  that  can  be  ^ 
utilized  in  both  congregational  * 
and  individual  worship  set-  * 
tings.  The  course  will  also  ^ 
model  suggestions  from  The 
Book  of  Common  Worship  for  ^ 
administration  of  the  sacra- 
ments.  Course  leader — Joseph  ^ 
Ward 

PMlSaChatwithDr.LoveU  „, 

Discuss  evangelism  and  church  ^ 

development  with  Dr.  Lovell.  jj^ 

Course  leader — ^Arnold  Lovell  J 


New  Hope  Mission  -  see  page  M2 


»BXFiCFFZ**** 


For  address  changes  send  mai 

Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


,^oc  5^*  365  1  If 
N    C  COLLECTION 
JILSON    LIBRflRV.CB  3930 
CHAPEL    HILL    NC  27599-000 

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Mid-Atlantic 

2  un 

/'esoyterian 


NHO    131    182  »n 


September  1994 


Vol.  LX,  Number  7 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Pretty  Piper 


A.  youngster  plays  her  flute  during  the  Friends  of 
IMassanetta  Springs  picnic  which  preceded  the  start  of 
the  71st  Bible  Conference  and  Church  Music  Workshop 
on  July  31.  More  than  1,000  persons  attended  events 
during  the  week.  See  article  at  bottom  of  this  page. 


Warren  Wilson  College 
celebrates  centennial  year 


ASHEVILLE,  N.C.— Warren 
Wilson  College  is  celebrating 
its  centennial  in  1994. 

A  private,  liberal  arts  col- 
lege. Warren  Wilson  was 
founded  by  the  "northern" 
Presb5^erian  Church  as  the 
Asheville  Farm  School  in  1894. 
It's  original  purpose  was  to 
provide  education  for  boys  from 
the  southern  Appalachian 
mountain  area. 

Its  mission  has  grown,  but 
Warren  Wilson  retains  it  ties 
to  the  church  while  combining 
strong  academics  with  a  pro- 
gram of  work  for  the  school 
and  service  to  the  community. 

The  college's  Centennial 
Weekend,  scheduled  for  Nov. 
18-21,  includes: 

•  Presentation  of  "Origins," 
an  original  play  about  the  his- 
tory of  Warren  Wilson; 

•  A  Centennial  Fair  with 
food,  music  and  crafts; 

•  The  annual  Harvest  Ser- 


vice for  which  the  chapel  is 
transformed  into  a  living  his- 
tory tableau,  complete  with  live- 
stock; and 

•  Founder's  Day,  featuring 
a  candlelight  procession  and 
the  burial  of  a  time  capsule. 

The  college  started  its  cen- 
tennial celebration  on  Jan.  17 
with  a  special  chapel  service 
honoring  Alma  Shippey.  His 
admittance  to  the  college  in 
1952  made  Warren  Wilson  the 
first  permanently  integrated 
college  in  the  South. 

A  Spring  Jubilee  and  Envi- 
ronmental Summit  in  April 
featured  an  Earth  Day  wor- 
ship service.  Noted  writer/phi- 
losopher Frederick  Buechner 
was  guest  lecturer  at  the  G.D. 
Davidson  Round  Table  in  May. 

Named  one  of  "the  most  inno- 
vative, engaging,  and  thoughtful 
schools  in  the  nation"  by  the 
Making  a  Difference  College 
Guicte,  Warren  Wilson  serves  500 


students  from  37  states  and  25 
countries. 

"We  provide  a  strong,  lib- 
eral arts  education  that  focuses 
on  the  individual  and  the  inte- 
gration of  theory  and  practice," 
said  spokesperson  Joanna 
Bender.  "In  addition  to  aca- 
demics, our  students  learn  the 
value  of  work  and  service." 

Since  the  college's  founding, 
students  have  been  the  school's 
work  force.  Each  student,  re- 
gardless of  financial  need, 
works  15  hours  a  week  on  one 
of  70  essential  work  crews. 

Students  also  perform  a 
minimum  of  20  hours  of  com- 
munity service  for  each  year 
they  are  enrolled.  Annually 
that  comes  to  more  than  10,000 
hours  of  community  service  by 
Warren  Wilson  students. 

For  more  information,  write 
to  Warren  Wilson  C  oUege ,  P.  O. 
Box  9000,  Asheville,  NC  28815- 
9000  or  phone  (704)  298-3325. 


Events  set  for  youth  leadership,  recreation  leaders,  and  African  American  clergy/laity 


rhree  synod-sponsored  events 
are  planned  for  the  month  of 
October. 

The  annual  Youth  Leader- 
ship Training  event  will  be  held 
Oct.  7-9  at  Massanetta  Springs 
Conference  Center  near  Har- 
risonburg, Va. 

The  Mid-Atlantic  Recre- 
ation Worship  is  scheduled  for 
Oct.  21-23,  also  at  Massanetta 
Springs  Conference  Center. 

The  African  American 
Clergy/Laity  Conference  will 
be  held  Oct.  23-26  at  the  James 
H.  Costen  Family  Life  Center 
on  the  campus  of  the  Interde- 
nominational Theological  Cen- 
ter in  Atlanta. 

Youth  Leadership 

The  Rev.  Warren  Lesane, 
transitional  synod  associate 
executive  for  partnership  min- 
istries, will  be  the  keynote 
speaker  for  the  Youth  Leader- 


ship Training  event. 

Self-described  as  "the  son  of 
a  farmer  upon  whom  God  has 
smiled,"  Lesane  is  a  fourth- 
generation  Presbjrterian  who 
has  served  at  the  local  church, 
presbytery  and  synod  levels. 

Jim  Morgan,  a  native  North 
Carolinian  active  in  a  full-time 
music  ministry,  will  be  the 
event's  music  leader. 

Morgan  and  dancer-singer- 
songwriter  Edyth  Potter  will 
lead  an  extended  (four-hour) 
workshop  on  creative  worship. 
Potter  is  director  of  Christian 
education  at  Richmond's  Tuc- 
kahoe  Church. 

A  second  extended  work- 
shop on  creating  impromptu 
visual  expressions  of  faith  will 
be  led  by  Grace  Yeuell,  direc- 
tor of  Christian  education  at 
Richmond's  Second  Church. 

Participants  will  have  the 
option  of  choosing  one  of  the 


above  worksiiupo  or  three  90- 
minute  workshops.  Leaders  for 
the  shorter  workshops  will  be 
Rosalind  Banbury-Hamm,  Ed 
Richardson,  Rick  Hill,  Paul 
Ransford,  Bill  Buchanan,  Jodi 
Bond-Martin,  Aimee  Wallis, 
Jacob  Atuahene-Nsowaah,  and 
Bemadine  McRipley. 

The  registration  deadline  is 
Sept.  15. 

Recreation  Workshop 

The  Mid-Atlantic  Recre- 
ation Workshop  is  a  weekend 
of  concentrated  training  in  rec- 
reational leadership  for  adult 
lay  leaders,  clergy,  and  educa- 
tors involved  in  recreational 
ministry. 

The  1994  event  will  offer 
training  by  the  following  per- 
sons: 

Camping — Beth  Gunn  and 
Jimmie  Hawkins;  Arts  and 


Crafts — Patty  Ames;  Basic  rec- 
reation— Glenn  Bannerman; 
Simulation  games — Rick  Hill; 
Story  telling — Pat  Kirk;  Lead- 
ership— Lynn  Turnage  and 
Beth  Gunn;  Older  adult  activi- 
ties— June  Woodall;  Intercul- 
tural  recreation — Jimmie 
Hawkins;  Intergenerational — 
Rick  Hill;  and  Dances — Chris 
Lane. 

Skip  Hastings  of  Harrison- 
burg is  the  director.  Registra- 
tion deadline  is  Oct.  7. 

African  American 
Clergy/Laity  Conference 

The  theme  for  the  1994  con- 
ference is  "A  Way  Out  of  No 
Way:  Recapturing  the  Motifs 
and  Characteristics  of  African 
American  Religion." 

Through  worship,  plenary 
sessions,  drama,  small-group 
discussions,  music  and  forums 


participants  will  examine 
where  the  black  church  has 
come  from,  where  it  is  now, 
and  where  God  is  calling  for  it 
to  go  in  the  future. 

Conference  leadership  in- 
cludes Lawrence  Bethel  of 
Newport  News,  Va.;  James  H. 
and  Melva  Costen  of  Atlanta; 
Marsha  Haney  of  Atlanta; 
Amitiyah  Elayne  Hyman  of 
Washington,  D.C.;  Elenora 
Ivory  of  Washington,  D.C.; 
Mark  Lomax  of  Lithonia,  Ga.; 
Daisy  B.  Thomas-Quinney  of 
West  Middlesex,  Penn.;  Ronald 
Peters  of  Pittsburgh,  Penn.; 
and  Debris  Williams  of  New 
York. 

Co-chairs  of  the  conference 
planning  team  are  Lawrence 
Bethel  and  Bemice  Warren  of 
Wilmington,  Del. 

For  more  information  on  any 
of  these  events,  contact  the 
synod  office. 


Bible  Conference  attracts  more  than  1 ,000 


on  worship  at  the  heart  of  the 
church. 

One  of  many  highlights  was 
the  Celebration  of  Worship  on 
the  final  evening.  Music  was 
provided  by  the  adult, 
children's  and  bell  choirs  from 
the  Church  Music  Workshop 
which  ran  concurrent  with  the 
Bible  Conference. 

Dr.  Ernest  T.  Campbell's 
sermon  focused  on  Ichabod, 
whose  name  reflected  what  the 
Israelites  thought  was  the  end 
of  their  glory  when  the  Ark  of 
the  Covenant  was  taken  from 
them.  Noting  that  Israel's  glory 
would  return,  Campbell  said 
that  "where  we  put  periods, 
God  puts  commas." 

During  the  celebration, 
Dave  Hubler  was  officially  in- 


stalled as  executive  director  of 
Massanetta  Springs.  Also, 
Beth  Smith  of  Bridgewater 
took  over  as  chair  of  the 
Massanetta  Springs  Commit- 
tee, succeeding  Fred  Holbrook 
of  Fishersville. 

Smith  also  led  the  children's 
portion  of  the  Bible  Confer- 
ence program.  John  Mayes  and 
Skip  Hastings  led  the  youth. 

Smith  said  that  125  chil- 
dren and  youth  up  to  age  18 
participated,  compared  with  80 
last  year. 

Leaders  for  the  Church 
Music  Workshop  were  Dr.  John 
Guthmiller  of  Richmond,  John 
Fast  of  Harrisonburg,  Nancy 
Powell  of  Gaithersburg,  Md., 
and  Cynthia  Wright  of  Poto- 
mac, Md. 


As  Bible  Conference  Director  June  Bucy  (center)  listens, 
the  Rockingham  Male  Chorus  performs  during  the 
opening  service  July  31  in  the  Hudson  Auditorium. 


Page  2,  jMid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  1994 

Knowing  our  limits 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

Recently  I  saw  a  bumper  sticker  which 
caught  my  attention: 

"If  you  can't  run  with  the  big  dogs, 
then  stay  on  the  porch." 
Not  bad  advice  when  you  grow  older. 
We  need  to  stay  out  of  stressful  situa- 
tion and  realize  our  limits. 

This  came  home  to  me  some  time  ago 
when  I  attempted  to  play  on  our  church 
Softball  team.  On  my  first  time  at  bat  I 
lined  a  cannon  shot  to  the  center  field 
gap  but  fell  down  getting  out  of  the 
batter's  box!  Imagine  my  horror  when 
I  was  thrown  out  by  the  center  fielder 
before  I  reached  first  base.  Right  then 
and  there  I  knew  it  was  time  to  tvu*n  in 
my  uniform. 

The  scenario  reminded  my  of  what 
Will  Rogers  once  said  when  he  tried  to 


play  second  base  when  he  was  older: 
"At  my  age  anywhere  you  stsmd  is 
second  base." 

The  author  of  the  131st  Psalm  knew 
the  wisdom  of  reahzing  our  Umits.  He 
wrote: 

"/  do  not  concern  myself 
with  great  matters 
or  things  too  wonderful  for  me. 
But  I  have  stilled 
and  quieted  my  soul; 
like  a  weaned  child  with  its  mother, 
like  a  weaned  child 
is  my  soul  within  me" 

Psalm  131:la,2  (NIV) 

Being  older  brings  with  it  a  quieting 
of  our  soxils,  finally  weaned  fi'om  the 
restless  compulsion  to  be  more  than  we 
are,  finally  saved  from  the  ceaseless 
pretense  of  being  more  than  we  could 


r  ^ 


Richard 
Morgan 


Commentary 


ever  be.  As  author 
May  Sarton  said: 

"At  seventy,  I  am 
more  myself  than  I 
ever  was." 

We  can  be  still  in 
God's  providence, 
Hke  a  weaned  child 
on  its  mother's  lap. 
There  is  no  need 
now  to  build  our  em- 
pires or  jump  start 
old  projects.  We  can 
sit  back  and  rest. 

Donald  X.  Burt,  in  his  delightful 
book,  But  When  You  Are  Older,  writes: 

"The  limits  that  come  with  age  can 
be  a  peaceful  release.  New  ventures  are 
precluded  by  lack  of  time  and  energy. 
Others  have  ceased  to  have  grandiose 
expectations  of  us.  We  are  no  longer 
their  'problem-solver' ...  No  one  expects 
us  to  run  a  marathon  or  start  a  new 
career  or  have  a  new  family.  We  can 
walk  now  and  not  run." 

How  true.  Granted,  there  are  pain- 
ful and  inevitable  losses  in  later  life. 
They  come  in  bunches  and  are  more 
painful,  devastating  and  permanent. 
Losses  follow  losses,  and  each  fore- 
shadows the  ultimate  loss  of  life  itself 
But  we  can  celebrate  the  loss  of  pres- 
sure, our  endless  concern  with  Uving 


Little  peace  in  this  big  world 


By  CLARA  B.  BELLE 

We  are  unsettled  to  the  very  roots  of 
our  being.  We  are  not  used  to  a  compli- 
cated civilization;  we  don't  know  how 
to  behave  when  personal  contact  and 
eternal  authority  have  disappeared. 
There  are  no  precedents  to  guide  us,  no 
wisdom  that  wasn't  made  for  a  simpler 
age.  We  have  changed  our  environ- 
ment more  quickly  than  we  know  how 
to  change  ourselves. 

We  live  in  great  cities  without  know- 
ing our  neighbors,  the  loyalties  of  place 
have  broken  down,  and  our  associa- 
tions are  stretched  over  large  territo- 
ries cemented  by  very  little  direct  con- 
tact. 

But  this  impersonal  quality  is  intol- 
erable: people  don't  like  to  deal  with 
abstractions,  and  so  you  find  an  over- 
whelming demand  upon  the  press  for 
human-interest  stories,  for  personal 


details  opened  to  the  vast  public.  Gos- 
sip is  organized;  and  we  do  by  tele- 
graph what  was  done  in  the  village 
store. 

Our  schools,  churches,  courts,  gov- 
ernments were  not  built  for  the  kind  of 
civilization  they  are  expected  to  serve. 
In  former  times  you  could  make  some 
effort  to  teach  people  what  they  needed 
to  know.  Parents  knew  the  kind  of 
problems  their  children  would  have  to 
face.  But  today  education  means  a  radi- 
cally different  thing.  We  have  to  pre- 
pare children  to  meet  the  unexpected 
for  their  problems  will  not  be  the  same 
as  their  fathers'  and  mothers'. 

The  churches  face  a  dilemma  which 
is  a  matter  of  life  and  death  to  them. 
They  come  down  to  us  with  a  tradition 
that  the  great  things  are  permanent, 
and  they  meet  a  population  that  needs 
above  all  to  understand  the  meaning 


and  the  direction  of  change.  No  wonder 
the  churches  are  empty;  no  wonder 
their  influence  has  declined;  no  won- 
der that  men  fight  against  the  influ- 
ence they  have. 

Ministers  are  as 
bewildered  as  the 
rest  of  us,  perhaps  a 
Uttle  more  so.  They 
are   expected  to 
stand  every  week 
and  interpret  hu- 
^    man  life  in  a  way 
m    that  will  vitalize 
feeling  and  conduct. 
Clara  B.        It  isn't  indifference 
BeUe  to  the  great  prob- 

lems that  leaves  the 
churches  empty;  it  is  the  sheer  intellec- 
tual failure  of  the  churches  to  meet  a 
sudden  change. 

Through  it  all  our  souls  have  be- 


up  to  other's  expectations. 

I  am  not  suggesting  that  growing 
old  means  we  sit  and  rock ...  and  watch 
the  world  go  by  from  the  porch.  The  old 
Disengagement  Theory  of  aging  has 
been  rightly  challenged  and  amended. 
I  like  what  Picasso  said  when  someone 
asked  him  what  he  considered  the  great- 
est painting.  He  answered  in  three 
words:  "The  next  one!" 

But  we  allow  others  to  run  with  the 
big  dogs,  while  we  choose  the  right 
moment  for  our  involvement  in  the 
world.  God  does  call  us  to  be  involved 
when  we  are  older  but  in  different  and 
quieter  ways. 

Only  now  do  I  begin  to  understand 
the  words  of  a  verse  from  Quaker  John 
Greenleaf  Whittier's  hymn: 

"Drop  Thy  still  dews  of  quietness. 
Till  all  our  strivings  cease; 
Take  from  our  souls  the  strain 
and  stress 
And  let  our  ordered  lives  confess 
The  beauty  of  Thy  peace." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Richard  L.  Morgan  of 
Lenoir,  N.C.,  is  the  author  of  several 
books  on  aging.  His  latest,  "Medita- 
tions for  the  Sick  and  Their  Caregivers, " 
will  be  published  this  fall  by  Upper 
Room  Press. 


come  disorganized,  for  they  have  lost  > 
the  ties  which  bound  them.  In  the  very 
period  where  man  most  needs  a  whole- 
hearted concentration  on  external  af- 
fairs, he  is  disrupted  internally  by  a 
revolution  in  the  intimacies  of  his  life. 
He  has  lost  his  place  in  an  eternal 
scheme,  he  is  losing  the  ancient  sanc- 
tions of  love,  and  his  sexual  nature  is 
chaotic  through  the  immense  change 
that  has  come  into  the  relation  of  par- 
ent and  child,  husband  and  wife. 

Those  changes  distract  him  so  deeply 
that  the  more  "advanced"  he  is,  the 
more  he  flounders  in  the  bogs  of  his 
own  soul. 

Clara  B.  Belle  of  Carthage,  N.C.,  is  a 
member  of  the  Peacemaking  Commit- 
tee of  Coastal  Carolina  Presbytery, 
which  is  part  of  the  synod's  Peacemak- 
ing Partnership. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 
Edith  Goodman  and  Laura  Jurman, 
Editorial  Assistants 
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Mailing  Address: 
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and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 

Vol.  LX 
September  1994 


Time  for  God's  people  to  act  like  God's  people 


I  did  not  attend  the  [Re-imagining]  confer- 
ence, but  I  can  pick  up  the  gist  of  the  topics 
discussed.  I  would  only  hope  that  the  read- 
ers might  read  this  with  open  minds,  which 
should  be  the  reason  for  reading  any  such 
article  or  attending  a  conference,  that  be- 
ing personal  enlightenment. 

I  have  taught  for  19  years  and  have  a 
master's  degree  in  education  and  I  am  a 
Christian  and  Presbyterian.  I  believe  that 
the  most  intelUgent  and  enlightened  people 
that  I  know  are  those  people  that  I  have 
met  who  say  that  they  don't  have  aU  of  the 
answers.  We  are  in  the  struggle  together  to 
understand  the  meaning  of  life  and  its 
lessons  as  Christians. 

I  must  begin  by  reminding  everyone 
that  it  was  the  "church"  people  who  were 
threatened  by  Jesus'  teachings  and  who 
allowed  Him  to  be  crucified.  As  we  know, 
this  was  part  of  God's  plan,  but  I  ask,  in 
today's  society,  are  our  "church"  people 
inclusive  or  judgmental  as  in  Jesus'  day? 

In  listening  to  Nightline  and  the  discus- 
sion about  the  [Re-imagining]  conference, 
it  was  obvious  that  the  "church  people"  had 
a  problem  with  the  women  trying  to  meet 
and  make  the  church  more  relevant  in 
today's  society.  It  seems  to  me  that  God 
gave  us  a  brain  to  use  and  develop.  In  my 
humble  opinion,  I  beheve  that  God  wants 
His  creation  to  grow  closer  to  Him  as  we 
grow  intellectually  through  the  ages.  The 
conference  was  a  means  of  growth  for  some 
who  may  have  found  the  church  to  be 
oppressive  and  unloving. 

The  Bible  is  a  wonderfully  inspired  col- 
lection of  God-inspired  words.  However, 
the  Bible  was  written  by  humans  and  is 
based  on  laws  and  cultural  customs.  God 
sent  Jesus  to  open  our  eyes  to  the  two  laws: 
love  God  and  love  our  neighbor.  I  believe 
this  to  be  the  heart  of  the  Christian  mes- 
sage for  all  of  those  who  seek  what  God's 


will  is  supposed  to  be  here  on  Earth. 

If  we  truly  worship  God,  we  seek  Him  in 
quiet,  in  our  hearts  and  in  our  conscience. 
We  seek  His  voice.  His  guidance  and  to 
know  His  spirit  if  we  love  Him  as  He 
commanded  us  to  do.  We  seek  His  voice  in 
our  world  today,  in  our  ever-changing  and 
confused  society.  The  Bible  is  our  guide  but 
can  not  be  the  absolute  law  for  Jesus  said 
He  came  to  clarify  or  do  away  with  the  old. 
He  commanded  us  to  love  God  and  our 
fellow  man. 

Can  we  say  that  we  love  oiu-  "fellow 
man"  if  we  deny  women  equal  representa- 
tion in  the  church?  Equal  representation 
means  allowing  women  to  represent  lead- 
ership positions,  otherwise,  it  is  not  equal. 
The  Bible  says  "women  shall  not  speak  in 
church."  If  we  adhere  to  every  exact  word- 
ing in  the  Bible,  then  women  can  not  speak, 
much  less  hold  leadership  roles  in  the 
church. 

I  believe  that  God  wants  His  creation  to 
grow  and  for  all  of  His  creation  to  become 
their  full  potential.  Yoimg  girls  need  women 
leaders,  ministers  and  priests  as  role  mod- 
els. Women  bring  many  attributes  to  lead- 
ership and  church  life  and  human  growth. 
Secure  and  matvue  men  can  certainly  be- 
lieve this. 

I  beUeve  that  the  women  at  the  confer- 
ence were  trying  to  find  meaning  and  a 
place  in  a  church  where  throughout  history 
women  have  been  oppressed,  thought  of  as 
less  than  and  denied  full  acceptance  as 
human  beings.  Yes,  the  family  structure 
needs  mothers  and  fathers  but  persons  of 
equal  worth.  Less  than  this  is  hypocrisy 
that  has  been  spoken  so  loudly  that  many 
are  turned  "ofT  by  the  church. 

I  wish  to  also  mention  the  references  to 
excluding  homosexuality  as  an  inclusive, 
acceptable  personality  trait.  The  chiu-ch 
and  its  people  need  much  more  dialogue 


and  research  into  the  real  meaning  of  this 
word  in  the  Bible.  Also,  we  may  need  to 
decide:  Is  every  word  in  the  Bible  to  be 
translated  in  God's  modem  world  as  it  was 
written  in  Grod's  ancient  world?  For  ex- 
ample, there  is  no  longer  a  need  for  all  to 
procreate.  The  world's  people  are  starving 
and  children  everywhere  are  uncared  for 
today. 

If  we  choose  to  obey  every  word  and 
phrase,  then  "women  may  not  speak  in 
church."  We  cannot  pick  and  choose:  This 
was  written  in  Paul's  day  when  women 
were  not  allowed  to  be  educated,  therefore, 
women  coidd  not  have  an  intelligent  opin- 
ion. God  gave  us  brains  to  advance  our 
civihzation  and  so  we  have. 

It  also  says  in  the  Bible  to  "judge  not 
that  you  may  not  be  judged."  In  the  Bible, 
it  also  speaks  of  Heaven  as  a  place  where 
there  is  no  male  or  female.  Do  you  really 
believe  that  God  wants  us  to  waste  so  much 
time  on  being  "exclusive"  and  denying  rights 
to  other  human  beings  who  are  different? 
The  Jews  were  different  to  Hitler.  These 
rights  that  homosexual  persons  want  are 
only  those  of  dignity  and  job  protection. 
These  are  not  "special"  rights,  they  are 
hiunan  rights. 

God  made  such  variety  in  the  plant  and 
animal  kingdoms.  He  obviously  likes  vari- 
ety. Are  we  humans  so  bold  to  pass  judge- 
ment on  homosexuahty?  The  Bible  also 
recorded  other  prohibitions  such  as  not 
eating  pork  which  was  written  in  a  time 
when  there  was  no  refrigeration.  What 
about  the  references  in  the  Bible  to  di- 
vorce? They  are  clearly  in  the  Bible  to 
prohibit  divorce.  Even  though  the  practice 
may  not  have  been  a  part  of  God's  original 
plan,  divorce  has  been  accepted  as  neces- 
sary for  some  situations. 

The  Ten  Commandments  do  not  saj 
continued  on  next  pagt 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  1994,  Page  3 


Readers'  Comments 


Church  needs  to  return  to  original  purpose 


Changes  are  not  necessarily  good 


In  perusing  the  recent  "Reader's  Comment' 
[June  issue]  of  Robert  M.  Close  Jr.,  I  am 
nearly  brought  to  tears.  It  is  he  and  those 
of  his  ilk  that  are  destroying  the  Church 
that  I  also  have  belonged  to  for  54  years.  He 
equates  change  with  that  which  is  good. 

If  he  will  recall,  when  Moses  returned 
with  the  Ten  Commandments  from  the 
Mount — he  found  that  there  had  been  a 
change.  The  people  had  melted  down  their 
trinkets  of  gold  and  molded  a  golden  calf  to 
worship.  That  was  change. 

Changes  such  as  "re-imagining"  and  its 
paganism  are  destroying  the  Church  of 
John  Knox  and  my  forebears.  These  fuzzy 
chinned,  feather-brained  pulpiteers  are  cre- 
ating an  imhealable  rift  and  unless  we  turn 
back  from  this  course  of  paganism,  the 

Clergy  is  more  liberal 

Robert  M.  Close  Jr.'s  letter  to  the  editor  in 
the  June  1994  issue  is  an  example  of  how 
the  clergy  is  of  a  more  liberal  mind-set  than 
the  laity.  The  "hundreds,  perhaps  even 
thousands  of  [his]  brothers  and  sisters  in 
Christ  who  so  easily  fall  into  a  frozen 
conformity"  are  more  than  likely  the  rank- 
and-file  who  weekly  sit  in  the  pews  and 
still  believe  that  the  Bible  is  the  ultimate 
authority.  The  issue  is  orthodoxy. 

Change  is  not  necessarily  progress.  It 
can  also  be  backsliding. 

Mrs.  LaNell  Sado 
Arlington,  Va. 


Presbyterian  Church  will  be  no  more. 

The  forces  of  Bacchus  within  the  Church 
must  be  ferreted  out,  as  the  evidence  indi- 
cates we  have  lost  over  a  million  members 
since  that  awful  blunder  of  uniting  with 
the  Northern  Church  some  years  back.  But 
more  importantly,  check  your  coffers,  credit 
rating,  and  absolute  disillusionment  the 
forces  of  change  have  forced  upon  the  pews. 

What  Apostasy  in  the  bureaucracy  of 
the  Church — we  are  once  again  back  to  the 
evils  of  the  Sanhedrin. 

The  writer  asks  for  tolerance;  we  can 
have  no  tolerance  for  Apostasy  and  Pagan- 
ism. 

Charles  M.  White  III 
Warrenton,  N.C. 

Most  are  dismayed 

Thank  you  so  much  for  publishing  the 
reaction  to  the  "Re-imagining  God"  meet- 
ing. I  assure  you  that  most  of  us  in  the 
churches  across  our  nation  stand  with  those 
who  expressed  their  dismay  that  any  Pres- 
byterian money  and/or  Presb3d;erian  lead- 
ers participated  in  this  conference — which 
was  not  in  accord  with  the  Word  of  God. 

Frankly  it  is  high  time  that  Christians 
of  all  faiths  wake  up  to  the  fact  that  there 
is  a  movement — which  is  far-progressed — 
to  destroy  the  traditional  Judeo-Christian 
beliefs  throughout  our  nation  and  the  world. 

Emily  E.  Elmore 
Rocky  Mount,  N.C. 


The  Rev.  Close  calls  for  change  but  neglects 
to  say  a  change  from  what  to  what:  Change 
from  Christianity  to  idolatry?  Change  from 
worship  of  Jesus  Christ  to  "the  goddess 
Sophia?"  Change  from  morality  to  hedo- 
nism? Change  from  theocracy  to  panthe- 
ism? 

Those  enamored  of  these  things  can 
form  their  own  "churches,"  but  their  lead- 
ers were  quoted  as  saying:  "That's  why  we 
are  here  together,  in  order  to  destroy  this 
patriarchal  idolatry  of  Christianity." 

The  Presbyterian  Church  has  never  ex- 
cluded homosexuals,  or  any  other  indi- 
vidual, but  membership  in  any  organiza- 
tion requires  the  acceptance  of  that 
organization's  rules  and  the  obHgation  to 
respect  those  rules. 

My  understanding  of  the  purpose  of  the 
Christian  Church  in  society  is  to  be  an 
unequivocal  voice  in  support  of  the  Ten 
Commandments  and  the  teachings  of  its 
founder  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  education  of 
its  children  in  these  unwavering  principles. 

If  the  church,  any  church,  is  to  survive. 


it  must  change,  but  in  the  direction  of  its 
original  purpose,  namely,  to  serve  as  a 
major  positive  force  in  guiding  human  be- 
havior along  invincible  guidelines  based  on 
the  immutable  principles  of  human  na- 
ture. It  needs  to  restore  moral  capacity  and 
responsibility;  it  needs  to  reiterate  that 
personal  behavior  does  profoundly  affect 
social  behavior  for  better  or  for  worse. 

A  church  that  does  not  do  this  is  not 
worth  its  salt  at  any  time,  but  even  less  so 
in  an  era  where  morals  have  degenerated 
to  a  social  chaos  level.  As  families  disinte- 
grate and  education  refuses  to  address  the 
spiritual  needs  of  human  nature,  the  mis- 
sion of  the  church  becomes  clearer  than 
ever.  To  be  open  to  everything  is  to  stand 
for  nothing  and  to  offer  nothing  to  a  society 
in  dire  need,  not  of  money  and  food  and 
sympathy,  but  of  guidance  in  discipline, 
and  character,  and  responsible  behavior, 
from  which  the  money  and  food  and  sympa- 
thy can  naturally  flow. 

Elizabeth  Ward  Nottrodt 
Baltimore,  Md. 


'Separation'  quote  was  not  Jefferson's 


Time  to  act  like  God's  people 


continued  from  previous  page 
that  you  must  be  a  heterosexual  to  love  or 
to  need  a  partner.  Many  hold  up  old  myths 
about  homosexuality  being  a  sickness  and 
that  homosexuals  abuse  children.  Even 
though  some  homosexuals  do  have  some 
promiscuous  behaviors,  as  do  many  het- 
erosexuals, the  research  states  that  most 
child  molesters  have  been  heterosexual 
males. 

Are  we  still  so  uneducated  that  we  con- 
demn people  based  on  myths?  The  church 
used  Bible  passages  to  condone  slavery  in 
o;ir  coimtry.  Have  Black  people  forgotten 
this?  Gay  people  are  bom  as  a  minority, 
too,  that  needs  understanding  and  accep- 
tance. 

A  lot  of  gay  people  desire  monogamous 
relationships,  support  family  values,  want 
family  support  but  are  laughed  at  and  not 
welcome  in  the  church.  Uneducated  people 
try  to  tell  others  that  gay  people  "choose" 
their  lifestyle  or  sexual  attractions.  Who 


would  choose  a  lifestyle  of  exclusion,  ridi- 
cule and  hate?  Did  you  ever  try  to  change 
your  sexual  preference?  It  cannot  be  done. 
God  made  people  with  their  individual 
likes,  dislikes,  talents  and  gifts. 

God  brought  Jesus  to  the  world  to  em- 
phasize that  the  laws  were  old.  Jesus  said 
that  the  two  commandments  were  and  are 
to  love  God  and  to  love  our  neighbor  as 
ourself. 

I  believe  that  it  is  time  for  God's  people 
to  act  like  God's  people  and  learn  to  love  all 
of  those  who  God  cre- 
ated, yes,  those  who  are 
different  from  you.  That 
is  God's  command.  He 
wants  everyone  welcome 
in  His  church,  not  just 
those  who  think  they  are 
the  ones  to  be  included. 

Sherry  Hope 
Baltimore,  Md. 


Bill  O'Brien's  recent  letter  about  separa- 
tion of  church  and  state  ("Jefferson's  inter- 
pretation of  separation  was  different  from 
today's" — May  issue)  contains  a  serious 
factual  error  that  should  be  corrected. 

Thomas  Jefferson  never  said  that  the 
wall  of  separation  between  church  and 
state  is  "one-directional"  or  that  it  was 
intended  to  keep  "Christian  principles"  in 
government.  This  quote  was  invented  out 
of  whole  cloth  by  Religious  Right  advocate 
David  Barton,  a  historical  revisionist  who 
opposes  church-state  separation. 

In  fact,  Jefferson  was  a  strong  sup- 
porter of  separation  of  church  and  state  all 
of  his  life.  In  his  famous  1802  letter  to  the 
Danbury  Baptists  he  observed,  "I  contem- 
plate with  sovereign  reverence  that  act  of 
the  whole  American  people  which  declared 
that  their  legislature  should  'make  no  law 
respecting  an  establishment  of  religion,  or 
prohibiting  the  free  exercise  thereof,'  thus 
building  a  wall  of  separation  between 
church  and  state." 

That  church-state  wall  has  given  Ameri- 
cans more  religious  freedom  than  any  people 
in  world  history.  Today,  a  few  misguided 


Americans  want  to  tear  that  protective 
barrier  down.  They  are  free  to  pursue  that 
goal,  but  they  have  no  right  to  claim 
Jefferson  as  a  comrade  in  their  cause. 

The  Rev.  Barry  W.  Lynn 
Americans  United  for  Separation  of 
Church  and  State,  Silver  Spring,  Md. 


A  few  days  too  many 

I  very  much  enjoyed  Arthur  Sanzerbach's 
"Commentary,"  Just  Try  to  Make  a  Joyful 
Sound  [June  issue].  I  admire  his  zeal  and 
enthusiasm  for  living  and  his  philosophy.  I 
hope  I'll  be  doing  as  well  in  23  years. 

However,  I  do  question  his  math.  My 
grandson,  a  fourth  grader,  quickly  deduced 
[Sanzerbach]  was  104  years  old  and  my 
trusty  calculator  confirmed  [my  grandson's] 
finding.  At  first  I  thought  the  printer  had 
just  written  38  instead  of  33,  but  even  that 
does  not  compute. 

Thanks  for  the  challenge. 

Doris  Kobe 
Bowie,  Md 


JOIN  US  AT  AN  mPORTANT  PRESBYTERIAN  EVENT 


PEACEMAKING  JUBILEE 

August  12-16, 1995 

Hofstra  University  (near  New  York  City) 


□  Experience  the  United 
Nations  in  New  York  City 
on  its  50th  anniversary. 

□  "Broadway  Sings  for  a  Just 
Peace,"  a  benefit  for  UNICEF 
featuring  performers  from 
Broadway. 

□  Special  programs  for  chil- 
dren, older  youth  and 
younger  youth. 

□  Inspirational  speakers  like 
Mairead  Maguire,  the  Nobel 
Peace  Prize  recipient. 

□  Workshops,  courses  offered 
by  institutions,  and  experi- 
ential offerings. 


Call  Distribution  Management  Services  (800-524-2612)  for  free  registration 
brochures  which  contain  more  information.  Specify  DMS  #259-93-949. 

Sponsored  by  the  Presbyterian  Peacemaking  Program 
ConRregational  Ministries  Division  »  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 


Presbyterian  Home  & 
Family  Services,  Inc. 

Invites 


United  Way  Donors 

to  utilize  the  upcoming  United  Way  Campaign  to  support  our 
church's  ministry  to  children  and  persons  with  mental  retardation. 
These  ministries  include  Presbyterian  Home,  Genesis  House, 

Exodus  House,  Zuni  Presbyterian  Center,  Group  Home  - 
Fredericksburg,  and  Group  Home  -  Waynesboro. 

You  may  designate  us  in  the  following  United  Way  Campaigns: 

Norfolk  and  Richmond  United  Way  donors  may  designate 
Zuni  Presbyterian  Center  since  it  serves  botti  metropolitan  areas. 

Fredericksburg  and  Waynesboro  participants  may  designate 
our  Group  Home  in  Fredericksburg  or  our  Group  Home 
in  Waynesboro. 

Charlottesville,  Hopewell  and  the  National  Capital  Area  United 
Ways  will  honor  a  donor's  choice  toward  any  of  our  four  locations. 

United  Way  Donors  living  in  Isle  of  Wight  County  who  work 
in  Williamsburg  may  designate  their  contributions  to  go  to 
Zuni  Presbyterian  Center. 

Other  friends  who  contribute  to  their  local  United  Ways  not  listed 
above  may  want  to  see  if  they  could  exercise  a  "donor  choice" 
option  and  designate  one  of  our  locations  to  receive  their  gifts. 

Presbyterian  Home  &  Family  Services,  Inc. 

150  Linden  Ave.,  Lynchburg,  VA  24503 


Page  4,  Mid-Atiantic  Presbyterian,  September  1994 

'Hallelujah' 
for  middle  school 
conference 

Bv  SHARON  CORE 


One  word  captures  my  recent 
experience  at  the  "Disciples  of 
Ail  Nations"  conference — Hal- 
lelujah! 

Hallelujah — there  is  now  a 
conference  designed  specifi- 
cally for  middle  school  aged 
youth.  Hallelujah — there  ai'e 
people  with  passion,  energy, 
and  excitement  committed  to 
mifii  stry  with  middle  schoolers. 
Hallelujah — there  is  a  place 
where  the  church  says  to 
middle  schoolers:  you  are  a  vi- 
tal part  of  the  body  of  Christ. 

Most  of  my  "away  from  the 
church"  trips  with  young 
people  have  been  "geared  to- 
ward the  senior  high  age — 
weekend  retreats  and  week- 
long  conferences. 

This  middle  school  event, 
held  at  Massanetta  Springs 
each  summer,  is  designed  with 
younger  youth  in  mind.  Real- 
izing that  middle  schoolers 
think  and  learn  best  by  "do- 
ing," this  conference  offers 
"hands-on"  opportunities  to 
energetic  young  people.  This 
summer,  6th-8th  graders 
learned  about  other  cultures 
by  dancing  Native  American 
dances,  creating  pictures  with 

PEW  CUSHIONS 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

;  O  BOX  4128.LYNCHBURG,VA- 24502 


1-800-572-2283  -J 


Massanetta  Springs 
is  alive  and  very  well 


Eunyoung  Kim  (right),  a  Korean-American,  shows  a 
young  conference  participant  how  to  do  the  mask  dance. 


rice  flour,  writing  Chinese 
characters,  playing  Zimbab- 
wan  games,  eating  Hungarian 
food  ....  Living  as  we  do  in  a 
global  society,  400-1-  middle 
■schoolers  (and  their  adult  ad- 
visors) learned  the  value  of 
this  diverse  world  in  which  we 
live.  But  perhaps,  more  impor- 
tantly, they  learned  that  the 
church  of  Jesus  Christ  extends 
beyond  the  boundaries  of  their 
own  country. 

Conference  participants 
were  challenged  through  mu- 
sic, worship,  keynote,  and  fun 
to  begin  working  to  break  down 
the  walls  which. divide  and 
separate  us — none  of  us  is  too 
young  or  too  old  to  work  for 
reconciliation  among  God's 
people.  We  were  empowered  to 
act  on  behalf  of  others  to  bring 
about  the  reality  of  justice;  to 
move  towards  understanding 
different  cultures,  arid  to  rec- 
ognize that  each  person  we 
meet  is  a  person  created  in  the 


image  of  God.  When  the  infor- 
mation for  next  summer's 
middle  school  conference 
comes  across' your  desk,  take 
the  time  the  look  it  over.  En- 
courage your  young  people  to 
attend!  And  don't  forget,  your 
youth  will  need  adult  advisors, 
so  come  yourself!  To  affirm  for 
young  people  that  they  are 
valued  and  respected  in  the 
life  of  the  church  is  perhaps 
one  of  the  most  important 
things  we  can  say  to  our  youth. 
Come — be  a  part  of  this  won- 
derful, exciting,  enthusiastic 
body  we  call  the  church. 
Come — revel  in  the  energy  and 
the  gifts  youth  have  to  offer  as 
together  we  discover  what  it 
means  to  be  the  body  of  Christ. 
The  6th-8th  grade  "hands-on" 
summer  conference  is  already 
being  planned  for.  1995.  You 
won't  want  to  miss  it!" 

Sharon  Core  is  from  Brevard 
N.C. 


r       Presbyterian  Home  & 
Family  Services,  Inc. 

Invites 

Federal  Employees 

to  utilize  the  upcoming  Combined  Federal  Campaign 
to  support  our  church's  yninistnj  to  children  and 
persons  with  mental  retardation.  T}iese  ministries  include 
Presbyterian  Home,  Genesis  House,  Exodus  House, 
Zuni  Presbyterian  Center,  Group  Home  - 
Fredericksburg,  and  Group  Home  -Waynesboro. 

Vsle,  are  registered  in  the  following  CFC  Campaigns: 

Dahlgren  (Naval  Base)/Fort  A.P.  Hill  (Army  Base)  -#7395 
Greater  Lynchburg  Area  (Lynchburg)  -  .#5010 
Lower  Shenandoah  Vallev  (Roanoke  Area)  -  #5010 
NaHonal  Capital  Area  (Washington,  D.C.)  -  #7395 
^rginia  Peninsula  Area  (Hampton)  -  #60  ^ 
Quantico  Marine  Corps  Base  -  #7395 
outh  Hampton  Roads  (Norfolk) #6049 
Northern  Shenandoah  Valley  -  #2010 
Central  Virginia  (Richmond)  - 

Presbyterian  Llome  &  Family  Services,  Inc. 

150  Linden  Ave.,  Lynchburg,  VA  24503 


By  DAVE  HUBLER 

Massanetta  Springs  is  alive 
and  very  well. 

From  a  moribund  state  in 
1988  to  a  grand  reupening  in 
June  of  1991  and  down  to  the 
summer  of  1994.  Massanetta 
Springs  continues  as  a  Presbv- 
tenan  C(  ^ 
round  n : 
to  he  a 
childrc: 

Tht:,. 

times  for  Massanetta.  The 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  dur- 
ing the  assembly  m  June  at 
Davidson  College  voted  to  spin 
off  Massanetta  Springs  as  a 
separate  corporation. 

Effectivein  1995,  the  center 
will  be  an  agency  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  will  con- 
tinue to  be  the  conference  cen- 
ter for  the  synod. 
-  The  mission  remains  the 
same.  The  new  synod  struc- 
ture does  not  provide  a  logical 
place  for  conference  centers 
and  the  new  corporate  status 
provides  for  greater  opportu- 
nities in  such  areas  as  develop- 
ment, fund  raising,  and  plan- 
ning for  the  future. 

Equally  exciting  is  the  mas- 
ter plan  process  that  the 
Massanetta  Springs  Center 
Committee  has  recently  un- 
dertaken. With  the  help  of  ar- 
chitect Carleton  Goodwin  of 
Virginia  Beach,  Va.,  and  John 


Sutton,  an  eii 
Greensboro,  N.( 
tee  is  formula! 
take  Massaneti 
-ihe  21st  century 
aWay)  as  a  fm, 
ence  center  with  -i  .  .  ; 
Christian  education  pro  . 

The  committee  is  look 
overy  building  and  pn)i.'\nri 
Mth  this  m  mind.  Dock-dious 
ill  soon  be  made  a-  to  which 
lacihties  need  Id  •  t'tvjy.u^o^. 
and  renovated: 
be  demolished, 
facilities  need 
carry  out  th; 
Massanetta  S:j 
foreseeable  futu. 

The  committer  ,  .  .u 
thorized  me  to  proceed  with  a 
search  for  a  staff  member  re- 
sponsible for  program.  This  will 
enable  Massanetta  to  respond 
to  the  educational  and  pro- 
grammatic needs  of  the  synod; 
the  presbyteries  and  individual 
churches. 

Your  support,  encourage- 
ment, prayer  and  contributions 
are  needed  for  Massanetta.  If 
you  would  like  to  know  more 
about  the  conference  center, 
or  would  like  to  have  someone 
come  to  your  church  or  organi- 
zation and  present  a  program 
about  Massanetta,  call  me  at 
(703)434-3829. 

Dave  Hubler  is  the  executive 
director  of  Massanetta  Springs 
Conference  Center. 


Carpenter  nominated  for  moderator 


MIDLAND,  Texas— Tres  Rios 
Presbyterj'  has  made  Marj  Car- 
penter the  first  announced  can- 
didate for  moderator  of  the 
207th  General  Assembly. 

The  presbytery  approved  a 
resolution  at  its  June  28  meet- 
ing from  the 
session 
F  i  r  - 
Church  , 
Big  SprniL 
where  C'ai- 
penter  is  ;\ 
m  e.m  b  c  i  , 
that  she 
named  a 

m  ■  s  3 :  o  n  ^  T        Carperi rer 

rrom  the 

presbytery 

to  the  1995  Assembly  and  be 
nominated  for  moderator. 

Carpenter,  67,  is  scheduled 
to  retire  at  the  end  of  1994 


from  her  current  position  in 
Louisville  as  mission  inter- 
preter for  the  Worldwide  Min- 
istries Division .  B  efore  that  she 
serv-^ed  for  15  years  as  man- 
ager of  the  Presbyterian  News 
Service. 

Prior  to  going  to  work  for 
i  iJie  church,  Carpenter  was  an 
i  av/ard-winning  newspaper  re- 
I  porter  and  columnist  in  her 
native  Texas.  She  has  won 
}  more  than  90  press  awards. 
I      She  is  best  known  to  Pres- 
i  byterians  as  a  tireless  tr?  \  '  r , 
!  to  Presbyterian  mission 
I  tiori  3  throughout  the  world  : 
I  a  teller  of  often  hilarious,  usu- 
i  ally  moving  stories  about  how 
the  Presbyterian  Church 
makes  a  difference  in  the  world. 

The  207th  General' Assem- 
bly will  be  held  July  15-21  in 
Cincinnati. 

—PC(USA)  News  Service 


Chaplain  service  executive  to  retire 


RICHMOND,  Va.— The  Rev. 
George  F.  Ricketts  has  an- 
nounced his  retirement  as  ex- 
ecutive director  of  the  Chaplain 
Service  of  the  Churches  of  Vir-. 
ginia,  effective  March  1, 199? 

Ricketts  has  sei-\'ed  in  this 
capacity  .since  1968.  Reserved, 
as  chaplain  at  Southampton 
Correctional  Center  for  four 
years  and  as  chaplain  at 
Powhatan  and  James  River 
Correctional  Centers  for  three 
years- prior  to  being  named 


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executive  dir^  j'  -iv 

"The 
creased 
Ricket' 

^  n: 

an  effc  '  i  the 

huge  i-'  mber 
of  prisnr-:  ;^  ,  .  lack  of 
increased  funding  from  the 
churches,"  he  concluded. 

Chaplain  Service  was 
founded  in  1920  to  provide 
chaplains  in  the  Virginia  state 
prisons  and  juvenile  institu- 
tions. Eighteen  denomina- 
tional bodies,  including  this 
synod,  sponsor  the  ministry. 

Since  1972  Ricketts  has 
served  as  member  of  the  Vir- 
ginia State  Crime  Commission, 
having  been  appointed  to  serve 
on  the  study  commission  by 
the  past  six  governors. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  1994,  Page  M-1 


Mission 
in  the 
^resSyUrian 
Church 

^  joint  publication  of  tfit 
Qmtral  fAsstmbhjf 
tht  Synod  of  the  9Axd-!A.tlantic, 
and  the  foCCozuing  presbyteries: 
Baltimore 
T^astern  Virginia 
9{ationcd  Capital 
9{ezu  CastCe 
9{ezu9{ope 

SaCem 
Sfienandoah 


Page  M.-2.  Pdjd-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  1994 


9{ezv  iHbpe  (PresSytery  in  Mission 


The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope  works  in  partnership  with  136 
congregations  located  in  34  counties  ranging  from  central 
to  eastern  North  Carolina.  With  33,284  communicants  as 
of  December  1993,  The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope  continues 
to  be  one  of  the  faster  growing  presbyteries  in  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic. 

The  presbytery  consists  of  nine  ministry  units  whose 
purpose  is  to  resource  the  New  Hope  congregations,  carry 
out  Book  of  Order  requirements  and  provide  administrative 
support  for  the  implementation  of  presbytery  programs.  To 
fund  this  ministry  in  1994,  The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope  is 
asking  for  $1,519,000  which  includes  $482,238  for  Synod 
and  General  Assembly  causes  and  a  contingency  in  the 
amount  of  $13,000  for  additional  support  to  campus 
ministries.  This  budget  asking  is  divided  as  follows: 

Administration  &  Management 

$120,169 

Interprets,  through  various  media  (The  Mid-Atlantic 
News  and  Sharing  New  Hope,  the  Presbytery's  newsletter), 
the  partnership  in  mission  shared  by  Churches,  Synod  and 
General  Assembly,  lived  out  at  home  and  beyond; 

Provides  budget  development  and  financial  oversight  as 
well  as  office  administration  and  printing/production  ser- 
vices, to  maintain  an  efficient  and  effective  operation  of  the 
Presbytery;  and 

Educates  New  Hope  Presbyterians  about  Stewardship 
by  offering  opportunities  for  churches  to  learn  more  about 
this  Christian  responsibility 

Care  for  Church  Professionals 

$26,130 

Provides  for  care,  guidance  and  oversight  of  forty  inquir- 
ers and  candidates  preparing  to  enter  the  ordained  ministry 
and/or  the  vocation  of  Christian  Educator; 

Motivates  all  church  professionals  —  lay  and  clergy  — 
through  challenging  continuing  education  and  professional 
development  events,  and  programs  which  promote  coUegi- 
ality  among  these  persons; 

Provides  orientation  for  new  church  professionals  enter- 
ing the  Presbytery,  particularly  those  with  less  than  two 
years  experience  in  church  service; 

Provides  assistance  in  the  development  of  support  groups 
among  church  professionals;  and 

Plans  for  the  compensation  and  continued  care  of  retired 
church  professionals. 

Committee  on  Ministry  $22,784 

Assists  churches  seeking  a  pastor  by  guiding  the  church 
through  the  search  process  and  processing  the  call  once  a 
minister  is  found; 

Examines  candidates  for  ordination,  and  ministers  trans- 
ferring into  the  Presbytery;  and 

Supervises  and  directs  visitation  with  sessions,  practic- 
ing ministers  and  retired  ministers  in  the  Presbytery. 

Congregational  Nurture  $40,893 

Develops  program  materials  and  worship  resources  for 
distribution  to  churches  and  worship  services  at  Presbytery 
meetings; 

Supports  education  and  ministry  for  children,  youth, 
adults,  and  families;  and  special  populations  such  as  singles, 
the  aging  and  persons  with  various  abilities; 

Provides  congregational  revitalization  (programs  to  help 
a  church  renew  itself)  and  fellowship-building; 

Management/direction  of  Resource  Centers  in  Rocky 
Mount  (Presbytery  Office),  Kinston  (First  Church)  and 
Chapel  Hill  (University  Church); 

Supports  Presbyterian  Men  and  men's  groups  in  the 
local  church,  particularly  tiirough  leadership  training; 

Provides  consultative  services  and  workshops  for  New 
Hope  churches  through  an  older  adult  council  and  through 
the  "Check  Out  An  Educator"  program; 


Provides  advocacy,  support,  and  resourcing  for  the 
small  churches  within  this  Presbytery; 

Participates  in  Youth  Council  events,  including  the  four 
youth  retreats;  and  training  of  youth  advisors;  and 

Coordinates/implements  the  annual  Growing  Together 
training  event  for  officers,  teachers  and  leaders. ..the  unit 
works  strategically  through  Growing  Together  to  present 
the  greatest  amount  of  aids  and  resources  through  work- 
shops and  seminars 

Council  $454,458 

Provides  staff  resources  to  carry  out  the  work  of  the 
Presbytery; 

Maintains  adequate  property  and  liability  insurance 
coverage  for  the  Presbytery  (not  including  camps);  and 

Provides  for  an  annual  review  of  the  presbytery's  finan- 
cial records  by  an  independent  auditing  firm. 

Evangelism  &  Church  Development 
$163,047 

Identifies  new  and  varied  approaches  to  evangelism 
within  the  Reformed  tradition,  particularly  through  re- 
gional events  to  equip  New  Hope  Presbyterians  for  this 
ministry; 

Provides  seed  monies  for  the  establishment  and  devel- 
opment of  new  congregations; 

Offers  financial  assistance  through  an  ongoing  small 
church  support  program,  ensuring  the  continued  ministry  of 
several  New  Hope  congregations  within  their  respective 
communities; 

Projects  long-range  population  changes  and  other  de- 
mographic shifts  for  future  new  church  development  op- 
portunities; and 

Challenges  churches  which  have  new  opportunities  for 
growth  with  redevelopment  grants. 


•  Recreational  options  including  power  or  paddle  boat- 
ing, canoe,  catamaran  and  sailboat  rental  for  excursions  on 
the  lake;  and 

•  Year-round  camping  and  retreat  opportunities  for 
famiUes  and  retreat  groups. 


■  rowing  Together,  the  presbytery's  annual 
s  aining  event 


Worship  service  at  Camp  Albemarle 

Outdoor  Ministries       $1 40,275 

CAMP  ALBEMARLE,  located  outside  Morehead  City 
on  the  coastal  estuary  of  Bogue  Sound,  is  the  Presbytery's 
coastal  outdoor  ministries  facility.  Camp  Albemarle's  fa- 
cilities and  services  include: 

•  Camping  and  retreat  facilities  which  includes  six 
cabins  and  the  newly  constructed  McElmon  Lodge  which 
offers  seven  rooms  with  six  beds  per  room  as  well  as  dining 
and  meeting  facilities; 

•  Promoting  a  summer  program  serving  over  650  pro- 
gram campers  each  summer;  and 

•  Providing  year-round  use  for  numerous  campers  and 
retreat  groups 

CAMP  NEW  HOPE,  the  Presbytery's  camp  and  confer- 
ence center,  is  located  on  165  acres  of  rolling  pine  and 
hardwoods  in  a  rural  area  of  Orange  County  near  Chapel 
Hill.  The  camp,  joindy  owned  with  Salem  Presbytery,  is 
well  equipped  to  serve  groups  on  a  year-round  basis  and 
features: 

•  Recreational  outlets,  cabins,  guest  houses/semi-private 
rooms,  and  a  modem  dining  hall  complete  with  kitchen  staff ; 

•  Camp  experiences  for  persons  with  disabilities  through 
the  NC  Autism  Society  and  the  Muscular  Dystrophy  Asso- 
ciation; and 

•  Opportunities  for  Christian  fellowship  through  a  sum- 
mer camping  program,  day  camps  and  Vacation  Bible 
School. 

PRESBYTERIAN  POINT  is  located  on  the  shores  of 
Kerr  Lake  in  the  midst  of  250  acres  of  hardwoods,  pines, 
and  meadows,  which  provide  for  a  scenic  environment  as 
well  as  an  ideal  plant  and  animal  habitat.  Presbyterian 
Point,  which  is  jointly  owned  with  Salem  Presbytery, 
offers: 

•  Year-round  lodging  and  meeting  facilities,  including 
four  lodges,  each  with  four  cabins  and  a  kitchen  facility; 
camp  dining  hall;  campsites  adjoining  Kerr  Lake; 

•  Outdoor  programs  serving  over  650  summer  program 
campers; 


Mothers  learn  how  to  prepare  nutritious  foods  at  health 
and  nutrition  center  in  Zaire.  New  Hope  Presbytery 
helps  support  this  ministry  through  the  "Pennies  for 
Hunger"  program. 

Outreach  Ministries  $67,285 

Supports  a  prison  ministry,  in  conjunction  with  four 
other  North  Carolina  presbyteries.  Provides  staff  to  the 
Raleigh  Correctional  Center  for  Women  with  a  full-time 
chaplain,  bringing  Christ  into  the  lives  of  the  inmates; 

Empowers  campus  ministries  at  North  Carolina  State 
University,  Duke  University,  East  Carolina  University, 
University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill,  and  North 
Carolina  Central  University's  Ecumenical  Ministry; 

Embraces  many  urban  outreach  programs  through  fund- 
ing and  involvement  with  area  agencies  to  address  the 
social  outcries  toward  homelessness,  care  for  battered  and 
abused  persons,  foster  and  day  care  for  children  at  risk  and 
assistance  to  families  in  crisis  situations; 

Sponsors  and  resources  peacemaking  workshops  and 
conferences  for  churches,  as  well  as  for  the  Presbytery, 
Synod  and  General  Assembly; 

Educates  New  Hope  Presbyterians  on  hunger  aware- 
ness, locally  and  internationally,  through  programs  of 
study,  generation  and  distribution  of  monies  to  alleviate 
hunger,  and  recommendations  to  Presbytery  for  action  at 
home  and  abroad;  and 

Informes  New  Hope  Presbyterians  of  current  issues 
affecting  global  missions;  and  facilitating  itineration  of 
missionaries  and  international  persons  among  the  churches. 

Racial-Ethnic  Ministry  Unit  $5,315 

The  Celebration  of  Diversity,  a  one-day  event  highlight- 
ing the  various  racial-ethnic  groups  in  New  Hope  Presbytery 
(African-American,  Native  American,  Hispanic-Ameri- 
can, Korean- American,  and  European-American),  provides 
a  forum  for  individuals  to  display  ways  in  which  their 
origins  are  vital  to  the  life  of  Christ's  body,  the  Church. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Martin  Luther  King,  Jr  Commemorative 
Service,  honoring  the  legendary  civil  rights  leader;  the 
service  emphasizes  themes  of  peace  and  unity  through 
corporate  worship  and  prayer  vigil,  allowing  persons  to  pay 
tribute  to  God  for  the  life  of  Dr.  King. 

An  African- American  training  component,  empowering 
clergy  and  laity  to  actively  participate  in  the  life  and  work 
of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Hope. 

A  racial-ethnic  Youth  event,  sponsored  by  a  partnership 
of  the  Presbytery  and  Synod,  enabling  interaction  of  young 
people  from  a  variety  of  life  and  faith  experiences;  provid- 
ing them  with  an  opportunity  for  engaging  each  other  in 
Christian  growth  and  fellowship  from  their  cultural  per- 
spectives. 

Women's  Ministry  Unit  $2,920 

Maintains  an  essential  link  with  the  Presbytery  to 
strengthen  the  work  and  leadership  of  women  within  this 
system; 

Plans,  designs  and  evaluates  programs  impacting  women . 
of  color,  thereby  facilitating  their  full  participation  in  the 
life  of  the  Presbytery; 

Promotes  justice  for 
women  of  all  ages,  races/eth- 
nic origins,  and  physical  stat- 
ures, through  active  measures 
toward  abolishing  discrimi- 
natory practices;  and 

Addresses  points  on  equi- 
table policies  — as  a  support 
network — affecting  women 
employed  in  church  voca- 
tions. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  I 


Mission  Statement 


The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  is  an  intermediate  governing 
body  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  It  afBrms  that 
Christ  is  Head  of  the  Church  and  that  all  power  in  heaven  and 
earth  is  given  to  Jesus  Christ  by  Almighty  God,  who  raised 
Christ  from  the  dead,  who  comes  to  dwell  in  believers  through 
the  Holy  Spirit,  and  sends  God's  people  into  the  world  to  carry 
out  God's  mission.  This  mission  is  clearly  stated  in  the  "Great 
Ends  of  the  Church" — ^to  proclaim  the  gospel  for  the  salvation 
of  humankind;  to  shelter,  nurture,  and  give  spiritual  fellow- 
ship to  the  children  of  Giod;  to  maintain  divine  worship;  to 
preserve  truth;  to  promote  social  righteousness;  and  to  exhibit 
the  I&ngdom  of  Heaven  to  the  world. 

The  Synod  is  responsible  for  ministry  and  mission  within  the 
r^on  encompassing  Delaware,  the  District  of  Columbia, 
Maryland,  North  Carolina,  Virginia,  and  a  section  of  West 
Virgima.  We  are  of  different  racial  ethnic  groups,  ages,  sexes, 
and  vocations  who  have  various  abiUties,  different  theological 
positions  consistent  with  the  Reformed  tradition,  and  different 
marital  conditions  (single,  married,  widowed  and  divorced).  In 
this  diversity,  we  seek  wholeness  to  achieve  the  "Great  Ends  of 
the  Church." 

Through  this  diversity,  the  Holy  Spirit  enables  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic  to  perform  its  mission  and  ministry  in  part- 
nership with  the  General  Assembly  and  the  member  presby- 
teries of  the  Synod. 


Mission  concept  chart  adopted  by  208th  Stated  Meeting  of  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 


SYNOD  ASSEMBLY 


ADMINISTRATION 

COMMUNICATIONS 
NOMINATIONS 
—  OVERSIGHT 


REPRESENTATION 
REYNOLDS  FUND 
TRUSTEES 


SELF-DEVELOPMENT 


MISSION 

CAMPUS  MINISTRIES  ^ 
EVANGELISM  /  NEW  \ 
CHURCH  DEVELOPMENT/ 
CHURCH  REDEVELOPMENT 

JUSTICE  /  MERCY 
PARTNERSHIP  MINISTRIES 

CHILD  CARE  AGENCIES 
CHRISTIAN  NURTURE 
GLOBAL/ECUMENICAL 
HUNGER 
HEALTH 
OLDER  ADULTS 


PRESBYTERIAN  MEN 
PRESBYTERIAN  WOMEN 
RESOURCE  CENTERS 
YOUTH  

RACIAL  ETHNIC  MINISTRIES 


FINANCE 

BUDGETING 
COMPTROLLER 
McCALLUM  TRUST 


CAMPUS  MINISTERS 


■YOUTH  COUNCIL 
■LEADERSHIP  DEV. 
■YADs  TRAINING 


Synod  ofth^i 
Mid-Atlantic 


The  Synod  in  a  time  of  transition 


The  Mid-Atlantic  is  a  synod  in  the 
process  of  restructuring. 

Since  the  synod's  creation  from 
three  predecessor  synods,  giving  to 
synod's  mission  budget  has  dropped 
steadily  from  $3.95  million  in  1988  to 
$1.6  million  in  1993.  Because  of  this 
decrease,  synod's  mission  structure  is 
being  "down-sized." 

Toward  that  end,  last  June  the 
Sjniod  Assembly  approved  a  rewrit- 
ten mission  statement  and  a  revised 
basic  mission  concept. 

With  time  running  short,  however, 
the  commissioners  voted  to  recess  un- 
til January  1995,  when  they  will  at- 
tempt to  complete  the  mission  struc- 
ture and  decide  related  staffing  is- 
sues. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Mis- 
sion, chaired  by  the  Rev.  Sam  Rutland 
of  White ville,  N.C.,  will  continue  its 
work  until  January. 

The  approved  mission  statement 
(at  left)  and  the  mission  concept  (lower 
left)  will  form  the  basis  for  the 
committee's  work. 

The  concept  chart  divides  the  func- 
tions of  synod  into  three  categories: 
administration,  finance  and  mission. 

Racial  ethnic  ministries  remains  a 
mission  emphasis,  along  with  cam- 
pus ministries,  justice/mercy  issues, 
evangelism/new  church  development/ 
church  redevelopment,  and  partner- 
ship ministries. 

The  committee  did  not  prioritize 
the  mission  categories,  preferring  to 
list  them  in  alphabetical  order  on  the 
chart. 

The  committee  added  the  following 


areas  under  partnership  ministries: 
child  care  agencies,  Christian  nur- 
ture, global/ecumenical  missions, 
health  issues,  older  adults,  Presbyte- 
rian Men,  Presb3d;erian  Women,  and 
youth. 

While  the  mission  concept  retains 
ties  with  child  care  agencies  and  cam- 
pus ministries,  the  nature  of  these 
connections  remains  to  be  deter- 
mined. Like  the  Synod  Council's  ear- 
lier proposal,  the  committee's  plan 
does  not  include  Presbyterian-related 
colleges.  The  s)Tiod  currently  has  re- 
lationships with  10  colleges  in  North 
Carolina  and  Virginia. 

The  committee  also  created  an 
oversight  committee  which  would 
function  like  the  current  Synod  Coun- 
cil during  the  transition.  All  three 
sections  of  the  synod  organization 
would  report  through  the  oversight 
committee  to  the  Synod  Assembly. 

All  references  to  staffing  were  de- 
leted prior  to  the  mission  concept's 
adoption.  The  committee's  concept 
chart  had  included  three  executive- 
level  positions:  executive  and  stated 
clerk,  associate  for  mission  partner- 
ship, and  associate  for  finance. 

While  the  Synod  Assembly  did  not 
decide  future  staffing  patterns,  it  did 
overturn  the  Synod  Council's  action 
dissolving  the  position  of  associate 
executive  for  synod  ministries.  The 
position  was  to  have  ended  as  of  Dec. 
31,  1994. 

Another  executive-level  position, 
transitional  associate  executive  for 
partnership  ministries,  is  being  filled 
by  contract  through  the  end  of  1994. 


Members  of  the  Standing  Committee  on  Synod  Mission 


The  Standing  Committee  on  Mission  from  the 
1994  Synod  Assembly  will  be  meeting  this  fall  to 
complete  a  mission  structure  and  staffing  pro- 
posal to  present  to  the  Synod  Assembly  next 
January. 

The  committee  members  have  agreed  to  have 
their  names  and  addresses  printed  here  so  that 
interested  persons  can  contact  them  during  this 
process.  They  are  listed  below  by  presbytery. 

Abingdon 

Mrs.  Jean  N.  Bane,  Recorder 

103  Tiraberbrook,  Bristol,  VA  24201 

Baltinnore 

Ms.  Betty  McGinnis,  Vice  Chair 
1234  Tamarack  Tr.,  Arnold,  MD  21012 

Charlotte 

Mr.  Joe  Stegall 

3201  Airlie  St.,  Chariotte,  NC  28205 

Coastal  Carolina 

Mr.  M.  Lauchlin  MacDonald 

1010  N.  Magnolia  St.,  Raeford,  NC  28376 


The  Rev.  Samuel  F.  Rutland,  Chair 
104  Autumn  Tr.,  Whiteville,  NC  28472 

The  Rev.  Tally  J.  Hunter 

P.O.  Box  870,  Raeford,  NC  28376 

Eastern  Virginia 

Miss  Jennifer  L.  Bunch 

215  Saddler  Dr.,  Newport  News.  VA  23602 

The  James 

Mrs.  Elinor  Ritchings 

1111  Northampton  Rd.,  Petersburg,  VA  23805 
Ms.  Ginger  Hudson 

11606  Wood  Bluff  Loop,  Richmond,  VA  23236 

National  Capital 

The  Rev.  Robert  C.  Curry 

8809  Side  Saddle  Rd.,  Springfield,  VA  22152 

The  Rev.  Nancy  Clark 

17527  Blackrock  Rd.,  Germantown,  MD  20874 

New  Castle 

The  Rev.  Bernice  Warren 

733  Naamans  Rd.,  #22D,  Claymont,  DE  19703 


New  Hope 

The  Rev.  Susan  D.  Pricks 

3319  Pinafore  Dr.,  Durham,  NC  27705 

Mr.  John  Winings 

1017  Jones  Wind,  Wake  Forest,  NC  27587 

The  Peaks 

The  Rev.  Edward  Y.  Hopkins 

101  Clearview  Dr.,  Madison  Heights,  VA  24572 

Salem 

The  Rev.  Catherine  Reed 

P.O.  Box  1763,  Clemmons,  NC  27012 

Shenandoah 

The  Rev.  C.  WiUiam  Cox 

P.O.  Box  306,  Monterey,  VA  24466 

Western  North  Carolina 

The  presb3^ery's  comimissioner  named  to  this 
committee  was  absent  from  the  June  meet- 
ing. A  replacement  member  for  this  commit- 
tee had  not  been  named  as  of  Aug.  17. 
Contact  Chair  Sam  Rutland. 


Fago  yi-4:,  Mid  Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  1994 


General  Assembly  Mission 

Every  generous  act  of  giving,  with  every  perfect  gift,  is  from  above  ...    James  1:17 


A 


What  matters  in  a  gift  is  its  source,  and  all  good  gifts  come  from  God. 
Every  Christian  has  been  given  a  variety  of  gifts  including  time,  talents, 
and  money.  By  giving  these  gifts,  we  help  build  God's  realm  of  healing, 
wholeness,  and  good  news  in  a  broken  and  despairing  world. 

Through  its  ministry  imits  and  re- 
lated bodies,  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  en- 
gages in  cooperative  mission  in  the 
United  States  and  in  80  countries 
worldwide.  Oiu-  gifts  of  time  are  mani- 
fest in  the  millions  of  hours  spent  by 
volunteers  and  staff  in  mission  ven- 
tvires  that  range  from  stocking  shelves 
at  local  food  pantries  to  serving  on 
committees  of  international  Christian 
bodies.  The  talents  we  share  are  vis- 
ible in  the  newly  revised  Christian 
education  ciirricidum  and  the  widely- 
used  Mission  Yearbook  for  Prayer  and  Study.  Faithful  contributions  of 
money  by  Presbyterians  support  a  vast  array  of  national  and  interna- 
tional programs. 

Presbyterians  use  their  good  gifts  to  support  crucial  ministries  through 
the  General  Assembly,  including: 


•  the  formation  of  the  Presbyterian  Youth  Connection,  a  national 
ministries  program  that  will  kick-off  at  the  1995  Presbyterian  Youth 
Triennium. 

•  ongoing  relief  efforts  in  Rwanda,  the  former  Yugoslavia,  and  other 
regions  suffering  from  the  havoc  of  war. 

•  rebuilding  efforts  in  Southern  California  following  a  major  earth- 
quake and  seed  packets  for  farmers  in  the  Midwest  affected  by  the 
ftood  of  1993. 

•  the  chartering  of  28  new  chiu-ches  in  14  states  and  Puerto  Rico  in  the 
past  year. 

•  the  deployment  of 500  committee  men  and  women  who  are  serving  as 
mission  coworkers,  mission  diaconal  workers,  and  mission  volimteers 
aroimd  the  world. 

•  seven  ministry  sites  along  the  2,000-mile  U.S.-Mexico  border,  where 
churches  are  being  estabUshed  and  health  and  nutrition  programs  are 
offered. 

•  more  than  200  projects  related  to  ministry  in  urban  areas  funded 
through  the  One  Great  Hour  of  Sharing. 

•  ministries  and  projects  that  assist  neglected  children  worldwide, 
including  Brazil,  Italy,  Thailand  and  many  areas  of  the  U.S. 

•  higher  education  institutions  including  91  seminaries,  Bible  schools, 
and  theological  schools  overseas;  and  68  colleges  and  11  theological 
schools  in  the  United  States. 


Basic  Priorities  of  Our  Vision 

The  206th  General  Assembly  adopted  a  1995  Mission  Program  budget  of  $105,026,893  which  has  been  allocated  among  each  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A) 
mission  priorities.  The  four  priorities  and  their  six  related  mission  initiatives  were  estabUshed  to  challenge  the  church  as  it  discerns  the  signs  of  the  time  and  faces 
a  new  century. 


Evangelism  $25,883,257  allocated 

We  are  called  to  invite  all  people  to  repentance  and  faith  in  J esus  Christ,  by  working 
for  growth  and  renewal  of  individuals  and  congregational  famiUes  of  faith. 

Initiative:  Church  Development  and  Redevelopment 
The  General  Assembly  and  middle  governing  bodies  join  in  a  pro-active  effort  to 
establish  new  congregations  in  carefully  selected  areas  and  redevelop  existing 
congregations  through  carefully  planned  methods. 

Justice  $22,71 8,000  allocated 

We  are  called  to  redress  the  wrongs  in  every  aspect  of  life  and  the  whole  of 
creation,  working  with  the  poor  and  powerless,  whom  Jesus  loves,  even  at  risk 
to  our  corporate  and  personal  lives. 

Initiative:  Ministry  in  the  Cities 

Strategies  will  be  developed  in  partnership  throughout  the  denomination  to 
empower  congregations  to  change  the  shape  of  society  and  make  broken  urban 
areas  safe  and  viable. 

Initiative:  Racism  and  Racial  Violence 

Together,  congregations  and  governing  bodies  will  address  the  root  causes 
of  racial  injustice  and  develop  cooperative  solutions  to  racial  violence, 
which  has  reached  epidemic  proportions  in  some  places. 


Spiritual  Fornnation    $26,437,082  allocated 

We  are  called  to  study  and  reflect  on  Holy  Scriptiu-e,  praying  with  one  another 
for  insight  and  clarity,  so  that  the  Holy  Spirit  might  mold  our  lives  more  and 
more  into  the  likeness  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  living  word. 

Initiative:  Centers  for  Christian  Reflection  and  Spiritual  Formation 
These  centers — either  physical  locations  or  atmospheres — will  be  situated  across 
the  coimtry  to  satisfy  the  spiritual  hvmger  that  many  feel  as  they  long  to  live  closer 
to  God  and  find  a  "safe  place"  to  deal  with  difficult  issues. 

Partnership  $29,988,553  allocated 

We  are  called  to  forge  a  vital  partnership  with  one  another,  marked  by  mutual 
respect,  openness,  and  daily  repentance  and  forgiveness. 

Initiative:  Volunteers  in  Shared  Ministry 

Through  a  single  reception,  information,  referral,  and  recruitment  center, 
Presbjrterians  of  all  ages  will  be  linked  to  multiple  opportunities  for  mission 
engagement  in  the  United  States  and  around  the  world. 

Initiative:  A  Year  with  Africa 

The  denomination  has  set  aside  June  1994-June  1995  as  a  time  to  recognize  the 
great  paradox  of  the  African  continent:  the  extent  of  himian  sufTering  is 
staggering,  yet  the  growth  of  Christian  churches  is  faster  and  more  vital  than 
inany  other  part  of  the  world. 


1995  Mission  Program  Budget 

The  mission  program  of  the  General  Assembly  is  supported  by  unified,  select,  and 
supplementary  gifts.  The  unified  portion  of  the  budget  is  supported  by  imrestricted 
gifts.  The  remainder  of  the  budget  is  supported  by  gifts  for  a  specific  purpose  (select  and 
supplemental). 

Concre^^c ''ona!  M^nistnes  Divis'CP 

The  primary  purpose  of  the  Congregational  Ministries  Division  is  to  resoiu-ce  and 
nurture  the  witness  to  Jesus  Christ  in  congregations  in  cooperation  with  partners 
across  the  church.  The  division  works  to  equip  people  for  ministry  in  worship,  service 
to  neighbors,  educational  and  spiritual  growth,  evangelistic  outreach,  and  fellowship 
within  the  body  of  Christ. 

Nc        ■  n^- 

The  National  Ministries  Division's  responsibilities  are  the  development  and  implemen- 
tation of  programs  that  are  national  in  scope  in  the  areas  of  evangelism  and  church 
development,  racial  ethnic  and  women's  ministries,  and  social  justice,  and  in  the 
cultivation  and  nurture  of  volunteer  and  professional  leadership,  all  grounded  in 
theological  and  ethical  discernment. 

The  Worldwide  Ministries  Division's  vision  is  to  empower  the  church  in  each  place  to 
share  the  transforming  power  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  with  all  people.  This 
responsibility  is  conducted  in  partnership  with  church  and  Christian  organizations  in 
80  cotmtries  and  through  our  commitment  to  maintain  ecumenical  and  interfaith 
relationships. 

Corporate  and  Administrative  ServicesTCorporate  and  Admini- 
strative Services  provides  leadership  and  support  to  the  denommation  m  the 
service  areas  of  treasury,  personnel,  information,  legal,  property  management,  and 
communications. 

Other--^^  includes  shared  expenses  among  the  G.A.  divisions  such  as  insurance 
and  building  operation  costs;  funding  for  the  communication  and  Committee  on  Social 
'     '  ^  Pclicy  functions  in  the  G.A.  Council  executive  director's  office;  and  related 
"rg,  including  the  Board  of  Pension's  share  of  the  Christmas  Joy  Offering. 


General  Assembly  Mission  Program  1995 
$105,026,893 

National 
Ministries 
28.01%  ~~  

Worldwide 
— —  Ministries 
38.52% 

Congregational 
Ministries 
16.35% 

Other 
9.62% 

Corporate  and 
Administrative 
Services 
7.5% 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Septemb.: 


Campus  Notes 


oiiiiih  to  be  education  interpreter 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Harry  E.  Smith,  former  president  of  Austin  Collep 


Campus  ministry  comer 


The  wonders  of  E-mail 


BySTEWAIv'l 

Recei'tl',  r  ' 
worl  ' 


I  obedient, cheerful, thrifty,! 
I  clean,  and  mayho  even  r(-\ 


good  as  it  used  to  be  and  the  e- 
mail  is  very  helpful.  The  univ. 
cf)mput(Tnffwoi-k  ;iutomaticaliy 
I  ve sent and 
leaswell. 
mg. 
can  push 
nething  I 
I'ted  for- 
ood.  His- 

j  ui<  i  lls  about 

a(T  '  "id  sees  all 

!  ,ir.-  .--'-fall, 
-1 


1  visiting  scholar  al  Duke  L.  riiversily. 
'  irt  of  his  work  for  the  synod,  ho  will  bo 
le  to  make  presentations  on  higher  educa- 
Lion   Lo  churches,  campus  ministries  and 
presbyteries. 

Smith  was  president  of  Austin  College  for  16 
years.until  his  retirement  last  May.  Prior  to  that 
he  served  as  a.  professor  of  religion  in  higher 
education  at  Yale  University.  For  13  years  he  was 
Presbyterian  campus  minister  at  the  University  Smith 
of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill,  where  he  also 
served  a  year  as  assistant  to  the  chancellor. 

A  member  of  the  General  Assembly  Council  for  the  past  year,  he  has 
also  served  on  the  PC(USA)  Committee  on  Higher  Education  and 
chaired  task  forces  on  the  status  of  college  chaplains  and  defining 
Christian  colleges.  He  was  honored  during  the  204th  General  Assem- 
bly with  the  1994  Award  for  Outstanding  Service  to  Higher  Education. 

For  information  regarding  a  presentation  by  Smith,  contact  him  in 
care  of  the  seminary,  3401  Brook  Rd.,  Richmond,  VA  23227,  or  through 
Rosalind  Banbury-Hamm  in  the  synod  office. 

Peace  appoints  new  chaplain 

RALEIGH,  N.C. — Peace  College  has  appointed  Ann  Laird  Jones  as 
chaplain,  effective  with  the  start  of  the  1994-95  academic  year. 

Jones  will  oversee  the  spiritual  life  of  the  college's  450  students. 
This  includes  spiritual  counseling;  coordination  of  a  weekly  worship 
service;  interaction  with  Raleigh-area  churches 
and  other  college  and  university  chaplains;  and 
involvement  in  seminars,  retreats  and  other  stu- 
dent activities. 

Jones  holds  a  master  of  divinity  degree  from 
Louisville  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary. 

Since  1991,  she  has  served  as  interim  associate 
for  community  service  and  outreach  at  White 
Memorial  Church  in  Raleigh.  She  has  also  served 
^past  interim  ijajnistries  at  Trinity,  North  Raleigh, 
'Kjrlc  oir  Kildaire,  St.  Andrews  and  West  Raleigh 
churches,  and  was  a  campus  minister  at  North 
Carolina  State  University. 
J  ones  Jones  is  active  in  numerous  community  service 

organizations,  including  Step-Up  Ministry,  Mi- 
grant Ministry,  Hustead  House,  and  the  Presbyterian  Urban  Council 
of  Raleigh's  crisis  center  and  shelter. 

Peace  College  is  a  Presbyterian-affiliated  liberal  arts  women's 
college.  Traditionally  a  two-year  college.  Peace  plans  to  begin  offering 
baccalaureate  degree  programs  next  fall. 

African  American  education  is  topic 

LAURINBURG— St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  is  hosting  a  two- 
day  symposium  on  Sept.  16-17  entitled  "On  Solid  Ground:  The 
Laurinburg  Insititute,  African  American  Education  and  the  Quest  for 
;<\  African  American  Identity."  The  keynote  address  will  be  delivered  by 
;  Lloyd  V.  Hackley,  chancellor  of  Fayetteville  State  University  and 
chairman  of  the  President's  Advisory  ■  Board  on  Historically  Black 
Colleges  and  Universities. 

The  symposium  is  co-sponsored  by  the  college  and  the  Laurinburg 
Insititute,  one  of  the  few  remaining  black-owned  a,nd  operated  private 
secondarx  boarding  institutions  in  the  country.  For  more  information 
call  the  St.  Andrew's  communications  office  at  (910)  277-5671. 

National  student  gathering  set 

.j  Presbyterian  college  students  are  being  invited  to  participate  in  a 
j;  national  ecumenical  Christian  student  gathering  Dec.  28-Jan.  1, 1995, 
in  St.  Louis,  Mo.  The  keynote  speaker  for  Celebrate!  Gathering  at  the 
roads  will  be  Edwina  Gately,  founder  of  the  Catholic  volunteer 
iiary  movement  and  of  Genesis  House  in  Chicago. 
'  ichers  will  be  Dr.  James  Forbes,  senior  pastor  of  the  Riverside 
h  in  New  York  City,  and  Dr.  Tex  Sample,  professor  of  church  and 

at  St.  Paul's  School  of  Theology  in  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
■i.stration  forms  are  available  through  campus  chaplains  or 
i    t'rs.  For  more  information,  call  Kathy  Campbell  at  (704)  547- 
^  'iubo  or  Riddick  Weber  at  (919)  489-1711. 


PEW  REFINISHING  *  CARPET 
PEWS  *  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 


E.  C.  Moore  Church  Furniture,  Inc. 
P.O.  Box  524  -  Monroe,  NC  281 1 1 
1-800-666-7331 


Old  Hymnbooks  Wanted  by  .Collecto' 
1 9tfi  century  and  earlier  •  Rog 

2094  Pembrooke  Forr 

Winston-Salem.  NC 
phone  (910)  922-1  y 


read  about  postal  rates  going  up 
again.  I  can  communicate  with 
the  students  in  my  Presbyterian 
student  group  all  at  once  just  by 
punching  a  few  keys  on  my  com- 
puter. I  think  I  am  already  ad- 
dicted, and  someone  has  accused 
me  of  becoming  an  e-mail  junkie. 
And  I  am  not  sure  there  is  an 
E-mail  Anonymous  group  at 
Wake  yet. 

I  know  it  would  be  heresy  to 
think  of  e-mail  as  God  or  even  to 
say  that  God  is  like  e-mail,  but  I 
have  been  thinking  this  week  of 
some  ways  in  which  e-mail  is  like 
God. 

1.  E-mail  never  sleeps,  or 
almostnever.  It  is  almost  always 
available.  Nat  only  does  it  not 
require  a  postage  stamp,  the  e- 
mail  is  online  24  hours  a  day.  I 
can  tap  into  it  first  thing  in  the 
morning  cr  last  thing  at  night.  It 
is  like  "The  Lord  who  keeps  Is- 
rael (who)  neither  slumbers  nor 
sleeps."  (Ps.  121)  And  if  I  do  my 
part  of  punching  the  right  but- 
tons, it  generally  does  what  it  is 
expected  to  do.  Like  the  good 
scout  it  is  trustworthy,  loyal, 
helpful,  friendly,  courteous,  kind. 


■  iit  on  e-mail  at  the  ume, 
.  :  Lh  the  help  ol'anolhor  stu- 
.:uandtheMf  '  '  ■ 

nunister,  Iv.  < 
a  message. 

2.  E-mail 

nity.  I  have  beoa  lu  toucli  i  egu- 
larly  through  e-mail  with  some 
students  I  have  hardly  seen  this 
semester  because  they  have  a 
class  or  a  lab  during  our  regular 
Tuesday  6  p.m.  meeting  time.  I 
have  one  student  whom  I  don't 
see  much  who  has  invited  me  to 
carry  on  an  ongoing  dialogue  via 
e-mail  on  the  topic:  "Is  the  cruci- 
fied and  risen  Christ  essential  to 
salvation?" 

There  is  a  group  of  campus 
ministers,  most  of  whom  have 
never  met  each  other,  who  are 
grouped  together  on  what  I  think 
is  called  a  "bulletin  board"  and 
we  "talk"  with  each  other.  The 
Methodist  Campus  minister  at 
Wake  put  me  on  this  bulletin 
board  and  one  of  the  other  cam- 
pus ministers  recommended  the 
latest  book  by  William  Sloane 
Coffin,  who  preached  at  my 
graduation  at  Princeton  Semi- 
nary 26  years  ago. 

3.  E-mail,  like  God,  has  an 
incredible  memory.  And  nowthat 
I  am  over  50  my  memory  is  not  as 


very  forgiving.  If  I  get  ready  to 
send  a  message,  the  computer 
s  me:  "Are  you  sure  you  want 
nd  that  message?"  Or  if  I 
ientally  try  to  erase  a  mes- 
,_;  j,itasksm!'''f!:-  nl''  "  mi  to 
adetethat?''" 

about  compii'  )g 
in  general  a; 

lar:  it  is  very  ea.-j  Lu  .i ;  t,ct  an 
error,  to  right  a  wrong,  to  fix  a 
mistake. 

E-mail  is  a  wonderful  tool,  like 
God,  always  available,  incred- 
ible memory,  very  forgiving,  and 
capable  of  creating  community. 

But  e-mail  has  its  limits.  It  is 
dependent  on  what  we  put  into 
it.  As  much  as  it  seems  to  be,  it  is 
not  alive.  It  has  no  heart  or  con- 
science or  soul.  It  doesn't  know 
when  we  are  suffering.  It  is  not 
available  to  the  poor,  and.it  can- 
not reach  out  in  love  unless  we 
tell  it  to.  It  will  never  take  the 
place  of  face-to-face  meetings 
with  students,  faculty  and  staff. 
It  can  never  fully  express  the 
incarnation  of  God's  suffering 
love  in  a  Jesus  of  Nazareth. 

Stewart  Ellis  is  the  Pastor  of 
Trinity  Church  and  the  Presbyte- 
rian Campus  Minister  in  Win- 
ston-Salem, N.  C,  one  of  42  cam  - 
pus  ministries  in  the  Synod. 


A  &  li 

ART  &  STAINED  GLASS 
COMPANY,  INC. 


REFINISHING 


-    J  \  Presbyterian  Home  & 
U    FamUy  Services,  Inc. 

Invites 

Commonwealth  Of  Virginia  Employees 

to  utilize  the  upcoming  Combined  Virginia  Campaign  to  support  our  ch u ; 
ministry  tachildreft  and  persons  ivith  mental  retardation.  These  ministries  int^:  ui 
Presbyterian  Home,  Genesis  House,  Exodus  House,  Zuni  Presbyterian 
Center,  Group  Home  -  Fredericksburg,  and  Group  Home  -Waynesboro. 

We  are  registered  in  the  folkming  CVC  Campaig}is: 

Region  #2.  Capital  (Richmond) 
Region  #3.  Central  Shen^andoah  Valley  (Staunton) 
Region  #4.  Central  Virginia  (Lynchburg) 
Region  #5.  Colonial  (Williamsburg) 
Region  #6.  Danville/Pittsylvania 
Region  #8.  Halifax  Coimty 
Region  #9.  Lower  Shenandoah  Valley  (Roanoke) 
Region  #10.  Martinsville/Heiiry  Couiity 
Region  #11.  Montgomery  County/Radford 
pon  #12.  Northern  Virginia  ( Fairfax/ ir alls  Church) 
Region  #13.  Peninsula  Area  (Hampton) 
.  egion  #14.  Rappahannock/Rapidan/Northem  Neck 

Region  #15.  Southwest  Virginia  (Lebanon) 
Region  #16.  Thomas  Jefferson  Area  (Cliarlottesville) 
Region  #17.  Tidewater  (Norfolk) 
Region  #18.  Upper  Shenandoah  Valley  (Harrisonburg  and 
Rockingham  County) 

Presbyterian  Home  &  Family  Services,  inc 

150  Linden  Ave.,  Lynchburg^  VA  24503 


Page  6,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  1994 


tnltt    Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 


ACCREDITED 


This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCREDITATON 
OF  SERVICES  FOR  FAMIUES 
AND  CHILDREN,  INC 


Over  450  attend  Homecoming 


Hugs,  kisses,  tears,  laughter 
...  memories,  catching-up,  fam- 
ily, sight-seeing ...  eating,  danc- 
ing, playing,  talking.  All  of 
these  things  and  so  much  more 
were  evident  during  the  week- 
end of  August  6  and  7,  1994, 
when  over  450  Alumni  of 
Barium  Springs  Home  for  Chil- 
dren attended  Homecoming  on 
the  Barium  campus. 

"These  are  my  brothers  and 
sisters",  said  one  Alumna.  "It 
is  like  coming  to  a  big  family 
reunion  every  year.  You  meet 
one  or  two  people  you  haven't 
seen  since  you  were  a  little 
girl,  just  like  you  have  found  a 
long-lost  cousin." 

The  difference  is,  of  course, 
that  most  of  these  people  aren't 
blood-related.  They  grew  up  at 
the  Home  when  it  was  an  or- 
phanage. They  lived  in  cot- 
tages with  houseparents,  or 
matrons.  They  did  chores  to- 
gether, went  to  school  together, 
ate  together  and  slept  in  the 
same  room  together.  But  they 
aren't  blood-related.  Even  so, 
they  love  each  other  just  as  if 
they  had  the  same  mother  and 
father. 

Just  like  in  families,  there 
are  both  fond  and  bitter  memo- 
ries, blessings  and  tragedies, 
good  times  and  bad  times. 
Alumni  come  back  to  see  each 
other,  to  talk  over  these  events 
of  their  gro wing-up  years,  and 
to  catch  up  with  the  happen- 
ings of  the  people  they  grew  up 
with...  people  they  consider  to 
be  "family." 

"It  is  truly  wonderful  to  wit- 
ness the  joy  these  people  feel 
when  they  come  together  at 
Homecoming,"  said  Earle 
Frazier,  President  of  the  Home. 


'New'  gift 
wish  list 


"In  a  lot  of  ways  they  are  closer 
to  each  other  than  some  broth- 
ers, sisters  or  cousins.  Perhaps 
because  they  created  these  re- 
lationships and  had  to  work  at 
them,  rather  than  just  being 
born  into  them.  You  don't 
choose  your  brother  or  sister 
or  cousin;  they  are  born  and 
that  is  that.  But  these  rela- 
tionships were  chosen,  and 
nurtured,  and  they  continue 
to  be  nurtured." 

An  extra  treat  this  year  for 
some  of  the  Alumni  was  meet- 
ing the  grandchildren  of  Jo- 
seph B.  Johnston,  Superinten- 
dent of  the  Home  from  1922  to 
1949.  Mr.  Johnston  was  a  fa- 
vorite of  many  of  the  Alumni, 
and  he  passed  away  in  1951, 
just  a  few  years  after  retiring. 
His  children,  who  are  all  de- 
ceased,   were    James  D. 


Johnston,  Leila  D.  Johnston, 
Anne  Johnston  Morris,  Will- 
iam (Bill)  L.D.  Johnston,  Dr. 
Joseph  B.  Johnston,  Jr.,  and 
Robert  Johnston.  A  seventh 
child,  a  girl,  died  at  a  very 
young  age. 

Attending  Homecoming  this 
year  were:  Joe  Jrs.'  two  daugh- 
ters, Cynthia  Johnston  of 
Pacifica,  Calif  and  Elizabeth 
D.  Johnston  of  Herndon,  Va., 
and  his  grand-daughter, 
Victoria  Andrews;  Bill's  daugh- 
ters, Jane  Donaldson  of  Shef- 
field, Ala.,  and  Mary  Murphy 
of  Idaho  Falls,  Idaho;  Bob's 
daughter,  Nancy  Johnston  of 
New  York  City;  Anne's  two 
sons,  David  Moms  of  O'Fallon, 
111.,  and  Joe  Morris  of 
Lafayette,  Colo.,  and  her  two 
grand-children,  Joey  and 
Brittney  Morris. 


These  Alumni  are  looking  at  photographs,  annuals  and 
other  memorabilia  in  the  Alumni  Museum. 


*  15-passenger  Van 

*  Automobiles 

*  Dining  Room  Table  (seats 

12) 

*  Washing  Machines  (2) 

*  Dryers  (2) 

*  2  Vacuum  Cleaners 

*  2  Twin  Mattresses 

*  2  Twin  Box  Springs 

*  Twin  Bed  Linens  and  Bed- 

spreads 

*  3  Couches 

*  2  Night  Stands 

*  1  Large  Bookcase 

*  Toiletries 

*  Towels  and  Wash 

cloths 

*  Sports  Equipment  (balls, 
gloves,  frisbees,  bats, 
ping-pong  paddles,  balls 
&  net) 

*  Copy  Machine 

*  New  Clothes  (girls  &  boys, 

10-18  years) 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, Post  Office  Box  1, 
-^^r  ;:r=  S;  lixigs,  N.C.,  28010- 
number  704/872- 


...Or  so 
it  seems 


Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

Statistics  from  one  presbytery 
indicate  that  42  percent  of  its 
churches  have  less  than  10  chil- 
dren, while  25  percent  have  no 
children. 

An  official  of  another  synod 
said  to  an  official  of  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic,  "You 
people  are  on  the  cutting  edge 
of  de-stabilization." 


Are  these  two  observations 
connected  in  some  fashion? 
Surely  they  must  be.  Yogi 
Berra  just  might  have  been 
right  when  he  said,  "The  fu- 
ture ain't  what  it  used  to  be." 


Thanksgiving  Offering  nears 


In  front  of  the  home  which  their  grandfather,  Joseph  B. 
Johnston,  Sr.,  lived  in  while  superintendent  at  Barium 
from  1922  to  1949,  are  (left  to  right)  Elizabeth  D.  Johnston 
(Joe  Jrs.'  daughter),  Mary  J.  Murphy  (Bill's  daughter), 
Nancy  Johnston  (Bob's  daughter),  Cynthia  Johnston 
(Joe  Jrs.'  daughter),  David  Morris  (Anne's  son),  Joe 
Morris  and  his  two  children  Joey  and  Brittney  (Anne's 
son),  Jane  J.  Donaldson  (Bill's  daughter),  and  Victoria 
Andrews  (Elizabeth's  daughter  &  Joe  Jrs.'  grand- 
daughter). 


At  left.  Randy  Shaw,  current  Barium  Alumni  Association 
President  and  member  of  the  Home's  Board  of  Regents, 
inducts  W.  Earle  Frazier,  President  of  the  Home,  into  the 
Alumni  Association  with  a  plaque  proclaiming  him  an 
"Honorary  Orphan." 


The  annual  Thanksgiving  Of- 
fering for  the  Presbyterian 
Churches  in  the  S3rnod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic  is  almost  here. 

Funds  from  the  offering  are 
to  be  divided  among  Barium 
Springs  Home  for  Children, 
Presb5rterian  Home  and  Fam- 
ily Services,  Inc.,  Presbyterian 
Children's  Home  of  the  High- 
lands, Inc.,  Edmarc  Hospice 
for  Children,  Volunteer  Emer- 
gency Families  for  Children, 
and  Volunteer  Families  for 
Children. 

Barium  is  mailing  out  ma- 
terials to  North  Carolina 
Churches  in  October.  Any  NC 
churches  wishing  to  update  the 


Calling  All  Program 
Committee  Chairs 

Have  we  got  a  deal  for  you? 
In  fact,  we  really  do.  No 
charge...  no  passing  plate... 
no  hard  sales;  just  an  infor- 
mative program  about  the 
history  of  your  mission  here 
at  Barium  Springs. 

We  have  staff  available  to 
speak  anywhere  with  any  size 
group  about  the  children  and 
families  here,  the  services 
offered,  where  the  money 
comes  from  and  goes,  and 
answer  questions.  A  nine 
minute  slide  program  helps 
with  the  presentation  and  can 
also  be  sent  by  itself  if  you 
don't  believe  the  "no  passing 
the  plate"  part  above. 

Just  call  704/872-4157  to 
arrange  a  program,  or  a  toiu" 
of  campus.  (Be  sure  to  ask  for 
Reade  if  you're  serving  food 
at  the  meeting). 


amount  of  materials  they  re- 
ceive or  with  a  change  of  ad- 
dress should  contact  Lisa  Cra- 
ter at  704/872-4157  or  write  to 
PO  Box  1,  Barium  Springs,  NC 
28010,  by  October  1,  1994. 

The  Presbjrterian  Home  in 
Lynchburg  is  mailing  materi- 
als to  all  other  Presbyterian 
Churches  in  the  Synod,  so  they 
should  be  contacted  with  any 
changes  in  material  amounts 
from  those  churches. 

Please  remember  that  the 
funds  raised  from  this  offering 
are  very  important  to  the  chil- 
dren at  Barium  Springs  and  at 
the  other  five  child  care  agen- 
cies within  the  Synod  bound- 
aries. 

The  offering  will  be  taken 
up  through  local  churches,  who 
are  to  send  the  monies  to  their 
Presbytery  treasurer  for  re- 
mittance to  Synod. 


Don't  Forget  the 

Party!!! 
The  L.C.  Wagner 
Family  and  Child 
Development 
Center  is 
celebrating  their 
25th  Anniversary 
on  Sept.  16  &  17, 

1994. 
Call  704/872-4157 
or  704/872-7351  for 
details  if  you  would 
like  to  attend. 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $  

I  wish  to:   Honor 


s  enclosed 
 Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased: . 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs,  NC  28010 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Septembei  1994,  Page  7 


Christ,  the  Image  of  Genuine  Humanity 


By  EUGENIA  S.  PHILLIPS 

From  our  late-twentieth-century  point  of  view,  we 
find  it  hard  to  understand  why  more  is  not  known 
about  the  man  Jesus.  We  know  that  he  was  the  first 
of  a  large  family  of  children;  that  his  father  was  a 
member  of  the  working  class;  that  from  early  years 
his  parents  had  detected  a  quality  about  him  that 
was  unlike  other  young  people. 

Theories  have  abounded  about  the  early  years  of 
Jesus'  life,  the  years  between  his  visit  to  the  Temple 
with  his  parents  and  his  visit  to  John  in  the  wilder- 
ness for  baptism.  Nothing  is  recorded  in  the  Bible 
about  these  years.  However,  from  the  early  child- 
hood stories  and  the  Temple  story  we  can  have  no 
doubt  that  worship  of  God  and  the  importance  of 
Jewish  religious  traditions  were  built  into  his  home 
life. 

Probably  he  followed  traditional  paths  and  worked 
with  his  father  in  the  carpenter  shop  until  he  felt 
prepared  to  state  his  mission  to  the  world. 

What  this  preparation  was,  we  can  only  surmise, 
but  as  we  see  him  later  we  realize  that  here  was  a 
man  who  had  observed  closely  the  interaction  be- 
tween human  beings,  and  had  thought  deeply  about 
the  relation  of  humankind  and  God.  In  some  way,  he 
had  achieved  a  closeness  with  God  that  gave  him  the 
strength  to  defy  authorities  in  his  quest  to  carry  his 
message  to  the  world. 

When  we  finally  see  Jesus  again  in  his  early 
thirties,  we  discover  a  very  mature  man,  one  who  is 
neither  shocked  by  situations  or  frightened  by  pow- 
erful people.  If  we  were  reading  his  life  story  as  a 
novel,  ft-om  the  beginning  we  would  have  a  sense  of 
foreboding  that  something  dreadful  would  happen  to 
this  man.  This  is  because  those  who  later  wrote  of  his 
life  remembered  the  words  and  incidents  which 
indicated  what  the  future  would  hold  in  store  for 
him. 

But ,  in  the  living  of  his  life,  day  by  day,  among  the 
throngs  of  people  in  Palestine,  his  experience  con- 
tained many  elements  we  find  in  our  own  lives.  His 
profession  was  preaching,  yet  in  the  beginning  very 
few  paid  much  attention  to  him.  Later,  when  he 
attracted  the  attention  of  politicians  and  scholars, 
more  came,  perhaps  as  much  to  hear  someone  who 
fearlessly  challenged  some  of  the  entrenched  leaders 


of  the  day  as  to  hear  the  message  of  the  preacher. 

There  were  indeed  days  when  5000  listened  and 
were  fed  physically  as  well  as  spiritually  (Matt. 
14:15),  but  there  were  other  times  when  people  raged 
at  him  and  "drove  him  out  of  the  town... so  that  they 
might  hurl  him  off  the  cliff."  (Luke  4:29)  There  were 
times  when  his  close  friends  were  over-exuberant  in 
their  loyalty,  (Matt.  17:4),  but  others  when  it  seemed 
they  understood  nothing  at  all.  (Mark  9:33  or  4:40) 
Here  was  a  man  whose  insight  and  spirit  were 
rooted  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  who  no  doubt  spoke 
with  a  vision  never  known  before  or  since,  yet  in 
almost  every  crowd  there  were  those  who  sought  to 
discredit  him  (Mark  2:24)  or  plot- 
ted to  kill  him.  (Mark  14:1) 

Do  we  sometimes  tend  to  think, 
"Well,  after  all,  he  was  God;  it 
wasn't  so  bad  for  him"?  How  wrong 
we  are,  if  we  are  not  always  aware 


the  humanity  of  Jesus.  In  the  passages  given  fi"om 
Hebrews,  the  writer  states  clearly  that  Jesus  became 
human,  so  that  he  might  better  understand  our 
humanity. 

"Because  he  himself  was  tested  by  what  he  suf- 
fered, he  is  able  to  help  those  who  are  being  tested." 
(  Hebrews  2:18)  Thus,  we  know  that  Jesus  under- 
stands the  difficulties,  the  sadnesses,  and  the  con- 
cerns of  our  lives. 

Each  day  brought  new  testing  for  Jesus,  just  as  it 
does  with  many  women  and  men  today,  as  they  try  to 
live  Christian  lives  in  the  midst  of  extreme  personal 
problems. 

In  the  young,  energetic  man  who  made  himself 
known  on  the  dusty  roads  around  Galilee,  we  see  a 
faith  that  transcended  all  the  human  grief  and  sin 
that  surrounded  him. 

This  faith  was  maintained  by  a  constant  aware- 
ness of  God's  presence  with  him,  both  in  the  press  of 


of  the  humanity  of  this  man  who    everyday  business  and  in  the  quiet  hours  of  prayer. 


Eugenia 
Phillips 


walked  in  Galilee!  If  we  think  of 
the  noblest  and  most  determined 
young  man  we  have  ever  known, 
and  mentally  put  him  into  the  role 
which  Jesus  played  in  his  lifetime, 
we  would  not  be  surprised  to  find 
this  person  suffering  hopelessness 
and  frustration  because  so  few 
believed  his  message.  He  would 
surely  succumb  to  anger  at  those  who  deliberately  set 
out  to  trap  him  and  have  him  executed  when  he  had 
done  nothing  wrong.  He  would  probably  fall  into  a 
deep  depression  if  he,  like  Jesus,  beheld  the  endless 
mass  of  troubled,  sick  people  who  daily  came  to  him 
for  help.  This  man,  like  one  of  us,  might  become 
enraged  over  the  insensitivity  of  those  who 
today  we  might  call  "church  people"  who  had 
no  concern  about  anyone  but  themselves  and 
their  particular  church. 

In  Scripture  we  read  the  story  of  Jesus' 
temptation  by  Satan.  It  seems  unlikely  that 
this  was  a  one-time  event  for  Jesus.  Surely, 
there  were  many  times  when,  his  body  and 
mind  exhausted,  Jesus  must  have  resisted 
the  temptation  to  "show  them"  or  to  "get 
even." 

The  Circle  Bible  study  for  this  month  is  on 


Frustrations  of  the  mind  and  pain  of  the  body  were 
subordinated  to  the  sense  that  God  is  present  in  the 
world,  and  that  God  has  a  plan  which  would  be 
worked  out  in  God's  time .  Through  his  words  and  his 
actions,  Jesus  showed  that  obedience  to  God's  will, 
awareness  of  God's  love,  and  a  loving  concern  for  all 
God's  children  can  transcend  the  daily  difficulties 
which  every  person  faces  and  bring  each  of  us  closer 
to  the  Kingdom  of  God. 

Eugenia  S.  Phillips  is  a  member  of  Sinking  Spring 
Church  in  Abingdon,  Va.  This  is  the  second  in  a 
series  of  Bible  study  help  columns  for  the  Presbyte- 
rian Women  of  the  synod  which  she  is  writing  for  the 
Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian. 


New  Resources 


Evangelism  in  the  Early  Church 

By  Michael  Green.  Erdman's  Publishers.  Grand  Rap- 
ids, Mich.  1991.  349  pages 


Presbyterian  Home  & 
Family  Services,  Inc. 


Thank  you  for  helping  us  minister  to  284  children 
and  persons  with  mental  retardation  during  1993. 

In  our  Children's  Division: 

98  abused  and  neglected  children  found  respite  in 
Genesis  House; 

72  children  made  Presb)rterian  Home  their  home  while  they 
and  their  families  received  counseling  and  support  services; 

25  teens  prepared  for  independent  living  while  residing  in 
Exodus  House;  and 

10  of  our  graduates  attended  colleges  with  our  financial 
assistance. 

In  our  Mental  Retardation  Division: 

70  young  adults  resided  at  Zuni  Presbyterian  Center 

while  experiencing  employment  opportunities  and  receiving 
life  skill  training; 

9  adults  received  the  required  supervision  while  living  at  the 
Fredericksburg  Group  Home;  and 

the  Wa5^esboro  Group  Home  was  constructed  for  opening  in 
April  1994. 

For  information  on  this  ministry  to  children  and  persons  with 
mental  retardation,  contact  the  Reverend  E.  Peter  Geitner, 
150  Linden  Avenue,  Lynchburg,  VA  24503. 


Books,  like  people  and  ideas,  discover  that  through  unforeseen 
circumstances,  their  "time"  arrives.  Such  may  be  the  case  with 
Michael  Green's  work  on  evangelism  in  the  early  church.  Written 
in  1971,  the  book  was  re-released  in  1991,  which  proved  to  be  just 
in  "time". 

In  a  period  when  normally  somnolent  Presbyterians  are  sud- 
denly concerned  about  what  the  future  of  the  faith  will  look  like, 
Michael  Green's  book  provides  clues  about  how  Christianity  can  be 
seen  through  different  spectacles  and  remain  true  to  its  anteced- 
ents. If  nothing  else  it  clearly  points  out  that  today  is  not  the  first 
time  that  the  church  has  had  reason  to  take  a  close  look  at  itself  and 
consider  some  fine  timing. 

One  might  inquire  what  a  book  on  evangelism  has  to  do  with  the 
present  conflicts  within  the  denomination.  Well,  before  one  can 
spread  the  word,  one  has  to  know  what  the  word  is.  Green  discusses 
how  and  why  the  original  evangel  took  on  different  wardrobes  in 
order  to  be  comprehensible  and  acceptable  to  different  peoples. 

He  begins  by  discussing  the  pathways  and  obstacles  to  the 
spread  of  the  faith.  The  Pax  Romana  provided  the  peace  and  Roman 
culture  provided  the  roads  which  allowed  for  access  to  the  known 
world.  The  imiversality  of  Greek  culture  (thought,  language,  litera- 
ture, etc.)  provided  an  educated  populous  with  identifiable  values 
and  mores.  The  popularity  of  Judedsm  provided  an  understanding 
of  and  belief  in  monotheism,  the  coming  of  the  Redeemer  and  the 
value  of  spiritually-based  laws.  (The  existence  of  20th  century 
equivalents  for  the  above  should  not  be  lost  on  the  reader.) 

The  same  factors  provided  the  major  impediments  to  the  spread 
of  the  Gospel.  The  Romans  considered  Christians  atheists  because 
they  did  not  embrace  Roman  gods.  Greek  and  Roman  intellectuals 
found  the  idea  of  a  crucified  savior  laughable  and  conservative  Jews 
opposed  anyone  who  made  light  of  the  Old  Law. 

When  preaching  to  the  Jews,  the  early  evangelists  stressed  the 
importance  of  Old  Testament  and  how  Christ  was  responsible  for 
fulfilling  its  promise.  He  was  the  promised  Messiah.  He  built  on  the 
old  tradition  and  through  his  goodness  and  sacrifice  turned  it  into 
the  one,  true  way  of  life.  "Judaism  proclaimed  that  God  forgave  sin. 
Christianity  proclaimed  that  God  redeemed  sinners." 

When  dealing  with  the  Gentiles  The  Evangel  seldom  referred  to 
the  Old  Testament  since  it  meant  little  to  the  Gentile.  Rather  the 
process  was  one  of  translating  the  Gospel  into  the  local  vernacular 
Unguistically  as  well  as  ethically.  It  had  to  be  a  flexible  process  since 
the  cultures  of  Jerusalem,  Antioch,  Corinth  and  Rome  were  not  only 
drastically  different  but  unpolluted  due  to  their  relative  isolation. 

The  commonalities  were  a  stance  against  idolatry,  the  proclama- 
tion of  the  one,  true  God  and  the  moral  implications  of  that 
proclamation.  The  Good  News  was  indeed  good  and  it  was  for 
everyone.  The  idea  of  total  devotion  to  one  god  was  not  new,  but  his 
gospel  of  love  and  respect  for  every  human  being  was  an  idea  that 
changed  the  world.  The  challenge  was  to  hew  the  line  between 
translation  and  over  translation.  "If  conservatism  stifles  Christian- 
ity, liberalism  dissipates  it." 

The  successes  of  both  efforts  are  well  documented,  though  Green 
suggests  that  one  group  of  evangelists  might  have  difficulty  recog- 
nizing the  other  part  as  the  same  movement.  Green  infers  that  the 
success  was  due  to  the  fact  that  the  movement  did  not  hav"  the  time 
or  energy  to  concern  itself  with  molecular  considera':  i  the 
molar  goal  was  in  sight.  — ^  '  ^ 


Page  8,  Aiid-Atlantic  Presb5i;erian,  September  1994 


Presbyterian  Women  debate  support 
for  staff  members,  elect  new  moderator 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

AMES,  Iowa— A  $1.8  million 
operating  budget  for  Presbyte- 
rian Women  (PW)  was  ap- 
proved by  voting  representa- 
tives during  the  organization's 
triennial  business  meeting, 
after  debate  about  establish- 
ing a  contingency  plan  to  fund 
staff  should  a  budget  shortfall 
arise. 

After  sustained  debate,  it 
was  voted  to  allocate  $180,000 
in  the  1995-97  operating  bud- 
get as  partial  support  of  staff 
salaries,  benefits,  travel  and 
other  expenses  in  the  PW 
coordinator's  office  in  Louis- 
ville— "if  insufficient  funds  are 
received  for  its  operation  due 
to  projected  budget  shortfalls 
within  the  denomination  as  a 
whole. 

The  original  recommenda- 
tion came  from  the  Church  wide 
Coordinating  Team  (CCT)  Fi- 
nance Committee,  requesting 
$180,000  for  the  PW  office. 

"This  substitute  motion  is 
about  as  good  as  we're  going  to 
get  in  pleasing  this  assembly 
..."  said  one  voting  delegate 
from  National  Capital  Presby- 
tery of  the  amended  recom- 
mendation on  the  floor,  argu- 
ing PW  should  not  fund  staff  if 
staff  funding  is  not  required  of 
other  groups  affiliated  with  the 
church. 

Voting  representatives 
balked  because  the  financial 
report  was  handed  out  just 
before  the  plenary  rather  than 
mailed  with  earlier  materials 
and  because  the  budget  was 
ambiguous  as  to  how  the  pro- 
posed monies  were  to  be  allo- 
cated. 

"  ...There  is  a  lot  of  unhappi- 
ness  when  we  have  this  foggy, 
murky  stuff,"  said  a  represen- 
tative from  the  floor  to  ap- 
plause. "Every  dollar  you  have, 
I  want  to  see  it.  And  my  women 
do." 

Former  Vice  Moderator  for 
Issues  Jinny  Miller  told  the 
Presbjd;erian  News  Service  the 
CCT's  action  was  taken  to  try 
to  "keep  as  much  staff  support 
for  PW  as  it  could."  The  orga- 
nization has  lost  three  full-time 
staff  positions  since  June  1993. 

In  other  action,  the  assem- 
bly voted  to  appoint  a  task  force 
to  bring  a  report  in  1997  with 
recommendations  for  long- 
range  PW  staffing  needs  and 
sources  of  funding. 

Eleven  new  members  were 
elected  to  the  CCT  of  the  ap- 
proximately 300,000-member 
organization,  including  a  new 
moderator.  Hazel  Everson 
Fuhrmeister  of  Mystic,  Ct. 

Others  elected  to  the  coordi- 
nating team  included  Elaine 
McRobbie  of  Tampa,  Fla.,  vice- 
moderator  for  mission,  and 
Una  Osborne  Stevenson  of  Salt 
Lake  City,  vice-moderator  for 


issues. 

Among  other  business,  the 
assembly  voted  to: 

•  discontinue  PW  enabler 
training  at  the  churchwide 
level  to  cut  costs  and  to  con- 
tinue support  of  the  network 
of  enablers  at  the  grass  roots; 

•  express  solidarity  with 
women  in  Central  and  East- 
ern Europe  and  instruct  the 
CCT  to  write  international  of- 
ficials condemning  the  use  of 
rape  as  an  act  of  war  in  the 
former  Yugoslavia; 

•  affirm  a  CCT  vision  state- 
ment developed  through  PW 
visioning  at  all  levels  and  de- 
velop a  "user-friendly"  resource 
to  further  that  process  at  all 
organizational  levels; 

•  focus  on  fewer  worldwide 
issues  during  the  1994-97  tri- 
ennium; 


•  add  the  phrase,  "and  em- 
powered by  the  Holy  Spirit,"  to 
PWs  purpose  statement;  and 

•  continue  the  global  ex- 
change program  and  consider 
initiating  a  national  exchange. 

Meeting  moderator  Sara 
Cordery  told  the  assembly  two 
protest  letters  were  filed  with 
PW  by  Presb3rterians  for  De- 
mocracy and  Religious  Free- 
dom (PDRF)  and  Presbyteri- 
ans Pro-Life  (PPL)  contesting 
the  CCT's  decision  not  to  cre- 
dential their  representatives 
as  press. 

PPL  also  protested  PWs 
decision  to  close  all  workshops 
to  press.  The  CCT  adopted  a 
press  policy  three  days  before 
the  conference  began  that  omit- 
ted advocacy  organizations 
from  those  to  receive  press  cre- 
dentials. 


Biddle  to  lead  Abingdon  workshop 


The  Rev.  Dr.  Perry  H.  Biddle 
Jr.  will  lead  a  course  on 
lectionary  preaching  for 
"Year  C"  on  Nov.  11-12  and 
18-19  at  the  4-H  Center  near 
Abingdon,  Va. 

Biddle  is  a  Presbyterian 
minister  and  author  of  sev- 
eral books  on  preaching.  The 
event  is  offered  for  commis- 
sioned lay  preachers  and 
other  interested  persons. 

Participants  will  also 


study  Fred  Craddock's  com- 
mentary on  Luke,  published 
as  part  of  the  Interpretation 
series. 

Wylie  S.  Mayo,  re- 
knowned  fiddle  player  and 
pastor  of  Grace  Church  in 
Glade  Spring,  Va.,  will  pro- 
vide music  and  entertain- 
ment. 

For  more  information 
contact  Vaughn  Earl  Hart- 
sell  at  (704)  637-4340. 


Virginian's  article  in  Survey  special 


Tending  the  Ark,"  an  article 
by  Presbyterian  minister  Ri- 
chard Cartwright  Austin  of 
Dungannon,  Va.,  will  be  fea- 
tured as  part  of  a  special  sec- 
tion in  the  September  issue  of 
Presbyterian  Survey. 

Overpopulation,  consumer- 
ism and  the  environment  are 
topics  explored  in  the  section. 
The  Environment:  A  Lifestyle 
Crisis?,  which  was  planned  in 
cooperation  with  the  maga- 
zines of  three  other  denomina- 
tions through  the  assistance  of 
a  grant  from  the  Pew  Chari- 
table Trusts. 

The  material  is  timed  to 
reach  subscribers  shortly  be- 
fore the  United  Nations  Inter- 
national Conference  on  Popu- 
lation Development,  Sept.  5- 
13,  in  Cairo,  Egypt. 


In  his  article,  Austin  says 
our  covenant  relationship  with 
God  involves  rescue  and  pro- 
tection of  our  environment — 
including  trees,  pets,  wildlife 
and  people. 

Austin  teaches  environmen- 
tal theology  for  the  Appala- 
chian Ministries  Educational 
Resource  Center  based  in 
Berea,  Ky. 

Also  featured  in  the  Sep- 
tember issue  of  Survey  is 
"Bethel  Haven,"  an  article  by 
Linda  Freeman  of  Myers  Park 
Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C.  The 
feature  describes  an  innova- 
tive ministry  which  provides  a 
share-home  for  seniors  in  the 
community. 

Subscriptions  to  Presbyte- 
rian Survey  are  available  by 
calUngtoU-fi-ee  (800)  227-2872. 


Moderator  joins  fight  to  stop  executions 


The  Rev.  Robert  W.  Bohl, 
moderator  of  the  206th  Gen- 
eral Assembly  has  continued 
the  practice  of  his  two  imme- 
diate predecessors  of  appeal- 
ing to  the  governors  of  states 
where  executions  are  sched- 
uled, asking  that  the  execu- 
tions be  stopped. 

In  letters  dated  July  26  to 
the  governors  of  Arkansas  and 
Texas,  Bohl  made  a  personal 


THE  FRUITS 
SHALL  B 


QF  JUSTICE 
E  PEACE,,™,.,, 


MAKING    OFFERINC  1994 


plea  for  clemency  for  five  pris 
oners  scheduled  to  be  executed 
between  Aug.  2  and  15 — three 
in  Arkansas  and  two  in  Texas. 

The  moderator  backed  his 
appeal  with  words  from  the 
1959  General  Assembly  "that 
capital  punishment  cannot  be 
condoned  by  an  interpretation 
of  the  Bible  based  upon  the  rev- 
elation of  God's  love  in  Jesus 
Christ,  that  as  Christians  we 
must  seek  redemption  of  evil- 
doers and  not  their  death,  and 
that  the  use  of  the  death  pen- 
alty tends  to  brutalize  the  soci- 
ety that  condones  it ..." 

As  a  citizen  of  Texas,  Bohl 
made  a  special  appeal  to  Gov. 
Ann  Richards  of  that  state. 
"...  I  know  all  too  well  how 
counterproductive  to  a  spirit  of 
community  is  the  climate  of 
violence  brought  about  by 
Texas's  many  executions  and 
our  high  death  row  population," 
he  wrote. 


'Dr.  Dog'  arriveth 

By  STAN  FEDYSZYN 

The  changing  of  the  guard  at  Union  Theological  Seminary 
happens  as  frequently  as  appearances  of  Haley's  comet.  The 
recent  appointment  of  a  Tennessee  bom,  long-time  Kentuckian 
to  the  Chair-of-Chairs  cannot  be  overlooked  as  a  potential 
footnote  when  the  final  edition  of  the  History  of  Presbyterianism 
in  America  is  written. 

For  readers  who  have  spent  the  |ast  few  months  on  the  Soyuz 
Spacecraft  or  working  as  a  guinea  pig  for  a  cryogenics  labora- 
tory, the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Union  selected  one  Dr.  Louis  B. 
Weeks  to  be  the  7th  occupant  of  the  Chair-of-Chairs.  Hence  the 
title  of  this  article.  Anyone  who  knows  Lou  Weeks  will  agree 
that  Dr.  Doo  fits  him  perfectly.  Make  no  mistake  and  finish  the 
name  to  Dr.  Doo-little.  What  he  does  may  be  right,  wrong, 
different,  strange,  off-center  and  occasionally  even  profound. 
But  Lou  Weeks  will  Doo! 

He  spent  24  years  on  the  faculty  at  Louisville  Theological 
Seminary,  10  as  academic  dean.  (As  a  sign  of  his  dedication  to 
the  post,  he  went  the  entire  decade  without  teaching  his  Calvin 
course.)  He  was  the  Paul  Tudor  Jones  Professor  of  Church 
History,  specializing  in  the  history  of  Christianity  in  America, 
more  specifically,  Christianity  in  Kentucky,  more  specifically 
still,  Christianity  in  the  backwoods  of  Kentucky. 

Squeezing  the  most  out  of  his  time  at  Louisville,  he  authored 
enough  books  to  entitle  him  to  a  full  column  in  the  La5rman's 
Encyclopedia  of  Published  Presbyterian  Authors.  (He  is  pres- 
ently looking  for  a  publisher  for  that  work.)  The  fact  that  most 
of  them  can  be  found  on  the  Remaindered  or  Reduced  for  Quick 
Sale  shelf  notwithstanding,  his  co-editorship  (with  Drs.  Milton 
Coalter  and  John  Mulder)  of  the  epic,  7  volume  work:  The 
Presbyterian  Predicament  will  assure  him  a  comfortable  niche 
in  the  pantheon  of  Presbjrterian  historians  which  is  on  the 
drawing  boards  for  downtown  Salt  Lake  City. 

The  common  thread  in  all  his  works  is  the  old  saw:  KISS  ~ 
keep  it  simple  stupid.  In  all  of  his  writings,  lectures,  speeches, 
sermons,  etc.  Weeks  is  determined  that  one  understand.  Agree- 
ment or  disagreement  is  less  important  than  understanding. 
The  differences  can  always  be  worked  out  later. 

Though  23  years  in  Kentucky  obviously  had  an  effect  on  the 
man,  he  does  not  affect  a  coon  skin  hat  or  shoot  squirrels  for 
dinner.  This  is  not  to  suggest  that  he  comes  free  of  eccentricities. 
Anyone  who  sandwiched  an  M.  Div.  from  Union  between 
degrees  from  Princeton  and  Duke  is  entitled  to  be  more  than  2 
standard  deviations  off  the  norm. 

Quasi-thorough  research  conducted  among  recent  associates 
indicates  that  Richmond  should  expect  to  experience  a  number 
of  lifestyle  changes: 

•  The  common  stock  of  men's  clothiers  specializing  in  bow  ties 
wdll  go  through  the  roof  In  fact,  it  is  expected  that  the  bow  tie 
will  soon  become  part  of  the  uniform  of  the  day  for  first  year 
students  at  UTS.  Though  Weeks'  collection  of  hand  tied  bows 
does  not  qualify  for  Guinness  or  GQ,  if  he  is  seen  without  one,  it's 
a  mistake  and  all  should  be  informed  with  haste. 

•  Hunting  trophies  (deer,  moose,  pheasant,  etc.)  may  soon 
begin  adorning  faculty  lounges  at  UTS.  There  is  no  way  the 
Weeks'  will  find  room  for  them  all  in  their  new  residence. 

•  Union  Seminary  should  become  a  powerhouse  in  NCAA 
intercollegiate  canoe  racing.  If  the  new  Prez  chooses  to  take 
time  out  from  less  taxing  pursuits  to  coach  the  squad,  victories 
over  Pittsburgh  and  Dubuque  are  in  the  bag. 

•  Local  hostesses  will  soon  learn  Kentucky  dining  habits. 
Former  Deans  of  Kentucky  educational  institutions  are  well 
known  for  eating  everything — that  means  everything  that's  on 
their  plates,  and  they've  never  sat  to  a  meal  they  didn't  like. 

•  Should  the  new  Prez  invite  you  to  an  hour  of  racquetball, 
don't  commit  the  folly  of  thinking  the  invite  a  sign  of  cordiality. 
On  the  racquetball  court  Weeks  has  variously  been  compared  to 
a  bob  cat,  a  timber  rattler,  and  wounded  wolverine  or  some  other 
species  that  eats  its  young. 

•  President  Louis  B.  Weeks  will  be  known  as  Lou.  Not  President 
Lou,  not  Professor  Lou,  not  Dr.  Lou,  but  Lou — like  in  Lou. 

•  UTS  students  delivering  sermons  in  the  hinterlands  during 
Seminary  Week  will  start  peppering  their  homilies  with  esoteric 
fables  about  homilies  and  rattlesnakes,  hymnody  and  rattle- 
snakes and  just  plain  rattlesnakes  from  churches  in  Booneville, 
Buttermilk,  Matewan  and  Cider,  Kentucky. 

•  Students  and  faculty  will  have  to  get  used  to  doing  business 
"on  the  walk."  Though  Weeks  is  perfectly  capable  of  doing 
business  from  behind  a  desk,  his  natural  inclination  to  stay  in 
motion  often  makes  it  necessary  for  one-on-one  meetings  to 
transpire  au  pieds. 

•  His  favorite  phrase  is:  "What  do  you  think?"  He  really  wants 
to  know.  Don't  flatter  yourself  that  your  opinion  will  play  a 
major  role  in  forming  his,  but  it  does  give  him  a  moment  to  find 
a  way  to  let  you  down  easily  when  he  disagrees. 

•  Don't  make  the  mistake  of  asking  for  something  "in  writing." 
Be  certain  to  specify  "in  type" — his  handwriting  was  once  mis- 
taken for  South  Yemini  Arabic.  Other  than  verb  tenses,  it 
translated  well. 

Yet  the  man  naturally  engenders  affection.  A  dear  friend  in 
Louisville  recently  toasted  him  (ice  tea,  of  course)  on  his  Bon 
Voyage  party  from  the  quay  at  LPTS  as  follows: "...  may  Virginia 
love  you  as  much  as  Kentucky,  may  they  invite  you  to  appear  at 
every  possible  synod,  presbytery,  session,  board  and  faculty 
meeting,  may  you  be  expected  to  say  The  Grace  (and  thus  eat  the 
meal)  at  every  one  of  them,  may  all  your  students  ask  for  in  depth 
explanations  of  atonement  and  predestination  and  may  you  find 
that  no  one  has  yet  written  a  history  of  Christianity  in  Virginia." 

Stan  Fedyszyn,  Week's  self-appointed  Bos  well,  occasionally 
attempts  serious  writing. 


PC(USA)  News  on  back  page 


1  tfBXBCFFZ******* 
!  «005<»8651» 

m    C  COLLECTION 
wILSON  LIBRARV. 
CHAPEL    HILL  NC 

For  address  changes  send  mailing  lab,  i  i  i  i  i  I  I   1 1    II  II 

Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes'  ImI.I I. n  l>l«l<l«l«i»''" 


Mid-Atlantic 

-  5 
9  « 

?sbyterian 


Vol.  LX,  Number  8 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Pickard  leaves  synod  staff  to  join 
Medical  Benevolence  Foundation 


Pickard 


Synod  Associate  Executive  for 
Finance  and  Treasurer  Joseph 
L.  Pickard  resigned  effective 
Sept.  16  to  become  associate 
executive  director  of  the  Medi- 
cal Benevolence  Foundation  in 
Houston,  Texas. 

Pickard  had  been  on  the 
synod  staff  since  January  1989. 
Prior  to  that 
he  served 
on  the  new 
synod's 
transitional 
finance 
committee 
and  the 
structural 
design  and 
staffing  ra- 
tionale com- 
mittee. 

"I  have  achieved  many  of 
the  goals  I  set  out  to  accom- 
plish when  I  accepted  the 
[synod]  position,"  said  Pickard, 
who  was  associate  general 
presbj^er  for  business  affairs, 
treasurer  and  associate  stated 
clerk  with  the  former  Concord 
Presbytery  before  coming  to 
the  synod  staff. 

"I  have  helped  the  synod 
trom  the  beginning  to  build  a 
sound  financial  system  with 
strong  management  controls 
and  excellent  fiscal  account- 
abiUty he  added.  "I  am  pleased 
to  report  that  this  system  cur- 
rently is  well  in  place  and 
should  continue  to  serve  the 
financial  needs  of  the  synod." 

The  Medical  Benevolence 
Fovmdation  was  established  in 
1964  as  a  Christian  organiza- 
tion in  covenant  relationship 


with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Its  mission  is  to  provide  medi- 
cal personnel,  equipment,  sup- 
plies and  financial  aid  to  hos- 
pitals, medical  outposts,  and 
clinics  outside  the  U.S. 

Pickard  has  served  on  the 
foundation's  board  of  trustees 
since  1993. 

A  native  of  Charlotte,  N.C., 
Pickard  holds  a  doctorate  in 
ministry  from  McCormick 
Theological  Seminary,  and 
master's  degrees  from  both 
Union  Theological  Seminary 
in  Virginia  and  the  Presbyte- 
rian School  of  Christian  Edu- 
cation. He  is  also  a  graduate  of 
Presb5^erian  College  in  Clin- 
ton, S.C. 

He  was  ordained  in  1964  by 
Albemarle  Presbytery  and 
served  as  an  assistant  pastor 
at  First  Church,  Greenville, 
N.C.,  and  an  associate  pastor 
at  First  Church,  Winston-Sa- 
lem, N.C.,  before  joining  the 
staff  of  Concord  Presbjd;ery  in 
1974. 

He  was  elected  moderator 
of  Concord  Presbytery  in  1984. 

Pickard  has  also  been  very 
active  at  the  General  Assem- 
bly level.  He  was  an  elected 
commissioner  to  the  PCUS  as- 
semblies in  1976  and  1982,  and 
he  chaired  the  standing  com- 
mittee on  polity  at  the  latter 


Five  times  he  has  served  as 
an  assistant  to  standing  GA 
committees,  primarily  in  the 
area  of  budgets  and  finance. 

He  served  as  a  director  for 
the  Board  of  Pensions  from 
1986  to  1989. 


Valentine  leads  interfaith  alliance 


BALTIMORE,  Md.— Balti- 
more Presbytery  executive 
Dr.  Herbert  Valentine  has 
joined  with  other  religious 
leaders  in  forming  the  In- 
terfaith Alliance,  an  educa- 
tional lobbying  group  "that 
will  work  to  combat  efforts 
by  the  radical  right  to  im- 
pose political  litmus  tests 
on  people  of  faith." 

Valentine  announced  the 
group's  formation 
on  July  14  during  a 
press  conference  in 
Washington,  D.C. 

"The  message  of 
the  radical  right  is 
that  there  is  only 
one  way  to  think 
and  live  to  be  a  good 
Christian,"   said        j  J 
Valentine.    "The  /J 
radical  right  arro-  Vale 
gantly  asserts  that 
its  voice  is  the  only  true 
religious  voice  speaking  in 
America  today. 

"Until  now,  the  words  of 
those  of  us  who  promote  re- 
spect and  tolerance  have 
been  no  match  for  the  stri- 
dent, well-organized,  and 
well-funded  efforts  of  the 


radical  right.  That  is  why 
we  have  come  together  to 
form  the  Interfaith  Alli- 
ance." 

Valentine  outlined  a 
three-part  strategy  for  the 
group.  "First,  we  will  strive 
to  return  civility  and  com- 
mon sense  to  the  public  de- 
bate and  make  our  voices 
heard. 

"Second,  we  will  educate 
the  public  about  the 
scope  of  the  radical 
right's  political 
agenda  in  those 
states  where  it  is 
most  active. 
*         "And  third,  we 
will  serve  as  a  na- 
tional clearinghouse 
i         for  grassroots  orga- 
k'^v/ 4  nizations  who  care 
[jie       about  these  issues." 

Valentine,  a 
former  moderator  of  the 
PC(USA),  is  serving  as  chair 
of  the  alliance.  Its  govern- 
ing board  also  includes  Dr. 
Joan  Brown  Campbell,  gen- 
eral secretary  of  the  Na- 
tional Council  of  Churches; 
Rabbi  Arthur  Hertzberg, 
former  president  of  the 


American  Jewish  Congress; 
the  Rev.  Leonard  B.  Jack- 
son, associate  minister  of  the 
First  A.M.E.  Church  in  Los 
Angeles;  Bishop  Thomas  J. 
Gumbleton,  auxiliary  bish- 
op of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Diocese  of  Detroit;  and  Wil- 
liam P.  Thompson,  former 
president  of  the  National 
Council  and  the  World 
Council  of  Churches. 

"Those  of  us  who  make 
up  the  Interfaith  Alliance 
have  devoted  our  lives  to 
promoting  compassion,  tol- 
erance and  diversity,"  said 
Valentine.  "We  beheve  that 
the  ethical  and  moral  les- 
sons found  in  religious  tra- 
dition hold  the  keys  to  solv- 
ing many  of  our  nation's 
most  pressing  problems.  But 
the  value  of  those  lessons 
will  be  lost  if  we  do  not  stand 
up  and  speak  out  against 
the  harsh,  unyielding  doc- 
trine preached  by  the  radi- 
cal religious  right." 

For  information  on  the 
Interfaith  Alliance,  write  to 
1511  K  St.  N.W.,  Suite  738, 
Washington,  DC  20005  or 
phone  (202)  639-6370. 


Sinnple  mission 
project  is  a  lifesaver 


WINCHESTER,  Va.— Prior  to 
Sunday  morning  worship  re- 
cently, a  group  of  about  20  per- 
sons from  age  7  to  82  gathered 
around  a  work  table  in  the 
Highland  Memorial  Church 
education  building. 

They  worked  in  two  teams 
of  10  each,  measuring  out  dry 
ingredients,  placing  them  in 
small  plastic  bags,  then  heat 
sealing  the  bags. 

A  sign  outside  read  "Wel- 
come to  Project  Rwanda.  We 
are  making  oral  rehydration 
chemical  bags."  Despite  the 
sign's  impressive  tone,  the  in- 
gredients were  fairly  simple: 
table  salt,  potassium  chloride, 
baking  soda  and  sugar. 

Each  small  bag  contains  less 
than  a  nickel's  worth  of  ingre- 
dients when  they  are  filled  and 
sealed. 

"A  few  cents  of  household 
chemicals  can  mean  the  differ- 
ence between  life  and  death 
for  victims  of  dehydration," 
said  the  Rev.  John  Robinson, 
pastor  of  Highland  Memorial. 

The  Medical  Benevolence 
Foundation  (MBF)  collects  the 
bags  from  Highland  Memorial 
and  other  churches  across  the 
U.S.,  and  sends  them  by  air  to 
where  they  are  needed.  There, 
relief  personnel  add  one  liter 
of  purified  water  and  give  the 
solution  to  dehydration  vic- 
tims. 

If  the  solution  is  taken 
within  24  hours  of  dehydra- 
tion, the  person  stands  a  much 
better  chance  of  withstanding 
cholera  or  dysentery,  said 


Robinson. 

Dehydration  is  the  leading 
cause  of  death  in  Third  World 
countries,  said  Dr.  David 
Jenkins,  senior  associate  di- 
rector of  the  MBF. 

The  rehydration  bags  are 
filled  and  sealed  in  this  coun- 
try because  (1)  relief  workers 
do  not  have  time  and  (2)  the 
power  to  heat  seal  the  bags  is 
not  always  available  in  Third 
World  countries,  said  Jenkins. 

While  attention  is  currently 
riveted  on  the  plight  of  the 
Rwandan  refugees,  the  oral 
rehydration  program  is  an  on- 
going effort  the  MBF  has  spon- 
sored for  about  20  years. 

Highland  Memorial's  in- 
volvement in  the  project  may 
well  bear  significant  results 
beyond  the  2,000  bags  the  con- 
gregation set  as  its  goal. 

Pure  potassium  chloride  can 
only  be  obtained  with  a  pre- 
scription. Dr.  Bill  Bender,  M.D., 
a  member  of  Opequon  Church, 
told  Robinson  that  a  salt  sub- 
stitute would  supply  the  nec- 
essary amount  of  the  chemi- 
cal. Robinson  called  the  Morton 
Salt  Co.  and  asked  about  the 
contents  of  that  company's  salt 
substitute.  He  found  that  it 
contains  enough  potassium 
chloride. 

As  a  result,  it  will  be  easier 
and  less  expensive  to  make  the 
rehydration  mixture  in  the 
future,  said  Jenkins. 

For  more  information  on  the 
MBF,  phone  Jenkins  at  (800) 
376-3142  or  write  to  P.O.  Box 
10465,  Wilmington,  NC  28405. 


Former  moderator  dies 


ATLANTA— The  Rev.  Lawrence 
W.  Bottoms,  moderator  of  the 
1974  General  Assembly  and  the 
only  African-American  modera- 
tor of  the  former  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States 
(PCUS),  died  here  Aug.  31.  Fu- 
neral services  were  held  Sept. 
6  at  Westhills  Church. 

In  the  early  1950s,  Bottoms 
helped  establish  the  landmark 
All  Souls  Church  in  Richmond, 
Va.,  an  early  model  of  racially 
integrated  new  church  devel- 


opment planning. 

Bottoms  was  born  in  1908  in 
Selma,  Ala.,  and  grew  up  in 
the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church  of  North  America. 

Bottoms  served  as  modera- 
tor of  Louisville  Presbytery  and 
the  Synod  of  Kentucky  as  well 
as  his  General  Assembly 
moderatorial  post. 

Survivors  include  his  wife, 
Elizabeth,  a  son,  and  three 
daughters. 

—PCdJSA)  News  Service 


Grissette  to  resign  WNC  post 


MORGANTON,  N.C.— The 
Rev.  Caroline  Grissette,  execu- 
tive presbyter  for  the  Presby- 
tery of  Western  North  Caro- 
lina, has  announced  her  resig- 
nation effective  Dec.  31. 

Grissette,  who  has  served 
the  presb5rtery  since  1988,  is 
leaving  the  post  in  order  to 
have  more  time  to  spend  with 
her  family. 

A  native  of  Lincolnton,  N.C., 
Grissette  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Duke  University  Divinity 
School  and  Queens  College. 
Before  becoming  Western 


North  Carolina's  first  execu- 
tive presbyter,  she  was  an  as- 
sociate general  presb5rter  for 
the  Concord  Presbytery. 
Her  pre- 


Page  2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1994 


The  church  is  short  on  excitement  and  imagination 


By  ROBERT  W.  HOFFMAN 

I  have  now  been  retired  as  a  minister  for  15 
years.  While  in  the  pastorate  I  considered 
myself  to  be  a  resident  guru,  on  whom  most 
of  the  folk  depended  for  theological  correct- 
ness. As  such  I  seldom  felt  free  to  take 
personal  flights  of  fancy,  either  into  the 
obscurities  of  theologisms,  or  the  latest 
hot-off-the-griddle  ecclesiastical  fads. 
What,  I  said  to  myself,  are  my  predilec- 
tions against  the  centuries-old  body  of  or- 
thodoxy? 

While  I  still  preach  frequently,  mostly  I 
sit  at  the  feet  of  a  pastor  to  whom  I  am 
much  indebted.  But,  as  in  the  pastorate,  I 
was  always  conscious  of  the  shortage  of 
real  dialogue,  pulpit  and  pew.  It  occurs  to 
me  that  the  pulpit  might  profit  fi-om  the 
view  from  the  third  pew  on  the  left.  That's 
where  I  sit,  trying  not  to  be  a  thorn  in  the 
flesh  for  our  pastor,  as  retired  clergy  are 
wont  to  be. 

My  growing  conviction  is  that  while  the 
church  is  competent  at  holding  the  fort,  it 
is  a  bit  short  on  imagination  and  excite- 
ment. It  does  not  need  to  invent  a  new 
religion,  but  it  could  do  well  to  find  some 
new  lamps  for  the  old  oil,  some  new  lan- 
guage to  convey  old  truths. 

It  appears  that  we  forget  that  most  of 
what  we  say  about  Grod,  for  instance,  is 


metaphoric.  No  one  has  actually  seen  God 
at  any  time,  but  preachers  may  confuse  the 
metaphor  with  the  reality  to  which  it  is 
meant  to  point.  The  metaphor  then  be- 
comes sometimes  obscure,  sometimes  dog- 
matic. Preachers  may  give  the  impression 
that  they  have  just  come  from  a  long  con- 
ference with  God. 

Jesus  frequently  spoke  in  metaphors 
and  similes:  "The  kingdom  is  like..."  The 
Bible  is  chock-full  of  metaphoric  language: 
God  has  a  robe,  wings,  hands,  a  voice;  "HE" 
sits  on  a  throne  "UP"  in  heaven.  The  spatial 
image  this  conjures  is  nonsense  in  a  post- 
Copernican  space-age  universe. 

Jesus  himself  was  a  living  metaphor. 
When  asked  about  the  Father,  He  said,  in 
efiiect,  "Look  at  me.  I  am  as  close  to  God  as 
you  will  ever  comprehend.  If  God  came  to 
earth  this  is  what  he  would  look  like  and 
the  way  he  would  act.  'He  that  hath  seen 
me  hath  seen  the  Father.'" 

Metaphors  are  meant  to  enlighten  but 
are  earth-bound  and  can  seriously  limit 
our  vision.  But  they  are  the  best  tools  our 
limited  perceptions  can  command,  vmless 
we  are  Joan  of  Arc. 

The  faithful  find  much  comfort  in  the 
old  images,  but  I  am  concerned  about  intel- 
ligent novitiates  and  skeptics  who  find 
traditional  faith  language  obscure  and  ir- 
relevant. What  I  have  observed  over  the 


PC(USA)  has  'done  it  again' 


Frankly,  I'm  flabbergasted!  Absolutely  as- 
tounded, because  it  appears  that  the  PCUSA 
has  "gone  and  done  it  again."  Done  what, 
you  ask? 

In  the  July/August  issue,  on  page  7  of 
the  supplement,  "News  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S. A. )"  (General  Assembly  Wrap- 
up),  Peggy  Rounseville  wrote  the  article 
"WCC  leader  speaks  at  ecumenical  ser- 
vice." A  participant  in  this  service  was 
identified  in  the  article  as  Mrs.  MargEiret 
Kraus,  Pretty  Prairie,  Kansas,  represent- 
ing the  Swedenborgian  Church. 

On  page  6  of  the  same  supplement,  in 
the  article  "Ecumenical  guests  from  around 
the  world  say  'thank  you',"  Marj  Carpenter 
reports  a  thank  you  to  PCUSA  for  helping 
the  Swedenborgian  Church.  So  exactly  what 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.SA.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 

John  Sniffen,  Editor 

Edith  Goodman  and  Laura  Jurman, 
Editorial  Assistants 

Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Maihng  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 

Vol.  LX 
October  1994 


is  my  problem,  you  ask? 

In  the  book  The  Kingdom  of  the  Cults, 
Swedenborgianism,  also  known  as  the 
Church  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  holds  a 
prominent  13  pages  of  research,  with  the 
biggest  problem  being  their  disbelief  in  the 
Holy  Spirit  as  a  Person  of  the  Trinity. 

Don't  you  understand  the  common  sense 
that  the  slightest  bit  of  dirt  pollutes  even 
the  piu-est  water?  Don't  you  believe  our 
Lord  when  he  plainly  states  that  a  house 
divided  against  itself  cannot  stand? 

On  page  5  of  the  same  supplement, 
there  was  another  article  by  Peggy 
Rounseville,  "Report:  Giving  is  up,  mem- 
bers are  down."  Your  house  is  divided, 
PCUSA,  between  allegiance  to  our  Lord, 
Jesus  Christ,  and  to  Satan.  Friendship 
with  the  world  is  enmity  toward  God,  and 
you  are  pajdng  the  price! 

At  this  point,  I  do  not  feel  led  to  leave  the 
denomination,  but  rather,  to  seek  glowing 
embers  and  try  to  fan  them  into  flames, 
with  the  prayer  that  revival,  or  renewal,  or 
even  reformation  occur  within  our  denomi- 
nation, and  within  all  other  groupings  which 
are  part  of  the  Body  of  Christ. 

I  charge  you,  dear  brothers  and  sisters 
in  the  Lord,  to  get  back  to  the  basics. 
Ecumenism  is  not  giving  up  any  part  of  our 
Triune  God.  Nor  is  it  fellowship  with  those 
that  have,  let  alone  worship  wdth  them! 
Ecumenism  is  to  understand  the  differ- 
ences between  all  those  who  profess  faith 
in  The  Father,  The  Son  and  The  Holy 
Spirit,  and  how  to  build  each  other  up  in 
the  faith,  and  how  to  defend  each  other  as 
part  of  the  body. 

We're  told  to  make  disciples  of  unbeliev- 
ers, but  we're  also  told  to  not  "hang  out" 
with  them.  Repent,  and  perhaps  the  tide  of 
members  lost  can  be  stemmed.  Yes,  I  said 
Repent! 

E.  D.  Stewart  Jr. 
Virginia  Beach,  Va. 


Hoffoian 


years  is  that  from  Sunday  to  Sunday  many 
newcomers  drift  into  church,  for  a  variety 
of  extraneous  reasons.  Some  come  with  a 
deep  felt  need  for  spiritual  nourishment.  If 
they  find  it,  they  stay.  If  not,  they  drift 
away.  The  message  they  hear  may  be  trivial, 
irrelevant,  too  abstract.  The  friendliness 
they  sought  may  turn  out  to  be  superficial, 
or  be  superseded  by  new  friends  at  the 
country  club.  But  for  a  period  of  months 
before  they  drive  away,  these  newcomers 
need  to  be  captivated, 
confirmed,  fortified. 

Instead  of  indoctri- 
nation it  is  for  us  to 
help  them  find  some- 
thing they  didn't  know 
they  were  missing. 
This  may  be  the  best 
opportunity  we  have 
for  evangelism,  and  it 
must  not  be  fHttered 
away.  (The  conven- 
tional way  to  solidify 
church  loyalty  is  to 
give  the  newcomer  a 
job.  I  find  this  superficial.) 

Listening  now  as  a  layman,  I  hear  an 
attempt  to  prove  that  certain  tenets  are 
theologically  correct.  If  there  is  a  differ- 
ence between  "convince"  and  "persuade"  I 
would  opt  for  persuasion.  Or  better  still,  it 
is  our  purpose  to  put  the  person  in  touch 
with  God,  and  let  the  Spirit  lead  to  convic- 
tion and  consequent  action. 

We  ought  not  vulgarize  our  vocabulary 
or  popularize  the  verities  of  the  faith,  but 
we  ought  to  be  speaking  the  same  language 
as  our  listeners,  as  Luther  said,  addressed 
to  the  contemporary  needs.  Human  needs 
may  be  universal  and  timeless,  but  they 
are  different  in  situ.  The  Bible  speaks  in 
terms  of  patriarchal  family,  and  needs 
some  translation  when  it  addresses  the 
young  family  with  two  wage  earners  and  a 
passel  of  children. 

When  our  grandson  was  three  years  old 
we  took  him  to  see  a  real  live  horse,  to 
which  his  nursery  book  pictures  had  only  a 
slight  resemblance.  Similarly,  the  story  of 
Sodom,  without  translation,  may  seem  an 
irrelevant  abstraction  to  today's  drug  scene. 

The  language  of  the  church  is  not  con- 
fined to  the  pulpit  or  Bible  class.  "How  you 
act  speaks  so  loudly  I  cannot  hear  what  you 
say."  The  church's  voice  is  heard  in  every 
caring  or  careless  act,  its  voice  is  heard  on 
injustice  and  in  its  hymnology. 

A  woman  once  berated  a  minister  for 
choosing  the  hjmin  that  includes  the  line 
"casting  down  their  golden  crowns  around 
the  glassy  sea."  This  said  nothing  to  her, 
she  claimed,  about  how  to  live  her  life  as  a 
Christian.  This  is  not  to  say  that  we  should 
take  the  poetry  out  of  the  gospel.  It  is  to  our 
detriment  in  our  time  that  the  Psalms, 
Wordsworth,  Tennyson,  Louisa  Mae  Alcott 
and  Jane  Austen,  once  beloved,  are  not 
read  much  these  days. 

'Exciting'  is  not  a  term  usually  used  to 
describe  our  mainline  chirrches,  and  the 
emotionalism  of  the  sect  churches  is  de- 
cried. But  in  its  root  meaning  'excitement' 
means  to  "spur  to  activity,"  "an  arousal  of 
feelings."  We  have  not  dealt  much  in  excite- 
ment because  many  come  to  church  for 
soothing,  comfort,  security  and  reassur- 
ance. If  they  wanted  excitement  they  would 
choose  water  sliding,  bungee  jumping  or 
demonstrating  at  abortion  clinics. 

Continual  fireworks  can  be  exhausting 
and  superficial,  but  there  is  no  greater 
excitement  than  for  the  alcoholic  who  has 
turned  the  comer  in  his  recovery,  or  the 
earnest  seeker  who  has  been  captivated  by 
faith. 

People  flock  to  a  new  sect,  but  the  media 
eventually  tires  of  them  and  usually  their 
convert  rate  slows  down.  It's  being  exotic 


How  we  live  our  lives  is  important 


In  response  to  the  commentary  article  from 
the  Wichita  (Kan.)  Eagle  from  the  July/ 
August  issue :  In  the  grand  scheme  of  things, 
and  especially  of  human  behavior,  it  is  of 
the  utmost  importance  the  messages  sent 
by  how  we  live  our  lives  in  response  to 
CJod's  word,  the  Bible.  That  is,  if  we  are 
Christians  and  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the 
word  of  God,  given  to  special  people,  to 
guide  our  response  to  Him. 

Thousands  have  left  the  Presbyterian 
Church  because  the  hierarchy  of  our  church 
seems  to  ignore  what  God  has  said  about 
homosexuality  and  seems  to  be  willing  to 
change  the  biblical  language  saying  God, 
our  Father,  to  feminist  terms. 

The  people  who  leave  are  not  necessar- 


was  an  appeal. 

Is  there  anything  more  exotic  than  the 
pure  faith  of  the  early  church,  called  upon 
"not  to  be  conformed"  to  business  as  usual? 

The  target  for  evangelism  is  not  just  the 
casual  attendant  and  the  superficially  com- 
mitted. There  is  excitement  in  the  battle 
with  the  Hounds  of  Hell,  Despair,  Doubt; 
with  Ordinariness,  Weariness,  with  Sen- 
sate  Stuff,  with  our  Faint  Hearts  and  Ac- 
quiescence. Few  of  us,  even  when  firmly 
groimded  in  the  faith,  are  immune  to  these 
falterings  on  our  Pilgrim's  Progress. 

Where  is  it  written  that  we  should  not 
expect  and  pray  for  new  epiphanies,  large 
and  smaU?  New  Great  Awakenings?  There 
are  many  forms,  phony  and  real,  but  my 
particular  burden  is  for  the  excitement  of 
language. 

The  Christ  Event  that  began  our  special 
adventure  as  Christians  generated  ideas 
and  words  which  are  the  vehicles  of  ideas. 
They  are  used  to  share,  illuminate,  fortify 
and  spread  the  faith.  Only  historians  and 
antiquarians  have  any  interest  in  the  thou- 
sands of  volumes  of  sermons  produced  by 
American  divines  200  years  ago. 

It  is  appropriate  to  call  for  new,  careful, 
accurate  and  persuasive  expressions.  We 
are  prone  to  use  what  in  any  other  disci- 
pline would  be  called  jargon.  There  are 
phrases  which  for  us  contain  the  essential 
precious  truths  of  the  faith,  but  which  can 
be  stultifying  when  applied  like  a  poultice. 
A  pill  has  no  therapeutic  effect  until  the 
coating  is  gone.  So  even  the  word  LOVE  is 
trotted  out  too  often  with  the  coating  in- 
tact. 

An  instance  of  fresh  language  might  be 
The  Road  Less  Traveled  books  of  M.  Scott 
Peck.  Writing  from  his  experience  as  a 
psychiatrist,  his  theology  soimding  unor- 
thodox, he  addresses  the  concerns  of  death, 
evil,  guilt,  forgiveness  in  ways  that  are 
most  relevant  to  the  hiunan  condition.  As  a 
doctor  he  begins  with  the  problem  and 
diagnosis  and  then  proceeds  with  the  treat- 
ment. Contrariwise,  theologians  tend  to 
begin  with  the  treatment  (The  Bible)  and 
then  look  for  a  place  to  apply  it.  This  seems 
to  them  to  be  more  biblical. 

In  our  kind  of  world  it  is  not  easy  to 
believe  that  God  loves  all  his  people,  that  it 
pays  to  be  loving  and  kind.  Carl  Sagan  tells 
us  politely  that,  as  a  practical  strategy,  the 
Golden  Rule  doesn't  pay  off.  And  that  is  the 
crux  of  the  matter,  for  the  Christian's  first 
concern  is  not  how  well  they  pay  off,  but  is 
whether  they  are  obedient  to  the  will  of 
CJod.  Call  it  process  theology  rather  than 
product  theology. 

There  are  many  parables  like  the  Vision 
of  Sir  Launfall,  Acres  of  Diamonds  and 
Jesus'  parable  of  the  last  judgment  which 
suggest,  in  the  manner  of  all  metaphors, 
that  God  can  be  found  in  the  perception  of 
himian  need,  worth  and  dignity  and  in  the 
service  of  those  needs  and  values.  True,  for 
others  it  may  come  in  a  moment  of  inspira- 
tion or  academic  study.  Most  often,  I  think, 
in  a  life-long  exposure  to  the  lives  of  caring 
and  seeking  persons,  like  parents.  And  the 
contagion  that  prompts  the  following  of 
that  example. 

But  this  is  not  to  make  a  recipe  or 
blueprint  from  what  these  conclusions  lead 
to.  This  could  be  more  stultifying  than 
anything  we  have  seen  thus  far.  Each  con- 
gregation and  its  leaders  need  to  build  a 
program  based  upon  its  own  faith  clearly 
perceived.  It  may  or  may  not  taste  like 
what  "Mother  used  to  make,"  but  it  will  be 
more  authentically  their  own,  and  more 
contagious. 

Robert  W.  Hoffman  is  a  retired  minister, 
who  "grew  up  in  the  Wesleyan  tradition 
with  an  emphasis  on  Christian  experience" 
and  was  ordained  in  the  United  Church  of 
Christ.  He  is  an  active  associate  member  of 
the  Galax  (Va.)  Presbyterian  Church. 


ily  fundamentalists,  because  most  Presby- 
terians like  myself,  are  moderates.  They 
leave  because  they  are  not  being  repre- 
sented in  their  governing  bodies  according 
to  the  biblical  standards  set  forth  by  our 
Presbyterian  forefathers. 

Jesus  has  said  He  did  not  come  to  abol- 
ish the  law.  He  loves  each  one  of  us,  but  we 
cannot  change  God's  word  to  accomplish 
our  own  special  agendas.  It  is  wrong  to 
upset  the  work  of  the  General  Assembly  to 
do  so. 

Let  us  all,  if  we  truly  love  Christ,  have 
our  intent  to  worship  Him,  to  follow  Him 
and  to  serve  Him,  not  our  own  desires. 

Sarah  S.  Baxter 
Midlothian,  Va. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and  length. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1994,  Fi,.ge  3 


Volunteer  Emergency  Families  for  Chil- 
dren (VEFC)  of  Virginia  mobilizes  and 
trains  volunteers  throughout  Virginia  who  provide 
services  to  at-risk,  runaway,  homeless,  abused  and 
neglected  children  and  youth.  There  are  29  Shelter 
Care  programs  himishing  volunteer  families  of 
faith  who  extend  the  hospitality  of  their  homes  to 
children  in  crisis.  There  are  seven  Partners  in 
Learning  and  Understanding  vdth  Students  (PLUS) 
Tutoring-Mentoring  programs  involving  volunteers 
at  least  one  hour  a  week  with  an  at-risk  student 
working  to  improve  school  performance,  atten- 
dance, behavior,  and  self-esteem.  There  are  three 
Alternatives  to  Detention  programs  aimed  at 
reducing  the  number  of  minority  and  other  youth 
held  in  secure  detention  facilities.  Last  year  VEFC 
served  573  children  and  youth  in  its  Shelter  Care 
programs,  175  children  in  the  PLUS  Tutoring- 
Mentoring  programs,  and  began  development  of 
the  new  Alternatives  to  Detention  programs. 

A  unique,  nationally  recognized  model  of  out- 
reach ministry  and  hospitality  to  children  guided 
by  a  volunteer  board  of  directors  with  strong 
Presbyterian  representation,  VEFC  has  for  15  years 
brought  together  the  religious,  civic,  business, 
school  and  public  service  sectors  to  work  toward 
the  goals  of  easing  the  traumas  of  child  abuse  and 
neglect  and  providing  important  prevention  ser- 
vices to  at-risk  children  and  youth.  Ehiring  this 
time,  volunteers  have  served  over  7750  children. 

Mrs.  Anne  B.  Earle  is  the  executive  director. 

Volunteer  Families  for  Children  (VFC) 

of  North  Carolina  has  completed  its  second 
year  of  independent  operation  and  now  offers  five 
programs  in  the  state  serving  children  newborn 
through  age  17.  In  1993  there  were  218  placements 
representing  708  days  of  service,  and,  since  VFC's 
inception,  families  have  provided  2,181  days  of 
service.  Families  with  time,  attention,  space  and 
love  to  share  seem  to  be  looking  for  ways  to  min- 
ister that  are  compatible  with  their  other 
obligations. 

Currently,  11,000  children  in  North  Carolina  are 
not  able  to  live  vnih  their  families  because  of 
abuse,  neglect,  or  abandonment.  Needed  are 
emergency/crisis  care  for  24  to  48  hours,  interim 
placement  for  one  through  21  days,  respite  care 
with  the  same  family  one  weekend  per  month, 
and  holiday  care  vdth  the  same  family  when  the 
regular  living  facility  is  closed  or  a  break  is  avail- 
able. VFC  recruits,  trains,  and  licenses  volunteer 
families  who  accept  short-term  emergency  and 
respite  care  placements.  Families  are  asked  to  pro- 
vide a  minimum  of  21  days  of  service  per  year,  if 
needed,  and  may  accept  or  reject  any  given  request. 

Supporting  the  families  and  programs  in  each 
community  are  volunteer  advisory  councils  which 
assist  with  recruitment,  public  awareness,  funding 
and  special  projects. 

H.  Juanita  Clemmons  is  executive  director. 

Edmarc  Hospice  for  Children,  Portsmouth, 

Virginia,  serves  seriously  or  terminally  ill  children 
and  their  families  in  Southeastern  Virginia. 

Since  it  was  founded  in  1978  out  of  the  Suffolk, 
Virginia,  Presbyterian  Church,  Edmarc  has  served 
391  fantilies  of  terminally  ill  children.  It  has  a  two- 
fold ministry.  One  aspect  of  this  ministry  is  the 
provision  of  the  professional  care  needed  to  keep 
the  very  sick  child  in  the  home— care  that  includes 
skilled  nursing,  private  duty  nursing,  physical 
therapy,  occupational  therapy,  speech  therapy, 
and  the  services  of  a  home  health  aide.  In  other 
words,  families  are  offered  the  opportvmity  to  keep 
their  child  where  the  child  most  wants  to  be— at 
home,  in  the  midst  of  family  commotion  and  love. 
The  other  aspect  of  Edmarc's  ministry  is  geared 
toward  the  family  of  the  child.  A  social  worker, 
volunteer  coordinator  and  bereavement  coordinator 
work  together  to  develop  a  supportive  system  of  care 
for  aU  who  are  affected  by  the  illness  of  the  child- 
parents,  brothers  and  sisters,  and  grandparents. 

Ms.  Julie  SUgh  is  executive  director. 


elcoming 
the 

Children 


"Jesus  took  a  little  child  and  put  it  by  his  side  and  said, 
'whoever  welcomes  this  child  in  my  name  welcomes  me.'  " 
Luke  9:47-48a 

The  child  and  youth  care  agencies  of  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  minister  to  children  in  crisis, 
and  their  "welcome"  takes  many  forms  as  you 
will  see  when  you  read  this  page. 

With  your  Synod  Thanksgiving  Offering  you 
can  share  in  these  important  Christian  minis- 
tries, and,  for  the  first  time,  the  Synod  is  permit- 
ting each  church  and  donor  giving  to  the  annual 
Thanksgiving  Offering  to  name  the  ministry 
they  wish  their  gift  to  support.  Brochures  and 
envelopes  for  the  offering  will  be  sent  in 
October.  Checks  for  the  offering  should  be  made 
payable  to:  Thanksgiving  Offering,  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic. 


Presbyterian  Home  &  Family  Services, 

Inc.,  (Zuni  Presbyterian  Center,  Waynesboro 
Group  Home,  Fredericksburg  Group  Home,  Gene- 
sis House,  Exodus  House,  and  Presbyterian  Home) 
last  year  served  284  persons. 

The  Mental  Retardation  Division's  central  minis- 
try is  the  Zuni  Presbyterian  Center  at  Zuni,  Virgin- 
ia. This  is  a  residential  center  for  60  mentally 
retarded  adults  over  age  17  who  are  prepared  to 
live  and  work  as  responsible  adults  in  their  home 
communities.  An  outgrowth  of  this  ministry  is  the 
Group  Home  Program  for  homeless,  adult,  men- 
tally retarded  persons  who  have  been  trained  to 
live  in  such  a  home  and  work  and  socialize  in  the 
community.  There  is  a  Group  Home  for  eight  per- 
sons in  Fredericksbvirg,  Virginia,  and  another  in 
Waynesboro,  Virginia. 

The  Children's  Division  Ministries  are  located  in 
Lynchburg,  Virginia.  Presbyterian  Home  is  a  resi- 
dential, coeducational  program  for  children  ages 
five  to  15  from  dysfunctional  families.  Services  are 
provided  for  40  children  with  the  purpose  of  re- 
uniting them  with  their  families.  Exodus  House 
serves  20  young  people  between  the  ages  of  16 
and  21  by  readying  them  to  live  on  their  ovm.  It 
has  an  extensive  training  component  and  an 
advanced  education  program.  Genesis  House  fur- 
nishes short-term  (30  to  60  days)  emergency  shel- 
ter for  abused  and  neglected  chUdren  ages  two  to 
16.  This  24-hour  emergency  shelter  serves  12  children. 

The  Reverend  E.  Peter  Geitner  is  president. 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children, 

Barium  Springs,  Niorth  Carolina,  has  for  100  years 
been  meeting  the  needs  of  troubled  children  in 
North  Carolina  in  a  loving,  Christian  environment. 
Its  restorative  ministry  is  offered  to  both  the  chil- 
dren and  their  families. 

A  professional  staff  offers  specialized  residential 
services  to  children  and  young  adults  ages  nine  to 
20.  Approximately  150  persons  are  served  during 
the  year.  They  receive  24-hour  group  care;  psycho- 
logical and  psychiatric  services;  special  education; 
individual,  group,  and  family  counseling;  family 
clarification;  and/or  preparation  for  adult  living 
training  as  appropriate.  Preschool  educational 
training  is  also  offered,  and  school-age  children 
receive  part-time  before-and-after  school  care  and 
full-time  summer  care.  Preschoolers  and  school- 
age  children  number  about  170.  There  are  long 
waiting  lists  for  all  services,  and  the  level  of  dys- 
function for  chUdren  and  youth  referred  to  the 
residential  centers  continues  to  increase.  The 
Home's  staff  is  in  demand  to  provide  workshops, 
seminars  and  consultation  and  to  host  the  adminis- 
trative and  program  staffs  of  other  agencies  who 
need  to  upgrade  their  services  to  troubled  children 
and  their  families. 

Mr.  Earle  Frazier  is  executive  director. 

The  Presbyterian  Children's  Home  of 

the  Highlands  in  Wytheville,  Virginia,  is  a  resi- 
dential care  facility  for  up  to  31  children  located  on 
an  89-acre  campus  on  Highway  21  South.  With  a 
ministry  that  began  as  a  training  school  for  girls  in 
Foster  Falls,  Virginia,  the  Home  this  year  cele- 
brates its  75th  anniversary. 

The  Home's  Emergency  Care  Program  helps  up 
to  10  children  cope  with  the  immediate  loss  of 
their  families  when  they  are  removed  from  their 
homes.  The  30-60  days  spent  in  emergency  care  is 
a  time  to  assess  and  evaluate  what  the  child  needs 
and  also  allows  the  social  worker  time  to  develop 
a  plan  of  care  to  be  implemented  when  the  child 
leaves  the  Home.  The  Extended  Care  Program 
helps  up  to  21  children  become  self-reliant.  Along 
with  teaching  the  basic  life-skill  responsibilities 
necessary  for  self-sufficiency,  supervised  activities 
assist  residents  in  improving  self-esteem  and  peer 
relations  while  developing  solid  educational  skills. 
The  children  served  include  those  who  have  been 
neglected,  abused,  and/or  fallen  through  the  cracks 
of  society.  In  most  cases,  their  families  need  inten- 
sive counseling. 

Wynette  Yontz  serves  as  acting  administrator. 


1994  THANKSGIVING  OFFERING 
SYNOD  OF  THE  MID-ATLANTIC 


Pagg  4.  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1994 


Former  lodge  manager  dies 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— Nancy  Ann  Copeland,  former  manager  of  the 
William  Black  Lodge  here,  died  Aug.  25  at  her  home.  She  was  69. 
Graveside  services  were  held  Aug.  27  at  Mimosa  Cemetery  in  Davidson. 

With  her  mother,  the  late  Henrietta  Braswell  Copeland,  she  man- 
aged the  synod-owned  lodge  for  more  than  20  years.  Her  father  was  the 
late  W.  C.  Copeland,  a  Presbyterian  minister.  A  native  of  Davidson, 
Nancy  Copeland  attended  both  Davidson  and  Queens  colleges. 

Survivors  include  three  sisters,  Mary  Copeland  ofMontreat,  Henrietta 
C.  Christenbury  of  Concord,  and  Helen  Copeland  Oakes  of  Columbia; 
£ind  one  brother.  Dr.  D.  L.  Copeland  of  Huntersville. 

Russell  was  synod  men's  leader 

CHARLOTTE,  N.C— Earl  Vernon  Russell,  former  president  for  Presby- 
terian Men  of  the  synod,  died  Aug.  12  here.  He  was  67.  Memorial 
services  were  held  Aug.  17  at  Memorial  Church. 

Russell  was  president  of  Presbyterian  Men  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  during  1990-91  and  as  such  served  as  a  member  of  the  Synod 
Coimcil  during  that  time.  He  also  was  a  leader  in  his  local  men's  group 
and  served  as  an  elder  and  clerk  of  session  at  Memorial  Church. 

A  Charlotte  native,  he  was  a  graduate  of  Johnson  C.  Smith  University 
and  held  a  master's  degree  in  education  from  the  University  of  Chicago. 
He  served  in  the  U.S.  Army  during  world  War  II  and  received  an 
honorable  discharge. 

After  a  long  teaching  career,  Russell  retired  from  the  Charlotte- 
Mecklenburg  school  system  in  1989.  A  reading  specialist,  he  continued 
to  teach  and  counsel  at  the  summer  enrichment  program  at  Seigle 
Avenue  Church. 

Survivors  include  his  wife,  Gloria;  a  son.  Earl  Russell  Jr.  of  Suitland, 
Md.;  and  a  brother,  Clarence  Russell  of  Charlotte. 

Mary  G.  Taylor  was  missionary 

HARRISONBURG,  Va.— Mary  Garland  Taylor,  87,  died  Sept.  5  at 
Sunnyside  Presbyterian  Retirement  Community.  She  had  served  23 
years  as  a  Presbyterian  missionary  in  North  Brazil. 

Memorial  services,  led  by  Dr.  James  E.  Guthrie,  were  held  Sept.  7  at 
Sunnyside.  She  is  survived  by  a  brother,  Alfred  F.  Taylor,  of  Michigan. 
A  sister,  the  late  Charlotte  Taylor,  was  also  a  missionary. 

A  native  of  Staunton,  Va.,  Taylor  was  a  graduate  of  Mary  Baldwin 
College  and  New  York  Bibhcal  Seminary.  She  taught  at  Oklahoma 
Presbyterian  College  for  Indian  Girls  in  Durant,  was  director  of 
religious  education  at  First  Church  in  Waynesboro,  Va.,  and  was  a 
writer  for  the  Presb3rterian  Church  (US)  in  Richmond.  AJFter  retiring 
from  her  missionary  work,  she  lived  at  Mission  Court  in  Richmond, 
then  moved  to  Sunnyside,  where  she  lived  the  last  15  years. 

Former  missionary  dies  in  accident 

Former  missionary  Ruth  Ellen  Harman,  87,  died  July  24  in  Winston- 
Salem,  N.C,  as  the  result  of  an  automobile  accident. 

Ruth  Ellen  and  her  sister,  Margery  Mize,  84,  had  been  to  church  at 
Highland  Church  and  were  driving  home.  They  turned  in  front  of  an 
oncoming  vehicle  less  than  two  tenths  of  a  mile  from  home.  Both  were 
killed  instantly.  The  driver  of  the  other  vehicle  received  minor  injuries. 

Harman  served  as  a  missionary  to  Iran  from  1931-35  and  again  in 
1955-71.  Memorial  services  were  held  July  27  at  Highland  Church  in 
Winston-Salem.  Survivors  include  a  niece,  Ruth  Booth  of  Durham. 


News  from  around  the  synod 


N.C.  historical  tour  set  for  Oct.  14-15 


The  North  Carolina  Presbyterian 
Historical  Society  will  have  its  fall 
meeting  and  tour  on  Oct.  14-15. 

Included  on  the  tour  will  be  the 
Hawfields  Church  in  Mebane,  the 
Hillsborough  Church,  New  Hope 
Church  and  camp,  the  Cane  Creek 
Meeting  House  and  musevun  at 
Snow  Camp,  and  the  Alamance 
battleground. 

Registration  will  start  at  4:30 
p.m.  Friday  at  the  Hawfields 
Church.  At  5  p.m.  there  will  be  a 
brief  tour  and  discussion  of  the 
church.  After  supper  at  the  church, 
Cornelia  Kneedler  Hudson  of  Ra- 
leigh will  speak  on  her  research 
and  collection  of  church  tokens. 
She  is  presently  working  on  a 
biography  of  her  great-grandfa- 
ther, Daniel  McGilvary,  one  of 
the  early  missionaries  to  Siam. 

The  other  sites  will  be  toured 
Saturday. 

The  registration  fee  is  $10  and 
should  be  mailed  to  Dr.  John  D. 
MacLeod,  809  Davidson  St.,  Ra- 
leigh, NC  27609. 

Overnight  accommodations  are 
available  at  the  Holiday  Inn  in 
Burlington,  phone  (800)  HOLI- 
DAY, confirmation  #64475273. 

Appalachian  ministry 
seminar  is  Nov.  1-4 

A  seminar  on  Ministry  in  Appala- 
chia  Today  will  be  held  Nov.  1-4  at 
Bluestone  Conference  Center  near 
Hinton,  W.Va.  The  event  is  being 
sponsored  by  the  Coalition  for  Ap- 
palachian Ministry  (CAM). 
Guest  speakers  will  include: 
Dr.  Grace  Edwards,  chair  of 
the  Appalachian  Studies  Program 
at  Radford  (Va.)  University,  who 
will  discuss  Appalachian  history 
and  culture;  and 

Tena  Willemsma,  executive 
coordinator  of  the  Commission  on 
Religion  in  Appalachia,  who  will 
discuss  current  issues  in  Appala- 
chia. 

For  more  information,  contact 
the  CAM  office,  P.O.  Box  10208, 
Knoxville,  TN  37939-0208,  phone 
(615)  584-6133. 


Event  to  examine 
values  in  culture 

A  day-long  conference  examining 
the  values  in  the  nation's  plural- 
istic culture  will  be  held  Nov.  15 
at  the  University  of  Charleston 
(W.  Va.). 

The  featured  speaker  will  be 
Dr.  William  Sullivan,  associate 
professor  of  philosophy  at  LaSalle 
University  in  Philadelphia  and 
co-author  of  Habits  of  the  Heart 
and  The  Good  Society. 

The  conference  theme  is  "E 
Pluribus  Unum — Values:  Ties 
That  Bind."  Six  dialogue  sessions 
in  the  context  of  society's  institu- 
tions will  be  facilitated  by  West 
Virginia  experts  in  the  areas  of 
family,  economy,  education,  reli- 
gion, government,  and  entertain- 
ment and  media.  Participants  will 
take  part  in  two  sessions. 

The  West  Virginia  Council  of 
Churches  is  co-sponsoring  the 
event.  A  $12  registration  fee  will 
include  lunch.  For  more  informa- 
tion write  to:  1994  Values  Confer- 
ence, 1652  Fourth  Ave.,  #101, 
Charleston,  WV  25312. 

Needs  communion  set 

Zuni  Presbyterian  Center  needs  a 
used  communion  set,  preferably 


with  two  trays.  If  you  have  one  you 
might  want  to  donate,  call  the 
center's  Christian  education  di- 
rector, Charles  Chappell,  at  (804) 
242-6131. 

Church  seeks  history 
materials  for  room 

First  Church  of  Staunton,  Va., 
will  be  celebrating  its  bicenten- 
nial in  2004.  Church  historian, 
F.  Robert  Schilling  Jr.,  is  gath- 
ering materials  for  a  history 
room  — pictures,  postcards,  let- 
ters, diaries,  etc. — pertaining  to 
the  church's  ministers,  mission- 
aries and  activities. 

Persons  with  such  material 
may  contact  Schilling  by  writing 
to  him  in  care  of  the  church,  P.O. 
Box  329,  Staunton,  VA  24402- 
0329. 

Choir  robes  available 

Memorial  Church  in  Greensboro, 
N.C,  has  15  choir  robes  for 
donation  to  any  church  choir 
group.  The  robes  are  gold  with 
burgundy/white  reversible  stoles 
and  are  in  excellent  condition. 
If  interested,  call  the  church 
office  at  (910)  621-3220  from  9 
a.m.  to  1  p.m.,  Monday  through 
Friday. 


elk  Catechism  Awards 


The  following  young  Presb5i«ri- 
ans  have  received  certificates  and 
monetarj'  awards  for  reciting  the 
Catechism  for  Young  Children  or 
the  Shorter  Catechism.  The  synod's 
catechism  fund,  established  by  the 
late  W.H.  Belk,  provides  recogni- 
tion to  boys  and  girls  age  15  and 
younger  who  recite  either  cat- 
echism. 

The  most  recent  recipients  are 
from: 

Bethesda  Church,  Aberdeen, 
N.C. — Brandon  Hood,  Jennifer 
Barrington,  Jeffrey  MacBeth, 


At  Westminster-Canterbury  of  the  Blue  Ridge, 
you  get  more  than  a  great  view  of  the  mountains. 
You  also  get  a  great  view  of  life. 


When  you  look  out  over  the  beautiful 
Blue  Ridge  Mountains  from  your  cottage  or 
apartment  at  Westminster-Canterbury  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  you  get  a  very  real  sense  of 
contentment. 

You  know  you're  living  in  a  true  life  care 
community.  You  know  your  safety  and 
security  are  top  priorities  for  the  staff.  You 
know  that  you  have  the  opportunity  to  par- 
ticipate in  as  many — or  as  few — social  and 
recreational  activities  as  you  wish. 

And  at  Westminster-Canterbury  of  the 


Blue  Ridge/ you  also  know  you  are  living  in 
a  retirement  community  which  is  operating 
under  guidelines  that  have  been  established 
by  the  Presbyterian  and  Episcopal  Churches 
of  Virginia. 

This  guidance  ensures  a  truly  caring  envi- 
ronment— an  environment  committed  to  the 
spiritual  as  well  as  the  physical  and  social 
needs  of  our  residents. 

When  you  consider  all  of  these  reasons, 
we  think  this  may  be  the  ideal  retirement 
community  for  you. 


Westminster-Canterbury  of  the  Blue  Ridge 

□  Please  send  additional  information. 

□  Please  call  to  schedule  an  appointment. 

Name  

Address  

City,  State,  Zip   1 

Phone!  I   I 


Lindsey  Prince  and  Taylor  Prince 

First  Church,  Cherryville, 
N.C. — Jessica  Sigmon,  Michael 
Hutto  and  Tray  Davis 

First  Church,  Fayetteville, 
iV.C. -Jason  Scott  &  John  Soffe  Jr. 

First  Church,  Hamlet,  N.C— 
Clifford  Hemdon  and  Christopher 
Hemdon 

First  Church,  Kannapolis, 
N.C. — Lindsay  McLain  and 
Sheena  Sherrill 

First  Church,  Wilmington, 
N.C. — William  Beam,  Mary  Blair, 
Kelly  Gay,  Lindsey  Gay,  Robert 
Hutchins,  Hilary  Kelly,  Kristin 
Kelly,  Frank  Miars,  Elizabeth 
Reynolds,  Terry  Turner  Jr.  and 
Eliza  Smith 

Graves  Memorial  Church, 
Clinton,  N.  C.  —Elizabeth  Carlton, 
William  Fulton,  Abigail  Hawkins, 
Leah  Hawkins,  HoUis  Martin, 
Mary  Howard  and  Joanna  Lee 
Carlton 

Hawfields  Church,  Mebane, 
iSr.C.— Ashley  Rich 

Highland  Church,  Fayetteville, 
N.C. — ^Andrew  Dreilbis,  Christo- 
pher Gainer,  Lacy  Grodwin,  Clark 
Graham,  Lindsey  Graham,  Lee 
Johnson  Jr.,  Michael  McLeod, 
Elizabeth  McNeill,  Thomas 
Nicholson  III,  Allison  Olive,  Sean 
Ostmann,  Jeremy  Price,  John 
Price,  Erin  Ross,  Molly  Smith,  and 
Robert  Stickle 

Raeford  (N.C.)  Church— Sarah 
Subaran,  Amber  Hendrix  and 
SejTnour  Subaran 

St.  Giles  Church,  Richmond, 
Va.—Seth  Andes,  Holly  Archibald, 
ShannonDePasquale,  Chris  Early, 
John  Francis,  Heather  Graham, 
Andrew  Green,  Brandi  Hickey, 
Rosemarry  Mel,  Anne  Meagher, 
Erin  Nance,  Aaron  Pavelis,  Nancy 
Robinson,  Beth  Snead,  Katherine 
Stuart,  Florence  Steinacker,  Scott 
Shamblee,  Anne  Tabb,  Tiffany 
Teodori,  Elizabeth  WilUs,  Megan 
WiUis,  Ethan  Wirt,  Ian  Wolf  and 
Sally  Wood. 

= PEW  CUSHION  = 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG,  VA  24502 

00-572-2283-  =^ 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1994,  Page  5 


Campus  Notes 


Barber-Scotia  dismisses  president 

CONCORD,  N.C.— The  board  of  trustees  of  financially  troubled  Bar- 
ber-Scotia College  in  Concord,  N.C.,  has  dismissed  President  Asa 
Spaulding  after  five  months  in  office.  In  announcing  the  unanimous 
decision  Aug.  24,  the  board  cited  Spaulding's  management  style  and 
ineffectiveness  as  reasons  for  his  firing.  The  board  also  said  Spaulding 
had  'lost  the  confidence  of  the  vast  majority  of  faculty,  staff,  alumni 
and  the  entire  board  of  trustees." 

Mabel  McLean,  former  president  and  currently  acting  academic 
dean,  has  been  named  acting  president.  Trustees  chair  George  Shinn 
said  the  search  for  a  new  president  would  begin  immediately,  "with 
that  person  hopefully  aboard  by  Jan.  1,  1995." 

The  Presbyterian  Church-owned  historically  black  college  has  been 
on  financial  tenterhooks  for  some  time.  This  spring,  after  the  entire 
faculty  was  laid  off,  Shinn,  who  owns  the  NBA's  Charlotte  Hornets,  and 
Benjamin  Chavis,  then  executive  director  of  the  NAACP,  announced 
joint  plans  to  raise  funds  for  the  beleaguered  school.  More  than  $1.2 
million  has  been  raised  in  the  last  few  months. 

Barber-Scotia  is  on  probation  by  the  Southern  Association  of 
Colleges  and  Universities  and  faces  the  loss  of  its  accreditation  by  that 
body  if  finances  are  not  stabilized  within  six  months. 

The  school  opened  for  the  fall  semester  with  400  students,  down  from 
700  last  year.  Most  of  the  faculty  have  been  rehired. 

-^erry  L.  Van  Marter,  PC(USA)  News  Service 

Interest-free  loans  offered 

Springfield  Church  in  Sykesville,  Md.,  is  taking  applications  for 
interest-free  college  loans  for  next  year  through  the  Ruth  Gosnell 
Education  Fund.  Applicants  must  be  full-time  students  and  have 
attained  at  least  junior  status  in  an  accredited  institution  of  higher 
education.  Applications  are  considered  in  the  following  priority  order: 
first,  to  members  of  the  Springfield  Church;  second,  to  residents  of  the 
Sykesville  community;  third,  to  students  within  Baltimore  Presbytery; 
and  fourth,  to  students  within  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

To  receive  an  application,  write  to  Springfield  Presbyterian  Church, 
7300  Spout  Hill  Rd.,  Sykesville,  MD  21784. 

Scholarship  applications  due  Dec.  1 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky. — Several  hundred  new  and  renewal  scholarship 
applications  are  expected  by  this  year's  National  Presbyterian  Schol- 
arship Fund,  program  officials  announced  recently.  In  1993,  559 
scholarships  were  awarded  to  students  preparing  to  enter  as  full-time 
freshman  in  69  colleges  related  to  the  PC(USA).  According  to  Tim 
McCallister,  associate  for  financial  aid  for  studies  in  the  Higher 
Education  Office  of  the  National  Ministries  Division,  the  scholarships 
are  renewable  and  available  only  to  Presbyterian  students. 

Applicants  must  also  be  high  school  seniors,  U.S.  citizens  or 
permanent  U.S.  residents,  take  the  SAT/ACT  exam  no  later  than  Dec. 
15  of  their  senior  year,  and  show  financial  need.  Grants  range  from 
$500  to  $1,400  per  academic  year  and  renewal  is  possible  provided  the 
student  meets  the  college  or  university  eligibility  requirements. 

The  scholarships  will  be  used  to  purchase  books  and  other  learning 
materials  and  offset  college  tuition  and  fees.  The  deadline  for  fihng 
applications  is  Dec.  1  of  a  student's  senior  year  in  high  school. 
Additional  qualifications  are  listed  on  the  application  form.  More 
information  is  available  fi-om  McCallister  at  (502)  569-5776. 

Board  installed  at  St.  Andrews 

LAURINBURG,  N.C.— Dr.  Warren  L.  Board  was  officially  installed  as 
the  fifth  president  of  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  during  a 
ceremony  here  Oct.  1.  Board,  who  succeeded  Dr.  Thomas  L.  Reuschling 
as  president,  has  been  in  office  since  March  1.  St.  Andrews  opened  its 
1994-95  academic  year  on  Sept.  3  with  more  than  235  new  students 
from  30  states  and  15  foreign  countries. 

PC(USA)  honors  M-AC  scholar 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— Dr.  Arthur  J.  DeJong,  scholar-in-residence  at 
Montreat-Anderson  College,  was  named  to  the  PC(USA)'s  first  Higher 
Education  Honor  Roll.  The  list  honors  those  nominated  for  the  annual 
Higher  Education  Award.  DeJong,  former  president  of  Whitworth 
CoUege,  is  completing  his  third  book,  The  Christian  Faith  and  Chang- 
ing Paradigms. 


Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education 
presents  the 

Charles  R  Melchert  Colloquium 

October  31  and  November  1, 1994 
7:30-9  P.M. 

"A  Practical  Theology  of 
Christian  Adult  Education** 

Lecture  I:  A  Theology  of  Deceit  in  a  Divided  Worid 
Lecture  U:  The  Spirituality  of  Money 
Speaker:  Dr.  John  M,  Hull,  University  of  Birmingham  (U.K.) 

The  lectures  are  free  and  open  to  the  public  and  will  be  held  in 
Virginia  Hall  on  the  PSCE  campus.  An  informal  reception  will 
follow  each  lecture.  For  more  information,  call  804/254-8049. 


Campus  Ministry  Corner 


Return  of  the  'prodigar  students 


By  ROB  SKAER 

Have  you  ever  just  felt  like  a 
hymn?  Found  your  situation 
so  similar  to  some  song, 
whether  it's  a  hymn  or  other 
tune,  that  it  takes  up  residence 
in  your  mind  and  becomes  the 
Muzak  of  your  soul  for  a  while? 
You  catch  yourself  silently  run- 
ning through  it  out  of  the  cor- 
ner of  your  consciousness,  stop 
yourself  and  two  minutes  later 
you're  back  where  you  started! 

Early  last  summer  as  I 
thought  of  the  coming  months 
I  found  the  chorus  to  "Softly 
and  Tenderly"  running 
through  my  mind.  You  know: 
"Come  home,  come  home.  Ye 
who  are  weary  come  home: 
Earnestly,  tenderly,  Jesus  is 
calling,  Calling  O  sinner,  come 
home!" 

I  CEm't  remember  the  last 
time  I've  sxmg  this  hjnnn,  but 
there  it  was!  Only  in  my  mind 
it  goes  something  like  this: 
"Come  back,  come  back,  Ye  who 
are  students  come  back;  Ear- 
nestly, hopefully,  Robert  is  call- 
ing, Calling  O  Student,  come 
back!" 

You  see,  almost  all  of  my 
college  students  from  Radford 
University  were  gone  for  the 
summer,  earning  money  at  their 
homes.  All  but  a  half  dozen  or 
so  were  elsewhere.  I  felt  like 
the  father  of  the  prodigal  son, 
watching  down  the  road  for 
them  to  return.  My  anxious  feel- 
ings were  compounded  by  the 
fact  that  I  didn't  even  know 
who  these  people  were!  I'd  only 
been  here  for  two  months,  and 
hadn't  met  most  of  those  names 
on  the  mailing  list  yet,  but  I 
hoped  to! 

Comparing  myself  to  the 
caring  father  of  the  prodigal  is, 
however,  a  bit  off  the  mark. 


REFINISHING 


They  haven't  been  out  whoop- 
ing it  up  with  reckless  aban- 
don. (After  all,  that's  what  the 
school  year  is  for!)  In  the  dic- 
tionary I  found  something  puz- 
zling when  I  looked  up  "prodi- 
gal." 

It  had  "wasteful,  spending 
recklessly;  reckless  extrava- 
gance." While  there  probably 
is  some  case  for  that  with  some 
students,  it's  certainly  not  how 
I  see  them.  Right  behind  "prodi- 
gal" in  this  particular  dictio- 
nary was  "prodigy!"  What  a 
diffierence!  Change  the  "igal" 
to  "igy"  and  you  go  from  the 
pits  to  the  pinnacle! 

My  desire  for  the  students 
is  that  I  can  help  them  become 
"igy"s  and  not  be  "igaFs!  How 
do  I  hope  to  do  that?  By  gently 
prodding  them! 

Right  in  front  of  "prodigal" 
in  this  dictionary  is  "prod." 
What  a  line-up  to  get  a  person 
thinking:  prod-prodigal- 


prodigy,  and  how  little  the  dif- 
ference between  them  on  the 
printed  page! 

I  know  can  do  it,  help  the 
"igy"s,  I  just  am  impatient  to 
get  on  with  it!  And  in  the  back 
of  my  mind  as  I  spun  my  wheels 
waiting,  I  heard  something. 
"Come  back,  come  back.  Ye  who 
are  students  come  back;  Ear- 
nestly, hopefully,  Robert  is  call- 
ing. Calling  O  Student,  come 
back!" 

By  now  the  students  are  back 
at  Radford  University  where 
Rob  Skaer  serves  the  Presbyte- 
rian Campus  Ministry,  one  of 
42  in  the  synod. 

FREE  ESTIMATES 


Fibepglass  Bapttstm 


A&H 

COMPANY,  l]5K;\.^y 


If  you  are 
exploring 
a  call 
into  the 
ministry... 


COLUMBIA 
THEOLOGICAL 
SEMINARY 

in  Decatur,  Georgia, 
invites  you  to  its 
Conference  on  Ministry 
November  4-6, 1994.  An 
opportunity  for  you 
to  take  a  fresh  look  at  the 
Vocation  of  Ministry... 
Yourself... 

Columbia  Seminary. 


Conference 
0"  Ministry 


For  further  information: 
The  Office  of  Adniissions 
Columbia  Seminary 
P.O.  Box  520 
Decatur,  Georgia  30031 
404/378-8821;  404/377-9696  (fax) 
A  seminary  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (USA) 


innounang  a 
^edalUnaof  care 
foraspedd 
person  in  your  life. 


I 


Mail  to:  1  Kings  Way  Road,  Mar 


Thi  Lacy  Hmllh  Cart  Program  m 
Ihc  Cray  Assisird  Living  Program 

King's  6rant' 

Sunnyside  Retirement  Community 


The  Lacy  Health  Center  is  now  open  at 
King's  Grant  Here,  your  loved  ones  can  enjoy 
a  lovely  suite  while  receiving  services  and 
nursing  care  from  a  supportive,  nurturing 
staff.  We  offer  activities,  a  dining  room  and 
3    beauty  salon,  and  residents  are  encouraged  to 
be  as  active  as  they  would  like.  For  those  who 
need  help  daily  but  do  not  require  nursing 
care,  our  Assisted  Living  residences  are  an 
ideal  option. 

Ours  is  an  environment  where  residents 
maintain  their  dignity  and  pnde.  For  a  special 
person  in  your  life,  please  write  or  call 
703-654-1000  or  800-462-4649. 

MP-1 0/94-AL      A  Prabylerian  Ministry  since  1912. 


Page  6,  P.iid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1994 


^hIh    Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 


This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCR£D^1ATKD^ 
Of  SERVICES  FOR  FAMIUES 
ANDCHIIDREN.  INC 


Lawyer  got  start  at  Center 


Melissa  Ann  Sheila,  of  the 
Washington,  D.C.,  area,  at- 
tended the  L.C.  Wagner  Fam- 
ily &  Child  Development  Cen- 
ter at  Barium  Springs  for  two 
years,  in  1972  and  1973.  She 
was  four  years  old  when  she 
started,  and  graduated  at  the 
age  of  five. 

It  was  the  first  of  many 
graduations  to  come.  After 
graduating  in  1985  from  Or- 
ange High  School  in 
Hillsborough,  N.C.,  Ms.  Sheila 
went  on  to  Fisk  University  in 
Nashville,  Tenn. ,  where  in  May 
of  1990  she  earned  her  B.A.  in 
psychology.  Then  in  June  of 
1993,  Ms.  Sheila  earned  her 
Juris  Doctorate  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia  in 
Charlottesville.  She  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Virginia  Bar 
Association. 

Her  parents  are  former 
Statesville,  N.C.,  residents 
Emma  and  Burell  Sheila.  The 
Sheila's  moved  to  Hillsborough 
when  Melissa  was  seven,  and 
they  now  live  in  Greensboro. 
Mrs.  Sheila  has  fond  memo- 
ries of  her  daughter's  time  at 
the  day  care  center.  She  said  it 
provided  her  with  a  means  to 
have  her  children  well  cared 
for  while  she  worked  and  at- 
tended school. 

"Barium  Springs  compli- 
ments the  educational  system 
children  receive  at  home,"  said 
Mrs.  Sheila.  "This  provides  a 
positive  basis  for  a  successful 
school  experience.  Children 
learn  to  interact  with  others  of 
their  peer  group,  thereby  form- 
ing new  friendships." 

Mrs.  Sheila  is  the  sister  of 
Mildred  Daniels,  an  employee 
of  the  Wagner  Center  since  it 
opened  in  September,  1969. 
Mrs.  Daniels  is  very  proud  of 
her  niece.  She  should  be  proud 
of  herself  as  well,  for  she  cel- 
ebrated her  25th  Anniversary 
at  the  Center  in  September. 

Mrs.  Daniels,  Edith  Rose- 
boro  Harmon,  and  Jane  Mc- 
Daniels  all  celebrated  employ- 
ment anniversaries  recently. 

Mrs.  Daniels  began  work- 
ing at  the  Center  the  day  it 
opened  in  1969.  She  worked 
with  the  three  and  four  year 
olds  until  1980,  when  the  baby 


Melissa  Ann  Sheila 

room  was  opened.  For  the  past 
14  years  she  has  cuddled,  loved 
and  laughed  with  every  baby 
to  come  through  the  door. 

"The  Center  has  given  me 
so  much,"  said  Mrs.  Daniels.  "I 
look  forward  to  coming  to  work 
in  the  mornings,  whereas  I 
know  a  lot  of  people  who  dread 
work.  My  own  children  at- 
tended here,  so  it  gave  me  the 
satisfaction  of  knowing  that 
my  children  were  being  well- 
cared  for.  I  have  also  seen  it 
give  hundreds  of  working  par- 
ents peace  of  mind  to  know 
that  they  had  a  safe,  fun,  edu- 
cational place  to  leave  their 
children  every  day." 

Edith  Harmon  has  been  at 
the  Center  for  20  years.  She 
works  with  the  two-year-olds 
and  was  one  of  the  first  25 
people  in  the  state  to  receive 
her  Child  Care  Worker  Basic 
Credentials.  Mrs.  Harmon 
completed  the  six-week  course 


in  1992  and  was  presented  her 
Credentials  by  Dottie  Martin, 
wife  of  the  former  Governor 
Jim  Martin,  at  a  ceremony  in 
Raleigh. 

Mrs.  Harmon  has  also  been 
very  active  with  the  Statesville 
March  of  Dimes  Walk-a-thon 
for  many  years.  She  has  in- 
volved Center  staff  members 
in  getting  sponsors  and  has 
raised  money  for  the  Walk-a- 
thon. 

Jane  McDaniels  also  cel- 
ebrated her  20th  Anniversary 
this  month.  She  is  the  Food 
Service  Manager  for  the  Cen- 
ter and  said  it  had  changed  a 
lot  in  20  years. 

"For  one  thing,  when  I  first 
came  there  were  40  children, 
now  I  feed  over  100,"  said  Mrs. 
McDaniels.  "I  love  my  kids  and 
I  love  to  cook,  so  I  have  really 
enjoyed  these  past  20  years. 
The  icing  on  the  cake  is,  that 
almost  all  of  the  children  love 
my  cooking.  I  even  had  a  little 
boy  come  up  to  me  once  and 
want  my  recipe  for  'toast'.  He 
said  he  wanted  to  give  it  to  his 
mother.  Another  little  boy  told 
me  his  mother  didn't  make 
cornbread  right,  and  she  didn't 
cut  it  right  either!" 

Another  thing  these  women 
all  seem  to  have  in  common  is 
that  they  don't  really  feel  like 
what  they  are  doing  is  work. 
Parents  of  children  at  the  Cen- 
ter are  sure  glad  to  have  these 
three  women  who  feel  that  way 
taking  care  of  their  children. 


Jane  McDaniels,  left,  and  Edith  Harmon,  center,  have 
both  been  at  the  Wagner  Center  for  20  years,  while 
Mildred  Daniels  began  working  at  the  Center  the  day  it 
opened  in  1969. 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $  

I  wish  to:   Honor 


.  is  enclosed 
 Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Rektionship  of  survivor  to  deceased: . 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs,  NC  28010 


CaHing  all  program 
committee  chairs 

Have  we  got  a  deal  for  you?  In 
fact,  we  really  do.  No  charge  ... 
no  passing  the  plate  ...  no  hard 
sales;  just  an  informative  pro- 
gram about  the  history  of  your 
mission  here  at  Barium  Springs. 

We  have  staff  available  to 
speak  anywhere  with  any  size 
group  about  the  children  and 
families  here,  the  services  of- 
fered, where  the  money  comes 
from  and  goes,  and  answer  ques- 
tions. A  nine-minute  slide  pro- 
gram helps  with  the  presenta- 
tion and  can  also  be  sent  by 
itself  if  you  don't  believe  the  "no 
passing  the  plate"  part  above. 

Call  (704)  872-4157  to  ar- 
range a  program,  or  a  tour  of 
campus.  (Be  sure  to  ask  for 
Reade  if  you're  serving  food.) 


...Or  SO 
it  seems 


Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

I  hear  rumors  that  I  might  be 
put  up  for  adoption.  My  birth 
parents  w^ere  good  to  me  for 
many  years.  Then  a  marriage 
made  me  a  step-child.  Before  I 
could  get  used  to  that,  they 
said  they  could  no  longer  af- 
ford to  keep  me  and  may  be 
looking  for  someone  to  adopt 
me.  I  wonder  if  they  will.  I 
wonder  if  anyone  will  want 


me.  And  if  someone  does,  I 
wonder  how  long  it  will  last. 
It's  all  kinda  scary.  What's  go- 
ing to  happen  to  me?  If  you 
know,  please  tell  me.  My  name 
is  Barium  Springs  Home  for 
Children. 


Fran  Oliver-Threatte 
Director,  1988-1994 


Marilyn  Yakimovich 
Director  as  of  Aug.  15 


Fond  farewell  to  Oliver; 
new  director  welcomed 


Children,  staff  and  the  Board 
of  Regents  would  like  to  say  a 
fond  farewell  to  Fran  Oliver- 
Threatte,  Director  of  the  L.C. 
Wagner  Family  and  Child  De- 
velopment Center  from  1988 
to  Aug.  5,  1994,  and  welcome 
Marilyn  Yakimovich,  who  be- 
gan as  the  Wagner  Director  on 
Aug.  15. 

Fran  was  married  on  June 
25, 1994,  to  John  Threatte,  who 
lives  and  works  in  Rock  Hill, 
SC.  The  couple  decided  the 
commute  to  Barium  was  too 
much  for  Fran,  so  after  a  brief 
respite  from  the  working  world, 
Fran  plans  to  look  for  employ- 
ment closer  to  her  new  home. 

At  a  reception  given  in  her 
honor  on  her  last  day  at  the 
Wagner  Center,  Fran  ex- 
pressed her  mixed  feelings 
about  looking  forward  to  her 


new  life  as  a  married  person, 
and  regretting  having  to  leave 
her  friends  and  colleagues  at 
the  Center.  She  will  be  sorely 
missed,  but  we  who  know  her 
are  sure  she  will  shine  wher- 
ever she  is.  Her  next  employer 
vsdll  greatly  benefit  fi-om  her 
knowledge  and  expertise  in  the 
field  of  child  care. 

Marilyn  comes  to  us  from 
Morganton,  where  she  was 
serving  as  Family  Resource 
Speciahst  at  the  Family,  In- 
fant and  Preschool  Program  of 
the  Western  Carolina  Center. 
She  brings  with  her  impres- 
sive credentials  in  Early  Child- 
hood Education.  The  staff  and 
parents  look  forward  to  get- 
ting to  know  her  better,  and  to 
working  with  her  in  this  im- 
portant position. 


'New'  gift  wish  list 


*  15-passenger  Van 

*  Automobiles 

*  Dining  Room  Table  (seats  12) 

*  Washing  Machines  (2) 

*  Dryers  (2) 

*  2  Vacuum  Cleaners 

*  2  Twin  Mattresses 

*  2  Twin  Box  Springs 

*  Twin  Bed  Linens  and  Bed- 


*  3  Couches 

*  2  Night  Stands 

*  1  Large  Bookcase 

*  Toiletries 

*  Towels  and  Washcloths 


*  Sports  Equipment  (balls, 

gloves,  frisbees,  bats,  ping 
pong  paddles,  balls  &  net) 

*  Copy  Machine 

*  New  Clothes  (girls  &  boys, 

10-18  years) 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, P.O.  Box  1,  Barium 
Springs,  N.C.,  28010-0001, 
phone  number  (704)  872-4157. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  199  ! ,  Pi  ge  7 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study— Lesson  3,  November  1994 

Christ,  the  Wisdom  of  God 

By  EUGENIA  PHILLIPS 


\  / 


We  rarely  consider  the  tremendous  shift  of 
thinking  that  it  took  for  new  Christians  of  the 
first  century,  both  Jew  and  Gentile,  to  become 
followers  of  Christ. 

We  who  have  been  Christians  in  a  society 
that  is  nominally  Christian  may  even  find 
ourselves  wondering  what  took  them  so  long. 
We  need  to  remember  that  those  people  whom 
Paul  and  other  early  missionaries  addressed 
had  worshiped  according  to  other  long  tradi- 
tions. If  they  were  Jews,  they  were  used  to  the 
strict  laws  of  the  Jews;  if  they  came  from 
Roman  or  Greek  backgrounds,  their  parents 
had  prayed  to  idols,  gods  and  goddesses  whose 
names  we  do  not  even  know  but  who  were  very 
real  to  them. 

We  often  hear  how  hard  it 
is  for  many  of  our  church 
members  even  to  adjust  to 
sitting  in  a  new  place  in  their 
church  sanctuary.  How 
much  harder  to  abandon  par- 
ents' faith  and  to  adopt  a 
new  religion!  Surely  it  is 
proof  of  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  that  the  newly  formed 
Christian  churches  endured. 
Most  people  resist  change, 
and  first-century  converts  Eugenia 
were  no  different  from  people  Phillips 
we  know  today.    Then,  as 
now,  security  for  many  was  found  in  doing 
things  the  way  they  had  always  done,  and  it 
must  have  been  ftightening  to  many  to  begin  a 
new  way  of  worship  to  an  unknown,  unseen 
God. 

Awareness  of  this  background  helps  us  to 
understand  why  the  Colossians,  the  people  of 
the  Roman  city  of  Colossae,  needed  the  letter 
which  they  received  fi-om  Paul. 

Because  of  the  unfamiliar  religion  into  which 
they  were  moving,  the  people  of  the  church  at 
Colossae  were  hanging  on  to  attitudes  from 
their  former  religions.  Greeks  and  Romans 
had  multiple  deities  to  worship;  converted  Jews 
were  acquainted  with  ancient  Jewish  writings 
from  which  they  could  identify  beings  who 
were  associates  of  God. 

In  the  Old  Testament  the  new  Christians 
found  what  we  call  the  "wisdom"  literature. 
(Proverbs  8:  22-31)  In  this  passage.  Wisdom  is 
personified,  and  is  spoken  of  as  having  existed 
with  God  at  the  beginning  of  the  world.  In 
addition  to  this,  a  kind  of  mysticism  was  popu- 
lar which  taught  that  the  spirit  world  was 
inhabited  by  thrones,  sovereignties,  authori- 
ties, and  powers,  beings  represented  as  angels. 
In  consideration  of  these  unseen  beings  whose 
existence  came  fi-om  traditional  Uterature,  some 
teachers  wanted  to  convince  the  Colossians 
congregation  that  dependence  on  Jesus  Christ 
was  not  enough.  Homage  and  obedience  must 
also  be  made  to  these  other  representations. 

Although  Paul  has  never  been  to  Colossae, 
he  heard  of  the  problems  in  the  new  church 
while  in  Rome  in  prison.  The  church  had  been 
started  by  a  leader  named  Epaphras,  possibly  a 
student  of  Paul's.  Paul  writes  to  insist  that 
Jesus  the  Christ  is  more  and  greater  than  any 
power  or  spiritual  being  that  they  can  imagine. 
Paul  tells  them,  "In  him  all  the  fiiUness  of  God 
was  pleased  to  dwell,  and  through  him  God  was 
pleased  to  reconcile  to  himself  all  things, 
whether  on  earth  or  in  heaven,  by  making 
peace  through  the...  cross."  (Col.  1:19)  Paul 
points  out  that  each  person  who  has  accepted 
Christ  as  Savior  has  admitted  his  or  her  help- 
lessness before  the  power  of  sin.  Jesus  Christ  by 
his  death  and  resurrection  has  shown  his  vic- 
tory over  sin  and  death,  and  has  invited  all  to 


join  him  in  this  victory. 

Jesus  is  the  image  of  the  invisible  God,  says 
Paul.  Paul  warns  his  readers  that  they  should 
not  be  "taken  captive  through  philosophy  and 
empty  deceit,  according  to  human  tradition," 
(Col.  2:8)  The  New  English  Bible  translates 
this  into  language  we  can  easily  understand, 
and  which  speaks  to  us  today:  "Be  on  your 
guard;  do  not  let  your  minds  be  captured  by 
hollow  and  delusive  speculations,  based  on 
traditions  of  man-made  teaching  and  centered 
on  the  elemental  spirits  of  the  universe  and  not 
on  Christ." 

How  much  we  need  to  take  this  message  to 
heart  today  when  both  within  and  outside  the 
church  we  are  hearing  divisive  arguments 
about  what  should  be  believed!  The  Colossians 
were  listening  to  strong  arguments  by  false 
teachers  in  a  changing  world. 

We  also  are  living  in  a  changing  world 
where  new  and  different  voices  vie  for  our 
attention.  Many  of  us  think  that  we  agree  with 
Paul.  We  "have  received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord," 
and  we  want  to  "continue  to  live  our  lives  in 
him,  rooted  and  built  up  in  him  and  established 
in  the  faith,  just  as  we  were  taught..."  (Col.  2:6) 
yet  too  often  we  find  ourselves  chasing  off  in 
many  directions,  giving  priority  to  some  other 
"god"  ,  and  suddenly  realizing  that  for  days  we 
have  given  little  or  no  thought  to  the  will  of  God 
in  our  lives.  We  take  bits  and  pieces  of  what 
Jesus  taught  and  we  use  them  as  we  choose, 
rather  than  submitting  ourselves  to  God's  will, 
as  Jesus  did,  and  as  Paul  did,  saying  in  effect, 
"Do  with  me  as  you  will.  You  are  my  God  and 
King." 

What  does  Paul  mean  when  he  speaks  of  the 
"elemental  spirits  of  the  universe"?  He  was 
referring  to  the  elements  of  the  natural  world, 
or  elementary  ideas  belonging  to  this  world.  As 
we  read  these  concerns,  we  cannot  help  but 
think  of  the  worthy  causes  in  the  world  today 
that  people  tend  to  put  before  their  worship  of 
Jesus  Christ  and  service  to  his  church. 

The  author  of  our  study  book  says  that  the 
writer  of  this  letter  believes  the  people  of  the 
Colossian  church  "are  in  danger  of  losing  sight 
of  Christ's  distinctive  claim  on  them  and  are 
attempting  to  supplement  Christ  with  other 
redeemers  found  in  their  culture."  Does  that 
sound  like  what  is  happening  in  our  society 
today? 

In  some  churches,  particularly  those  in  the 
east,  icons  are  used,  similar  to  the  one  pictured 
with  this  lesson  in  our  Study  book.  Monks 
created  these  pictures  and  would  sometimes 
take  years  to  finish  one  picture.  A  great  deal  of 
prayer  and  meditation  went  into  the  making  of 
the  icon.  Their  purpose  was  so  that  the  wor- 
shiper who  meditated  before  the  icon  could 
sense  the  presence  of  Jesus  in  his/her  life, 
remember  Christ's  sacrificial  love,  and  gain  an 
awareness  of  his  power  and  greatness  as  he 
joins  God  at  the  throne  of  heaven. 

In  our  reformed  tradition  we  do  not  use 
icons.  However,  in  order  to  keep  our  Christian 
life  on  a  steady  course,  we  should  keep  in  our 
minds  the  picture  of  Jesus  that  Paul  describes 
for  the  Colossians.  Because  we  know  Jesus 
Christ  and  have  accepted  him  as  our  Savior,  we 
need  have  no  concern  over  the  clamor  of  other 
religious,  social  and  moral  philosophies  that 
attempt  to  make  demands  of  us.  Our  first 
allegiance  is  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  we  will  "seek 
the  things  that  are  above,  where  Christ  is, 
seated  at  the  right  hand  of  God."  (Col.  3:1) 

Eugenia  Phillips  is  a  member  of  Sinking 
Spring  Church  in  Abingdon,  Va.  This  article  is 
one  in  a  series  of  background  and  enrichment 
material  to  this  year's  Presbyterian  Women's 
Bible  study,  "Who  is  the  Christ?" 


Presbyterian  Women  announce  staff  changes 


Presbyterian  Women  have  an- 
nounced several  staff  changes, 
effective  Sept.  1. 

The  Rev.  Elizabeth  Lunz, 
associate  to  women's  constitu- 
encies for  the  s5mods  of  Living 
Waters  and  South  Atlantic  for 
14  years,  and  Glendora  Paul, 
associate  in  the  Synod  of  the 
Trinity  and  with  PW  for  21 
years,  are  no  longer  on  staff". 
Beth  positions  were  involun- 
tarily terminated  on  Aug.  31. 


Also  leaving  the  Pittsburgh 
office,  after  13  years,  is  Rose- 
mary Zappa. 

The  Rev.  Judith  Wrought, 
associate  for  women's  minis- 
tries in  the  Synod  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  will  now  also  serve 
the  Synod  of  the  Southwest. 

The  Women's  Ministries' 
Western  regional  office  in  San 
Francisco  closed  Aug.  15.  The 
Rev.  Shin-Hwa  Park  will  as- 
sume responsibility  for  the 


S5Tiod  of  the  Pacific  from  her 
office  in  the  Synod  of  South- 
ern California  and  Hawaii. 

Lynn  Tuttle  has  completed 
her  term  as  Women's  Minis- 
tries' UN  intern.  Debra  Jones 
has  been  hired  by  the  Presby- 
terian Peacemaking  Program 
and  the  Women's  Ministries 
office  in  Loviisville  to  carry  glo- 
bal women's  concerns  and  pro- 
gramming as  well  as  seminar 
planning  in  the  U.N.  Office. 


New  Resources 


Reclaiming  Morality  in  America 

By  William  Murchison.  Thomas  Nelson  Press,  November 
1994.  190  pp.  $16.99 

Review  by  STAN  FEDYSZYN 

Finally  comes  a  book  that  has  long  needed  writing.  It's  about  morality. 
So,  it  must  be  written  by  clergy  or  at  least  a  philosophy  professor? 
Wrong!  It's  written  by  a  journalist. 

What  would  a  journalist  know  about  morality,  you  ask?  William 
Murchison  knows  a  great  deal  and  what  he  doesn't  know  he  intuits 
with  unerring  precision. 

With  the  skill  of  a  Master  Journalist  (as  opposed  to  the  Sensation- 
alist kind)  Murchison  recounts  the  devaluation  of  American  morality. 
In  his  Introduction  he  notes  the  difficulty  of  his  task:  to  deal  objectively 
with  an  issue  that  instinctively  polarizes  even  the  most  somnambulent 
Americans.  According  to  Murchison  the  decay  didn't  begin  in  the  1960s 
as  popular  mj^th  would  have  it.  The  1960s  merely  amplified  conditions 
which  had  been  evolving  since  the  1920s.  In  the  '60s,  they  merely  went 
public,  thanks  largely  to  the  premature  overdevelopment  of  broadcast 
journalism  with  its  insatiable  thirst  for  the  sensational  and  controver- 
sial. 

But  Murchison  is  a  Master  Journalist.  His  response  is  pragmatic 
not  visceral.  He  points  no  fingers,  nor  does  he  stoop  to  sloganeering. 
Citing  numerous  public  as  well  as  private  sector  documents,  (most 
regularly  The  Bennett  Report),  he  documents  the  unprecedented 
increases  in  our  rates  of  violent  and  nonviolent  crime,  sexually 
transmitted  diseases,  substance  abuse,  teen  pregnancies,  illegitimate 
births  and  abortions,  all  in  contra-distinction  to  decreasing  literacy 
rates  and  SAT  scores. 

His  deduction  is  simple:  we've  begun  to  think  of  morality  (if  we  think 
of  it  at  all)  as  a  "me-me"  thing  instead  of  a  "we-we"  thing.  We  speak  of 
it  in  negatives:  "If  it  feels  good  and  doesn't  hurt  anyone  else  ..."  instead 
of  "What  benefit  can  it  provide  for  the  corporate  We,  living  on  this 
planet  today?"  "Civilization  and  immorality  are  fundamentally  incom- 
patible," he  adds 

Being  a  corporate  matter,  morality  is  never  arbitrary.  The  problem 
is,  that  being  a  corporate  matter,  it  inherently  limits  choices  in  life. 
Egad,  what  an  un-American  idea.  "Consumer  sovereignty  has  been 
transported  from  the  economic  marketplace  into  the  moral  realm." 
Egad,  what  a  singularly  American  idea. 

Murchison  suggests  that  a  society's  moral  fiber  is  seated  in  three 
places:  the  church,  the  school  and  the  family.  All  three  are  hierarchical 
structures  in  which  one  looks  up  for  authority  and  guidance.  Unfortu- 
nately, we  now  see  morality  horizontally  (does  he  really  intend  the 
pun?)  as  opposed  to  vertically  (the  authority  over  me).  In  Murchison's 
view  all  three  institutions  share  the  blame. 

The  Women's  Movement  has  thrown  family  dynamics  out  of  balance 
and  the  sexual  revolution  has  suffocated  many  parent-child  relation- 
ships into  silence.  Schools,  forced  into  new  imperatives  for  social 
development  (and  baby  sitting)  and  still  staggering  from  the  effects  of 
judicially  mandated  desegregation,  are  often  dominated  by  job-pro- 
tecting technocrats  who  prefer  to  teach  "how  to  go  about  doing"  instead 
of  "how  to  go  about  thinking." 

The  church  has  also  sold  out  to  the  democratic  middle  ground  where 
the  largest  number  of  people  can  stand  in  a  reasonable  degree  of 
comfort.  "Never,"  asserts  Murchison,  has  the  church  been  so  decisively 
shut  out  of  an  urgent  dialogue  ..."  The  social  contract  breaks  down. 
Each  element  looks  to  defend  rights  while  eschewing  complimentary 
obligations. 

Before  he's  finished,  Murchison  investigates  most  of  today's  major 
issues.  He  always  arrives  at  the  same  conclusion:  "the  egalitarian  push 
to  water  down  standards  of  every  sort"  and  the  ruse  that  morality  has 
been  tried  and  found  wanting  (Murchison  suggests  that  morality  has 
been  found  difficult,  rigorous  and  demanding  of  personal  conviction) 
can  only  be  addressed  if  all  three  institutions  are  willing  to  risk 
involvement  in  imparting  moral  instruction.  What  a  refreshing  thought 
for  those  who  think  that  "responsibility"  is  going  the  way  of  the  Spotted 
Owl. 

In  conclusion  he  insists  that  moral  teaching  is  authoritative  teach- 
ing, stressing  a  sense  of  human  connectedness  and  responsibility  and 
a  grounding  in  an  understanding  of  who  we  humans  are  and  where  we 
are  bound.  The  task  will  be  a  formidable  one  but  the  alternatives  are 
unacceptable. 

The  marvel  of  the  work  is  the  calm  with  which  it  handles  dynamite 
on  every  page.  There's  an  implicit  challenge  on  every  page  as  well:  that 
it  is  high  time  for  the  orators  to  stop  talking  the  talk  and  don  walking 
shoes.  We're  paying  the  price  for  pluralism  so  it's  time  to  get  back  to 
bedrock  and  develop  a  new  counterculture,  one  to  counter  the  culture 
of  fear  and  fast-spreading  confusion.  It's  time  for  a  MORAL  culture. 

The  book  is  a  must  for  the  "doer."  It'll  silence  a  lot  of  doubts  and  be 
a  great  help  through  the  low  times.  Most  important,  it  makes  a 
sometimes  confused  case  crystal  clear  and  should  be  made  mandatory 
reading  for  anyone  arrested  or  ticketed  for  anything  more  socially 
unacceptable  than  double  parking. 

Murchison's  dislike  of  the  sensational  must  have  carried  over  into 
his  title.  "Reclaiming  Morality  in  America"  might  be  good  name  for  a 
sleep  tonic  but  as  the  title  of  a  book  that  needs  to  be  read  by  the  masses, 
it  has  as  much  attractiveness  as  last  year's  Christmas  tree.  Yet  there 
may  be  some  value  in  having  a  newspaper  editor  light  the  fire,  even  if 
it  forces  one  to  the  conundrum  of  re-working  Isaiah  to:  "And  a 
journalist  shall  lead  them"? 

Stan  Fedyszyn  is  director  of  singles  ministries  at  First  Church  in 
Norfolk,  Va.,  and  a  student  at  Louisville  Presbyterian  Theological 
Seminary. 


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Page  8,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1994 


Presbyterians  join  national  gun 
violence  conference  in  Washington 


WASHINGTON,  D.C.— The 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
will  be  represented  during 
"Citizen's  Conference  to  Stop 
Gun  Violence,"  a  symposium 
here  convened  by  the  Coali- 
tion to  Stop  Gun  Violence,  the 
Episcopal  Diocese  of  Washing- 
ton, and  Washington  National 
Cathedral. 

Designed  as  a  grassroots 
educational  effort,  the  Nov.  11- 
13  conference  will  feature 
speakers  who  advocate  a  vari- 
ety of  anti-violence  and  gun 
control  approaches. 

Speakers  will  also  present 
information  on  the  strategies 
they  endorse.  The  PC(USA)'s 
National  Ministries  Division 
is  one  of  50  organizations  spon- 
soring the  program. 

The  Rev.  Jim  Atwood,  pas- 
tor of  Trinity  Church  in  Ar- 
lington, Va.,  is  serving  on  the 
program's  steering  committee 
and  is  tentatively  scheduled  to 
chair  one  of  the  workshops. 


"Our  purpose  is  to  show  the 
many  different  kinds  of  ways 
that  communities  are  organiz- 
ing themselves  to  deal  with 
gun  violence  across  the  coun- 
try," Atwood  said. 

National,  state  and  local 
leaders  will  brief  participants 
on  proposed  legislative  and 
educational  initiatives  includ- 
ing strict  licensing  require- 
ments for  gun  dealers,  in- 
creased taxes  on  handguns  and 
ammunition  and  outright  bans 
on  some  firearms  including 
assault  weapons. 

Participants  will  be  encour- 
aged to  increase  their  involve- 
ment in  efforts  to  reduce  fire- 
arm violence;  however  the  con- 
ference will  not  be  committed 
to  any  single  strategy  nor  es- 
tablish specific  priorities. 

Emphasizing  the  alarming 
threat  of  gun  violence  in 
America  (excluding  victims  of 
gun  assaults)  Atwood  said  be- 
tween 20,000  and  30,000  people 


die  annually  from  handgun 
incidents. 

"Three  people  in  my  own 
congregation  have  been  as- 
saulted by  guns  this  year,"  he 
said.  "And  I  have  a  500-mem- 
ber  congregation  in  a  very  iso- 
lated, secure,  suburban  com- 
munity. 

"You  can't  believe  how  many 
registered,  established  gun 
dealers  there  are  in  this  coun- 
try," Atwood  said.  "For  ex- 
ample, there  are  more  gun 
dealers  than  McDonald's  (res- 
taurants)." 

Most  conference  activities 
will  take  place  at  the  Sheraton 
Washington  Hotel,  including 
a  welcoming  meal  and  panel 
discussion  Nov.  11. 

An  interfaith  service  Nov. 
13  will  be  held  at  the  Washing- 
ton National  Cathedral. 

Hotel  and  airfare  informa- 
tion are  available  by  calling 
(202)  338-2422. 

— Julian  Shipp 


News  from  the  PC(USA 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  S 


Vera  is  a  symbol  of  freedom 


Editor's  note:  This  is  the  first 
in  a  series  of  stories  by 
MarjCarpenter,  mission  inter- 
preter in  the  Worldwide  Min- 
istries Division,  on  her  recent 
trip  to  Malawi  and  Madagas- 
car— Jerry  L.  Van  Marter 

Vera  Chirwa  is  a  ssrmbol  of 
freedom  in  Malawi.  She  was 
released  from  jail  after  12  and 
a  half  years  when  the  country 
obtained  its  freedom  in  the 
spring. 

She  and  her  late  husband 
were  hard  workers  in  the 
struggle  for  freedom  and  at 


one  time  had  to  flee  the  coun- 
try to  keep  from  being  jailed. 
Only  that  was  not  protection 
enough.  Vigilantes  came  across 
the  border  in  the  night  and 
brought  them  back  and  jailed 
them. 

During  that  12  years,  they 
never  saw  each  other  or  any  of 
their  family.  They  were  not 
allowed  to  write  letters  or  re- 
ceive mail.  Their  children  were 
from  two  to  10  years  old — five 
of  them — at  the  time  of  their 
jailing. 

Her  husband  died  in  jail  in 
the  winter  months.  Some  think 


All  in  a  day's  work 


Frank  Dimmock,  Presbyte- 
rian mission  worker  who 
heads  the  medical  work  in 
Malawi,  was  given  the  ex- 
tra duty  recently  of  squir- 
ing around  a  six-member 
visiting  group  for  the  Year 
of  Africa. 

He  and  his  wife,  Nancy, 
hosted  them  at  home,  fed 
them  breakfast  and  then 
took  them  to  see  facilities  at 
Embangweni  hospital  and 
station  and  then  Ekwen- 
deni,  the  hospital,  lay  train- 
ing center,  relief  and  devel- 
opment department  and  the 
girl's  secondary  school. 

In  between  he  checked 
on  events  at  the  hospitals 
and  also  on  a  recent  theft  of 
electrical  equipment,  talk- 
ing to  the  police.  Then  he 
put  the  whole  group  into 
the  van-ambulance  and 
drove  them  off  to  Liv- 
ingstonia  (Dr.  Livingston,  I 
presume?  You  remember 
him). 

As  the  group  neared  Liv- 

ir  i'storiij;  where  the  early 


Scots  Presbjd;erian  mission- 
aries went  way  up  on  the 
mountain  to  get  away  from 
mosqtutoes  and  malaria,  the 
vehicle  went  up — ^up — and 
up  around  20  hairpin  turns 
in  a  ghastly  drive. 

The  group  was  extremely 
relieved  when  we  arrived 
and  were  glad  we  didn't  have 
to  tackle  that  road  again 
until  the  next  day. 

But  Frank  went  to  the 
hospital  to  check  on  things 
there.  And  the  ambulance 
driver  had  not  arrived  at 
work.  A  young  woman  was 
having  a  difficult  labor.  So 
Frank  put  her  in  the  ambu- 
lance along  with  a  nurse 
and  went  back  down  that 
mountain.  She  arrived  in 
time  to  have  better  care  at 
the  facility  at  the  bottom  of 
the  mountain,  and  Frank — 
he  got  to  drive  back  up  the 
mountain  to  rejoin  the 
group. 

All  in  a  day's  work. 

— Marj  Carpenter 
Worldwide  Missions 


he  was  murdered.  When  she 
was  released,  her  children  and 
her  sister  came  for  her.  As  her 
sister  cried.  Vera  said,  "Don't 
cry  now.  The  good  days  are 
coming." 

At  a  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Blantyre,  she  worshiped 
with  her  22-year-old  daugh- 
ter, who  was  10  when  Vera 
was  jailed,  and  said,  "Not  only 
did  I  get  to  see  my  children 
again — ^but  this  firstborn  has 
two  of  her  own — I  have  grand- 
children." 

On  the  front  page  of  the 
newspaper  in  Malawi  in  Au- 
gust, there  was  a  picture  and 
story  about  Vera  that  said  that 
she  had  resigned  as  the  direc- 
tor of  the  Legal  Resources  Cen- 
ter— a  volunteer  job  given  her 
as  she  got  out  of  jail. 

In  her  resignation  letter, 
forwarded  to  the  Malawi  Law 
Society,  in  which  she  gave  a 
month's  notice  effective  Sept. 
16,  Chirwa  said,  "I  have  been 
and  still  am  sustained  by  my 
relatives  as  the  government 
has  confiscated  all  of  our  prop- 
erty, both  personal  and  real.  I 
have  no  house,  no  income  and 
use  public  transport.  I  cannot 
forever  go  on  like  this  as  I  have 
personal  responsibilities  to  at- 
tend to.  ..." 

She  said  she  was  happy  to 
have  contributed  to  the  volun- 
teer job  to  help  develop  the 
center.  But  there  have  been 
inadequate  funds  for  the 
project  and  Chirwa  plans  to 
find  a  job  that  will  sustain  her. 

With  her  kind  of  courage, 
there  is  no  doubt  that  she  will. 
Presbyterians  in  the  United 
States  had  two  recent  brief 
glimpses  of  this  woman,  when 
she  appeared  on  the  final  day 
of  the  General  Assembly  in 
Wichita  at  the  missionary  in- 
stallation and  later  at  the 
Church  wide  Gathering  of  Pres- 
byterian Women  in  Ames, 
Iowa.  — Marj  Carpenter 


1995  stewardship  theme  released 

"Give  thanks.. .Sing  praise...Declare  God's  steadfast  love!"  has 
been  chosen  by  the  Congregational  Ministries  Division  as  the 
1995  stewardship  theme  for  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 

Vivian  Johnson,  associate  director  of  the  division's  steward- 
ship program  area,  said,  "When  the  theme  was  chosen,  careful 
consideration  was  given  to  what  was  happening  in  the  hfe  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church."  Because  of  the  spirit  of  reconciliation 
within  the  denomination  after  the  recent  General  Assembly  in 
Wichita,  Johnson  continued,  "the  theme  seems  ideally  appropri- 
ate for  1995..." 

Stewardship  resources  related  to  the  theme  will  be  mailed  to 
congregations  throughout  the  year.  They  will  include  biblical 
material,  worship  suggestions,  leader  development  resources, 
bulletin  inserts,  promotional  material  and  reproducible  art. 

Day  of  prayer  for  denomination  set 

The  General  Assembly  Council's  executive  committee  has  asked 
Presbyterian  congregations  to  include  prayers  for  reconciliation 
within  the  denomination  in  their  worship  services  on  Oct.  30. 

In  its  announcement  of  the  date  for  reconciliation  prayers, 
the  committee  stated:  "As  across  the  world  we  celebrate  the  life, 
death  and  resurrection  of  our  Lord,  we  will  also  pray  together 
for  peace:  in  individual  lives,  families,  communities,  and  be- 
tween nations  and  peoples,  as  well  as  for  the  peace,  unity  and 
purity  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)." 

The  committee's  request  came  in  response  to  an  action  of  the 
206th  General  Assembly  (1994),  which  called  upon  "the  congre- 
gations of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  to  pray  for  the 
peace,  unity  and  purity  of  the  church  and  to  set  aside  a  Sunday 
in  1994  for  recognizing  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  effecting 
a  reconciliation  of  our  denomination." 

The  action  was  taken  as  part  of  the  Assembly's  response  to  the 
Re-imagining  Conference  controversy. 

Physicians  needed  for  Rwanda 

Presbyterian  World  Service  is  recruiting  for  physicians,  nurses 
and  trauma  counselors,  according  to  Susan  Ryan.  Call  Tom 
Clayton  at  (502)  569-5278  if  you  have  questions  or  a  candidate. 

Physicians  and  nurses  are  needed  for  at  least  a  three-month 
minimum  commitment,  with  fluency  in  French  and  experience 
in  tropical  diseases,  third  world  experience  and  no  family 
complications.  This  is  not  a  time  when  family  can  come  along. 

Objectives  of  the  teams,  which  are  to  be  built  into  trauma 
teams,  are  to  assist  victims  of  the  current  crisis  in  Rwanda  and 
the  refugee  camps.  Persons  with  fluent  French  are  asked  to 
apply.  Proficiency  in  Kinyarwanda  is  an  added  advantage. 
People  are  needed  who  are  experienced  in  handling  small 
project  budgets  and  experienced  with  victims  of  violence  and 
armed  conflict. 

Mission  opportunities  told 

Since  last  March,  the  Worldwide  Ministries  division  has  been 
seeking  Christians  who  are  committed  to  serve  and  learn  in  a 
cross-cultural  setting  to  fill  positions  around  the  world.  There 
are  17  salaried  positions  and  101  volunteer  positions  listed. 
Some  are  already  in  discussion. 

The  four  salaried  ones  in  Africa  include  medical  doctors,  a 
professor,  and  a  nurse.  In  Central  America  there  is  a  need  for  a 
delegation  coordinator  and  in  East  Asia  and  the  Pacific,  an 
evangelist,  lecturer  and  youth  worker.  In  Europe,  there  is  a 
need  for  leadership  development,  interfaith  ministry,  a  theolo- 
gian, refugee  ministry  and  Korean  ministry. 

In  the  Middle  East  and  South  Asia,  the  list  includes  an 
English  teacher,  researcher,  and  doctors.  Volunteer  positions 
include  all  kinds  of  medical  expertise  needed,  some  teachers, 
office  managers,  youth  workers,  assistants  in  women's  minis- 
tries, chaplains,  physical  therapists,  computer  experts,  solar 
maintenance,  anesthesiologist,  and  others. 

For  inquiries  about  these  positions,  contact  the  Recruitment 
Office,  Division  of  Worldwide  Ministries,  100  Witherspoon, 
Louisville,  KY  40202  or  call  (502)  569-5295. 

Mead  to  address  Tentmakers 

Loren  Mead,  founder  of  the  Alban  Institute  and  author  of  the 
recent  groundbreaking  book  The  Once  and  Future  Church  will 
be  keynote  speaker  for  the  Association  of  Presbyterian 
Tentmakers  annual  conference,  Nov.  4-6  at  the  Center  for 
Development  in  Ministry,  Mundelein,  111. 

Tentmakers  are  ministers  whose  primary  source  of  income  is 
secular  rather  than  church  emplojrment.  The  term  "tentmaker" 
derives  from  the  Apostle  Paul,  who  supported  himself  by  work- 
ing as  a  maker  of  tents  and  leather  goods.  Persons  wishing  more 
information  on  the  Association  of  Presbjrterian  Tentmakers 
annual  conference  should  contact  Linda  Kuhn,  5976  W.  Howe 
Lane,  New  Lisbon,  WI  53950. 

Ecumenical  nominations  sought 

The  office  of  Ecumenical  and  Interfaith  Relations  in  the  World- 
wide ministries  Division  is  again  in  the  process  of  receiving 
nominations  for  the  16th  annual  Ecumenical  Service  Recogni- 
tion Awards.  The  General  Assembly  typically  presents  the 
award  to  one  session,  one  presbytery  and  one  synod  for  their 
significant  contribution  to  the  ecumenical  life  of  the  Church. 

Assistance  is  asked  in  nominations.  Deadline  for  nomina- 
tions is  Oct.  31.  For  further  information,  contact  Kathy  Reeves 
at  (502)  569-5303. 


A  Christmas  Presence — See  page  2 


For  address  chang 
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Mid-Atlaniic 
Presbyterian 


November/Decet  u.l.ll.iiliiililili«l«lnll«"'iiiillHiii.illi.ill 


Vol.  LX,  Number  9 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Zimi  Continuing  Education  Assistant  Connie  Patterson 
works  with  Shane  Moe,  a  resident  from  Wisconsin. 


Zuni's  goal  is  life  with  less  restriction 
for  mentally  retarded  young  adults 


By  JOHN  SNIFFEN 

ZUNI,  Va.— The  Zuni  Presby- 
terian Center  is  "one  of  the 
most  exciting  things  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church!"  says 
Director  Robert  Bishop  with 
unabashed  enthusiasm. 

It's  quiet  and  peaceful  on 
the  300-acre  campus  in  south- 
eastern Virginia's  Isle  of  Wight 
County.  The  road  from  High- 
way 460  to  the  center  is  small 
and  winding.  The  multi-mil- 
lion-dollar facility  is  modern 
but  modest.  The  gently  rolling 
land  looks  much  like  what  it 
originally  was:  a  farm. 

As  one  meets  the  residents, 
one  is  taken  in  by  their  friendly 
manner.  They  warmly  wel- 
come visitors  and  introduce 
themselves.  That's  normal, 
according  to  Bishop,  who  has 
been  the  center's  director  since 
1972. 

What  the  residents  have  in 
common  is  that  they  are  men- 
tally retarded.  Their  intelli- 
gence quotients  (IQs)  are  lower 
than  normal.  They  are  at  Zuni, 


however,  because  they  are  ca- 
pable of  learning  sufficient  so- 
cial and  vocational  skills  to 
become  reasonably  well-ad- 
justed, self-sustaining,  contrib- 
uting members  of  society. 

Zuni's  goal  is  to  prepare 
them  to  live  in  a  world  in  which 
their  lives  will  be  less  re- 
stricted, according  to  Bishop. 

In  return,  he  says,  the  28- 
member  Zuni  staff  benefits 
from  the  residents.  "They're  a 
wonderful,  happy  group  to 
work  with  ...  We  learn  a  lot 
from  them  on  a  daily  basis  ... 
they're  very  open  ...  they  have 
nothing  to  hide." 

They  don't  need  or  want 
anyone's  pity,  he  adds.  "Don't 
feel  sorry  for  them.  I've  learned 
from  them  to  not  worry  so  much 
...  to  have  faith  in  tomorrow. 
It's  good  for  us  to  learn  from 
them." 

Zuni  residents  make  good 
sales  people,  according  to 
Bishop.  "They  come  out  and 
greet  you  ...  and  the  barriers 
are  broken  in  five  minutes." 

Up  to  54  young  adults  may 


participate  in  the  Zuni  pro- 
gram. They  come  to  the  center 
after  graduation  from  special 
education  programs  in  public 
and  private  high  schools.  At 
Zuni  they  receive  vocational 
training  and  learn  how  to  live 
as  part  of  regular  communi- 
ties. 

On-campus  vocational  irain- 
ing  focuses  on  three  areas:  food 
service,  horticulture,  and  pea- 
nut processing.  The  latter  is, 
perhaps,  Zuni's  biggest  "claim 
to  fame."  At  the  recent 
Franklin-Southampton 
County  Fair,  Zuni  peanuts  took 
first  place  in  competition  with 
area  companies. 

Peanut  processing  takes  up 
an  entire  building  on  campus; 
inside,  the  aroma  of  freshly 
cooked  peanuts  pervades  the 
air.  Residents  cook,  dry,  weigh 
and  package  peanuts  for  ship- 
ment all  across  the  country. 
Recently,  the  Ukrop's  grocery 
store  chain  in  central  Virginia 
has  started  selling  Zuni  pea- 
nuts. 

continued  on  page  3 


'Give  someone  a  ciiance  and  they  will  succeed,'  says  Zuni  graduate 


By  JOHN  SNIFFEN 

FRANKLIN,  Va.— "Give  some- 
one a  chance  and  they  will 
succeed.  But  they  have  to  have 
a  chance,"  says  Ray  Terrell. 
He  should  know.  He's  living 
proof. 

Separated  from  his  parents 
at  birth,  Ray  was  eventually 
placed  in  a  state  mental  insti- 
tution. If  not  for  the  interven- 
tion of  a  psychiatrist  and  oth- 
ers who  were  willing  to  give 
him  "a  chance,"  he  might  still 
be  there  today. 

Instead,  Ray  is  a  self-sup- 
porting, active  member  of  his 
community  and  church.  He 
overcame  the  odds  and  today 
lives  an  independent  life. 


Synod  Assembly 
to  reconvene 

RICHMOND— The  re- 
cessed meeting  of  the 
208th  Synod  Assembly 
will  reconvene  Jan.  27- 
28  at  the  Holiday  Inn- 
Central  here. 

The  primary  item  of 
business  wiU  be  a  report 
from  the  standing  com- 
mittee on  sjmod  mission 
(see  story  on  page  6). 

Commissioners  will 
also  have  to  elect  a  new 
moderator.  Moderator  Jo- 
seph I.  Steele,  formerly 
of  Kinston,  N.C.,  has  ac- 
cepted a  call  in  Chester, 
Pa.  Vice  Moderator 
Beverly  Bullock  has  re- 
signed to  enter  a  training 
program  in  counseling 
medical  patients. 


Ra/s  "chance"  was  actually 
provided  by  a  series  of  caring 
persons  who  saw  potential  in  a 
httle  boy  locked  away  in  the 
Lynchburg  (Va.)  Training 
School  (LTS). 

At  age  six,  Ray  had  not  been 
toilet  trained  or  taught  other 
basic  life  skills.  He  wouldn't 
talk  or  show  emotion.  A  staff" 
psychiatrist  at  the  LTS,  how- 
ever, thought  there  was  hope 
for  the  boy. 

He  asked  some  friends, 
Sidney  and  Annette  Bowman, 
if  they  would  consider  taking 
Ray  out  of  "The  Colony,"  as  the 
LTS  was  called,  for  weekends 
in  their  home  in  Altavista. 

"He  would  not  even  cry, 
smile  or  speak,"  says  Mrs.  Bow- 


man. "He  was  like  a  piece  of 
wood.  But  our  friend  thought 
he  saw  something  behind  Ray  's 
eyes,  some  spark." 

"It  was  pathetic,"  adds  Mr. 
Bowman.  "He  was  a  good  look- 
ing boy,  but  very  withdrawn. 
He  couldn't  cry  a  tear  if  he 
tried." 

Ray  and  the  Bowmans  agree 
that  their  coming  together  was 
a  key  moment.  "God  sent  them 
there  to  help  me,"  says  Ray. 
"God  had  a  plan  for  Ray,"  says 
Mrs.  Bowman. 

Once  Ray  was  removed  from 
the  institution  and  entered  the 
Bowman's  home,  the  transfor- 
mation was  quick.  "He  started 
saying  words.  He  took  to  ev- 
continued  on  page  4 


Ray  Terrell,  left,  and  his  pastor  at  Franklin  Church,  Jim 
Lambeth,  who  says  Ray  has  "a  joke  a  day." 


Leader  of  China's  Christians  thanks  former  missionaries 


By  JUDY  STEER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 
Additional  information  from 
Columbia  Theological  Seminary 

DECATUR,  Ga.— Bishop  K.H. 
Ting,  president  of  the  China 
Christian  Council  (CCC)  and 
of  Nanjing  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  the  People's  Re- 
public of  China,  thanked 
former  missionaries  for  plant- 
ing the  seeds  that  have 
sprouted  three  new  churches 
every  two  days  in  China  since 
1979. 

"We  are  grateful  to  [the  mis- 
sionaries] and  thankful  to  God 
[for  them],"  he  said  in  an  ad- 
dress Oct.  14  at  Columbia  Pres- 
byterian Church  here  during 
the  opening  worship  service  of 
the  China  Missionary  Reunion. 

"All  missionaries  worked 
hard,"  he  said.  "We  would  like 


former  missionaries  to  see  how 
China  is  now  ...  the  fruition  of 
(their)  labor." 

One  former  missionary  in 
China,  Elizabeth  Manget 
Minter  of  Austin,  Texas,  has 
visited  her  old  church  several 
times  and  witnessed  its  growth 
firsthand.  "When  I  served  (in 
the  late  40s),"  she  said,  "there 
were  about  135  in  worship  on 
Sunday. ...  In  1990,  there  were 
600  in  the  sanctuary  and  about 
100  in  other  rooms  with  loud- 
speakers. ...  Now  (in  1994) 
there  are  about  800,  with 
closed-circuit  TV  and  (people) 
standing  out  in  the  courtyard." 

Katie  Nelson,  who  served  as 
an  English  teacher  at  Beijing 
Medical  University  from  1986 
to  1988,  said  churches  were 
crowded  and  Christians  ad- 
mired as  model  citizens.  "We 
were  told  over  and  over  again 


that  Chinese  Christians  were 
surpassing  all  others  in  serv- 
ing the  people,"  she  said.  "We 
were  told  by  one  doctor,  'Chris- 
tians serve  with  so  much  love.'" 

Sponsored  by  Columbia 
Theological  Seminary  (CTS) 
and  the  Worldwide  Ministries 
Division  of  the  PC(USA)  and 
held  at  the  seminary,  the  re- 
union was  the  first  such  gath- 
ering since  missionaries  were 
ejected  from  China  by  the  com- 
munists in  1949.  The  event 
gave  participants  the  opportu- 
nity to  recall  their  shared 
China  experience,  speak  with 
Bishop  Ting  (pronounced 
"Ding"),  and  renew  their  com- 
mitment to  the  mission  of  the 
church  in  China. 

"For  many,  the  whole  China 
experience,  as  a  missionary  or 
as  children  of  missionaries,  was 
still  unfinished  business.  That 


is,  it  left  them  with  a  feehng  of 
perplexity  and  uncertainty," 
said  G.  Thompson  Brown,  pro- 
fessor emeritus  at  Columbia 
and  chair  of  the  reunion  pro- 
gram committee.  "Some  of 
them  were  forced  out  of  China. 
That  left  scars,  even  after  all 
these  years." 

"A  missionary  gives  his  life 
to  another  people  and  wants  to 
identify  with  those  people," 
said  Andrew  Roy,  who  served 
as  a  teacher  and  administra- 
tor at  several  Chinese  univer- 
sities and  is  the  father  of 
Stapleton  Roy,  the  U.S.  am- 
bassador to  China. 

"It  seems  to  me  that  we  were 
most  effective  when  working 
with,  rather  than  giving  to, 
the  Chinese,"  said  Roy.  "Where 
we  failed  or  were  inadequate, 
God  was  at  worl,;  " 

contini  ■ , 


Page  2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1994 

Christmas  presents  ...  and  presence 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

It  was  the  Advent  season  and  we  were 
sharing  Christmas  memories  in  a  remi- 
niscence group  at  a  retirement  com- 
munity. One  of  the  residents  shared 
her  "four"  Christmases. 

Her  "first,"  when  she  was  a  child, 
brought  joy  and  wonder.  Her  "second" 
found  her  totally  devoted  to  the  Christ- 
mas joy  of  her  children.  After  her 
husband's  death,  she  shared  her  "third" 
Christmas  with  her  children  and  grand- 
children. 

Now  she  was  a  long  way  from  her 
family,  so  her  "fourth"  Christmas 
seemed  devoid  of  joy.  There  was  a  wist- 
ful look  on  her  face  when  she  said,  "I'll 
probably  not  have  a  tree  this  year  ... 
just  spend  it  alone." 

Jean  Paul  Sartre  has  said,  "There  is 


magic  in  recollection,  a  magic  that  one 
feels  at  any  age  ...  In  remembering  we 
seem  to  attain  the  impossible  synthesis 
that  life  yearns  for  ..." 

At  any  age,  yes,  but  especially  in 
life's  later  years.  Advent  is  a  prime 
time  for  that  magic  to  be  rekindled  in 
the  hearts  of  God's  older  persons. 
Memories  of  Christmas  can  easily  be 
recalled  and  shared,  if  there  is  some- 
one "there"  to  listen. 


Her  "fourth"  Christmas  was  better 
than  she  thought,  for  others  invited 
her  to  share  the  day  with  them.  But  her 
memorable  words  sparked  some  ideas 
for  sharing  Christmas  with  older  per- 
sons, who  often  are  alone. 

Church  volunteers  could  visit  and 
interview  older  members  of  the  congre- 


Commentary 


gation  and  record  their  Christmas 
memories.  These  memories  could  be 
collected  in  a  scrapbook  for  di.'*'^^-^  at 
an  intergenerational  '^l.iistmas  din- 
ner and  be  printed  m  the  church  news- 
letter. 

Such  questions  as 
the  following  would 
trigger  countless 
Christmas  memo- 
nes:  ^ 

•  What  is  your 
earliest  memory  of 
Christmas? 

•  As  you  recall  the 

room  where  the  „.  ,  a 
^,    .  ,  .  mcnara 

Christmas     tree  Morgan 
stood,  the  stockings 
hung  on  the  mantle,  and  the  aromas  of 
holiday  baking,  what  memories  return? 

•  Can  you  remember  any  special  gift 
you  gave  or  received? 

•  Is  there  some  memorable  worship 
or  pageant  you  recall? 

At  the  Christmas  dinner,  older  per- 
sons could  be  the  honored  guests  and 
one  of  their  number  be  given  the  role  of 
stor5rteller.  Persons  in  nursing  homes 


or  confined  at  home  would  celebrate 
such  an  opportunity  to  be  part  of  the 
church  again. 

Thomas  N.  Hart  has  said,  "There  is 
no  service  we  can  render  to  other  per- 
sons quite  as  great  or  important  as  to 
be  listener  and  receiver  to  them  in 
those  moments  when  they  need  to  open 
their  hearts  and  tell  someone  their 
story." 

Advent  is  one  of  those  times  when 
the  mystic  chords  of  memory  fill  our 
hearts.  In  addition  to  the  token  pre- 
sents we  give  our  older  friends,  we  can 
offer  our  presence  and  availability.  In 
so  doing  we  will  relive  the  experience  of 
Mary,  who  "kept  all  these  things  and 
pondered  them  in  her  heart." 

And  we  may  rediscover  the  spirit  of 
Christmas  as  we  minister  to  "the  least 
of  these  ...." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Richard  L.  Morgan  of 
Lenoir,  N.  C,  is  a  regular  contributor  to 
the  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian.  His  lat- 
est book,  "From  Grim  to  Green  Pas- 
tures: Meditations  for  the  Sick  and 
their  Caregivers,"  was  released  last 
month  by  Upper  Room  Press. 


Editor's  note — Due  to  the  large  number  of 
letters  received  (1)  some  of  these  letters  have 
been  edited  for  length  and  (2)  some  letters 
have  been  held  for  the  next  issue. 

Christians  repent 

Ref:  "Time  for  God's  People  to  act  like  God's 
people"  by  Sherry  Hope  in  September  issue 

...  Her  fixation  and  apparent  target  for 
exclusion,  ridicule,  and  hate  (to  make  use 
of  her  "loving"  expletives)  is  anyone  and 
everyone  who  believes  homo-sexuality  to 
be  anything  other  than  a  totally  acceptable 
socio-sexual  lifestyle.... 

Ms.  Hope  is  apparently  of  the  opinion 
that  homo-sexuality  is  a  genetic  condition 
or  trait  of  inheritance.  ...  I  don't  know  of 
any  scientific  research,  conclusive  or  not, 
that  supports  this  theory.  Common  sense 
and  study  of  the  Bible  very  easily  disproves 
this  theory.  God  ...  through  Paul,  con- 
demns homo-sexual  behavior  as  an  abomi- 
nation. ... 

Becoming  a  Christian  means  repenting 
of  sin.  How  can  a  homo-sexual  person  claim 
salvation  through  Christ  when  their 
lifestyle,  their  entire  identity  is  a  sinful 
one?  If  homo-sexuals  are  allowed  to  keep 
their  sin,  without  repentance,  and  be  ac- 
cepted as  Christians  in  Christ's  Church, 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

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John  Sniffen,  Editor 
Edith  Goodman  and  Laura  Jurman, 
Editorial  Assistants 
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Mailing  Address: 
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Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

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USPS  No.  604-120 
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what  other  sins  should  we  exclude  from 
Jesus'  command  to  "repent  of  your  sins  and 
follow  me?"  ... 

I  think  it  important  to  note  that  we  are 
all  sinful  and  unworthy  in  the  eyes  of  God. 
But,  through  Christ  we  are  forgiven  and 
made  acceptable  if  we  Repent  of  our  sin. 
However,  in  an  effort  to  be  open  minded,  if 
there  is  any  factual  evidence  that  proves 
this  behavior  is  hereditary,  I  would  like  to 
know  about  it. 

Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  teach  us 
how  to  love  God  and  our  neighbor  as  our- 
selves, and  Jesus  was  the  true  living  ex- 
ample of  these  two  commandments.  Are 
we  to  compromise  what  we  know  is  right 
for  love?  Did  Jesus  make  exceptions  to  the 
conditions  for  salvation?  Does  love  require 
us  to  abandon  the  Bible  and  its  teachings  in 
order  that  we  may  live  more  comfortably  in 
our  modem  day  lives?  The  answer  is  obvi- 
ously and  emphatically  no.  ... 

Thomas  S.  Henson 
Midland,  N.C. 

Heartfelt  thanks  to  writer 

I  wish  to  send  my  heartfelt  thanks  and 
blessings  to  Sherry  Hope  of  Baltimore, 
Md.,  for  her  thoughtful  letter  in  the  Sep- 
tember issue.  She  has  done  a  magnificent 
essay  on  the  center  of  Christianity — Christ 
and  His  teachings — not  the  laws  of  the 
people  of  Israel  that  Jesus  was  sent  to 
change. 

I  believe  firmly  that  her  thoughts  on 
women,  on  the  Re-Imagining  conference, 
on  homosexuality,  are  inspired  by  her  un- 
derstanding of  God's  laws  as  taught  by  His 
Son. 

Thank  you  for  giving  ...  space  [to]  this 
wonderful  writer. 

Betty  Bristle 
Asheville,  N.C. 

A  malaise  gripping  the 
Presbyterian  Church 

The  ...  letter  from  Sherry  Hope  ...  etched  in 
stark  relief  the  malaise  gripping  the  orga- 
nized Presbyterian  Church. 

Writing  of  Jesus'  mission  here  on  Earth, 
Ms.  Hope  claims  "Jesus  said  He  came  to  ... 
do  away  with  the  old."  I  cannot  allow  your 
readers  to  accept  such  a  blatant  twisting  of 
the  Gospel. 

In  Matthew  5:17-18  (NIV)  Jesus  actu- 
ally said:  "Do  not  think  that  I  have  come  to 
abolish  the  Law  or  the  Prophets;  I  have  not 
come  to  abolish  them  but  to  fulfill  them..  I 
tell  you  the  truth,  until  heaven  and  earth 
disappear,  not  the  smallest  letter,  nor  the 
least  stroke  of  a  pen  will  by  any  means 
disappear  from  the  Law  until  everything  is 
accomplished. " 

Notice  Jesus  says  "Do  not  think  that  I 
have  come  to  abolish  the  Law  ...  ." 

Ms.  Hope  goes  on  to  warn  of  adhering  to 
"...  every  exact  wording  in  the  Bible  ..." 
since,  if  we  did,  women  would  not  be  per- 
mitted to  speak  much  less  hold  leadership 
roles.  ... 

Paul's  admonition  that  women  should 
"...  keep  silence  in  the  churches  ..."  is  found 
in  I  Corinthians  14,  one  of  the  most  debated 
chapters  in  Scripture.  This  is  also  the 
chapter  where  Paul  appears  to  teach  proph- 


ecy is  preferable  to  tongues  and  is  [the 
chapter]  used  by  many  in  the  organized 
church  to  refute  the  speaking  in  tongues. 

Taken  in  context,  we  see  the  Church  of 
Corinth  as  a  free-wheehng  congregation, 
glorying  in  the  exhibition  of  the  gifts  rather 
than  worship  of  the  Giver.  ... 

But  a  thorough  study  of  Scripture  re- 
veals this  same  Paul  telling  the  Galatians 
"There  is  neither  Jew  nor  Greek,  slave  nor 
free,  male  nor  female,  for  you  are  all  one  in 
the  Christ  Jesus."  (Galatians  4:28-NrV).  ... 
He  also  beseeched  the  Philippians  to  "... 
help  these  women  who  have  contended  at 
my  side  in  the  cause  of  the  gospel  ...  ." 
(Philippians  4:3  NIV).  Evidently  not  only 
did  Paul  accept  women's  leadership  in  the 
early  church,  he  considered  them  equals: 
no  small  admission  from  a  man  who  was 
once  a  Pharisee. 

Ms.  Hope  goes  on  to  suggest  we  "...  need 
much  more  dialogue  and  research  into  the 
real  meaning  of  [the]  word  [homosexual]  in 
the  Bible."  An  admirable  sentiment — but 
the  word  never  appears!  The  act,  however, 
is  graphically  described  in  Leviticus  18:22 
NIV.  "Do  not  lie  with  a  man  as  one  lies  with 
a  woman;  that  is  detestable."  The  same 
chapter  also  forbids  incest,  adultery,  child 
sacrifice,  and  bestiality.  Certainly  Ms.  Hope 
does  not  expect  "...  more  dialogue  and  re- 
search into  the  real  meaning  ..."  of  these 
acts. 

No  ...  there  is  nothing  in  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments that  says  you  must  be  hetero- 
sexual to  love  or  need  a  partner.  There  is 
also  nothing  in  them  to  specifically  forbid 
lying — merely  the  giving  of"...  false  testi- 
mony against  your  neighbor."  But  such 
theological  hair-splitting  is  the  reason  the 
Presbyterian  Church  fails  to  meet  the  spiri- 
tual needs  of  its  people! 

God's  people  are  commanded  to  hate  sin 
and  love  the  sinner.  In  todays  climate, 
however,  no  one  is  a  sinner — merely  a 
victim.  The  Episcopal  Church  has  gone  so 
far  as  to  recommend  the  very  word  "sin"  be 
replaced  by  the  word  "discontinuities."  Shall 
the  Presbyterian  Church  follow  that  lead? 

HollyA.  Hoch 
Petersburg,  Va. 

They  will  know  we  are 
Christians  by  our  love? 

I  found  it  interesting  that  in  the  September 
issue  o{  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  on  op- 
posite pages,  were  the  loving  commentary 
of  "Time  for  God's  People  to  Act  Like  God's 
People"  and  the  Reader's  Comments,  of 
which  four  letters  were  narrow  and  nega- 
tive, although  I  am  sure  that  their  writers 
would  not  so  characterize  them. 

I  am  continually  saddened  by  the  resis- 
tance to  change  of  any  kind  that  is  so 
prevalent  in  Our  Church.  But  that  does  not 
sadden  me  nearly  as  much  as  the  apparent 
hardening  of  hearts  of  so  many  of  our 
members.  They  seem  to  have  forgotten 
that  Jesus  welcomed  sinners,  that  He  had 
compassion  for  those  who  were  ill  in  mind 
or  body,  that  He  did  not  even  condemn  the 
adulterous  woman. 

Jesus  was  probably  the  most  liberal 
character  in  all  of  the  Bible.  His  interpre- 
tation of  the  Law  transcended  the  minu- 
tiae of  the  Pharisees.  He  did  not  spend 


time  writing  Catechisms  or  Books  of  Or- 
der. He  wanted  people  to  be  concerned  for 
their  fellow  human  beings,  and  to  bless 
them,  even  those  with  whom  they  dis- 
agreed. He  urged  His  followers  to  pray,  to 
forgive  and  above  all  to  love.  He  amply 
demonstrated  His  kind  of  love  when  He 
gave  His  life  for  us. 

There's  a  song  that  says,  "They  will 
know  we  are  Christians  by  our  love."  I  wish 
that  more  of  this  spirit  could  be  found  in  all 
of  our  churches. 

Mrs.  Adair  B.  Gould 
Wilmington,  Del. 

Please,  no  name-calling 

I  noticed  with  a  smile  (at  this  point,  there's 
little  else  to  do  about  the  post  "Re-imagin- 
ing" crisis)  a  comment  made  by  a  reader  in 
the  September  issue. 

In  characterizing  some  faithful  Chris- 
tians whose  views  contradict  his  own,  a 
presumably  equally  faithful  Christian 
wrote,  "These  fuzzy  chinned,  feather- 
brained pulpiteers  are  creating  an 
unhealable  rift  ...  ." 

Sure,  a  reconciling  statement  released 
by  our  General  Assembly  isn't  going  to 
calm  everyone's  nerves  or  change  everyone's 
stance.  But  let's  at  least  come  together 
enough  to  avoid  name-calling  in  the  press. 
At  this  stage,  finger-pointing  is  hurtful 
enough. 

Keith  Grogg 
Kannapolis,  N.C. 

When  will  we  ever  learn? 

Apparently  the  wave  of  fear  and  paranoia 
that  rolled  in  after  the  Re-imagining  Con- 
ference was  history  repeating  itself,  shaky 
faith  afraid  to  confront  change. 

In  my  grandfather's  time  "good  church 
people,"  fearful  of  scientific  investigation 
of  the  universe,  urged  the  brethren  to  con- 
centrate on  the  Rock  of  Ages  and  stop 
looking  to  the  age  of  rocks.  Is  the  "rock" 
that  fragile?  Is  a  conference  of  courageous 
women,  using  their  God-given  intellects, 
going  to  shatter  the  Gibraltar  of  faith? 
(Remember  how,in  Jesus'  day,  some  ner- 
vous followers  were  afraid  He  would  de- 
stroy the  church  because  of  the  things  He 
did  on  the  Sabbath?) 

Maybe  that  great  old  preacher  in  Lon- 
don long  ago  (Leslie  Weatherhead)  put  his 
finger  on  our  recurring  problem:  "Your  God 
is  too  small!" 

Duncan  MacBryde 
Davidson,  N.C. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  editing 
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dress letters  to: 
Editor 

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Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1994,  Page  3 


Zuni  trains  residents  for  less-restricted  life 


Zuni  director  Robert  Bishop,  center  standing,  talks  with 
Leandra  Brownson,  Shawn  Snoots,  and  David  Lee  in  the 
center's  peanut  processing  plant. 


continued  from  page  1 

Peanuts  are  solidly  con- 
nected with  Zuni's  image.  Even 
the  center's  resident  beagle  is 
named  Peanut.  Bishop,  how- 
ever, is  quick  to  point  out  that 
there  is  much  more  to  the  cen- 
ter than  just  peanuts.  "It's  the 
program  that  makes  this  facil- 
ity special." 

When  the  center  was  started 
in  1967,  residents  were  prima- 
rily trained  for  jobs  in  agricul- 
ture. Times  have  changed, 
however,  and  most  job  open- 
ings are  now  at  fast  food  res- 
taurants or  large  department 
or  grocery  stores. 

Some  vocational  training  is 
done  on  campus,  but  many  resi- 
dents receive  on-the-job  train- 
ing elsewhere.  Twenty  resi- 
dents are  now  working  off-cam- 
pus, many  up  to  20  hours  per 
week,  according  to  Bishop.  The 
goal  for  1995  is  33  off-campus 
workers. 

To  accomplish  this  type  of 
training,  the  center  has  two 
full-time  professional  job 
coaches.  They  train  residents 
to  do  what  their  employers 
need  them  to  do.  The  employ- 
ers get  good,  dedicated  employ- 
ees and  Zuni  does  the  training, 
says  Bishop.  The  center  also 
does  foUowup  checks  with  the 
employers  and  provides  resi- 
dents with  transportation  to 
and  from  job  locations. 

Back  at  Zuni,  those  not 
working  off-campus  are  learn- 
ing living  skills  or  working  in 
the  dining  hall,  horticulture 
center,  or  peanut  processing 
plant.  They  are  also  paid  for 
their  on-campus  work,  so  they 
can  have  up  to  two  paying  jobs 
at  a  time. 

Living  skills  taught  at  Zuni 
include  personal  hygiene, 
housekeeping,  socializing, 
shopping,  managing  money 
and  being  involved  in  commu- 
nity religious  activities. 

Again,  while  they  may  learn 
the  skills  on  campus,  they  are 
regularly  taken  into  surround- 
ing towns  and  cities  to  practice 
the  skills. 

Christian  education 

For  Sunday  worship,  resi- 
dents attend  one  of  five  local 
churches,  including  two  Pres- 
byterian churches.  Full-time 
Christian  education  director 
Charles  Chappell  leads  Bible 
studies  on  Mondays  and  chapel 
services  on  Tuesday  evenings. 

Bishop  says  Zuni's  Chris- 
tian education  program  is  "very 
strong.  It's  amazing  how  much 
the  residents  can  learn  and 
know  about  Jesus." 

Bishop  emphasized  that  resi- 
dents are  not  kept  at  the  center 
for  a  set  amount  of  time.  "We  do 
not  make  them  spend  time  on 
campus  if  we  think  they  have 
the  ability  to  move  out." 

After  Zuni,  the  next  step  for 
many  graduates  is  to  move  to  a 
group  home  or  supervised  liv- 
ing in  an  apartment  setting. 

As  director  of  the  mental 
retardation  division  of  Presby- 
terian Home  and  Family  Ser- 
vices, Inc.  (PH&FS),  Bishop 
also  oversees  two  group  homes 
— in  Fredericksburg  and 
Waynesboro — which  are  own- 
ed and  operated  by  the  agency. 
A  third  is  in  the  planning 
stages. 

"Unfortunately,  there  are 
not  enough  group  homes  and 
supervised  apartments  out 
there,"  he  says. 

Zuni  graduates  are  given 


priority  when  there  are  open- 
ings at  the  Fredericksburg  or 
Waynesboro  homes,  but  they 
must  also  meet  a  federal  defi- 
nition of  being  "homeless." 

Zuni's  special  program  costs 
more  than  "peanuts,"  and  con- 
tributions are  important  to  the 
center's  budget.  As  a  part  of 
PH&FS,  it  receives  a  portion 
of  the  synod-wide  Thanksgiv- 
ing Offering. 

One  of  the  main  ways  Bishop 
has  involved  the  public  in  sup- 
porting Zuni  for  the  last  five 
years  is  an  annual  auction  on 
the  second  Saturday  in  June. 
The  most  recent  effort  brought 
in  about  $30,000  in  auction 
proceeds  and  cash  donations. 
Bishop  is  the  auctioneer  and 
the  event  attracts  400  to  500 
people. 

Day  in  the  Country 

Zuni  also  hosts  an  annual 
"Day  in  the  Country"  in  July. 
The  event  is  co-sponsored  by 
the  Zuni  Kuwayes,  a  volun- 
teer support  organization  for 
the  center.  Kuwayes  is  the  Zuni 
Indian  word  for  "friends." 

The  "Day  in  the  Country" 
features  games,  entertainment 


and  refreshments.  About  1,000 
supporters  and  area  residents 
usually  attend.  It's  another 
way  that  Bishop  seeks  to  teach 
people  about  the  center's  mis- 
sion and,  hopefully,  enlist  their 
support. 

Bishop  will  also  take  his 
message  about  Zuni  "on  the 
road."  He  and  PH&FS  Execu- 
tive Director  Peter  Geitner  are 
available  to  make  presenta- 
tions to  church  groups  and 
other  organizations. 

Church  groups  may  also 
visit  the  center.  For  overnight 
guests,  the  new  Jerry  Newbold 
Guest  Lodge  accommodates  up 
to  14  persons  and  has  complete 
kitchen  facilities. 

Volunteers  perform  many 
useful  functions  for  the  center. 
They  answer  phones,  serve  as 
mentors,  provide  transporta- 
tion, or  perform  special  tasks 
as  needed. 

"Our  volunteers  tell  us 
they've  never  worked  in  a  nicer 
place,"  says  Bishop. 


Zuni  accepts  residents  who 
are  at  least  18  years  old  with 
an  IQ  in  the  range  of 45-75.  All 


applicants  must  be  ambula- 
tory, verbal,  have  basic  self- 
care  skills  and  have  no  severe 
vision  or  hearing  impairments 
or  other  multiple  handicaps. 

The  center  is  not  equipped 
to  admit  residents  who  require 
a  special  diet,  ongoing  medical 
care,  or  have  severe  physical  or 
emotional  problems. 

To  recommend  a  person  for 
residency — or  for  more  infor- 


mation— phone  the  center  at 
(804)  242-6131.  Correspon- 
dence may  be  addressed  to  Zuni 
Presbyterian  Center,  P.O.  Box 
54,  Zuni,  VA  23898. 

For  more  information  about 
Presbyterian  Home  and  Fam- 
ily Services,  Inc.,  write  to  the 
agency  at  150  Linden  Ave., 
Lynchburg,  VA  24503-2099,  or 
phone  (804)  384-3138. 


"My  Charitable 
Gift  Annuity 
Is  Fulfilling 

More  Than  My 
Own  Needs." 

I've  never  had  a  bt  of  money, 
but  I  make  the  best  of  it.  And 
when  a  friend  at  my  church  told 

me  about  a  Charitabie  Gifi: 
Annuity,  I  knew  it  was  exactly 
what  I  wanted  to  do.  My  pk 
to  the  Church  will  be  used  to  help 
children,  just  like  I  requested. 
I  receive  a  guaranteed  income 
for  life  and  certain  income  tax 
benefits  too.  1  think  it  was 
a  smart  thing  to  do  .  .  .  and 
a  nice  thing  too. 

If  you'd  like  more  details 
about  the  many  benefits  of  giving 
through  a  Charitable  Gift  Annuity, 
caH  us  itM-free. 


Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation 
1-800-289-0313 


Page  4,  iVIid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1994 

Young  boy  rescued  from  institution 

Compassion  of  others  led  to  'miracle' 


continued  from  page  1 
erything  we  offered  him.  He 
was  very  interested  in  being 
clean,"  recalls  Mrs.  Bowman. 

In  the  institution,  Ray  would 
not  touch  a  toy  placed  in  front 
of  him.  How  would  they  teach 
him  to  play?  "Our  son,  Wade, 
was  the  answer,"  says  Mrs. 
Bowman,  a  professional  edu- 
cator. "Children  respond  to 
other  children." 

Other  families  in  the  Alta- 
Vista Presbyterian  Church 
joined  in  the  effort  to  help  Ray, 
taking  him  home  for  alternat- 
ing weekends.  A  Jewish  fam- 
ily also  participated. 

Mrs.  Bowman  took  him  with 
her  to  the  Demonstration  School 
at  Randolph-Macon  Women's 
College  where  he  did  very  well. 
He  was  quick  to  pick  up  new 
skills  and  learned  how  to  swim 
and  how  to  ride  a  bicycle. 

Ray  made  good  progress  out- 
side of  "the  Colony,"  but  had  to 
go  back  there  at  the  end  of  the 
weekends.  "You  could  just  see 
him  shrink  down  in  the 
backseat  of  the  car  as  we  drove 
there,"  recalls  Mrs.  Bowman. 

Then  another  person  gave 
Ray  a  chance.  Dr.  Bernard  E. 
Bain,  the  beloved  director  of 
the  Presbyterian  Home  in 
Lynchburg,  joined  Sidney  Bow- 
man in  asking  the  LTS  admin- 
istrators to  let  Ray  out  of  the 
institution.  The  officials  were 
hesitant  to  grant  the  request, 
but  after  a  determined  effort. 
Bain  and  Bowman  prevailed 
and  Ray  left  the  mental  insti- 
tution and  entered  the  Presby- 
terian Home  at  age  nine. 

Mr.  Bowman  recalls  driv- 
ing Ray  to  his  cottage  at  the 
home,  which  at  the  time  housed 

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orphans  and  some  children 
from  single-parent  families. 
Ray  was  the  only  one  who  had 
been  in  a  state  institution. 

"They  were  real  nice  kids," 
says  Mr.  Bowman.  "They  took 
to  Ray  and  he  took  to  them. 
One  of  them  said  'Hey,  the5^re 
some  puppies  out  in  the  barn', 
and  they  all  went  off  together." 

By  his  own  accounts,  Ray 
did  well  in  the  Presbyterian 
Home,  which  he  entered  in 
1956.  "By  the  fifth  grade  I  could 
say  my  multiplication  tables 
backward  and  forward  by  heart 
and  had  memorized  the 
Shorter  Catechism,"  says  Ray. 
He  also  played  on  the  football 
team.  "I  was  the  skinniest  guy 
out  there,"  he  recalls. 

Enters  Zuni  program 

In  1967  Presbs^terian  Home 
and  Family  Services  started 
the  Zuni  Presbyterian  Center 
in  a  farmhouse  in  Virginia's 
Isle  of  Wight  County.  Ray  was 
the  fourth  resident  at  the  cen- 
ter, which  was  designed  to  pre- 
pare mentally  retarded  young 
adults  for  living  and  working 
in  society.  Since  the  Presbyte- 
rian Home  did  not  normally 
admit  children  with  mental 
retardation,  Ray  is  the  only 
person  who  has  ever  been  in 
both  the  home  and  the  Zuni 
program. 

"I  really  think  Ray's  situa- 
tion [as  a  young  adult]  led  Ber- 
nard Bain  to  think  about  pro- 
grams for  mentally  retarded 
young  adults,"  says  Mr.  Bow- 
man. 

The  first  residents,  all  boys, 
were  trained  in  agricultural 
skills.  They  put  up  fences.  They 
picked  and  loaded  produce.  It 
was  hard  work. 

Christian  education  was 
also  a  key  part  of  the  program. 
Every  Sunday,  Ray  and  other 
students  attended  services  at 
Bethany  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  August  1972,  Ray  started 
a  job  at  the  Southampton  Me- 
morial Hospital  in  Franklin. 
He  moved  to  that  city  and  has 


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PEACEMAKING  JUBILEE 

August  12-16, 1995 

Hofstra  University  (near  New  York  City) 


□  Experience  the  United 
Nations  in  New  York  City 
on  its  50th  anniversary. 
Come  celebrate  its  birthday. 

□  Special  tours  of  the  United 
Nations  for  families, 
children  and  youth. 

Q  "Broadway  Sings  for  a  just 
Peace,"  a  benefit  for  UNICEF 
featuring  performers  from 
Broadway. 

□  Speakers  like  Mairead 
Maguire,  the  Nobel  Peace 
Prize  recipient. 

□  Workshops,  courses 
offered  by  institutions,  and 
experiential  offerings. 

□  Special  programs  for 
children,  older  youth  and 
younger  youth. 


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been  working  at  the  hospital 
since,  mainly  in  food  service. 
He  does  not  have  a  driver's 
license,  so  he  takes  a  taxi  to 
work  and  co-workers  give  him 
rides  home  in  the  evening. 

Ray  rents  a  downtown  du- 
plex, where  he  lives  comfort- 
ably by  himself.  Numerous 
sports  magazines  and  boxes  of 
sports  trading  cards  are  evi- 
dence of  his  hobby  (Joe  Mon- 
tana is  one  of  his  favorite  sports 
figures).  He  lives  within  walk- 
ing distance  of  Franklin  Pres- 
byterian Church,  where  he  is  a 
member. 

Joining  the  Franklin 
Church  brought  Ray  back  into 
contact  with  the  Bowmans. 
Sidney  Bowman  decided  to  go 
into  the  ministry  and  gradu- 
ated from  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  1961.  Seven  years 
later  he  was  called  to  Franklin, 
where  he  served  until  1976. 
Now  retired  and  living  in  Geor- 
gia, the  Bowmans  stay  in  con- 
tact with  Ray.  "We  feel  like 
he's  a  part  of  the  family,"  says 
Annette  Bowman. 

Since  his  membership  at 
Franklin  Church  spans  two 
decades,  Ray  has  had  several 
other  pastors.  Jim  Lambeth, 
the  current  pastor,  enjoys  Ray's 
sense  of  humor.  "He's  got  a 
joke  a  day,"  says  Lambeth. 
Mary  Jane  Winter,  Franklin 
Church's  pastor  from  1976  to 
1981,  says  Ray  "is  a  wonderful 
human  being."  She  adds  that 
the  results  of  the  acts  of  com- 
passion which  gave  Ray  his 
chance  are  still  being  felt. 

"Tommy  Pearson,  who  was 
a  kid  in  the  Franklin  Church 
when  Ray  came  there,  is  now  a 
house  parent  at  the  Zuni  Cen- 
ter," says  Winter,  the  alumni 
relations  director  for  Union 
Theological  Seminary. 

Despite  the  fact  that  he  was 
left  in  a  state  institution  dur- 
ing his  early  years,  Ray  bears 
no  grudges.  He  forgave  his  fa- 
ther, whom  he  finally  met  when 
Ray  was  a  young  adult. 

Ray's  life  has  not  been  an 
easy  one.  Considering  the  way 
he  spent  the  first  nine  years  of 
his  life,  Ray  says  the  results 
have  been  good.  "Miracles  will 
happen.  They  said  there  was 
no  way  I  would  turn  out  like  I 
did,"  he  says  with  a  smile. 

All  he  needed  was  a  chance. 


Zuni  resident  Jon  Whorley  dumps  freshly  cooked  peanuts 
out  on  paper  to  dry.  Zuni  Presbyterian  Center  peanuts 
are  sold  by  mail  from  the  center  and  at  Ukrop's  grocery 
stores  in  central  Virginia. 


Massanetta  Springs  renews 
winter  rates  for  youth  ski  groups 

The  cost  of  Wilson  Cottage 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— 
Massanetta  Springs  Confer- 
ence Center  will  again  offer 
special  rates  for  church  youth 
group  ski  retreats  this  winter. 

For  $31.70  per  person  per 
day,  participants  receive  three 
meals,  lodging  (with  linens)  in 
the  hotel,  and  evening  snacks 
around  the  fireplace. 

A  minimum  of  20  youth  is 
required  for  a  group  to  receive 
this  special  rate.  Two  adults 
receive  free  lodging  with  each 
group  of  20  paying  youth. 

A  popular  option  to  the  ho- 
tel is  Wilson  Cottage,  which 
sleeps  up  to  25  persons  and 
can  be  rented  with  or  without 
linens.  The  purchase  of  one  or 
more  meals  from  Massanetta 
Springs  is  optional.  Wilson 
Cottage  has  its  own  kitchen 
facilities. 


starts  as  low  as  $11.50  per  per- 
son per  night.  A  ten-person 
minimum  is  required. 

Massanutten  Village  Ski 
Resort  is  located  approximately 
seven  miles  from  Massanetta 
Springs.  Groups  must  make 
their  own  reservation  for  group 
ski  packages  directly  with 
Massanutten  Village. 

More  than  540  youth  and 
their  advisors  took  advantage 
of  skiing  opportunities  at 
Massanutten  while  sta3dng  at 
Massanetta  Springs  last  win- 
ter. 

The  conference  center  of- 
fers these  special  rates  to 
church  youth  groups  because 
of  its  commitment  to  provide 
opportunities  for  worship  and 
fellowship  for  young  people. 


Chesapeake  Center  offers  winter  special 


PORT  DEPOSIT,  Md.— Chesa- 
peake Center,  the  sjmod's  camp 
and  retreat  center  here,  is  of- 
fering youth  groups  a  Winter 
Retreat  Special  for  the  month 
of  January. 

The  special  weekend  rate  of 
$45  per  youth  includes  hous- 
ing in  one  of  the  center's  heated 
retreat  cabins,  five  meals  (Sat- 
urday breakfast  through  Sun- 
day lunch),  and  hot  chocolate 
on  Friday  night.  The  facilities 


are  available  7  p.m.  Friday 
through  2  p.m.  Sunday. 

All  chaperons  stay  free. 
Meals  are  provided  for  $30  per 
adult.  Also,  one  person  stays 
free  (housing  and  meals)  for 
every  10  pajdng  guests.  Meet- 
ing rooms  are  free. 

Phone  (410)  378-2267,  or 
write  to  Chesapeake  Center, 
50  Happy  Valley  Rd.,  Port  De- 
posit, MD  21904,  for  more  in- 
formation. 


THE  MODERATOR  OF  THE  CHURCH  OF  SCOTLAND  has  invited  Dr. 
Charles  Talleytobringagroupto  visit  him  at  Dornoch  Cathedralin  1995. 
There  viilifxaweekendon  thelsleoflona,  a  weeldnSt.  Andrews  withday 
trips  during  the  British  Open  Golf  Championship,  a  week  in  the  heart  of 
Edinburgh  with  day  trips  during  theli/lilitary  Tattoo  at  Edinburgh  Castle,  two 
nights  in  Pilochry  (during  the  Drama  Festival),  two  nights  on  the  Isle  of 
Skye,  and  three  nights  in  Inverness  in  the  highlands  with  day  trips  to 
Dornoch  and  John  O'Groats.  Depart  Dulles  Airport,  Washington,  D.C.,  to 
Glasgow;  July  13-August  8.  Contact:  Dr.  Charles  C.  Talley,  23465 
HarborviewRd.,  m4,  Punta  Gorda,  FL  33980;  (813)  624-6285.  (ROTARY 
make-ups  in  Edinburgh  and  St.  Andrews.) 


Support  group  forming 

The  Chesapeake  Center 
Committee  is  inviting  guests, 
former  campers,  and  campers' 
parents  to  join  The  Friends  of 
Chesapeake  Center,  an  orga- 
nization to  "help  the  ministry 
of  Chesapeake  Center  thrive 
as  it  moves  into  the  21st  cen- 
tury," according  to  committee 
chair  Bill  Goettler. 

Membership  contribu- 
tions— which  start  at  $  10 — will 
help  "create  reserves  necessary 
for  sound  and  responsible  fis- 
cal operation  of  Chesapeake 
Center,"  wrote  Goettler  in  a 
letter  to  prospective  members. 

Members  will  receive  a  quar- 
terly newsletter  from  the  cen- 
ter and  will  have  the  opportu- 
nity to  participate  in  advisory 
groups. 

For  more  information,  con- 
tact the  center  at  the  phone 
number  or  address  above. 


China  'experience  ...  was  unfinished 
business'  says  former  missionary 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1994,  Page  5 


continued  from  page  1 
At  the  suggestion  of  Bishop 
Ting,  the  reunion  included 
missionary  children  (or  "mish 
kids")  as  well  as  the  former 
missionaries.  Among  the  160 
participants  were  some  in  their 
90s  who  had  traveled  from  as 
far  away  as  California. 

Ting  offered  an  apology  on 
behalf  of  the  Chinese  Chris- 
tians. "I  want  to  apologize  to 
former  China  missionaries  and 
their  families  for  all  the  suffer- 
ing wrongly  imposed  on  them 
40  years  ago,"  he  said.  "I  would 
be  glad  if  you  take  my  presence 
here  as  a  token  of  healing  and 
reconciliation  in  Christ." 

Interviewed  later  by  the 
Presbyterian  News  Service,  the 
Rev.  Franklin  J.  Woo  of  New 
York  City,  former  missionary 
in  Hong  Kong  and  former  di- 
rector of  the  China  Program  of 
the  National  Council  of 
Churches  of  Christ  in  the 
U.S.A.,  noted  the  importance 
of  this  apology.  He  equated  it 
with  former  President  George 
Bush's  apology  to  the  Japa- 
nese Americans  who  were  held 
in  internment  camps  in  the 
U.S.  during  Worid  War  II. 

"It  made  them  whole  again," 
said  Woo.  "Ting's  being  here 
(was  a)  pastoral  visit." 

Presbyterian  missionary 
involvement  in  China  started 
in  1837  with  three  missionar- 
ies. From  then  until  they  were 
forced  out  by  the  Communists, 
more  than  1,700  missionaries 
served  in  China.  Left  in  the 
country  were  the  bodies  of  219 
missionaries  who  had  died  and 
were  buried  there. 

China  today 

Bishop  Ting  talked  about  the 
church  in  China  today  as 
"postdenominational" — "a 
word  which  we  have  given  our- 
selves the  liberty  to  create  and 
yet  probably  violates  the  beauty 
and  purity  of  the  English  lan- 
guage," he  quipped.  "But  we 
think  that  this  word  is  a  good 
description  of  where  we  are. 

"Denominational  structures 
have  not  existed  since  over  30 
years  ago,"  he  said.  "The  over- 
whelming majority  of  our 
Christians  ...  have  never  been 
members  of  any  denomination. 
...  We  hold  to  the  principle  of 
mutual  respect  in  matters  of 
faith  and  worship. 


1995  PimTHtwj  Health,  Education  and 
Wbjak  Association  Biennai  National 
MiNBTMES  Division  Social  Weimre 
Ministries  Qm&a 
January  12  -  15, 1995  •  New  Orleans,  LA 
For  More  Information  call  Joan  Thompson 
(502)569-5838 


'(We)  want  to  encourage 
diversity  for  realizing  the  rich- 
ness of  Jesus  Christ  in  his 
church.  We  like  to  see  a  Chi- 
nese church  ...  in  which  differ- 
ences are  not  merely  tolerated, 
but  appreciated  ...  .  We  still 
have  a  long  way  to  go  to  achieve 
this  broadness.... 

"The  China  Christian  Coun- 
cil is  the  organizational  form 
of  our  postdenominational 
unity.  It  is  different  from  any 
national  council  of  churches  in 
that  we  do  not  anymore  have 
denominational  churches  to 
form  the  council.  ...  We  are 
glad  of  the  unity  we  can  enjoy. 
It  is  closer  to  Christ's  own 
prayer  that  we  be  one.  ..." 

Ting  said  that  while  there 
are  still  difficulties  for  Chris- 
tians in  the  People's  Republic 
of  China,  atheists  of  the  state 
are  "more  open  and  friendly  to 
Christianity"  than  they  have 
been  in  the  past. 

"I  am  not  upset  by  the 
atheist's  advocacy  of  atheism," 
he  said  in  his  address,  "be- 
cause God  has  been  and  will  be 


forever,  despite  any  denial.  In 
an  overwhelmingly  secular 
society,  the  denial  of  God  at 
least  raises  the  question  of 
God." 

The  Columbia  connection 

The  hosting  of  the  China 
Missionary  Reunion  by  Colum- 
bia Theological  Seminary  was 
an  acknowledgment  of  the  close 
relationship  between  the  semi- 
nary and  the  China  Christian 
Council.  The  alliance  started 
in  1991  with  a  grant  from  the 
Henry  Luce  Foundation  and 
was  strengthened  by  an  addi- 
tional three-year  grant,  an- 
nounced last  June.  (Luce's 
grandfather  was  a  former  mis- 
sionary to  China.) 

The  grant  will  further  sup- 
port cultural  and  academic 
exchanges  between  Columbia 
Seminary  and  both  the  CCC 
and  Nanjing  Union  Theologi- 
cal Seminary.  Since  1991,  ac- 
cording to  CTS  president  Dr. 
Douglas  W.  Oldenburg,  over 
50  members  of  the  CTS  com- 
munity have  visited  China. 


Participants  from  this  synod  at  the  China  Missionary  Reunion  at 
Columbia  Theological  Seminary  included,  from  left;  first  row — Cora 
Wayland  of  Charlotte,  N.C.;  Ruth  Farrior  of  Montreal,  N.C.;  Eleanor 
Bridgman  Monteith  of  Charlotte,  N.C.;  Ruth  Bell  Graham  of  Montreat, 
N.C.;  Lucy  Grier  of  High  Point,  N.C.;  Ethel  Dickson  Smith  of  Asheville, 
N.C.;  and  John  Brady  of  Black  Mountain,  N.C.;  second  row— Hugh 
Farrior  of  Kensington,  Md.;  Mary  Price  Coulling  of  Lexington,  Va.; 
Page  Lancaster  Codington  of  Black  Mountain,  N.C.;  Charlene  Woods 
of  Montreat,  N.C.;  Aurie  Montgomery  Miller  of  Mooresville,  N.C.; 
third  row — Randy  Taylor  of  Montreat,  N.C. ;  John  Wayland  of  Davidson, 
N.C.;  Chick  McMullen  Dimmock  of  Montreat,  N.C;  and  Donaldson 
Woods  of  Montreat,  N.C. 

Not  pictured  but  present  for  the  reunion— Annie  Kok  Brady  of 
Black  Mountain,  N.C;  Emma  McMullen  Doom  of  Black  Mountain, 
N.C;  Kenneth  and  Francis  Foreman  of  Montreat,  N.C;  Sandy  Yates 
Gartrell  of  Montreat,  N.C;  Jane  Leiper  of  Washington,  D.C;  Mary 
Ann  Craig  Link  of  Floyd,  Va.;  Lydia  Woods  Peale  of  Palmyra,  Va.; 
Agnes  Junkin  Peery  of  Charlotte,  N.C;  Kitty  McLauchlin  Peterson  of 
Black  Mountain,  N.C;  Virginia  Somerville  of  Montreat,  N.C;  John 
Seabury  Thomson  of  Chevy  Chase,  Md.;  Anne  Lewis  Winn  of 
Harrisonburg,  Va.;  Elizabeth  Blain  Woods  of  Davidson,  N.C;  and 
Latitia  Yeandle  of  Garrett  Park,  Md. 


FESTIVAL  OF  MARRIAGE 


Wrightsville  Beach/Wilmington^  NC 
July  17-20, 1995 


Featuring: 

Donald  Meichenbaum,  Ph.D.,  is  considered  one  of  the  ten  most  influential  psy- 
chotherapists of  the  centuiy,  in  a  survey  reported  in  the  American  Psychologist. 
He  is  a  world  reknown  expert  on  stress  and  coping,  and  on  communication  pro- 
cess. 

Susan  Page,  M.Div.,  is  the  author  of  the  acclaimed  Now  That  I'm  Married,  Why 
Isn 't  Everything  Perfect?  John  Gray,  author  of  Men  are from  Mars,  Women  are  from 
Venus,  says,  "Susan  Page  is  the  most  inspiring  speaker  on  the  subject  of  marriage 
and  relationships  that  I  have  ever  heard...Susan  uncomplicates  love  in  a  magical 
way." 

Scott  D.  Miller,  Ph.D.,  is  a  therapist,  trainer,  and  lecturer  on  solution  focused 
therapy.  Dr.  Miller  is  known  for  his  engaging  and  humorous  presentative  style. 


Conference  Tonics: 


^Understanding  &  Empowering 
Relationships 

*What  Do  Couples 
Do  Right? 

*  Creating  a  Perfect  Marriage  in  an  Imperfect 
World; 

The  Eight  Essential  Traits  of 
Couples  Who  Thrive. 

^The  golden  rules:  Three  simple  strategies  for 
making  your  marriage  survive  &  thrive! 


Meichenbaum,  Page  andMiller  are  three  of  the  world's  best  experts  on  relationships,  and  they  can  help  couples  develop  new  attitudes  about 
marriage  and  learn  new  relational  skills.  Presentations  will  be  in  the  mornings  and  evenings.  Afternoons  will  be  free  to  enjoy  the  beach! 
Inexpensive  dormitory  housing  will  be  available  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina  at  Wilmington.  Or  stay  on  the  beach  at  discounted 
rates:  Shell  Island  (1-800-689-6765);  Holiday  Inn  (1-800-532-5362);  Sandra  Holiday  (1-800-822-4588).  Rooms  are  also  available  at  the 
Comfort  Inn  near  UNC-W  (1-800-444-4841). 


One  of  the 
first  250 

couples 
registering 

for  this 
conference 
will  receive 
2  free  trips 
to  Greece! 


Names 

FESTIVAL  OF  MARRIAGE— July  17-20,  1995 
Phone 

Address  _ 
State  


Zip 


Preferred  Names  for  Nametags  — 

Dormitory  housing        □  yes      □  no 

Non-refundable  registration  of  $25.00 
Conference  fee  is  $299.00  per  couple  (before  January  15, 1995)  (including  registration  fee). 
Conference  fee  is  $325.00  per  couple  (after  January  15, 1995). 


Credit  Card  #_ 
Mastercard 


Exp.  Date  _ 
Visa  □ 


Mail  to  Festival  of  Marriage 
13540  E.  Boundary  Road,  Bldg.  2,  Suite  105,  Midlothian,  VA  23 1 12 
Or  call  1-800-866-863 1  (1 1:00  a.m.  to  3:00  p.m.)  with  credit  card  orders  (Mastercard  or  Visa) 


Page  6,  Mid  ritlantic  Presb3rterian,  November/December  1994 

PSCE  calls  for  entries 
for  annual  Vision  Awards 


RICHMOND— The  Presbyte- 
rian School  of  Christian  Edu- 
cation (PSCE)  Vision  Awards 
program,  now  in  its  fourth 
year,  was  estabHshed  to  recog- 
nize churches  across  the  de- 


Wheeler  named 
synod  comptroller 

RICHMOND— Jack  Wheeler 
has  been  named  sjmod  comp- 
troller through  June  1995.  The 
Synod  Council  approved 
Wheeler's  appointment  during 
an  Oct.  17  conference  call.- 
Wheeler,  who  had  been  do- 
ing financial 
data  entry  for 
the  synod  on  a 
contract  basis 
since  1992,  will 
also  tempo- 
rarily assume 
the  responsi- 
bilities of  the 
associate  ex- 
ecutive for  fi- 
nance. That  position  has  been 
vacant  since  mid-September. 

In  approving  his  position, 
the  council  also  stated  that 
Wheeler  will  be  eligible  for  any 
position  which  comes  out  of 
the  new  sjniod  staffing  design. 

Wheeler  is  a  member  of 
Southminster  Church  in  Ches- 
terfield County. 


Wheeler 


nomination  for  excellence  in 
Christian  education  and  out- 
reach. 

All  churches  wishing  to  be 
considered  for  one  of  the  1994- 
1995  awards  must  apply  by 
Feb.  1,  1995. 

The  four  awards  conferred 
each  year  are:  the  Tolly  Thomp- 
son Award  for  Excellence  in 
Christian  Education,  the  Sa- 
rah Hill  Brown  Award  for  Early 
Childhood  Education,  the 
Elinor  Curry  Award  for  Out- 
reach and  Social  Concern,  and 
the  Katharine  Hawes  Award 
for  Effective  Youth  Ministry. 

Each  church  chosen  for  an 
award  will  receive  $1,000  to 
enhance  or  expand  the  recog- 
nized program.  Award  recipi- 
ents will  be  announced  at  the 
PSCE  breakfast  during  the 
1995  General  Assembly,  where 
a  representative  from  each  of 
the  four  churches  will  be  in- 
vited to  accept  a  framed  cer- 
tificate from  the  School. 

Eleven  churches  represent- 
ing 10  states  have  received  a 
Vision  Award  since  the  begin- 
ning of  the  program. 

Informational  brochures  are 
available  from  the  Communi- 
cations Office  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian School  of  Christian  Edu- 
cation, 1205  Palmyra  Ave., 
Richmond  VA  23227.  For  more 
information,  call  Nancy 
Fischer  at  (804)  254-8049. 


Life  Care  Retirement 


Rappahannock  Westminster-Canterbury 

A  r^iranait  comnmnity  rdated  to  the  Presbyterian  and  Epfiscopal 
Chuixiies.  located  in  the  scenic  " 


K)  Lancaster  Drive  •  Irvington,  Virginia  22m  •  (804)  ^-4000 


CALL  TOLL  FREE  800-792-1444 


George  Harrison,  an  elder  from  Norfolk,  Va.,  and  a  member  of  the  Standing  Committee 
on  Mission,  ponders  the  sjnnod's  organization  during  the  committee's  Oct.  28-29 
meeting  at  the  synod  office. 

Mission  committee  finalizing  plan 


At  press  time,  the  Standing 
Committee  on  Mission  from  the 
208th  S3Tiod  Assembly  was  still 
working  on  its  report  to  the 
meeting  which  will  reconvene 
Jan.  27-28  at  the  Hohday  Inn- 
Central  in  Richmond. 

The  mission  committee, 
chaired  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  F. 
Rutland  of  Whiteville,  N.C., 
had  met  twice  and  was  sched- 
uled to  meet  again  Nov.  18-19. 

While  some  details  could 
change  before  the  committee 
finalizes  its  report,  the  plan 
taking  shape  included  the  fol- 
lowing: 

•  Synod  would  have  both 
an  annual  assembly  and  a 
council,  which  would  act  for 
and  be  accountable  to  the  as- 
sembly; 

•  The  Synod  Assembly 
would  have  the  same  repre- 
sentation from  the  presbyteries 
as  they  send  to  the  General 
Assembly.  This  would  mean  a 


1  9  9  4     Christmas    Joy     O  f  f  e  r  i  n  g  \ 


The  needs  of  the  many  people 
who  benefit  from  the  Christmas 
Joy  Offering  will  not  diminish.  H 
The  1994  Christmas  Joy  Offering 
will  continue  to  support:  the 
Board  of  Pensions'  nursing  home 
assistance  program,  income 
supplement  program,  and  shared 
grants  program,  and  the  eight 
racial  ethnic  schools  and  colleges 
in  covenant  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.).H 


Please  give  generously. 


tlMMANUEL 

.  AND  THKY  SHALL  NAiMK  HIM  EmMANUKL, 
WHICH  MKANS,  "CioD  IS  WITH  US." 


synod  meeting  would  have 
about  65  commissioners,  half 
of  its  present  size.  Commis- 
sioners would  serve  one-year 
terms.  There  would  be  one 
youth  delegate  per  presbytery; 

•  The  Synod  Council  would 
be  composed  of  20  persons  ac- 
cording to  this  formula:  one 
from  each  presbjd;ery,  one  from 
each  of  five  mission  commit- 
tees (see  below),  one  from  an 
administration  committee  and 
one  from  the  finance  commit- 
tee. Council  members  would 
serve  two-year  terms.  One- 
fourth  of  the  council  member- 
ship will  be  racial  ethnic  per- 
sons; 

•  The  mission  committees 
would  be  for  campus  ministry, 
evangelism,  justice  and  mercy, 
partnerships,  and  racial  eth- 
nic ministries; 

•  Communication  would  be 
a  part  of  the  synod's  work,  but 
without  a  separate  mission 
committee.  The  Synod  Council 
would  have  oversight  of  this 
area;  and 

•  If  the  plan,  is  approved, 
there  would  be  a  transition 
committee,  possibly  composed 
of  members  from  the  mission 
committee. 

Going  into  its  Nov.  18-19 
meeting,  the  committee  had 
approved  some  basic  guidelines 


for  how  four  of  the  five  mission 
areas  would  be  pursued.  They 
had  not  approved  an  overall 
plan  for  campus  ministry. 

The  evangelism  mission 
area  no  longer  includes  new 
church  development  and 
church  redevelopment.  The 
committee  members  agreed 
that  those  areas  are  part  of 
presbyteries'  mission  and  did 
not  belong  at  the  synod  level. 

Health,  which  had  been  in- 
cluded as  one  of  the  areas  un- 
der partnerships,  is  now  listed 
under  justice  and  mercy  is- 
sues. 

The  other  major  business 
set  for  the  committee's  last 
meeting  was  a  staffing  plan. 

A  detailed  report  of  the 
committee's  plan  will  be 
printed  in  the  January/Febru- 
ary issue  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian,  which  should  be 
in  homes  by  mid-January. 

Correction 

In  the  Mission  Statement 
printed  in  the  J uly/August  and 
September  issues  of  the  news- 
paper, two  words  in  the  second 
paragraph  were  transposed. 
The  paragraph  should  start, 
"The  Synod  is  responsible  for 
mission  and  ministry  within 
the  region  ..."  (emphasis 
added). 


Statesville  church  publishes  history 


STATESVILLE,  N.C.— First 
Church  of  Statesville,  N.C.,  is 
publishing  the  history  of  its 
first  225  years  as  a  community 
of  faith. 

The  book  is  written  by  Henry 
Middleton  Raynal,  who  grew 
up  in  the  church  during  the 
years  when  his  father,  Charles 
Edward  Raynal,  served  as  pas- 
tor. 

The  church  celebrated  its 
225th  anniversary  in  1989.  At 
that  time,  the  celebration  com- 
mittee was  given  a  generous 
bequest  from  the  David 
Andrews  family  to  underwrite 


t 


FIBERGLASS  STEEPLES 
CROSSES  -  BAPTISTRIES 
WATER  HEATERS 


A 


LiniE  GIANT  MANUFAQURING  CO. 

Box  51 8  /  Orange,  Texas  77630 
DIALTOLL  FREE  1-800-231-6035 


the  cost  of  writing  the  history. 

Raynal  began  research  for 
the  book  following  his  retire- 
ment as  pastor  of  Falling  Creek 
Church  in  Glasgow,  Va.,  and 
completed  the  writing  last  sum- 
mer. The  350-page  work  is 
scheduled  for  publication  in 
December. 

The  book  will  be  available 
for  shipping  in  December.  The 
cost  will  be  $20  plus  $3  for 
shipping.  Anyone  interested  in 
receiving  a  copy  can  send  their 
order  with  a  check  to:  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  P.O.  Box 
467,  Statesville,  NC  28687. 


AUTHORS  WANTED 

LeatSngsubskfybookpubBsherseeksmanusa^ol 
alltypes:  fiction,  non-fiction,  poetry,  sdxriarty.juve- 
raem)dKS^ous*ioiks,etc.Nmaulhorsmlcomed 
Send  for  free  32-page  illustrated  t)ooklet  H-101 
Vantage  Press,  516  W.34St,  New  York,  NY 10001 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1994, 


North  Carolina  council  sets 
1 995  legislative  agenda 


RALEIGH,  N.C.— The  House 
of  Delegates  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina  Council  of  Churches 
(NCCC)  has  adopted  position 
statements  on  four  major  pub- 
lic issues:  campaign  finance 
reform,  juvenile  justice,  wel- 
fare reform  and  gun  violence. 

These  will  be  the  principal 
subjects  for  education  and  ad- 
vocacy for  the  NCCC  during 
the  1995  session  of  the  North 
Carolina  legislature. 

Regarding  campaign  fi- 
nances, the  NCCC  statement 
calls  "for  a  publicly  funded  pro- 
cess that  would  reduce  the  in- 
fluence of  money,  empower  the 
ordinary  citizen's  vote,  and 
create  a  financially  level  play- 
ing field  for  candidates,"  ac- 
cording to  a  press  release  from 
the  council. 

The  statement  deplores  "the 
current  system  that  gives  un- 
due political  influence  to 
wealthy  individuals  and  to  fi- 
nancially powerful  special 
interest  groups.  It  deplores  also 
the  amount  of  time  candidates 
and  officeholders  must  give  to 
fund  raising." 

Regarding  juvenile  justice, 
the  council  said  the  current 
system  is  "in  crisis"  and  that 
many  troubled  youth  are  not 
getting  needed  help.  Despite 
many  calls  for  "harsher  and 
more  punitive  treatment  of 
wayward  youth,"  the  report 
says  "Christians  ...  will  want 
to  emphasize  prevention,  com- 
passion and  restoration." 

Cited  as  the  practical  mea- 
sure in  this  area  is  adequate 
funding  for  community-based 
programs  that  offer  strong  sup- 
port for  families  and  strong 
educational  components. 

On  the  subject  of  welfare, 
the  council  cited  a  shortage  of 
"adequate  paying  jobs"  as  the 
main  problem  and  that  28  per- 
cent of  full-time  workers  in  the 
state  earn  wages  below  the 
poverty  level. 

"Welfare  reform  ...  must  in- 
clude job  training,  affordable 
child  care,  health  care,  and  the 
assurance  of  jobs  with  decent 
pay,"  stated  the  release.  The 
council  recognized  the  prob- 
lems associated  with  increas- 
ing out-of-wedlock  births,  but 
rejected  punitive  measures  it 


said  "would  increase  the  desti- 
tution of  those  already  suffer- 
ing ... ."  Instead,  "irresponsible 
reproductive  behavior,  out-of- 
wedlock  births,  and  family  dis- 
solution should  be  discouraged 
by  programs  that  offer  help, 
hope  and  economic  opportu- 
nity." 

Regarding  gun  violence,  the 
council  said  that  while  the  ex- 
istence of  guns  is  not  the  only 
cause,  "the  large  supply  of  hand- 
guns in  the  population  and  their 
easy  availability  are  significant 
parts  of  the  problem." 

The  NCCC  recommended 
that  the  state  license  handgun 
owners  and  that  safety  train- 
ing be  a  part  of  the  licensing 
process. 

The  NCCC  is  an  ecumenical 
organization  comprising  25 
denominational  bodies,  includ- 
ing the  Synod  of  the  Mid-At- 
lantic of  the  PC(USA). 


100th  birthday 


The  Rev.  J.  Clyde  Plexico  Sr.,  seated,  recently  celebrated 
his  100th  birthday  with  an  open  house  at  the  Presbyterian 
Home  in  High  Point.  He  was  born  in  Sharon,  S.C.,  on  Aug. 
30,  1894.  He  was  married  to  the  late  Mary  Ferguson 
Plexico  for  68  years  and  is  a  retired  Presbyterian  minister. 
With  him  are,  left  to  right,  his  son,  the  Rev.  J.  Clyde 
Plexico  Jr.  of  Hendersonville,  his  great-grandson,  Bart 
Salvaggio  of  Raleigh,  and  his  grandson,  Clark  Plexico  of 
Hendersonville. 


At  Peacemaking  Jubilee  next  August 

Irish  Nobel  Prize  winner  to  speak 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

One  by-product  of  the  Irish 
Republican  Arm3^s  cease-fire 
in  Northern  Ireland  is  height- 
ened interest  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.  )'s  Aug.  12- 
16,  1995,  Peacemaking  Con- 
ference. 

The  reason?  Nobel  Peace 
Prize  winner  Mairead  Cor- 
rigan  Maguire  has  accepted 
an  invitation  to  be  one  of  the 


keynote  speakers  at  the  con- 
ference, sponsored  by  the  Pres- 
byterian Peacemaking  Pro- 
gram. 

Maguire,  co-founder  of  the 
Community  of  Peace  People  in 
Northern  Ireland,  won  the 
Nobel  in  1976. 

She  joins  a  list  of  keynoters 
for  the  "Peacemaking  Jubilee" 
that  includes  Juan  Somavia, 
the  Chilean  ambassador  to  the 
United  Nations  and  president 
of  the  U.N.'s  Economic  and 


Montreat  announces  1995  schedule 


MONTREAT,  N.C.— Montreat 
Conference  Center  has  an- 
nounced its  schedule  of  confer- 
ences and  retreats  for  1995. 

The  program  year  starts 
with  the  Couples  Conference 
on  Jan.  20-22.  A  Youth  Ski 
Weekend  follows  on  Feb.  17-19 
and  the  center's  first 
Elderhostel  of  the  year  is 
March  19-24. 

Other  highlights  of  the 
schedule  include  the  Steward- 
ship Conference,  April  23-27; 
the  Annual  Recreation  Work- 
shop, May  1-6;  Youth  Confer- 


Union   Theological  Semin 

ARY   in  Virginia 

The Sprunt 
Lectures 

January 23-25, 1995 

Lecturer 

Jane  Dempsey  Douglass, 
Professor  of  Historical  Theology 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary 

Alumni/ae 
Luncheon  Speaker 

Lamar  Williamson 

Preacher 

Louis  B.  Weeks,  President 
Union  Theological  Seminary 

Faculty  Inaugural 
Address 

Rebecca  H.  Weaver, 
Professor  of  Church  History 

For  more  information, 
contact: 

Mary  Jane  Winter 

Director,  Alumni/ae  &  Constituency  Relations 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia 
3401  Brook  Road,  Richmond,  Virginia  23227 
1-804-278-4226  or  1-800-229-2990  (toll-free) 

ences,  June  11-17,  July  9-15, 
July  16-22,  July  30-Aug.  5,  and 
Aug.  6-12;  Worship  and  Music 
Conferences,  June  18-24  and 
June  25-July  1;  Family  En- 
richment Conference,  July  4- 
8;  Women's  Conference,  July 
4-9;  Global  Mission  Confer- 
ence, July  23-29;  and  Bible  and 
Theology  Conference,  July  24- 
28. 

For  a  complete  conference 
and  retreat  schedule,  contact 
the  Montreat  program  office 
at  (800)  572-2257,  ext.  336. 


Social  Council;  Sister  Joan 
Chittister,  a  well-known  au- 
thor and  lecturer;  and  Harold 
Saunders,  a  Presbjrterian  el- 
der who  served  as  the  U.S. 
Assistant  Secretary  of  State 
during  the  Carter  presidency. 

About  2,500  persons  are  ex- 
pected to  attend  the  confer- 
ence, which  will  be  held  on  the 
campus  of  Hofstra  University 
at  Hempstead,  Long  Island, 
near  New  York  City. 

The  conference  will  explore 
the  biblical  promise  of  commu- 
nity. "In  an  atomized  and  bro- 
ken world,  all  of  us  wish  to 
enhance  our  sense  of  commu- 
nity with  others,"  said  the  Rev. 
Richard  L.  Killmer,  coordina- 
tor of  the  Presbyterian  Peace- 
making Program.  "This  con- 
ference will  look  at  ways  that 
community  can  be  strength- 
ened." 


PEW  REFINISHING' CARPET 
PEWS* PEW  UPHOLSTERY 

E.C.  Moore  Church  Furniture,  Inc. 
P.O.  Box  524  •  Monroe,  NC  28111 
1-800-666-7331 


Paul  S.Wright, 
oldest  moderator, 
dies  at  age  99 

PORTLAND,  Ore.— The  old- 
est living  moderator  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.), 
the  Rev.  Paul  S.  Wright,  died 
Oct.  24  in  a  nursing  home  here. 
He  was  99  years  old. 

Born  into  a  missionary  fam- 
ily serving  in  Persia,  Wright 
was  moderator  of  the  General 
Assembly  in  1955.  He  held  pas- 
torates in  North  Dakota,  Min- 
nesota and  Oklahoma  before 
coming  to  First  Church  in  Port- 
land in  1941.  He  retired  from 
that  pastorate  in  1973  and  was 
named  pastor  emeritus. 

Wright  began  his  associa- 
tion with  Lewis  &  Clark  Col- 
lege in  1941,  leading  chapel 
services.  In  1974,  he  was 
named  distinguished  guest  lec- 
turer and  interim  chaplain  at 
the  college.  Shortly  thereaf- 
ter, he  was  named  theologian- 
in-residence,  a  title  he  held 
until  his  death. 

He  was  a  life  trustee  of  the 
college  and  remained  active  in 
the  life  of  the  college  through 
last  January,  preaching  occa- 
sionally and  leading  Bible  stud- 
ies. The  Paul  S.  Wright  En- 
dowment Fund  is  established 
at  Lewis  &  Clark  College  to 
fund  a  scholar-in-residence 
program  there. 

A  service  celebrating  the  res- 
urrection was  held  Sunday, 
Oct.  30,  at  the  Agnes  Flanagan 
Chapel  on  the  campus  of  Lewis 
&  Clark  College.  U.S.  Senator 
Mark  Hatfield  (R-Ore.)  deliv- 
ered the  eulogy. 

Wright  is  survived  by  his 
wife,  Mary  Elizabeth,  of  Port- 
land; one  daughter,  Laretta 
Wright  Cipra  of  San  Diego; 
and  two  grandchildren.  Cards 
and  letters  may  be  sent  to  Mrs. 
Wright  at  411  S.W.  Bancroft 
St.,  Portland,  Ore.  97201. 

— Alexa  Smith 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

PEW  CUSHIONS  = 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG.  VA  24502 

=  1-800-572-2283  = 


Your  Plans  For  A 
Wonderful  Retirement 
Cost  Less 
At  King's  Grant. 

Few,  if  any,  retirement  cottages  or  apartments  are 
as  large  as  those  found  at  King's  Grant.  While  ours  are 
more  spacious,  they're  also  less  costly. 

Our  fee-for-service  plan  makes  our  community  even 
more  of  a  value,  because  you  pay  only  for  services  you  want 
or  need.  From  weekly  linen  service  to  full  nursing  care. 

Start  your  plans  today  for  a  wonderful 
retirement.  Mail  the  coupon  or  call 
703-634-1000  or  800-462-4649. 


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A  Sunnyside  Retirement  Community 
jil  to:  1  Kings  Way  Road,  Martinsville,  VA  24112-6610 


Page  8,  ■vlid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1994 


UrwGn  The(iqejcal  Semir^ 


IN  VIRGINIA 

Genie  Addleton,  Editor  fffifflft   Noveinl>er  1994 


The  Year  is  Underway! 

by  Nancy  Lee 


n 


Union's  new  president,  Louis  B.  Weeks,  opened  the 
183d  session  of  the  seminary  with  convocation  on 
Tuesday,  September  1 3 , 1 994 .  Joining  Dr.  Weeks  in 
leading  worship  were  Dean  Charles  Sewzey ,  staff, 
students,  and  faculty,  including  Dr.  Livingstone  Buama  of 
Trinity  College  in  Ghana,  who  has  returned  to  campus  this 
year  as  visiting  professor  of  theology . 

With  a  warmly  inclusive  spirit.  Dr.  Weeks  reached  out 
to  everyone  in  the  seminary  community— acknowledging 
the  presence  of  staff,  students,  faculty,  and  visitors.  Asking 
people  to  stand.  Dr.  Weeks  called  many  by  name. 
Students  stood  to  represent  home  states  and  countries, 
and,  by  the  time  he  was  through  with  this  "roll  call,  " 
Union's  new  president  had  honored  every  single  person  in 
the  congregation. 

In  his  address.  Dr.  Weeks  offered  three  images  of 
Union  Seminary,  as  he  put  it,  "three  reasons  for  our  life 
together. "  Taking  Peter  as  a  model,  from  Mark 8: 27-38,  he 
suggested  first  that  Union  Seminary  is  a  place  where 
Christians  continue  to  "growinthefaith. "  Second,  drawing 
on  Proverbs  1 :20-33,  Dr.  Weeks  suggested  Union  is  and 
should  be  a  "community  of  wisdom."  Andfmally,  he  said, 
"Weareacommunity  serving  the  church,  [and]  through 
the  church  also  serving  the  world. " 

While  Louis  Weeks  celebrated  the  diversity  of  the 
seminary  community,  students  themselves  recognize  and 
appreciate  being  part  of  a  heterogenous  group.  New 
Master  of  Divinity  student,  Sheryl  Mitchell,  a  native  of 
Annandale,  Virginia,  and  a  spring  graduate  of  the 


University  of  Richmond,  said,  "I've  been  struck  by  the 
diversity  of  the  students ,  by  the  different  age  groups,  their 
different  backgrounds,  and  what  led  them  here,  as  well  as 
by  all  the  international  students. " 

Bennett  Aboagye  is  a  new  exchange  student  from 
Ghana  where  he  has  been  the  pastor  of  a  Presbyterian 
church  for  nine  years.  Upon  arriving  at  Union  he  said  he 
noticed  "the  cooperation  between  the  staff  and  students. 
By  that  I  mean  they  move  together  and  do  everything  in 
commoa" 

While  Bennett  has  temporarily  left  behind  his  wife 
and  seven  children,  his  roommate  is  fellow  Ghanian 
pastor,  Moses  Faith  Nyomi  Nyamadi. 

Moses  is  also  on  study  leave  without  his  family. 
Ironically,  the  two  did  not  cross  paths  until  they  were  en 
route  to  Union.  Moses  said,  "We  met  for  the  first  time  at 
the  Amsterdam  airport.  Bennett  was  able  to  identify  me 
when  I  was  putting  on  my  clerical  collar. "  Both  ministers 
have  come  to  Union  for  further  study  in  pastoral  care  and 
sexual  issues  in  the  ministry. 

The  varied  backgrounds  of  Union's  students  are 
represented  in  part  by  three  attorneys  who  begin  the 
M.Div.  program  this  year.  Ken  Grigg  has  been  an  attorney 
in  Richmond,  his  hometown,  for  1 2  years.  He  is 
representative  of  approximately  50  percent  of  the  student 
body  who  are  preparing  for  ministry  as  a  second  career . 

Ken  described  the  transition  from  lawyer  to  seminary 
student:  "It's  been  more  difficult  than  I  expected.  I've  been 
wrestling  with  the  call  to  ministry  after  I '  ve  been 


Dean  of  the  Faculty,  Charles  Swezey,  and  President  Louis  B. 
Weeks  led  the  semiruiry  community  in  an  exuberant 
celebration  ofthe  new  academic  year. 


ministering  for  so  long  as  a  layman  in  a  non-ministry 
career." 

Kathleen  Duval,  a  native  of  New  York  City,  has 
entered  the  Dual  Degree  program  after  practicing  law  in 
Richmond  for  1 7  years.  She  lives  on  the  PSCE  campus,  and 
her  earliest  impression  is  quite  different  from  Ken  Grigg's. 
"It's  been  easier  than  I  anticipated,"  Kathleen  said.  It's 
been  a  lot  of  fun  to  live  in  a  community,  to  live  with  the 
people  I'm  studying  with,  to  know  people  in  depth. 
Instead  of  having  to  squeeze  in  a  book  here  or  there  on 
the  ministry,  now  I  have  the  opportunity  to  be  immersed 
in  reading  about  ministry  and  theology,  in  practicing  it  and 
being  able  to  give  my  full  attention  to  it  instead  of  it  being 
an  avocation.  That's  very  gratifying. " 


TOP:UTSTrusteeEdwardNewberry,pastorof Memorial 
Presbyterian  Church,  Charlotte,  andhiscongregation 
hosted  Dean  of StudentsJeanH.  Cooley.  Fromleft, 
Edward  Newberry  and Jean  Cooley  with  church  members 
Nannie  Alston,  Shirley  Massey,  and  Brenda  Poster. 


ABOVERIGHT:MindyDouglasAdams,  third-level, 
MasterofDivinitystudentfrom  Pickens,  South  Carolina, 
with  hosts  Lewis  (B.D.  61 )  and  Brenda  Bledsoe  of  Steele 
Creek  Presbyterian  Church,  Charlotte. 


BELOWJtlGHT: Senior PastorToddHobbie(D.Min.  79) 
and  Associate  Pastorjulia  Coff man  Hester  ( M.  Div.  '93) 
andthecongregationofPirstPresbyterianChurch, 
Concord,  North  Carolina,  hosted  UTS  VicePresidentfor 
InstitutionalAdvancement,  Hal  Todd. 


LEFT:  Dr.  Livingstone  Buama,  visitingprofessorof 
theology, from  Ghana,  withhostJerryL  Cannon,pastor 
ofC.  N.Jenkins  Presbyterian  Church,  Charlotte. 


Union  Seminary 
Caravan  Is  On 
the  Road  Again 

SWDENISANDFACULTYVlSrrED 

Charwtib-areaChvrchesiiv 
Sepiember 


PAID  FOR  BY  FRIENDS  AND  SUPPORTERS  OF  UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  IN  VIRGINIA 


Mid-Atlantic  Presb)i;erian,  November/December  199'i,  Page  9 


Union  Theological  Seminary  President  Louis  Weeks 
greets  a  well  wisher  after  his  inauguration  on  Nov.  4. 


Weeks  installed  at  Union  Seminary 

RICHMOND — Louis  B.  Weeks  was  officially  installed  Nov.  4  as 
the  sixth  president  of  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia. 
PC(USA)  Moderator  Robert  W.  Bohl  gave  the  address  at  the 
inauguration  service  at  Ginter  Park  Church. 

Pre-inaugural  events  included  a  concert  of  American  church 
music  on  Nov.  3  in  Watts  Chapel  at  the  seminary.  The  James 
River  Brass  Quintet,  the  choirs  of  All  Souls  and  First  churches 
of  Richmond,  and  the  choir  of  the  Richmond  Theological  Consor- 
tium were  featured  performers. 

Campbell  is  McCormick  president 

CHICAGO— The  Rev.  Cynthia  M.  Campbell  was  elected  ninth 
president  of  McCormick  Theological  Seminary  at  a  special 
meeting  of  the  school's  Board  of  Trustees  Sept.  22.  Campbell,  46, 
will  begin  her  duties  at  McCormick  Jan.  1.  She  is  the  first 
woman  to  be  elected  president  of  a  Presbyterian  theological 
institution.  Campbell  is  currently  pastor  of  First  Church  in 
Salina,  Kan.,  and  previously  directed  the  doctor  of  ministry 
program  at  Austin  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary. 

Thomason  receives  national  award 

Robert  Thomason,  minister  director  of  the  United  College 
Ministries  in  Northern  Virginia  and  coordinator  of  the  Virginia 
Campus  Ministry  Forum,  was  honored  "for  outstanding  minis- 
try in  higher  education"  by  the  National  Campus  Ministry 
Association.  During  its  30th  anniversary  conference  at  Michi- 
gan State  University  in  August,  the  ecumenical  professional 
association  presented  four  awards  recognizing  special  contribu- 
tions to  campus  ministry. 

Thomason  was  cited  for  creative  ministry  during  28  years  of 
service  in  Georgia,  Florida,  and  Virginia  and  for  his  contribu- 
tions to  ecumenical  ministry  across  the  country.  His  award  was 
presented  by  Laureen  Smith,  campus  minister  for  Ecumenical 
Christian  Ministry  at  George  Washington  University. 

Clyde  Robinson,  General  Assembly  staff  person  for  campus 
ministry  and  a  member  of  Charlotte  Presbytery,  also  received 
an  award. 

Two  Virginia  campus  ministers  were  selected  to  be  co-repre- 
sentatives from  the  Southeast  Region  to  the  organization's 
executive  committee.  They  are  Cheryl  Harrison-Davidson, 
campus  minister  for  United  Campus  Ministries  at  Christopher 
Newport  University,  and  Bill  Davidson,  director  of  the  Tide- 
water Wesley  Foundation  in  Norfolk. 

21  selected  as  Warner  Hall  fellows 

LAURINBURG,  N.C. — ^Twenty-one  Presbyterian  ministers  from 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  have  been  selected  by  St.  Andrews 
Presbyterian  College  as  Warner  Hall  Pastoral  Fellows  for  fall 
1994.  Warner  Hall  Fellows  are  selected  from  among  applicants 
to  spend  a  week  at  St.  Andrews  involved  in  research  and  retreat. 
Pastoral  Fellows  are  invited  to  attend  classes,  use  the  college's 
library  and  gymnasium,  and  interact  with  faculty  and  students 
during  their  week  as  guests  of  St.  Andrews.  The  fall  Pastoral 
Fellows  are: 

Oct.  2-7:  Robert  M.  Close,  Annandale,  Va.,  John  Calvin  Church; 
Lewis  M.  Kimmel,  Waxhaw,  N.C,  Walkersville  Church;  William  F. 
Owens,  Pinetops,  N.C,  South  Edgecomb  Parish;  and  Charles  J. 
Sherrod,  Sanford,  N.C,  Edgewood  Church. 

Oct.  9-14:  John  N.  Causey,  Smithfield,  N.C,  First  Church;  Gary  D. 
Cecil,  Gastonia,  N.C,  West  Avenue  Church;  Robert  F.  Chastain, 
Burgaw,  N.C,  Burgaw  Church;  Frank  C.  ColUer,  China  Grove,  N.C, 
Immanuel  Church;  James  F.  Ferry,  Gamer,  N.C,  First  Church;  Peggy 
C.  Owens,  Pinetops,  N.C,  South  Edgecomb  Parish;  Zolton  J.  Phillips 
III,  Blackstone,  Va.,  Blackstone  Church;  John  A.  Pilutti,  Raleigh, 
N.C,  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation;  Charles  A.  Rush, 
Raleigh,  N.C,  Ernest  Myatt  Church;  James  W.  White,  Raleigh,  N.C, 
St.  Giles  Church;  and  Robert  A.  Wilson,  L3mchburg,  Va.,  Westminster 
Church. 

October  16-21:  Carl  0.  Bickel,  Bowie,  Md.,  United  Parish  of  Bowie; 
David  Q.  Garrison,  Raleigh,  N.C,  Western  Boulevard  Church;  Keith 
A.  Grogg,  Kannapolis,  N.C,  Kirkwood  Church;  Edgar  C  Mayse, 
Churchville,  Md.,  Churchville  Church;  Charles  E.  Reese,  Huntersville, 
N.C,  New  Friendship  Church;  and  George  F.  Taylor,  Poolesville,  Md., 
Poolesville  Church. 

For  further  information  on  the  Warner  Hall  Pastoral  Fellows 
program,  contact  St.  Andrews  College  Chaplain,  David  B. 
Thornton,  at  (910)  277-5143. 


to  non-traditional  students 


Campus  Ministry  Corner 

Reaching  out 

By  MARY  E.  GRAHAM 

In  addition  to  the  traditional 
activities  of  fellowship  meals, 
worship,  Bible  study  and  fun 
nights  for  on-campus  students, 
the  Presbyterian  Campus  Min- 
istry at  East  Carolina  Univer- 
sity seeks  to  offer  special  pro- 
grams for  non-traditional  stu- 
dents. 

Non-traditional  students 
may  be  defined  as  any  stu- 
dents who  are  returning  after 
age  25,  graduate  or  under- 
graduate, younger  students 
who  are  married  and/or  par- 
ents, or  students  who  are  at- 
tending classes  while  working 
full  time.  Many  of  these  stu- 
dents are  preparing  for  second 
careers,  adjusting  to  major  life 


changes  such  as  divorce  or  job 
loss  and,  while  spiritual  seek- 
ers, may  or  may  not  have  be- 
come involved  in  traditional 
mainline  churches.  Other  non- 
traditional  students  may  be 
women  who  are  entering  col- 
lege for  the  first  time  after 
raising  families. 

The  non-traditional  student 
is  often  highly  motivated  but 
apprehensive  about  returning 
to  school  after  a  long  absence. 
In  addition,  attention  may  also 
be  claimed  by  job  and/or  family 
responsibilities,  leaving  little 
time  for  campus  life  outside 
the  classroom. 

The  impetus  for  this  pro- 
gram arose  from  conversations 
with  faculty  members  who  had 
noticed  a  marked  increase  in 


the  number  of  non-traditional 
students  needing  some  type  of 
support  and  a  forum.  Since 
such  students  often  have  mini- 
mal leisure  time  to  participate 
in  campus  activities,  any  pro- 
gramming must  take  into  ac- 
count their  often-crowded 
schedules. 

"Brown-bag"  luncheons 
which  function  as  support 
group  and  discussion  forum 
anchor  the  current  program. 
As  it  gains  impetus,  it  is  hoped 
that  other  services  such  as 
child-care  cooperatives  may 
form. 

The  Rev.  Mary  E.  Graham 
is  the  Presbyterian  campus 
minister  at  East  Carolina  Uni- 
versity in  Greenville,  N.C. 


Warren  Wilson  kicks  off  $15  million  campaign 


ASHEVILLE,  N.C— For  the 
first  time  in  its  100-year  his- 
tory. Warren  Wilson  College 
has  embarked  on  a  compre- 
hensive fund-raising  cam- 
paign. 

On  Oct.  15  the  college  kicked 
off  a  $15  million  centennial 
campaign  targeting  three  ar- 
eas: capital  improvements,  en- 
dowment, and  the  annual  fund. 
At  the  time  of  the  kickoff,  $5. 15 
million,  representing  34.3  per- 
cent of  the  total  goal  in  pledges 
and  gifts  had  been  received. 

Of  the  $15  million  goal,  $7.35 
million  is  directed  toward  three 
capital  improvements:  a  new  sci- 


ence building,  library  renova- 
tions and  construction  of  new 
dormitories  honoring  the  women 
of  the  Asheville  Normal  and 
Teachers  College  and  the  men  of 
the  Asheville  Farm  School. 

Warren  Wilson  College  was 
founded  in  1894  as  the  Ashe- 
ville Farm  School  by  the  na- 
tional board  of  missions  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  The  col- 
lege is  celebrating  its  centen- 
nial during  November. 

The  college  seeks  to  raise 
$5.65  million  for  endowment  in 
three  areas:  staff,  scholarships 
and  programs.  Funds  will  be 
used  for  faculty  and  staff  devel- 


opment, student  financial  aid, 
and  general  program  support. 

A  total  of  $2  million  is  ear- 
marked for  the  college's  an- 
nual fund,  which  covers  daily 
operating  expenses  such  as 
heating  and  lighting,  vaccina- 
tions for  cattle,  and  chemicals 
for  the  pool. 

Hugh  Verner  and  Mimi 
Cecil  are  co-chairs  of  the  cam- 
paign which  will  end  in  Au- 
gust 1997.  Doug  Orr  is  the 
college's  president  and  Howell 
Ferguson  is  chair  of  its  board 
of  trustees. 

For  information,  phone  the 
college  at  (704)  298-3325. 


Forbes,  Sample  to  address  ecumenical  gathering 


The  Rev.  James  Forbes  of  Riv- 
erside Church  in  New  York 
City  and  the  Rev.  Tex  Sample, 
professor  of  church  and  soci- 
ety at  St.  Paul's  School  of  The- 
ology in  Kansas  City,  have  been 


William  S.Coffin 
to  speak  Feb.  4-5 
in  Charlottesville 

CHARLOTTESVILLE,  Va.— 
William  Sloane  Coffin,  noted 
chaplain  and  social  activist, 
will  be  guest  speaker  at 
Westminster  Church  here  on 
Feb.  4-5,  1995. 

The  Rev.  Coffin,  most  re- 
cently author  of  A  Passion  for 
the  Possible,  will  speak  twice 
on  Saturday.  He  will  also  lead 
an  adult  Sunday  School  and 
preach  on  Sunday.  An  all- 
church  luncheon  will  be  held 
after  church  on  Sunday. 

The  Saturday  morning 
event,  scheduled  for  10  a.m.  to 
noon  in  the  church  library,  will 
focus  on  campus  ministry  and 
the  relation  between  the 
church  and  the  university.  The 
Saturday  evening  event  will 
focus  on  contemporary  peace 
andjustice  issues.  The  evening 
event  will  begin  with  a  potluck 
supper  in  the  fellowship  hall, 
and  then  will  end  with  a  dis- 
cussion to  be  held  in  the  li- 
brary. 

The  Sunday  School  class  will 
be  held  in  the  fellowship  hall  at 
9:30  a.m.,  and  the  church  ser- 
vice will  begin  at  11  a.m. 

For  more  information  about 
the  weekend,  or  directions  to 
the  church,  please  call 
Westminster  at  (804)  293-3 133. 


announced  as  preachers  for  a 
national  ecumenical  Christian 
student  gathering  this  winter. 

The  conference,  "CEL- 
EBRATE! Gathering  at  the 
Crossroads,"  will  be  held  Dec. 
28,  1994-Jan.  1,  1995,  in  St. 
Louis.  It  is  co-sponsored  by 
the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),  the  American  Bap- 
tist Church,  the  Christian 
Church  (Disciples  of  Christ), 
the  Episcopal  Church,  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church 
in  America,  the  Moravian 
Church  in  America,  the  Na- 
tional Catholic  Student  Coali- 
tion, the  United  Methodist 
Church  and  the  United  Church 
of  Christ. 

Keynote  speaker  is  Edwina 
Gately,  founder  of  the  Catholic 
Volunteer  Missionary  Move- 
ment and  of  Genesis  House  in 


Chicago.  Bible  Study  leaders 
are  Rita  Nakashima  Brock, 
associate  professor  of  humani- 
ties at  Hamline  University  in 
St.  Paul,  Minn.,  and  the  Rev. 
Carmen  Guerrero,  Hispanic 
missioner  of  the  Episcopal  Dio- 
cese of  Los  Angeles. 

Music  will  be  provided  by 
Bread  for  the  Journey,  a  group 
that  specializes  in  Christian 
music  from  around  the  world. 

The  conference  will  include 
worship,  Bible  study,  speak- 
ers and  seminars,  interna- 
tional presentations,  denomi- 
national gatherings,  a  New 
Year's  party,  and  plenty  of  time 
for  informal  fellowship. 

More  information  is  avail- 
able from  conference  planners 
Kathy  Campbell,  (704)  547- 
4068,  or  Riddick  Weber,  (919) 
489-1711. 


Statement  of  Ownership,  Management  and  Circulation 
(required  by  39  U.S.C.  3685) 

Date:  Oct.  14, 1994.  Publication  Title:  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyte- 
rian. Issue  Frequency:  Monthly,  except  February,  August  and 
December.  Nine  issues  annually.  Annual  subscription  price: 
none.  Location  of  headquarters  of  general  business  offices  of 
the  publisher:  3218Chamberlayne  Ave.,  Richmond,  VA23227. 
Publisher:  The  Rev.  Carroll  Jenkins,  P.O.  Box  27026,  Rich- 
mond, VA  23261  -7026.  Editor:  John  Sniffen,  P.O.  Box  27026, 
Richmond,  VA  23261  -7026.  Owner:  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  P.O.  Box  27026,  Rich- 
mond, VA  23261-7026.  Known  bond  holders,  mortgagees, 
and  other  security  holders:  none. 

Extent  and  nature  of  circulation 
Total  number  copies  printed:  average  number  preceding  12 
months  1 81 ,306;  latest  issue  1 77,300.  Sales  through  dealers, 
etc.:  none.  Mail  subscriptions:  average  173,752;  latest  issue 
171 ,824.  Free  distribution:  average  2,498;  latest  2,498.  Total 
distribution:  average  176,250;  latest  174,322.  Office  use, 
leftover,  etc.:  average  5,056;  latest  2,978.  Returns  from  news 
agents:  none.  Total  average  181,306;  latest  177,300. 
I  certify  that  the  statements  made  by  me  are  cji  reci  and 
complete.  (Signed)  John  Sniffen,  Editor. 


Page  10,  Md-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1994 


Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Cliildren 


An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCREDITATKX^ 
OF  SERVICES  FOR  FAMIUES 
ANDCHIIDREN.  INC 


Remember  Feb.  13,  14,  15,  1995 


Feb.  13, 14,  and  15, 1995,  are 

the  days  to  shop  at  Food  Lion 
next  year  if  you  wish  to  partici- 
pate  in  "Community  Way 
Days"  for  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children. 

It  is  an  easy  way  to  help  the 
children  at  the  Home  because 
for  every  Food  Lion  receipt 
turned  in  dated  one  of  those 
three  days,  Food  Lion  will  do- 
nate 5  percent  of  the  total  (be- 
fore tax)  to  the  Home. 

North  Carolina  Presby- 
terians may  shop  twice  at  any 
North  Carolina  Food  Lion 
during  these  three  days  in  Feb- 
ruary and  turn  in  up  to  two 
cash  register  receipts  to  their 
church.  Also,  each  Presbjrte- 
rian  may  ask  one  friend  who  is 
not  Presb3rterian  to  shop  at 
Food  Lion  during  those  three 
days  and  turn  in  two  of  their 
friend's  receipts  as  well. 

It  is  as  simple  as  doing  your 
weekly  grocery  shopping  at 
Food  Lion  on  one  of  these  three 
days,  writing  your  name  and 


Barium  Springs  Home  for  Chil- 
dren on  the  back  of  your  re- 
ceipt and  turning  it  in  to  your 
Presbyterian  church.  If  you  are 
already  a  donor  to  the  Home, 
you  may  send  your  receipts 
directly  to  us. 

The  project's  rules  state:  1. 
only  North  Carolina  Presby- 
terians and  their  friends  may 
participate;  2.  each  Presbyte- 
rian must  sign  their  name  and 
Barium  Springs  Home  for  Chil- 
dren on  the  back  of  their  Food 
Lion  cash  register  receipts  be- 
fore turning  them  in  to  their 
Presbyterian  church;  3.  each 
friend,  or  non-Presbyterian, 
must  sign  their  name ,  the  name 
of  the  person  they  shopped  for 
and  BSHC. 

North  Carolina  Presbyte- 
rian churches  will  receive 
information  at  a  later  date  on 
how  to  collect  and  total  re- 
ceipts. Other  project  rules 
stipulate  that  Presbyterians 
are  not  to  solicit  receipts  from 
non-eligible  customers,  either 


inside  or  outside  the  store.  Also, 
no  boxes  are  to  be  placed  inside 
or  outside  the  store  to  collect 
receipts  from  their  members 
or  friends.  Any  violation  of 
these  rules  could  disqualify 
the  Home  from  this  project, 
thus  denying  the  children 
of  this  valuable  opportu- 
nity for  support. 

Please  address  any  ques- 
tions about  the  project  to  the 
Home  at  (704)  872-4157  and 
not  to  Food  Lion  Store  employ- 
ees. 

This  will  be  the  fifth  year 
that  the  Home  has  participated 
in  this  project,  receiving  four 
gifts  from  Food  Lion  totaUng 
$39,000. 

The  amount  we  receive  from 
Food  Lion  depends  directly  on 
your  participation,  so  please 
remember  Feb.  13,  14,  and 
15,  1995,  (that's  a  Monday, 
Tuesday  and  Wednesday) 
when  you  do  your  weekly  or 
monthly  shopping  in  Febru- 
ary. 


...Or  SO 
it  seems 


Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

Every  little  child  in  all  the 
world  has  been  a  little  safer 
since  the  coming  of  the  Child  of 
Bethlehem.     —Roy  L.  Smith 

During  my  many  Christmases 
as  part  of  Barium  Springs,  the 
outpouring  of  compassion  and 
concern  for  the  children  and 
young  people  here  has  been 
inspiring. 

But  the  response  of  Presby- 
terians throughout  each  of 
these  years  is  an  even  more 
resounding  testimonial  to  the 
truth  of  Mr.  Smith's  observa- 
tion. Literally  thousands  of 
children  have,  indeed,  been 
safer  here  because  other  thou- 
sands of  "children  of  the  Child 
of  Bethlehem"  have  taken  His 
teachings  and  commandments 


The  Spirits  of  Christmas — Past,  Present  &  Future 


Thousands  of  children  have 
awakened  here  on  Christmas 
morning;  orphans,  then  depen- 
dent and  neglected  children, 
and  now  troubled  youth.  The 
children  change  but  the  same 
fears,  tears,  joys  and  giggles 
have  echoed  through  the  halls. 

The  wounds  that  bring  them 
here  are  inflicted  by  an  ever- 
changing  society.  The  scars  of 
abuse,  neglect  and  emotional 
turmoil  are  just  as  severe  now 
as  those  created  by  the  wars 
and  dreaded  diseases  of  the 
orphanage  years.  How  we 
mend  those  wounds  evolves  to 
match  the  power  of  their 
source. 

But  God's  requirement  of 
our  love  for  them  never  waiv- 
ers. He  didn't  say  "if  they  are 
orphans"  or  "if  we  approve  of 
their  behavior,"  only  "if  they 
need  us." 

Our  Presbsrterian  friends  of 
children  have  always  answered 
the  call  for  help.  Christmas  is 
an  especially  important  and 
rewarding  time  to  help  others. 
Once,  children  here  were 


basically  cut  off  from  family,  if 
family  existed.  This  place  was 
"home"  and  hundreds  of  "broth- 
ers and  sisters"  worked  and 
played  shoulder-to-shoulder, 
heart-to-heart.  Churches 
"adopted"  children  and  had 
them  in  their  homes  at  holi- 
days ...  sent  special  presents  ... 
knew  the  children  personally. 

Today,  not  all  but  much  of 
this  is  still  true.  Every  effort  is 
made  to  restore  families  and 
give  them  the  skills  to  live 
together  successfully.  As  good 
as  orphanage  life  was  for 
many,  most  believe  that  a 
healthy  family  life  is  preferred. 

Churches  still  "adopt"  chil- 
dren. They  don't  know  who 
they  are.  They  can't  come  home 
to  visit  for  the  weekend.  They 
don't  have  their  pictures  on 
their  refrigerators.  But  they 
are  in  the  heart  of  the  church. 

They  do  receive  their  love, 
hopes  and  prayers,  and  trea- 
sured presents  at  Christmas. 

The  little  girl  holding  the 
doll  in  the  picture  at  right 
needed  this  place,  and  you. 


badly.  Though  her  needs  and 
how  they  are  met  have 
changed,  the  little  girl  here 
today  needs  you  just  as  badly. 
The  fact  that,  God  willing,  she 
will  return  to  her  natural  fam- 
ily has  not  kept  Presbyterians 
from  responding  to  the  needs 
of  the  times.  How  she  and  her 
family  life  turn  out  is  still  very 
much  dependent  on  your  love 
for  her. 

Yes,  Christmas-Present  is 
very  much  like  Christmas- 
Past.  What  will  Christmas- 
Future  hold?  Of  one  thing  I'm 
certain,  our  God  will  not  let 
the  children  down,  and  nei- 
ther will  you  or  other  loving 
Presb5rterians. 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $  

I  wish  to:   Honor 


.  is  enclosed 
 Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


of  (address)_ 
On  the  o 


Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


>iiship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  _ 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs,  NC  28010 


Calling  all  program 
committeechairs 

Have  we  got  a  deal  for 
you?  In  fact,  we  really 
do.  No  charge ...  no  pass- 
ing plate  ...  no  hard 
sales;  just  an  informa- 
tive program  about  the 
history  of  your  mission 
here  at  Barium  Springs. 

We  have  staff  avail- 
able to  speak  anywhere 
with  any  size  group 
about  the  children  and 
families  here,  the  ser- 
vices offered,  where  the 
money  comes  from  and 
goes,  and  to  answer 
questions.  A  nine- 
minute  slide  program 
helps  with  the  presen- 
tation and  can  also  be 
sent  by  itself  if  you  don't 
believe  the  "no  passing 
the  plate"  part  above. 

Just  call  (704)  872- 
4157  to  arrange  a  pro- 
gram or  a  tour  of  cam- 
pus. (Be  sure  to  ask  for 
Reade  if  you're  serving 
food  at  the  meeting.) 


Christmas-Past 

'New'  gift 
wish  list 

•  15-passenger  Van 

•  Automobiles 

•  Washing  Machines  (1) 

•  Dryers  (2) 

•  2  Vacuum  Cleaners 

•  2  Twin  Mattresses 

•  2  Twin  Box  Springs 

•  Twin  Bed  Linens 
and  Bedspreads 

•  2  Couches 

•  2  Night  Stands 

•  1  Large  Bookcase 

•  Toiletries 

•  Towels  and  Washcloths 

•  Sports  Equipment 
(balls,  gloves,  frisbees, 
bats,  ping-pong  paddles, 
balls  &  net) 

•  New  Clothes  (girls  & 
boys,  10-18  years) 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, P.O.  Box  1,  Barium 
Springs,  N.C.,  28010-0001, 
phone  number  (704)  872-4157. 


seriously. 

As  my  24th — and  last — 
Christmas  here  approaches, 
please  join  me  in  giving  thanks 
for  all  who  have  made  104 
Christmases  here  so  special. 
But  let  us  not  forget  the  people 
who  made  37,752  other  days 
equally  special  for  the  thou- 
sands who  have  come  this  way. 


Special 
thanks  to ... 


The  children,  staff  and  Board 
of  Regents  would  like  to  say  a 
special  thanks  to: 

Morrison  Sunday  School 
Class  at  Mallard  Creek  Church 
in  Charlotte  for  two  twin  mat- 
tresses and  box  springs;  two 
mattress  pads;  nine  sets  of  twin 
sheets;  two  bed  spreads;  two 
blankets  and  two  pillows.  Also 
thanks  to  the  church  for  three 
picnic  tables. 

IBM  (and  Mr.  Henry  Har- 
ris) of  Gary,  for  the  computer 
equipment. 

Circle  #1  at  Second  Church 
in  Kannapolis  for  two  sets  of 
twdn  sheets.  Also  the  Paul  Cline 
Simday  School  Class  for  two 
sets  of  sheets. 

Priscilla  Circle  at  Bush  Hill 
Church  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  for 
the  towels  and  toiletries. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leroy 
Arrington  of  Newton  for  the 
towels. 

Chesebrough  Ponds  Com- 
pany in  Raeford  for  the  toilet- 
ries. 

Presbyterian  Women  of 
Shiloh  Church  in  Raeford  for 
the  sheet  and  towels. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ray  Scott  of 
Kannapohs  for  the  set  of  sheets. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  M. 
Greer  of  Lumberton  for  the 
new  rib  turtleneck  sweater/ 
shirts. 

Mrs.  Walta  T.  Bostic  of 
Raeford  for  the  school  supplies. 

Mr.  James  P.  Gray  of  Chapel 
Hill  for  the  arts  &  crafts  sup- 
plies. 

Mr.  Elmo  Pascal  of  Valdese 
for  the  dining  room  table. 

Mr.  Jim  Sappenfield  of 
Troutman  Funeral  Home  for 
the  use  of  the  tent  during 
Homecoming  and  the  Day  Care 
Celebration. 

PYA  Monarch  for  the  hot 
dogs  and  chips  for  the  Day 
Care  Celebration. 

Food  Lion  for  the  gift  certifi- 
cate used  for  the  Day  Care 
Celebration. 

Presbyterian  Women  at  Star 
Church  for  the  new  towels  and 
toiletry  items. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  r, 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study— Lesson  4,  December  1994 

Christ,  the  friend  of  the  poor 

By  EUGENIA  PHILLIPS 


We  have  watched  with  admiration  the 
Christ  who  was  both  human  and  divine. 
We  have  felt  our  human  relationship  with 
him  even  as  we  stood  back  in  awe,  like  the 
centurion,  and  murmured,  "Truly  this  man 
was  God's  Son!"  (Matt.  27:54) 

Today,  however,  as  we  listen  we  may 
feel  uncomfortable.  Today  his  words  are 
puzzling.  He  is  talking  about  the  poor 
people,  the  himgry  and  oppressed  people. 
He  is  saying,  "Blessed  are  you  who  are  poor 
...  ,  you  who  are  himgry  ...  ,  and  you  who 
weep  ...  ,  and  you  who  are  hated  and 
excluded  ..."  (Luke  6:20+) 

We  remember  earlier  in  his  minstry 
when  he  said,  "The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is 
upon  me  because  he  has  anointed  me  to 
bring  good  news  to  the  poor  ...  ,  release  to 
the  captives  ...  ,  sight  for  the  blind  ...  , 
freedom  for  the  oppressed  ..." 
(Luke  4:18)  For  these  state- 
ments, he  had  almost  been 
killed. 

If  we  had  been  one  of  those 
listeners  in  Palestine  many 
years  ago,  it  should  not  have 
surprised  us  that  Jesus  ex- 
pressed concern  about  these 
groups  of  people.  He  spoke  like 
a  prophet  who  the  people  had 
studied,  and  part  of  the  thrill  of 
hearing  him  would  have  been 
the  realization  that  the  proph- 
ets had  a  direct  line  to  God. 
Many  before  him  had  expressed 
God's  concern  about  that  part  of  society 
often  ignored  or  overlooked.  Isaiah  had 
spoken  for  God  as  he  said,  "Is  this  not  the 
fast  that  I  choose;  to  loose  the  bonds  of 
injustice,  to  undo  the  thongs  of  the  yoke,  to 
let  the  oppressed  go  free  ...  to  share  your 
bread  with  the  himgry,  and  bring  the  home- 
less poor  into  your  house  ...  ?"  (Isaiah 
58:6,7)  And  Amos  said,  "Take  away  from 
the  noise  of  your  songs;  I  will  not  listen  to 
the  melody  of  your  harps.  But  let  justice 
roll  down  like  waters,  and  righteousness 
like  an  everflowing  stream."  (Amos  5:23,24) 

What  was  it  like  to  be  poor  in  the  time  of 
Amos  or  Jesus?  There  was  a  strong  feeling 
among  people  of  that  day  that  poverty  and 
illness  were  caused  by  sinfulness  either  of 
the  individual  or  of  his/her  mother  or  fa- 


Eugenia 
Phillips 


ther.  Thus,  it  was  easy  for  the  well-to-do  to 
justify  avoiding  such  individuals.  The  lame, 
the  crippled,  tbe  poor  crying  for  alms,  were 
ignored  or  overlooked  by  those  who  passed 
by  on  their  way  to  worle  or  homes. 

Inconvenience?  A  blight  on  the  streets? 
A  bother  in  smaller  communities?  Some- 
thing to  be  avoided.  Can't  we  get  rid  of 
them?  Were  these  words  used  in  Palestine 
in  the  time  of  Jesus?  Yet  they  sound  very 
contemporary.  It  is  much  easier  to  com- 
plain that  someone  (the  government,  the 
shop  or  home  owners,  some  agency)  should 
help  the  poor  and  homeless  than  it  is  to 
accept  the  fact  that  they  are  our  responsi- 
bility if  we  are  followers  of  Jesus.  It  is  even 
easy  to  say  that  "the  church"  should  do 
something  for  them,  easily  forgetting  that 
we  are  the  church. 

The  expostulations  of  prophets,  and  of 
Jesus,  demanded  that  the  people  do  some- 
thing that  went  entirely  "against 
the  grain."  A  coin  tossed  by  a  poli- 
tician or  a  glance  from  a  curious 
rabbi  on  his  way  to  the  Temple  was 
often  the  most  that  these  poor 
people  could  expect. 

What  about  these  words  that 
Jesus  said:  "Woe  unto  you  who  are 
rich  ...  to  you  who  are  full ...  to  you 
that  are  laughing  now,  you  will 
mourn  and  weep."  (Luke  6:24)  We 
may  be  sure  that  Jesus  was  not 
condemning  people  simply  because 
they  had  been  able  to  secure  a  com- 
fortable way  of  life.  These  words 
reflect  his  constant  effort  to  pull 
the  minds  of  selfish  men  and  women  away 
from  centering  only  on  the  wants  of  them- 
selves and  their  families.  Jesus  does  not 
praise  poverty  or  condemn  riches.  Rather, 
he  denounces  the  frame  of  mind  that  so 
often  accompanies  the  well-fed,  prosper- 
ous citizen.  Many  in  our  culture,  and  in  our 
churches,  feel  that  they  could  not  exist 
vdthout  those  extra  comforts  and  luxuries 
that  fill  their  lives.  A  $395  bird  bath,  a  $125 
Teddy  bear,  a  $7,000  week-long  cruise, 
their  30th  cashmere  sweater;  such  things 
are  a  way  of  life  with  many  who  feel  that 
they  are  just  rewards  for  hard  work.  But 
Jesus  tells  a  parable  about  possessions  and 
says,  "From  everyone  to  whom  much  is 
given,  much  will  be  required;  and  from  the 
one  to  whom  much  has  been  entrusted. 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study— Lesson  5,  January  1995 

Christ  who  brings  peace 


By  EUGENIA  S.  PHILLIPS 

Reconciliation  is  a  word  used  by  theo- 
logians, statesmen,  lawyers,  and  even 
business  people  but  one  that  is  rarely 
heard  around  conference  tables,  at  lun- 
cheons or  family  dinners,  between 
friends  having  a  cup  of  coffee,  or  in 
most  casual  conversations. 

It  is  not  unusual  for  most  of  us  from  time 
to  time  to  ponder  the  ways  of  men  and 
women,  deplore  arguments  and  anger  be- 
tween our  friends,  regret  misunderstand- 
ings with  people  we  know,  or  wonder  why 
one  person  responds  to  another  as  they  do. 
Yet  very  rarely  does  it  occur  to  us  that  what 
we  are  considering  has  a  moral  direction  as 
much  as  if  we  were  considering  theft,  mur- 
der or  adultery.  Promotion  of  peace,  unity, 
and  reconciliation  between  unfriendly  and 
angry  persons,  groups  and  nations  was  a 
major  part  of  Jesus'  mission  in  the  world. 

As  long  as  there  is  strife  between  na- 
tions, groups  and  individuals  in  our  world, 
as  long  as  power  and  money  are  more 
important  than  living  in  harmony  with 
humankind  and  nature,  we  have  not  come 
to  an  understanding  of  the  meaning  of 
Christ  for  the  world.  These  things  rob 
humankind  of  the  peace  that  Jesus  prom- 
ises. He  says,  "The  thief  comes  only  to  steal 
and  kill  and  destroy.  I  came  that  they  may 
have  life,  and  have  it  abundantly."  (John 
10:10) 

Lesson  five  explores  Jesus'  role  as  the 
Prince  of  Peace.  This  title  comes  from  Isaiah 
(9:6)  who  also  wrote  that  wonderful  pas- 
sage in  Chapter  11  which  paints  a  picture 
of  animals  who  have  been  fierce  antago- 
nists now  resting  peacefully  together  as  a 
result  of  the  wise  and  strong  rule  of  one 
upon  whom  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  rests. 

We  like  this  picture.  We  also  thrill  later 
in  Biblical  history  when  we  hear  the  angels 
announce  the  coming  of  "Peace  on  earth. 


good  will  to  men,"  as  a  beautiful  baby  boy 
is  bom.  We  join  in  exultation  again  some 
years  later  as  we  mentally  stand  beside  the 
road  leading  into  Jerusalem  and  hear  the 
children  sing  again  of  peace  in  relation  to 
this  one  who  is  hailed  as  king. 

These  pictures  seem  a  foreshadowing  of 
that  wonderful  vision  of  John:  "I  saw  a  new 
heaven  and  a  new  earth;  ...  See,  the  home 
of  God  is  among  mortals.  He  wrill  dwell 
with  them  as  their  God.. He  will  wipe  every 
tear  from  their  eyes.  Death  will  be  no  more; 
mourning  and  crying  and  pain  will  be  no 
more  ..."  Peace,  what  a  beautiful  idea! 

Christians  of  the  world,  those  who  pro- 
fess to  follow  Christ,  have  been  slow  to 
realize  that  responsibility  for  achieving 
Jesus'  great  goal  lies  with  them.  We  must 
find  ways  to  eliminate  from  society  destruc- 
tive competition  that  causes  sorrow  among 
innocent  people,  devastation  of  natural  re- 
sources, and  violence  within  and  between 
nations.  Jesus'  desire  was  to  gather  "all 
nations",  "all  the  peoples  of  the  world"  into 
a  unity  of  love  and  obedience  to  himself. 

Peace  is  an  elusive  dream  for  most  of  us, 
for  even  the  first  steps  toward  it  seem 
difficult  to  take.  We  are  quick  to  say  that 
nations  should  not  fight  against  each  other; 
we  loudly  proclaim  that  civil  wars  that 
take  so  many  lives  in  nations  today  should 
stop.  We  know  that  God  aches  at  the  sight 
of  so  much  heartache  between  God's  chil- 
dren. Let  the  nations  find  compromise  and 
reconciliation,  we  say.  Let  there  be  peace. 

Having  had  such  lofty  thoughts  and 
having  formulated  our  opinions  about  the 
national  scene,  we  then  turn  back  to  our 
lives,  in  the  grocery  store,  at  a  local  club 
meeting,  at  a  business  conference,  with 
business  associates  in  an  office,  at  home 
with  teenage  children,  in  decision  making 
between  wife  and  husband,  even  at  a  church 
meeting.  In  one  of  these  situations,  we  are 
offended,  hurt,  angered;  and  too  often,  too 
quickly,  we  forget  that  we  are  followers  of 


even  more  will  be  demanded."  (Luke  12:48) 
Many  have  become  so  accustomed  to  a 
proud  and  selfish  way  of  life  that  they  have 
lost  any  sensitivity  to  the  bitterness  of 
injustice,  and  the  ache  and  misery  of  hun- 
ger and  poverty.  It  is  these  "rich"  that 
Jesus  condemns. 

We  all  know  of  examples  of  wealthy 
people  whose  kind  generosity  reflects  their 
Christian  charity.  Many  "rich"  people  each 
day  show  their  gratitude  to  God  for  all  they 
have  been  given,  through  a  continual  giv- 
ing of  themselves  as  well  as  their  material 
blessings. 

For  whatever  reason,  in  every  genera- 
tion, there  have  been  people  who  have  been 
at  the  mercy  of  society.  Jesus  would  not 
have  us  forget  about  them;  in  his  word  and 
action,  he  showed  his  concern.  He  called 
children  who  were  considered  unimpor- 
tant and  insignificant  to  come  to  his  pres- 
ence and  enjoy  his  loving  care;  he  sat  and 
talked  with  women  who  in  his  day  were 
expected  to  be  unseen  and  unheard.  He 
reassured  the  Samaritan  woman  and  her 
townspeople  who  represented  a  large  group 
of  people  who  were  considered  outcasts  in 
the  Jewish  nation.  When  people  crowding 
after  him  were  tired  and  hungry,  he  did  not 
turn  them  away.  (He  himself  must  also 
have  been  tired,  and  he  might  have  said  as 
too  many  of  us  have  said,  "Well,  they  should 
have  thought  of  this.")  Rather,  he  looked  on 
them  with  compassion  and  provided  them 
with  food.  He  demonstrated  his  love  con- 
stantly through  the  healing  of  those  who 
were  sick  although  his  society  taught  that 
their  sickness  was  the  result  of  sin.  He  ate 
with  the  poor  who  the  Pharisees  consid- 
ered to  be  sinners. 

Without  prosperity,  without  earthly  in- 
fluence, Jesus  ministered  to  hurting  people. 
Why  don't  we?  Why  is  it  so  hard  to  look 
upon  the  downtrodden,  the  "underdogs,"  in 
society  and  feel  compassion,  a  wonderful 
word  that  means  deep  sympathy  and  sor- 
row for  the  sufferings  and  troubles  of  an- 
other, accompanied  by  an  urge  to  help 
them. 

We  must  look  at  ourselves  honestly.  Is 
church  membership  for  us  simply  enjoying 
the  fellowship  of  friend  sin  church?  Are  we 
delighting  in  the  security  that  comes  with 
our  weekly  church  service,  the  moment  of 
self-gratification  that  comes  as  we  place 
our  offering  in  the  plate,  the  feeling  of  self- 
satisfaction  as  we  leave  the  sanctuary  of 
having  done  "what  we  ought  to  do"?  Is  it 
enough  to  be  one  of  those  who  worship  at 


Christ,  the  Prince  of  Peace.  We  take  upon 
ourselves  the  trial,  judgment,  condemna- 
tion and  punishment  of  another  person, 
forgetting  that  this  person  is  also  a  child  of 
God.  We  speak  angrily  and  hastily,  or  we 
say  nothing  and  begin  to  carry  a  grudge 
that  does  not  end. 

To  ask  us  to  be  peacemakers  is  one  of 
those  seemingly  impossible  expectations  of 
Christians.  How  can  we  be  like  Jesus?  How 
can  we  act  as  peacemakers  in  explosive 
situations? 

As  we  look  at  the  life  of  Jesus,  we  see 
many  times  when  he  might  have  lashed  out 
in  fury  because  of  hurt,  discomfort,  frustra- 
tion, or  disappointments  that  he  must  have 
suffered.  His  human  self  felt  as  we  do,  but  he 
found  strength  to  carry  out  his  mission 
through  a  continual  dependence  upon  God 
in  prayer.  Such  prayer  kept  him  always 
near  the  presence  of  God  and  enabled  him  to 
resist  those  reactions  that  prove  our  undo- 
ing. In  addition  to  this,  we  now  have  the 
knowledge  that  we  are  never  alone,  that 
Christ  himself  is  with  us,  leading  us  through 
those  troublesome  situations. 

The  passage  selected  from  Ephesians 
for  this  study  reminds  us  of  a  conflict  that 
happened  in  the  early  Christian  church. 
Until  the  life  of  Jesus,  the  Jewish  people 
had  felt  secure  in  their  laws  and  customs 
based  upon  the  worship  of  God.  God  was 
theirs,  and  they  felt  no  need  to  share  God 
with  anyone  else.  An  early  decision  made 
by  Paul  and  contemporary  leaders  was 
that  the  Christian  faith  was  for  everyone. 
When  the  average  Jew-in-the  streets  heard 
of  this,  we  can  imagine  him  saying  disbe- 
lievingly,  "You  must  be  kidding!  How  can 
Gentiles  be  Jews?  and  we  certainly  don't 
want  to  be  one  of  themr  (Does  this  sound 
familiar?) 

Paul  addresses  such  an  attitude  in 
Ephesians  as  he  interprets  Jesus  to  listen- 
ers from  two  strong  backgrounds.  "...  you 
who  were  once  far  off  have  been  brought 
near  by  the  blood  of  Christ  ...  he  is  our 
peace;  in  his  flesh  he  has  made  both  groups 
into  one  and  has  broken  down  the  dividing 
wall,  that  is,  the  hostility  between  us." 


our  lovely  church  where  we  give  of  our- 
selves to  teach  Sunday  school,  sing  in  the 
choir,  arrange  the  flowers,  or  serve  our 
turn  as  session  members?  Is  religion  sim- 
ply a  source  of  comfort  and  peace  of  mind 
for  ourselves? 

Jesus'  life  might  have  been  much  differ- 
ent if  he  had  taken  our  attitude.  Yet,  he 
chose  to  keep  ever  before  him  the  hurt  of 
the  helpless.  He  identified  himself  so 
closely  with  these  people  that  he  said  that 
whenever  we  show  kindness  to  them  we 
are  showing  kindness  to  him.  (Matt.  25:35- 
40) 

Consider  the  opportunities  that  are  of- 
fered to  us  to  become  involved  with  the 
helpless  in  our  society  today.  Keeping  in 
mind  that  time  and  service  are  often  needed 
as  much  as  money,  here  is  a  list  of  ways 
that  congregations  can  witness  to  the  love 
of  Jesus  Christ  through  their  contributions 
to  and  support  of: 

Two  Cents  Per  Meal  Hunger  Program; 
Meals  on  Wheels  for  shut-ins  and  the  eld- 
erly; sales  and  distribution  of  crafts  pro- 
duced in  Third  World  countries;  Heifer 
International  which  ships  animals  to  de- 
veloping nations  as  a  food  source;  shelters 
which  minister  to  abused  women;  homes 
which  minister  to  children  from  crisis  situ- 
ations; "free  clinics"  where  persons  receive 
medical  care;  "Super  Bowl  Sunday"  (collec- 
tion of  money  and  food  to  respond  to  local, 
regional  and  global  hunger);  and  local  ef- 
forts, food  banks,  church  meals  and  shel- 
ters. 

It  is  not  a  matter  of  whether  what  we  do 
will  be  successful,  or  what  lasting  effect  we 
may  have  on  the  endless  parade  of  needy 
people.  What  matters  is  that  we  tried  the 
best  we  could.  Jesus  himself  did  not  at- 
tempt to  erase  illness  and  poverty  com- 
pletely from  the  world  around  him.  Rather, 
he  gave  of  himself  completely  wherever  he 
saw  the  opportunity.  This  should  be  what 
we  ask  of  ourselves. 

We  have  become  very  rich  indeed  by  his 
self-giving.  He  has  made  us  rich  in  love,  in 
comfort,  in  assurance  at  the  doors  of  death. 
He  has  shown  us  the  way  to  walk  close  to 
God  so  that  our  lives  in  this  world,  no 
matter  our  condition,  are  richly  blessed. 
"For  you  know  the  generous  act  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  that  though  he  was  rich,  yet, 
for  your  sakes,  he  became  poor,  so  that  by 
his  poverty  you  might  become  rich."  (2  Cor. 
8:9) 

Eugenia  Phillips  is  a  member  of  Sinking 
Spring  Church  in  Abingdon,  Va. 


Paul  wants  them,  and  us,  to  realize  that 
nothing  in  life  is  as  important  as  the  love 
shown  to  us  in  the  life  and  death  of  Christ. 
Things  which  of  themselves  might  seem 
important  pale  before  consideration  of  the 
glory  which  is  promised  when  a  person 
puts  personal  feelings  and  attitudes  aside 
for  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ. 

In  recent  years  the  Presbyterian  Chvirch 
(U.S.A.)  has  made  a  commitment  to  peace- 
making that  has  produced  many  resources 
available  for  study  and  help  in  working 
toward  this  important  goal.  A  long  list  of 
these  is  available  from  Distribution  Man- 
agement Services,  100  Witherspoon  St., 
Louisville,  KY  40202.  Among  them  are 
Peacemaking  Through  Worship,  The  Bibli- 
cal Witness  to  Peacemaking,  Dealing  with 
Conflict  in  the  Congregation,  Light  in  the 
Darkness:  Peacemaking  in  the  Gospel  of 
John,  Journey  Toward  Wholeness:  Peace- 
making and  Spiritual  Growth,  and  Peace- 
making in  the  Family. 

We  read  in  the  first  chapter  of  the  book  of 
John,  "What  has  come  into  being  in  him  was 
life,  and  the  life  was  the  light  of  all  people. 
The  light  shines  in  the  darkness,  and  the 
darkness  did  not  overcome  it."  We  must  act 
in  the  world  to  raise  the  eyes  of  each  person 
above  his  or  her  own  concerns  to  look  at  the 
light  that  all  should  see  and  follow.  We  will 
see  that  the  light  of  Ciod  shines  not  only  on 
us  where  we  are  but  also  on  people  whose 
hopes,  dreams,  and  whose  very  personali- 
ties may  be  completely  different  from  ours. 
This,  however,  does  not  exclude  them  from 
the  joy  of  knowing  the  love  of  Jesus,  which 
we  may  be  able  to  show  to  them.  We  find 
unity  and  peace  as  we  all  walk  together 
toward  the  same  light  of  God. 

In  his  great  pastoral  prayer  recorded  in 
John  17,  Jesus  prays  for  those  who  follow 
him,  "that  they  may  be  as  one."  Let  us  also 
pray  that  as  we  take  upon  ourselves  the 
commitment  to  be  followers  of  Jesus,  we 
will  also  as  willing  disciples  promote  peace 
and  understanding  between  individuals 
and  groups,  and  let  our  own  lives  he  li\dng 
examples  of  the  self-forgetting  lova  ■  i.l ,  sus 
Christ. 


Page  IZ,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1994 


Doni  fence  me  in 

Three  volunteer  workers  from  Colonial  Heights  (Va.)  Church  remove  fence  posts  from 
around  the  Zuni  Presbyterian  Center.  The  fence  was  no  longer  necessary  as  the  center 
has  disposed  of  its  cattle  herd.  From  left  the  workers  are  Jack  Malone,  Bill  Burford  and 
Richard  Hartwell.  For  more  information  about  the  Zuni  Center,  see  stories  on  page  1. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


Bread  for  the  World  marks  20th  anniversary 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 

WASHINGTON— Bread  for 
the  World  (BFW),  the  Chris- 
tian citizens'  anti-hunger 
lobby,  recently  celebrated  its 
20th  anniversary  of  advocat- 
ing for  hungry  people  at  a  re- 
ception on  Capitol  Hill. 

BFW,  which  began  in  1974, 
now  numbers  44,000  members, 
who  call,  write  and  visit  mem- 
bers of  Congress  advocating 
for  changes  in  U.S.  policies  that 
are  a  boon  to  hungry  people. 

David  Beckmann,  president 
of  the  organization,  said  at  the 
reception,  "Our  effective,  faith- 
based  advocacy  for  ending  hun- 
ger is  rooted  in  the  Christian 
gospel.  Bread  for  the  World  is 
the  most  broadly  interdenomi- 
national movement  in  Ameri- 
can church  life." 

"If  Bread  for  the  World's  past 
20  years  are  any  indication, 
we've  witnessed  just  the  pro- 
logue," said  Arthur  Simon, 
founder  and  president  emeri- 
tus. "This  persistent,  moral 
voice  will  continue  to  inform 
and  sustain  religious,  political 
and  social  efforts  in  ending 
hunger." 

BFW  has  focused  its  efforts 
this  year  on  attaining  full  fund- 
ing for  the  federal  govern- 
ment's Special  Supplemental 
Food  Program  for  Women,  In- 
fants and  Children  (WIC).  Sta- 


Correction 

The  Presbjd^ery  of  the  James 
news  page  for  October  con- 
tained a  couple  of  incorrect 
statements.  The  correct  infor- 
mation is: 

Christopher  Handley,  new 
associate  pastor  at  Richmond's 
Crestwood  Church,  was  a  spe- 
cial student  at  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary;  and  George 
Whipple,  stated  supply  pastor 
of  Concord  Church  in  Raw- 
lines,  received  a  D.  Min.  de- 
i^me  from  the  seminary  in  1984. 


tistics  show  that  nearly  3.5 
million  low-income  women  and 
children  are  currently  not  able 
to  receive  nutrition  and  health 
assistance  from  the  program 
due  to  funding  shortages. 

"Bread  for  the  World  is 
thankful  to  God  for  two  de- 
cades of  citizen  and  financial 
support  from  individuals, 


"Go,  See  and  Act"  will  be  the 
theme  of  the  107th  annual 
World  Day  of  Prayer,  sched- 
uled for  March  4,  1995. 

The  service  for  next  year 


PPC  board 
approves  sale 
of  retail  division 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— The  Pres- 
byterian Publishing  Corpora- 
tion (PPC)  will  turn  part  of  its 
retail  division  over  to 
Cokesbury,  a  decision  that 
could  eliminate  18  jobs  but  in- 
crease stability  in  the  finan- 
cially troubled  corporation,  ac- 
cording to  PPC  officials. 

Starting  Jan.  1,  1995,  most 
PPC  retail  activity  will  be 
handled  by  Cokesbury,  PPC 
president  and  publisher  Davis 
Perkins  said  following  a  Sept. 
22-23  board  of  directors  meet- 
ing in  Louisville. 

The  nation's  largest  denomi- 
national retailer,  Cokesbury 
sells  roughly  $70  million  dol- 
lars each  year  in  retail  prod- 
ucts. It  is  operated  by  United 
Methodist  Publishing  House. 

Through  its  64  retail  stores 
and  state-of-the-art  telephone 
and  catalog  services,  Perkins 
said,  Cokesbury  is  "uniquely 
qualified  to  provide  effective 
support  to  Presbyterian  Pub- 
lishing House  fulfilling  its  mis- 
sion." 


church  leaders  and  religious 
institutions  (including  the 
Presbyterian  Hunger  Pro- 
gram)," said  Beckmann. 

"I  pray  that  this  organiza- 
tion may  continue  to  serve  as  a 
catalyst  for  churchwide  hun- 
ger advocacy  and  sow  the  seeds 
of  God's  justice  and  mercy  for 
hungry  people." 


has  been  written  by  the  Chris- 
tian women  of  Palestine  and 
focuses  on  the  accounts  of 
Jesus'  passion  and  resurrec- 
tion. It  invites  participants  to 
"hear  and  respond  to  God's  call 
for  justice  and  reconciliation." 

Acknowledging  the  sensitiv- 
ity of  Middle  East  issues,  as 
well  as  the  controversy  sur- 
rounding the  1994  service  that 
has  surfaced  in  some  parts  of 
the  international  community, 
the  administrative  committee 
of  Church  Women  United  has 
issued  a  statement  affirming 
women  in  their  efforts  to  forge 
new  theological  understand- 
ings that  are  authentically 
rooted  in  their  experiences. 

"This  service,  presented 
through  the  eyes  of  Palestin- 
ian Christian  women,  is  in- 
tended to  be  a  part  of  the  larger 
peace  process  that  seeks  a  safe 
and  just  coexistence  for  all  per- 
sons in  the  region,"  the  com- 
mittee states. 

"We  recognize  that  as  'new' 
voices  are  heard,  they  often 
challenge  our  previous  under- 
standings, and  may  even  cause 
conflict  among  groups  who  ex- 
perience the  world  from  differ- 
ent perspectives.  World  Day 
of  Prayer  offers  us  an  opportu- 
nity to  engage  in  listening  to 
each  other  and  prayerfully  con- 
sidering the  perspective  of  an- 
other as  well  as  humbly  shar- 
ing our  own." 

— Marj  Carpenter 

Worldwide  Ministries  Division 


Go,  See  and  Act  is  theme 

World  Day  of  Prayer  is  March  4 


GAC  extends  'Year  with  Africa' 

"The  Year  With  Africa"  has  been  extended  for  at  least  one  more 
year,  through  the  1996  General  Assembly,  by  action  of  the 
General  Assembly  Council  on  Oct.  1. 

"It's  important  to  give  congregations  who  are  beginning,  or 
who  are  planning  to  begin  (AfHca  emphasis  programs),  their 
time  with  Africa,"  the  Rev.  Sandy  Peirce  of  the  Worldwide 
Ministries  Division  committee,  told  the  council. 

A  subcommittee  within  the  division  is  to  examine  ways  to 
select  and  emphasize  mission  work  and  to  consider  other 
possible  "Year  With  ..."  geographical  themes,  the  length  of 
emphasis  and  other  ecumenical  resources  which  may  be  drawn 
into  the  work,  according  to  John  R.  "Pete"  Hendrick,  division 
committee  chair. 

Hendrick  told  the  Presb3rterian  News  Service  the  committee 
was  persuaded  to  continue  the  emphasis  on  Africa  through  the 
1996  General  Assembly  so  "the  whole  church"  might  be  involved 
in  "what  looks  like  a  groundswell  of  interest  and  enthusiasm  in 
knowing  about  Africa,  about  our  brothers  and  sisters  in  Christ 
there  and  about  how  to  be  in  partnership  with  them." 

Hendrick  said  prominence  of  Africa  in  recent  news  coverage 
heightened  interest  in  the  continent  this  year. 

Media  Mission  receives  donation 

Gregg  Hartung  from  Presbyterian  Media  Mission  in  Pittsburgh 
reports  that  they  received  a  $20,000  donation  of  audio  equip- 
ment from  Westinghouse  to  redistribute  to  friends  across  the 
world  who  are  doing  Christian  broadcasting  in  primitive  condi- 
tions. 

The  first  tape  deck  went  to  Cameroon,  Africa,  where  Peter 
Ngong  has  an  ecumenical  studio  for  recording  three  weekly 
radio  shows  on  the  10  government-run  radio  stations. 

Also,  a  segment  from  the  Passages  radio  show  produced  by 
Presbyterian  Media  Mission  received  the  coveted  Gabriel  Award 
in  Holljrwood  on  Nov.  11.  The  segment  so  honored  concerns  a 
couple  from  Cranberry  Township  who  tell  the  story  of  their  son's 
death. 

Number  of  volunteers  increases 

The  Volunteers  in  Shared  Ministry  initiative  of  the  General 
Assembly  Council  has  shown  great  results  in  the  increased 
opportunities  for  volunteers  internationally  and  in  the  U.S.' 
More  than  170  international  mission  volunteers  have  been 
appointed  to  date  in  1994  to  serve  one  year  or  longer  and  some 
shorter  terms. 

These  volunteers  serve  as  English  teachers,  health  ministry 
workers,  youth  and  community  workers,  global  youth  interns, 
and  in  a  variety  of  other  creative  and  challenging  positions. 
Many  are  retired  long-term  mission  personnel  who  have  re- 
turned to  serve  as  volunteers.  From  Bangladesh  to  great  Brit- 
ain, Kyrgyzstan  to  Costa  Rica,  Korea  to  Kenya,  the  volunteers 
serve  in  significant  ministries. 

— Marj  Carpenter,  Worldwide  Ministries  Division 

Stated  clerks  form  association 

A  new  professional  organization  for  stated  clerks  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.)  has  been  formed.  The  organization,  the 
Association  of  Stated  Clerks,  is  also  open  to  professors  of  church 
polity  and  others  interested  in  the  work  of  stated  clerks. 

According  to  the  Rev.  Clark  Chamberlain,  stated  clerk  of  the 
Synod  of  the  Sun,  the  association  will  serve  as  a  focal  point  for 
advocacy  for  the  office  of  stated  clerk,  training  for  persons 
embarking  on  that  office,  continuing  education  for  incumbent 
stated  clerks,  mentoring  among  clerks  and  mutual  support  for 
stated  clerks. 

An  eight-member  steering  committee  has  been  formed  to 
direct  the  activities  of  the  association.  The  association  will  be ' 
funded  by  dues,  which  have  initially  been  set  at  $30  for  1994-95, 
according  to  Chamberlain. 

Two  projects  share  PW  offering 

Flood  victims  in  the  U.S.  Midwest  and  families  suffering  from 
malnutrition  in  Zaire  will  be  the  beneficiaries  of  the  $52,360 
offering  collected  at  the  July  1994  Churchwide  Gathering  of 
Presbjrterian  Women  in  Ames,  Iowa. 

According  to  Freda  Meyerhoffer,  financial  secretary  of  the 
event,  half  of  the  offering  collected  there  will  assist  families  in 
Missouri,  Illinois,  Kansas  and  Iowa  who  are  rebuilding  in  the 
wake  of  floods  that  swept  through  eight  Midwest  states  in  the 
summer  of  1993.  That  aid  will  be  channeled  through  disaster 
offices  in  the  affected  synods  and  presbyteries. 

The  other  half  of  the  offering,  $26,180,  will  assist  the  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Kinshasa  (CPK)  in  establishing  a  community 
garden  project  to  ease  the  threat  of  malnutrition  in  Zaire. 

Each  CPK  congregation  will  form  a  garden  committee  to 
manage  the  distribution  of  seeds,  fertilizer  and  fencing.  An 
agriculturalist  will  work  with  the  local  committees  to  maximize 
production  of  the  gardens. 

Ivory  attends  Mandela  reception 

WASHINGTON,  D.C.— Elenora  Giddings  Ivory,  director  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church's  Washington  Office,  was  among  4,500 
invited  guests  who  greeted  new  South  Africa  president  Nelson 
Mandela  at  the  White  House  Oct.  4.  Mandela  thanked  the 
American  people  for  helping  overturn  the  apartheid  system  and 
then  implored  them  to  join  his  nation  in  its  newest  struggle: 
overcoming  poverty  and  building  its  economy. 


Synod  restructuring  plan  on  pages  6-7 


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For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
^reshyterian 


January/February  1995 


Volume  LXI,  Number  1 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Seigle  Avenue  Church 
grows  while  crossing 
class,  race  barriers 


CHARLOTTE,  N.C.— Getting 
different  races  to  worship  to- 
gether isn't  the  big  problem; 
getting  different  classes  of 
people  together  is  the  greater 
obstacle,  according  to  Charlie 
Summers. 

As  pastor  of  Seigle  Avenue 
Church  here,  Summers  leads 
one  of  the  few  Presbjrterian 
congregations  which  includes 
equal  numbers  of  blacks  and 
whites,  and  crosses  hard-to- 
crack  socio-economic  barriers. 

Not  only  does  the  inner-city 
church  include  much  diversity 
in  classes  and  races,  it  is  also 
growing.  For  the  past  three 
years  the  church  has  added  30 
new  members  a  year  and  now 
numbers  180  in  its  congrega- 
tion. 

Across  the  street  from  a 
large  federally  subsidized 
apartment  complex  in  an  in- 
ner-city neighbor  hood  rife  with 
crime,  Seigle  Avenue  church 
cannot  claim  location  as  a 
drawing  card.  Or  can  it? 

Many  young  white  adults 
who  have  joined  the  church 
have  cited  its  commitment  to 
urban  ministry  and  the  desire 


to  worship  in  an  interracial 
setting. 

For  many  new  black  mem- 
bers, the  reasons  for  joining 
are  different.  Some  are  former 
recipients  of  the  church's  out- 
reach programs  and  now  want 
to  help  others.  Many  are  resi- 
dents of  the  Piedmont  Courts 
housing  project  across  the 
street. 

New  black  members  often 
cite  the  church's  "accepting 
nature  ...  message  of  grace  in- 
stead of  condemnation"  and  its 
informality,  says  Summers. 
Few  people  "dress  up"  for  wor- 
ship at  Seigle  Avenue. 

"Worship  is  a  very  cultur- 
ally controlled  experience," 
says  Summers.  "If  you  grow  up 
in  West  Virginia,  what  you 
think  is  beautiful  music  is  dif- 
ferent than  if  you  grow  up  on 
the  southeast  side  of  Charlotte. 

"Anjrtime  you  combine  in 
worship  people  from  different 
cultural  backgrounds,  you 
have  to  include  pieces  of  the 
experience  of  everybody  in  the 
room.  Those  whose  experience 
is  left  out  will  not  stick  around." 

Summers,  who  was  pastor 


Seigle  Avenue  Church  member  David  Conlin,  right,  helps  6th  grader  Andre  Alexander 
with  his  math  homework  as  a  part  of  the  church's  after-school  program  for  youth. 


of  the  interracial  Sixth  Church 
in  Washington,  D.C.,  during 
the  late  1970s,  says  that  the 
way  a  church  plans  its  worship 
"announces  who  it  is  you  hope 
will  stay  and  worship  with  you. 

"White  congregations  which 
say  they  would  like  to  have 
black  members  but  are  unwill- 
ing to  include  spirituals,  gos- 
pel music,  Kinte  colors, 
Kwanzaa  observances,  Black 


History  Month  ...  the  African- 
American  experience  ...  very 
clearly  in  their  worship  service 
...  are  de facto  saying  'We  want 
you  to  worship  with  us,  but 
we're  not  going  to  change  any- 
thing to  make  you  comfort- 
able.'" 

At  Seigle  Avenue  Church, 
worship  follows  "a  fairly  re- 
laxed Presbyterian  order  of 
worship,"  says  Summers.  A 


teaching  sermon  is  preceded 
and  followed  by  gospel  hymns 
and  music. 

Symbols  of  both  European 
and  African  traditions  are 
used.  For  example,  during  the 
advent  season  a  wreath  and 
candles  were  featured,  but  the 
candles  were  red,  green  and 
black,  key  colors  in  the  Afri- 
can-American tradition. 

continued  on  page  3 


Synod  offering  for  Barber-Scotia  College  is  Feb.  19 


A  special  offering  will  be  col- 
lected Feb.  19  in  the  sjmod  for 
Barber-Scotia  College,  the  his- 
torically black  school  at  Con- 
cord, N.C. 

After  hearing  a  report  last 
June  on  the  college's  urgent 
need  for  financial  support,  the 
Synod  Assembly  approved  an 
emergency  synod-wide  offer- 
ing for  the  school.  The  Synod 
Council  approved  the  Feb.  19 
date  during  its  meeting  in  Rich- 
mond last  November. 

Information  on  the  offering 


will  be  sent  directly  to  the 
churches  and  presbyteries.  For 
more  information,  call  the 
synod  office  at  (804)  342-0016. 

A  unique  mission 

"Barber-Scotia  is  the  per- 
sonification of  the  spirit  of  the 
mission  of  our  church,  and  the 
spirit  still  has  work  to  do  in 
1995,"  said  acting  president. 
Dr.  Mable  Parker  McLean, 
during  a  recent  interview  in 
her  office. 

More  than  90  percent  of 


Barber-Scotia's  students  are 
the  first  members  of  their  fami- 
lies to  attend  college,  accord- 
ing to  McLean.  "Many  people 
are  shocked  by  that,"  she  said 
of  the  fact  that  so  many  Afri- 
can-American families  are  just 
now  reaching  the  point  where 
they  can  send  sons  and  daugh- 
ters to  college. 

"And  many  others  [in  the 
students' families]  are  depend- 
ing on  these  students,"  added 
McLean. 

Many  Barber-Scotia  stu- 


dents also  need  financial  assis- 
tance. Thus,  the  small  college 
must  meet  the  distinct  needs 
of  students  who  cannot  usu- 
ally afford  the  services  it  of- 
fers. 

Last  spring  Barber-Scotia's 
ability  to  continue  operations 
appeared  doubtful.  When 
trustees  learned  that  the 
school's  debts  exceeded  $1.3 
million,  the  college's  president 
was  forced  to  resign  and  dras- 
tic cuts  were  made  in  order  to 
meet  operating  expenses.  The 


entire  faculty  was  laid  off  and 
many  students  left  while  ow- 
ing money  to  the  school. 

Under  the  leadership  of 
trustees  chairman  George 
Shinn,  more  than  $1.2  million 
has  been  raised  to  help  the 
school  meet  its  financial  obli- 
gations. Shinn,  owner  of  the 
Charlotte  Hornets  basketball 
team,  and  the  NAACP  an- 
nounced joint  plans  last  sum- 
mer to  raise  still  more  funds. 

The  school  reopened  in  Sep- 
continued  on  page  5 


Campus  ministry  is  like  'serving  lunch  to  a  parade' 


Campus  minister  Laureen  Smith  in  front  of  her  "office" 
on  the  George  Washington  University  campus 


By  ROSALIND  BANBURY- 
HAMM,  Associate  Executive 
for  Synod  Ministries 

WASHINGTON,  D.C.— It  is  a 
postage  stamp  of  an  office  with 
exposed  pipes  painted  yellow, 
blue  and  beige  and  a  radiator 
■fastened  in  the  middle  of  the 
wall.  The  refreshment  center 
is  one  I-didn't-know-they- 
made-them-that-small  micro- 
wave on  top  of  a  two-foot-cubed 
refrigerator. 

Adorning  the  walls  are  post- 
ers with  the  messages:  "A  dif- 
ferent world  cannot  be  made 
by  indifferent  people,"  "Imag- 
ine a  Violence-free  World,"  and 
"Walking  with  Africans,  A 
Healing  Journey,  PC(USA).'" 

There  is  one  sofa,  one  coffee 
table  and  some  metal  chairs 
stacked  in  a  corner.  You  have 


to  go  next  door  to  use  a 
restroom.  Like  most  campus 
ministries.  Ecumenical  Cam- 
pus Ministry  at  George  Wash- 
ington University  is  poorly 
funded  and  always  in  danger 
of  having  its  funds  cut.  Last 
year,  all  Methodist  funding  to 
ecumenical  ministries  was 
completely  eliminated.  In  1995, 
all  campus  ministries  in  Na- 
tional Capital  Presbytery  may 
sustain  a  cut. 

The  office  has  two  sections. 
The  outer  section  is  shared  by 
three  part-time  people.  The 
inner  office  is  the  space  of  the 
Rev.  Laureen  Smith,  a  Presby- 
terian pastor  who  is  the  cam- 
pus minister  for  the  Ecumeni- 
cal Campus  Ministry. 

A  busy  street  lies  just  out- 
side the  office  door.  People  of 
every  imaginable  age,  race,  and 


dress  scurry  past.  Everyone 
seems  to  have  a  backpack  or 
large  shoulder  bag.  A  few  carry 
brief  cases.  It  is  a  hectic  pace, 
a  highly  programmed,  urban 
campus  in  the  middle  of  Wash- 
ington, D.C. 

Laureen's  face  lights  up 
when  she  talks  about  her  work. 
"Campus  ministry  is  like  serv- 
ing lunch  to  a  parade.  The  stu- 
dents rush  in  and  out  and  can- 
not stay  in  one  place  too  long 
because  the  parade  moves  on 
by,"  Laureen  noted.  "Some  stu- 
dents will  stop  and  eat  a  full 
meal  with  mash  potatoes, 
gravy,  meat,  green  beans. 
Some  just  want  the  strawberry 
shortcake.  Some  other  stu- 
dents just  look  and  go  away. 
We  at  Campus  i  -  n-e- 

pare  a  theologica  l  '  ■ 
cant  inn. 


Pa^^e  2,  IViid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1995 


Surprise! 


By  RICHAKD  L.  MORGAN 

Al  Winn  had  just  delivered  a  stirring 
message  at  the  Montreat  Older  Adult 
Conference  on  "God's  Surprises."  He 
made  us  realize  how  many  of  our  losses 
in  later  life  can  become  moments  when 
God  surprises  us. 

Since  prolonged  sitting  can  become 
wearisome,  I  decided  to  take  a  long 
walk  along  Greybeard  Trail.  Suddenly 
I  realized  I  was  surprisingly  alone,  free 
from  the  disturbances  and  distractions 
of  noise.  I  relished  the  moment  and 
recalled  the  story  of  a  frenetic  Ameri- 
can who  climbed  one  of  the  Himalayas 
to  interview  an  old  Indian  guru.  When 
he  finally  saw  him,  wrapped  in  silence, 


he  blurted  out,  "Aren't  you  lonely  up 
here  all  by  yourself?"  "No,"  replied  the 
guru,  "Not  until  you  came!" 

As  I  walked  that  sun-kissed  road, 
listening  to  the  quiet  stream  and  other 
sounds  of  silence,  I  remembered 
Cleophas  and  that  other  person  who 
walked  seven  miles  from  Jerusalem  to 
Emmaus,  that  first  Easter  afternoon, 
and  suddenly  a  stranger  joined  them. 
Only  later  did  they  recognize  their 
Lord.  I  thought,  "Isn't  that  a  foretaste 
of  Heaven?  Walking  alone,  and  sud- 
denly one  of  God's  saints  appears."  At 
that  precise  moment,  Fred  Stair  unex- 
pectedly appeared!  Surprise!  When  I 
told  him  about  my  fantasy,  he  was 
gratified  to  know  he  was  numbered 


with  the  saints. 

Jesus  was  always  surprising  people. 
The  prophet  wrote  well  of  his  coming, 
"So  shall  he  startle  many  nations  ...  ." 
He  surprised  Nicodemus  by  telling  this 
older  man  to  be  bom  again.  He  sur- 
prised the  Pharisees  when  he  made  a 
hated  Samaritan  the  only  one  who 
showed  mercy.  Again  and  again  he 
surprised  the  disciples,  talking  with  a 
Samaritan  woman, 


eating  with 
Zaccheus,  respond- 
ing to  the  cries  of  a 
Canaanite  woman. 
The  ultimate  sur- 
prise was  first  expe- 
rienced by  Mary  on 
the  first  Easter 
morning,  when  the 
person  she  thought 
was  the  gardener 


turned  out  to  be  Richard 
Jesus,  risen  from  Morgan 
the  grave. 

When  the  Turks  invaded  the  city  of 
Constantinople  they  entered  a  church 
and  plastered  over  a  picture  of  Christ. 
Centuries  later,  the  plaster  cracked, 
and  the  features  of  the  face  of  Jesus 
could  be  seen.  Centuries  have  plas- 
tered Jesus  and  obscured  the  real 
Christ  from  us.  Somehow  he  manages 


to  break  out  of  our  notions  and  sur- 
prise us  with  reality. 

A  new  year,  1995,  is  here.  Some 
approach  it  with  dread  and  apprehen- 
sion. We  need  to  approach  it  with  won- 
der at  how  God  may  surprise  us.  As 
Whittier  wrote, 

/  know  not  what  the  future  hath  of 
marvel  or  surprise;  Assured  alone  that 
life  and  death  His  mercy  overlies. 

The  British  poet  William  Cowper 
battled  mental  illness  all  his  life,  was 
confined  for  a  while  in  a  mental  institu- 
tion, and  often  attempted  suicide.  Yet, 
even  through  that  despair  he  could  pen 
the  words  of  one  of  our  seldom  sung 
hymns: 

Sometimes  a  light  surprises 
The  Christian  while  he  sings; 
It  is  the  Lord  who  rises 
With  healing  in  his  wings. 

May  God's  healing  love  surprise  you 
in  1995! 

The  Rev.  Richard  L.  Morgan  of 
Lenoir,  N.  C.,isa  regular  contributor  to 
the  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian.  His  lat- 
est book,  "From  Grim  to  Green  Pas- 
tures: Meditations  for  the  Sick  and 
Their  Caregivers"  was  released  recently 
by  Upper  Room  Press. 


Commentary 


One  reader  questions  Interfaith  Alliance  article;  another  'interested  and  amused'  by  same 


After  reading  your  article  about  the  Inter- 
faith Alliance  formed  by  Dr.  Valentine  and 
others  to  oppose  the  radical  religious  right, 
I  realized  that  I  didn't  know  enough  to 
make  an  informed  judgement  about  the 
issues  in  the  article. 

Since  other  readers  are  probably  in  the 
same  position,  perhaps  you  could  do  a  more 
in-depth  interview  with  Dr.  Valentine  or 
another  spokesperson  for  the  Interfaith 
Alliance,  addressing  the  following  ques- 
tions, which  are  raised  by  statements  in 
the  interview: 

Who  are  the  radical  right? 

What  are  the  political  litmus  tests  im- 
posed on  people  of  faith,  and  how  are  they 


What  are  some  examples  of  positions  on 
legislation  and  public  policy  issues  that  the 
Interfaith  Alliance  will  lobby  for? 

What  is  the  "one  way  that  the  radical 
right  thinks  good  Christians  must  live  and 
think?  Who  among  the  radical  right  articu- 
lates this  view?  Who  articulates  the  view 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 


Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 

Vol.  LXI 
January/February  1995 


that  the  radical  right  is  the  only  true  reli- 
gious voice  in  America? 

In  what  ways  are  the  radical  right  pre- 
venting the  promotion  of  respect  and  toler- 
ance? For  whom  or  what  do  they  show 
disrespect  and  intolerance? 

What  is  the  radical  right's  political 
agenda? 

What  are  the  issues  for  which  the  Inter- 
faith Alliance  will  serve  as  a  clearing- 
house? 

What  is  the  harsh  unyielding  doctrine 
preached  by  the  radical  religious  right? 

Answers  to  these  questions  will  help  all 
of  us  to  learn  more  about  the  religious 
right,  and  to  understand  how  the  Inter- 
faith Alliance  seeks  to  serve. 

Ann  Hardy 
Baltimore,  Md. 


I  viewed  with  interest  and  amusement 
your  article  in  the  October  1994  issue, 
"Valentine  leads  Interfaith  Alliance."  My 
interest  stemmed  from  a  desire  to  learn 
what  our  former  moderator  is  currently 
doing.  My  amusement  came  from  his  char- 
acterization of  those  who  are  not  part  of 
the  "radical  religious  right." 

The  people  your  article  identifies  as 
serving  on  the  governing  board  of  the  Inter- 
faith Alliance  are  among  the  most  preemi- 
nently quotable  religious  leaders  in  the 
country  today.  To  characterize,  as  Mr.  Val- 
entine does,  that  they  are  "no  match"  for 
others  in  the  public  dialogue  is  not  simply 
amusing  but  incorrect.  These  are  individu- 
als who  have  been  in  the  forefront  of  the 
politization  of  the  American  religious  com- 
munity over  the  past  20  years. 


found  it  interesting  that  your 
article  makes  no  mention  of  the  report 
that  this  alliance  receives  a  major  portion 
of  its  funding  from  the  Democratic  Na- 
tional Committee.  Would  you  care  to  com- 
ment on  this  report? 

Donald  D.  Denton  Jr.,  D.  Min. 

Richmond,  Va. 

Editor's  response — Herb  Valentine  says  that 
the  Democratic  National  Committee  con- 
tributed $24,000  to  the  Interfaith  Alliance, 
which  is  projecting  an  annual  operating 
budget  of  $4  million.  He  adds  that  all 
political  parties  were  solicited  for  contribu- 
tions. Also,  there  was  also  a  report  of  a 
financial  connection  between  the  Christian 
Coalition  and  the  Republican  Party. 


Conservatives  should  examine  St.  Paul's  message  to  the  Galatians 


I  write  in  reference  to  Ms.  Holly  A.  Hoch's 
comments  [Commentary,  Nov  ./Dec.  issue] 
on  the  letter  of  Sherry  Hope.  The  passage 
from  Matthew  5  that  Ms.  Hoch  quoted  is 
introductory  material  to  the  sermon  on  the 
mount  in  which  Jesus  reinterpreted  four 
Old  Testament  laws  and  outright  contra- 
dicted two  more,  thus  "doing  away  with  the 
old,"  and  redefining  much  of  "the  old." 

Throughout  his  ministry,  Jesus  fought 
against  the  legalistic  adherence  to  obeying 
the  law  that  was  the  Jewish  practice.  And 
then  he  had  that  profound  insight  that  the 
law  was  based  on  love.  Also,  the  point  of  the 
events  on  the  Moimt  of  Transfiguration  is 
surely  that  the  law  and  the  prophets,  sym- 
bolized by  Moses  and  Elijah,  were  super- 
seded by  God  through  Jesus  and  his  teach- 
ings. 

God  said,  "This  is  my  beloved  son,  with 
whom  I  am  well  pleased;  listen  to  him,"  not 


or  Elijah,  the  law  and  the  prophets, 
they  had  disappeared.  St.  Paul  more  fully 
examines  the  sharp  break  between  Chris- 
tianity and  Jewish  legalism  in  his  letters  to 
the  Romans  and  the  Galatians. 

See,  for  example,  Romans  3:27-31,  5:20- 
21,  6:14,  7:4-6,  8:2-5,  9:30-33,  10:4,  and 
11:1-6.  And  in  Romans  13:11  Paul  clearly 
shows  that  Jesus  did,  indeed,  "come  to  do 
away  with  the  old"  by  writing,  "Owe  no  one 
anything,  except  to  love  one  another;  for 
the  one  who  loves  another  has  fulfilled  the 
law."  The  commandments,  "You  shall  not 
commit  adultery;  You  shall  not  murder; 
You  shall  not  steal,  You  shall  not  covet" 
and  any  other  commandment,  are  summed 
up  in  this  word,  "Love  your  neighbor  as 
yourself." 

In  short,  love  supersedes  the  command- 
ments, does  away  with  "the  old"  Jewish 
legalism  based  on  the  Old  Testament.  I 


People  changing  Bible  to  suit  themselves 


suggest  that  Mr.  Henson,  whose  letter 
appears  in  the  same  issue,  and  who  seems 
to  exhibit  some  of  the  legalism  that  Jesus 
and  St.  Paul  struggled  to  discredit,  think 
about  these  words  of  St.  Paul;  they  answer 
the  questions  he  posed  in  his  letter. 

Many  examples  of  the  truth  of  Ms. 
Hope's  observation  that  Jesus  "came  to  do 
away  with  the  old,"  that  he  came  to  end  the 
Jewish  reliance  on  the  law  and  the  proph- 
ets, can  be  found  in  Paul's  letter  to  the 
Galatians,  among  whom  the  conservatives 
of  his  day  were  trying  to  influence  the 
people;  e.g.  2:15-16,  3:15-18,  3:19,  3:21, 
and  3:23-26.  And,  in  Galatians  5:4,  St. 
Paul  makes  this  sweeping  indictment:  "You 
who  would  want  to  be  justified  by  the  law 
have  cut  yourselves  off  from  Christ." 

I  would  suggest  that  those  who  consider 
themselves  conservative  in  this  day  and 
age  examine  themselves  very  seriously  in 
the  light  of  what  St.  Paul  said  to  the 
Galatians. 

Jack  Prince 
Bloomery,  W.Va.  ~ 


[The]  reference  to  the  comment  "Your  God 
is  too  small,"  as  quoted  from  Leslie 
Weatherhead  offends  me  big  time.  Our 
God  is  "all  sufficient;"  the  world  is  too  sick. 
We  are  in  a  "ME"  generation!  Most  people 
think  they  are  right,  and  rather  than  seek- 
ing understanding,  being  able  to  receive  it, 
as  well  as  give  it,  they  are  out  to  change  the 
world  to  see  things  as  they  do. 

Victims  today  are  being  victimized  over 
and  over,  because  the  criminal  blames  any- 
thing from  catching  an  adulteress  in  the 
act  to  having  abusive  parents,  as  an  excuse 
for  murdering???  AND  they  get  away  with 
it!! 

If  we  would  accept  God  as  being  "El 
Shaddai,"  and  try  to  understand  His  way, 
and  support  others  with  guidance,  strength 
and  compassion,  for  whatever  trials  and 
tribulations  they  are  having,  our  world 
would  be  better  all  around.  Start  to  take 
blame  for  our  own  actions  and  stop  tr5dng 
to  give  the  world  puny  excuses  for  misbe- 


haviors. God  knows  ALL,  and  no  matter 
who  believes  the  untruths,  on  judgement 
day  we  all  will  PAY  the  price  for  our 
transgressions.  Yes,  we  are  forgiven  for 
our  sins,  but  God  is  the  "fairest  in  the  land" 
and  He  accepts  ALL  Christians  in  heaven; 
it  is  His  blessings  and  rewards  earned, 
that  the  difference  will  be  done. 

The  trouble  with  the  world  is  most  are 
trying  to  change  the  Bible  to  suit  them- 
selves, and  not  enough  people  have  the 
courage  to  take  God's  Word  and  all  His 
blessings  and  promises  and  just  STAND  on 
them!  If  people  would  just  act  as  they  are 
expected  in  the  Bible  and  stand  on  their 
efforts,  then  they  will  see  first  hand  ... 

God  is  Great,  God  is  Good,  and  God  is 
LOVE!  The  Bible  still  is  the  "Greatest 
Story  Ever  Told"!  We  all  should  study  it 
more  often. 


Letters  to  the 
Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and 
length.  Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbjrterian,  January/Februa; 


Sharing  concerns  is  a  time 
for  reality  at  Seigle  Avenue 


continued  from  page  1 
Another  point  where  Seigle 
Avenue  Church's  worship  dif- 
fers greatly  is  the  time  for  shar- 
ing joys  and  concerns. 

"It  is  a  time  for  reality,"  says 
Summers.  "People  give  thanks 
for  finding  jobs  or  places  to 
live,  for  a  child  getting  out  of 
prison,  for  completing  a  first 
year  of  sobriety,  for  the  recov- 
ery of  a  neighbor  who  was  a 
gunshot  victim. 

"Combined  with  'normal'  is- 
sues Presb5^erians  are  will- 
ing to  share  ...  it  adds  a  quality 
of  reality  to  the  experience  here 
that  is  affirming  across  race 
lines,"  he  adds. 

History  of  mission 

Seigle  Avenue  Church  was 
organized  in  1945,  an  out- 
growth of  a  ministry  to  the 
Piedmont  Courts  residents.  At 
that  time,  it  was  an  all-white 
housing  complex  and  "...  it  was 
not  a  particularly  big  stigma 
to  be  low-income,"  says  Sum- 
mers. "Lots  of  people  were 
poor;  the  Depression  was  only 
recently  over." 

With  financial  support  from 
Mecklenburg  Presbytery  the 
church  was  able  to  offer  a  vari- 
ety of  Christian  education  pro- 
grams. The  city  health  depart- 
ment and  other  organizations 
were  provided  space  in  church 
for  clinics  and  other  programs. 

The  church  grew  through- 
out the  1950s  and  reached  a 
peak  membership  in  the  early 
1960s  when  Ernest  Trice 
Thompson  Jr.  was  pastor. 
There  was  talk  among  mem- 
bers that  the  church  should 
become  self-supporting,  but  it 
was  successfully  argued  that 
the  com-munity's  needs  would 
always  be  more  than  the  con- 
gregation could  afford  to 
handle  alone. 

It  turned  out  to  be  an  accu- 
rate assessment. 

With  the  mid-60s  came  de- 
segregation and  much  turmoil. 
As  black  families  were  moved 
into  the  Piedmont  Courts, 
white  families  moved  out.  Wil- 
liam A.  "Bill"  Stewart,  now 
executive  of  Memphis  Presby- 
tery, was  pastor  during  this 
turbulent  time.  Membership 
dropped  to  about  50  and  there 
was  much  discussion  about 
how  the  church  should  minis- 
ter to  its  new  interracial  com- 
munity. 

A  core  group  of  members 
decided  to  stay.  "There  is  no 
vote  in  the  records,"  says  Sum- 
mers. "The  core  group  stayed 
to  keep  the  neighborhood  min- 
istry going.  They  were  con- 
vinced they  had  a  unique  op- 
portunity and  didn't  care  what 
color  the  people  were. 

"The  church  was  steady  and 
faithful  to  its  ministry  and  kept 
the  doors  open  to  the  neigh- 
borhood," he  adds.  "Being  in- 
terracial came  as  a  bjrproduct 
of  that  steadiness." 

George  and  Mary  Carol 
Michie  brought  their  family 
into  the  congregation  during 
the  late  1960s.  "We  were  visit- 
ing churches  right  after  Mar- 
tin Luther  King  Jr.  was  killed 
and  it  was  scary  what  we  heard. 
There  was  a  lot  of  fear,"  says 
Mary  Michie.  "We  asked  about 
various  churches  and  a  friend 
pointed  us  toward  Seigle  Av- 
enue." 

She  says  the  core  group  re- 
mained because  of  "a  real 
sl^ng  belief  that  the  church 


is  where  people  are  ...  and  that 
there  is  a  lot  going  on  in  this 
community,  a  lot  of  needs. 

"The  church  has  given  us  a 
lot,  too,"  says  Michie,  who  is 
resource  coordinator  for  Char- 
lotte Presbytery.  "It's  really 
shaped  our  lives  in  many  ways . 
Our  children  grew  up  in  a 
church  with  all  kinds  of  people 
in  it."  A  daughter,  Lynn,  re- 
cently passed  her  ordination 
examination  with  the  presby- 
tery. "She  always  talks  about 
how  Seigle  Avenue  shaped  who 
she  is  today." 

Bill  Stewart  left  for  another 
post  in  1971.  Prior  to  his  de- 
parture, he  provided  an  evalu- 
ation of  the  church's  ministry 
and  predictions  for  its  future. 
It  included  the  following: 

"...  The  Church  has  been 
theologically  committed  to  the 
brotherhood  of  races  as  the 
biblical  style  of  life  on  earth. 
We  are  our  brothers'  priests; 
we  have  life  best  when  we  have 
it  together  with  peace  and  in- 
tegrity and  fairness.  Hopefully 
the  day  is  not  too  far  away 
when  both  races  will  teach  and 
run  the  Church  together 

Stewart,  while  correct  about 
the  eventual  outcome,  pre- 
dicted it  would  happen  in  three 
to  seven  years.  It  would  be 
much  longer. 

Prior  to  leaving,  Stewart 
persuaded  the  Myers  Park 
Church  to  become  a  "partner- 
in-ministry"  with  the  presby- 
tery in  supporting  Seigle  Av- 
enue. It  is  an  arrangement  that 
continues  today.  Myers  Park, 
which  has  a  membership  over 
3,200,  recently  pledged 
$500,000  toward  the  effort  to 
replace  Seigle  Avenue's  old, 
worn-out  Christian  education 
building. 


Seigle  Avenue  minister  Charles  Summers  (third  from  left)  and  the  'kitchen  crew'  after 
a  recent  Wonderful  Wednesday  program.  They  are,  from  left,  James  HoUis,  Dot  Woods, 
Summers,  Angela  Pearce,  Lois  McKinney,  Velma  Jones  and  Karen  Nagle. 


While  the  congregation  and 
Stewart's  successor,  Bob  Mor- 
gan, were  committed  to  serv- 
ing the  community,  quality  of 
life  in  the  neighborhood  dete- 
riorated. Drug  dealers  were 
working  the  projects  and  va- 
cant buildings  were  boarded 
up.  There  was  much  fear  and 
unrest  among  the  remaining 
residents. 

These  conditions  reached  a 
very  visible  climax  in  Novem- 
ber 1985  when  seven  persons 
were  injured  in  a  gun  battle  in 
Piedmont  Courts.  As  is  often 
the  case,  it  took  an  explosion  to 
get  results. 

The  apartment  complex  was 
remodeled  in  1986  and  1987.  A 
residents'  organization  was 
revived  with  a  new  sense  of 
pride  and  purpose. 

Thus,  when  Summers  ar- 
rived in  1987,  the  situation  at 
Piedmont  Courts  had  bottomed 
out  and  was  ready  for  improve- 
ment. Membership  at  Seigle 
Avenue  had  not  increased 


greatly,  but  the  "core  group" 
kept  the  church  active  and  in- 
volved. 

Service  and  growth 

Summers  came  to  Seigle 
Avenue  Church  after  serving 
six  years  as  chaplain  at  his 
alma  mater,  Davidson  College. 
It  was  finally  time  for  the  birth 
of  the  church  Bill  Stewart  en- 
visioned in  1971. 

"When  I  came  here  seven 
years  ago,  middle-class  folk 
fi'om  elsewhere  ran  the  out- 
reach programs.  Now,  neigh- 
borhood people,  who  were  once 
recipients  of  the  programs,  are 
now  church  members  and  over- 
seeing those  same  programs," 
says  Summers. 

Flexibility  and  the  willing- 
ness to  try  something  new  are 
the  reasons  for  Seigle  Avenue's 
success,  says  Summers.  For 
example,  Seigle  Avenue 
Church  started  the  first  hot 
meal  program  for  senior  citi- 
zens in  Charlotte.  When  older 


residents  were  moved  out  of 
Piedmont  Courts,  the  program 
was  closed.  In  its  place,  the 
church  started  a  program  for 
pre-school  kids. 

The  pre-school  program  has 
blossomed.  It  has  an  annual 
budget  of  $90,000  and  its  own 
board  of  directors  so  that  it  can 
seek  corporate  funding. 

Wonderful  Wednesday 

Wonderful  Wednesday  is 
another  example  of  the 
church's  willingness  to  experi- 
ment. Eight  years  ago  there 
were  no  children  coming  to 
Sunday  school,  so  the  classes 
were  moved  to  Wednesday 
evening.  Within  one  year,  50 
kids  were  attending.  At  its 
height,  up  to  90  children  were 
involved. 

The  children  gather  in  the 
sanctuary  for  singing  and  fel- 
lowship. Then  they  split  into 
age  groups  for  lessons.  Finally, 
they  gather  for  a  light  meal. 

continued  on  page  4 


At  Westminster-Canterbury  of  the  Blue  Ridge, 
you  get  more  than  a  great  view  of  the  mountains. 
You  also  get  a  great  view  of  life. 


When  you  look  out  over  the  beautiful 
Blue  Ridge  Mountains  from  your  cottage  or 
apartment  at  Westminster-Canterbury  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  you  get  a  very  real  sense  of 
contentment. 

You  know  you're  living  in  a  true  life  care 
community.  You  know  your  safety  and 
security  are  top  priorities  for  the  staff.  You 
know  that  you  have  the  opportunity  to  par- 
ticipate in  as  many — or  as  few — social  and 
recreational  activities  as  you  wish. 

And  at  Westminster-Canterbury  of  the 


Blue  Ridge,  you  also  know  you  are  living  in 
a  retirement  community  which  is  operating 
under  guidelines  that  have  been  established 
by  the  Presbyterian  and  Episcopal  Churches 
of  Virginia. 

This  guidance  ensures  a  truly  caring  envi- 
ronment— an  environment  committed  to  the 
spiritual  as  well  as  the  physical  and  social 
needs  of  our  residents. 

When  you  consider  all  of  these  reasons, 
we  think  this  may  be  the  ideal  retirement 
community  for  you. 


Westminster-Canterbury  of  the  Blue  Ridge 

□  Please  send  additional  information. 

□  Please  call  to  schedule  an  appointment. 

Name  

Address  

City,  State,  Zip   S 

Phone  i  \   I 


250  Pantops  Mountain  Road 
Charlottesville,  VA  22901 
(804)  980-9100 


F^age  4,  Mid  Atlantic  Presb5i;erian,  January/February  1995 

Ducker  had  been  Radford  Church  pastor  since  1983 

Crash  kills  former  synod  council  member 

RADFORD,  Va.— The  Rev.  Westover  Hills  Church  of  was  invaluable." 

George  Ducker,  47,  pastor  of  Charlotte  from  1972  to  1975.  He  was  also  active  at  the 

the  Presbyterian  Church  of  That  was  followed  by  pastor-  presbytery  level,  first  in 

Radford  and  a  former  member  ates  at  the  Limestone  Church  Fincastle  Presbytery,  then  in 

of  the  Synod  Council,  was  in  Gaffney,  S.C.,  and  First  its  successor,  the  Presbytery 

killed  instantly  in  a  head-on  Church  of  Rock  Hill,  S.C.  He  of  the  Peaks.  He  was  a  former 

automobile  collision  Dec.  4  was  called  to  the  Radford  chair  of  the  Division  on  Ad- 

outside  Radford.  Church  in  December  1983.  ministration  for  the  Peaks. 

Funeral  services  were  held        Ducker  served  on  the  tran-  Ducker's  community  in- 

at  the  Radford  church  Dec.  8.  sitional  council  for  the  new  volvement  included  seven 

and  at  Myers  Park  Church  in  s5Tiod  starting  in  1987,  then  years  as  a  member  of  the 

Charlotte,  N.C.,  on  Dec.  10.  as  an  at-large  member  of  the  Radford  City  School  Board. 

Born  July  18, 1947,  in  Char-  S3mod  Council  from  1989  to  He  is  survived  by  his  wife, 

lotte,  Ducker  was  a  member  of  1992.  During  that  period  he  Lane;  two  sons,  Greer  and 

the  Myers  Park  Church.  He  was  chair  of  the  synod's  per-  Brian;  his  parents,  William  G. 

received  a  bachelor's  degree  sonnel  committee.  and  Elizabeth  H.  Ducker;  and 

from  St.  Andrews  Presbyte-       "George  was  an  untiring  a  sister,  Nancy  Tuchscherer. 

rian  College  in  1969  and  a  worker  and  gave  many  hours  Memorials  are  suggested  to 

master  ofdivinity  degree  from  to  the  formation  of  the  new  the  following:  the  2nd  Cen- 

Louisville  Presb5d;erian  Theo-  S5Tiod,"  said  Synod  Executive  tury  Campaign  of  the  Radford 

logical  Seminary  in  1972.  Carroll  D.  Jenkins.  "His  role  Church;  music  scholarships  for 

He    was    ordained    by  in  aiding  the  early  develop-  the  Radford  City  Schools;  St. 

Mecklenburg  Presbytery  and  ment  of  the  personnel  com-  Andrews  Presbyerian  College; 

served  as  pastor  of  the  mittee  and  enabling  its  work  and  Louisville  Seminary. 


Campus  ministry  like  'serving  lunch  to  a  parade' 


continued  from  page  1 
the  'meals'  may  range  from 
Bible  study  to  addressing  is- 
sues on  campus." 

A  fourth-generation  Pres- 
byterian, both  Laureen's 
great-grandfather  and  mother 
are  Presbyterian  ministers. 
Lau-reen  grew  up  in  Califor- 
nia and  received  a  bachelor  of 


Capture  The  Spirit! 

You  can  experience  the  gracious 
and  secure  lifestyle  that  Scotia  Village 
offers.  Situated  in  Laurinburg  we  are 
proud  to  be  an  accredited,  friendly, 
caring  community. 
Our  beautiful 
setting  includes 
apartments, 
cluster  cottages, 
duplex  cottages  ^0"ma™.i 
and  a  70  bed  health  center. 


ScoHa  Village 
2200  Elm  Avenue  -  Uurinburg,  NC  28352 
910-277-2000  ^ 


arts  degree  in  theater  from 
the  University  of  California  at 
Los  Angeles.  It  was  there  that 
she  met  Charles  Doak,  then 
the  Presbyterian  campus  min- 
ister, who  was  a  major  influ- 
ence in  her  decision  later  to  go 
into  campus  ministry.  She  re- 
ceived her  master  of  divinity 
degree  from  Harvard  Univer- 
sity. 

Laureen  has  worked  in  pas- 
toral counseling  with  battered 
women,  as  a  volunteer  coordi- 
nator, and  as  a  Bible  teacher 
and  workshop  leader  for  nu- 
merous Presbyterian  churches 
in  National  Capital  Presbytery. 
Four  years  ago  at  George 
Washington  University,  Lau- 
reen inaugurated  the  annual 
Oxfam  Fast  for  a  World  Har- 
vest which  continues  to  offer 
the  campus  community  infor- 
mation and  strategies  for  feed- 
ing a  hungry  world.  The  fast  is 
now  a  campus-wide  event. 

I  spent  an  afternoon  and 
evening  with  Laureen  asking 
about  and  observing  her  cam- 
pus ministry.  We  ate  dinner  at 
Western  Presbyterian  Church. 
There  I  met  a  couple  who  had 
met  at  a  campus  ministry  gath- 
ering in  college  and  later  mar- 
ried. The  evening  student  gath- 
ering was  on  "prayer,"  part  of  a 


series  on  "The  Care  of  the  Soul." 
One  faculty  member  surprised 
the  students  by  saying  that  he 
prays  before  every  class  and 
asks  God  to  help  him  remem- 
ber that  he  has  been  entrusted 
with  God's  children.  I  also  put 
some  questions  to  Laureen 
which  follow. 

What  is  most  precious  to  you 
about  this  campus  ministry? 

I  get  to  share  in  the  life  of 
some  phenomenally  precious 
children  of  God.  I  am  trusted 
to  walk  with  them  in  their  per- 
sonal journeys.  After  some  silly 
games  or  late-night  tears,  I 
walk  back  to  my  car  and  thank 
God  for  the  gift  of  that  time 
with  the  students.  An  18-year 
old  may  grapple  with  ques- 
tions which  I  never  had  to  ask 
such  as  "Will  I  die  from  AIDS  if 
I  have  sex?"  I  am  so  thankful  to 
be  included  in  those  important 
questions. 

What  is  most  meaningful  to 
you  in  this  campus  ministry? 

Watching  honest,  personal 
growth  is  the  most  meaning- 
ful. That  growth  may  take 
place  in  short  spurts  of  spiri- 
tual growth  of  a  student,  a 
faculty  member  or  in  me.  I 
enjoy  helping  facilitate  that 
continued  on  page  5 


'Experience  Freedom,  Experience  Life' 


A  Life-Enriching  Study  of  GALATIANS 
with  B.  Clayton  Bell 
February  24-26,  1995 

Dr.  B.  Clayton  Bell  Sr.,  is  senior  pastor  of  the  5,400- 
member  Highland  Park  Presbyterian  Church  in  Dallas. 
He  is  the  brother  of  Ruth  Bell  Graham. 


'  Experience  God's  wonderful 
freedom  that  liberates  you  to 
obey  Him  in  love. 

'  Lay  aside  the  burdens 
preventing  you  from  enjoying 
the  abundant  life  God  longs 
for  you  to  enjoy. 

•  Discover  how  to  serve  other 
people,  not  as  an  obligation 
but  as  a  joyous  privilege! 


LY  Graham  Training  Center  at  The  Cove 


to  equip 
ordinary  Christians  with 
the  extraordinary  capacity 
to  reach  people  effectively 
for  Jesus  Christ. " 

-Billy  Graham 

To  register  for  "Experience 
Freedom,  Experience  Life," 
or  to  receive  a  1995  Program 
Guide  explaining  the  36 
training  seminars  at  The 
Cove  m  Asheville,  NC, 
Call  TODAY  at 
704/298-2092.& 


The-Resa  Woodf  oik  and  Seigle  Avenue  elder  Wilma  Petty 


'Wonderful  Wednesday'  program 
has  led  to  growth  on  Sundays 


continued  from  page  3 

Ironically,  Wonderful  Wed- 
nesday has  also  been  a  key  to 
getting  neighborhood  adults 
involved  in  the  church.  "Adults 
were  more  comfortable  com- 
ing over  Wednesday  night  and 
volunteering  to  help,"  says 
Summers.  "They  got  to  know 
us  in  an  informal  setting,  then 
they  would  take  the  risk  and 
come  on  Sunday  morning." 

Wednesday  is  not  the  only 
day  of  the  week  when  you  will 
find  numerous  young  people 
in  and  around  Seigle  Avenue 
Church. 

After  the  local  schools  are 
out  for  the  day,  youth  start  to 
pour  in  and  most  settle  down 
for  serious  pursuits.  Volunteer 
tutors  from  Seigle  Avenue  and 
other  churches  are  paired  with 
kids  who  need  help  with  their 
studies. 

At  the  vortex  of  the  whirl- 
wind of  young  people  coming 
and  going  is  The-Resa 
Woodfolk,  the  church's  youth 
and  Christian  education  direc- 
tor. "They  call  me  'mean'  be- 
cause if  they  say  they  don't 
have  homework,  I  have  home- 
work for  them,"  she  says  be- 
tween answering  questions  and 
directing  traffic  through  the 
halls. 

Woodfolk  came  to  Seigle 
Avenue  Church  in  June  1993 
after  receiving  a  master's  de- 
gree from  the  Presbyterian 
School  of  Christian  Education. 
Ordained  in  another  denomi- 
nation, she  also  holds  a 
master's  degree  from  Johnson 
C.  Smith  Theological  Semi- 


nary. She  plans  on  becoming  a 
Presbyterian  minister. 

When  she  started  the  after- 
school  tutoring  program  there 
were  15  kids  involved.  "Now 
there  are  32  and  we  have  five 
kids  on  the  honor  roll,"  she 
adds  proudly. 

Woodfolk,  who  was  nick- 
named "the  Rev.  T-bone"  by 
her  youthful  charges,  also 
helps  them  deal  with  social 
pressures  and  temptations. 
AIDS,  teen  pregnancy  and  con- 
flict resolution  are  some  of  the 
topics  she  has  led  them 
through. 

Needs  for  the  future 

The  top  priority  at  Seigle 
Avenue  now  is  to  replace  the 
Christian  education  building 
which  was  built  in  1945  by 
residents  of  the  Piedmont 
Courts.  The  old  cinder-block 
building  is  literally  crumbling 
and  the  church  needs  more 
space.  One  Wonderful  Wednes- 
day class  now  has  to  meet 
across  the  street  at  the  hous- 
ing complex. 

Total  cost  of  a  proposed  new 
structure  is  $850,000.  With  the 
help  of  Myers  Park  Church's 
generous  pledge,  a  total  of 
$723,000  has  been  promised 
toward  the  goal. 

The  new  building  will  allow 
Seigle  Avenue  Church  to 
double  the  size  of  its  pre-school 
program  and  start  other  pro- 
grams, according  to  Summers. 

And  for  a  church  that 
thrives  on  serving  its  commu- 
nity, there  will  be  more  needs 
to  meet. 


Milford nominated  for  GA  moderator 


The  Rev.  Richard  J.  Milford, 
pastor  of  Grosse  He  Church  in 
Detroit  Presb3d;ery,  has  en- 
tered the  race  for  moderator  of 
the  207th  General  Assembly. 

Milford  was  endorsed  by  the 
presbytery  in  October.  He  joins 
Marj  Carpenter  of  Big  Spring, 
Texas  (Tres  Rios  Presbytery), 
as  a  candidate  for  the  top 
elected  post  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.).  The  elec- 
tion is  slated  for  July  16,  the 
second  day  of  the  week-long 
Assembly  in  Cincinnati. 

Milford  has  served  the  632- 


REFINISHING 


member  Grosse  He  church  for 
32  years.  He  has  been  modera- 
tor of  Detroit  Presbytery,  as 
well  as  a  member  of  its  Perma- 
nent Judicial  Commission  and 
chairperson  of  its  Bicenten- 
nial Fund  campaign.  He  has 
served  in  higher  education 
ministries  in  both  the  presby- 
tery and  the  Synod  of  the  Cov- 
enant. 

At  the  General  Assembly 
level,  Milford  just  completed 
two  terms  on  the  Board  of  Pen- 
sions, chairing  its  Health  Care 
and  Nominations  committees 
and  serving  also  on  the  Social 
Responsibility  Committee. 

In  its  endorsement,  the 
presbytery  stated,  "As  we  look 
to  leadership,  it  is  our  belief 
that  someone  who  is  able  to 
listen  with  open-mindedness 
and  fairness  is  needed.  Some- 
one who  is  willing  to  hear  what 
the  people  are  and  are  not 
saying,  someone  who  encour- 
ages dialogue.  ...  the  Rev.  Rich- 
ard Milford  is  that  someone." 


Barber-Scotia's  104-year- 
old  Grace  Hall  sits  unused 
and  in  need  of  renovation. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February, 

Barber-Scotia  rallies  from  financial  crisis 


continued  from  page  1 
tember  for  the  academic  year 
with  400  students,  down  from 
700  the  previous  fall.  iDr. 
McLean  is  the  acting  presi- 
dent while  the  board  of  trust- 
ees searches  for  a  permanent 
replacement. 

In  the  meantime  there  are 
obviously  more  needs  than 
money  for  Barber-Scotia.  Older 
buildings  sit  vacant  for  want  of 
extensive  renovations  and  re- 
pair. The  grounds  show  evi- 
dence of  cutbacks  in  mainte- 
nance. 

As  students  said  goodbye 
and  left  for  the  Christmas  holi- 
days, however,  there  was  the 
usual  conviviality  one  would 
expect  among  friends  on  any 


Dr.  McLean 


campus, 
McLean 
spoke  about  how  Barber-Scotia 
has  overcome  past  financial 
and  leadership  crises.  "We've 
constantly  rallied,  but  you 
have  to  ask  how  much  strength 
is  left,"  said  McLean. 

"We  can  ill  afford  to  lose  the 
opportunity  for  that  part  of 


the  population  that  would 
choose  to  come  here,"  she 
added. 

Founded  as  mission  school 

One  of  two  historically  black 
colleges  owned  and  operated 
by  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),  Barber-Scotia  dates 
its  origin  back  to  1867  and  the 
founding  of  Scotia  Seminary,  a 
mission  school  in  Concord  for 
young  African-American 
women. 

In  1932  the  school  received 
its  present  name  and  became  a 
junior  college.  The  renaming 
came  through  a  merger  with 
Barber  Memorial  Seminary  of 
Anniston,  Ala. 

Barber-Scotia  became  a 


four-year  senior  college  in  1943 
and  admitted  its  first  male  stu- 
dent in  1955. 

The  school's  distinguished 
alumni  include: 

Dr.  McLean; 

Mary  McLeod  Bethune, 
founder  of  Bethune-Cookman 
College  and  advisor  to  Presi- 
dent Franklin  Roosevelt; 

Thelma  Davidson  x\dair, 
moderator  of  the  188th  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.); 

Sara  Brown  Cordery,  re- 
cently moderator  of  Presbyte- 
rian Women's  churchwide  co- 
ordinating team;  and 

Katie  Geneva  Cannon,  the 
first  black  woman  ordained  to 
the  ministry  by  the  UPC(USA) 


As  first  black  woman  minister  in  Presbyterian  Churcti 


Twenty  years  ago  Barber-Scotia  graduate  Cannon  made  history 


Barber-Scotia  graduate  and 
North  Carolina  native  Katie 
Geneva  Cannon  made  history 
20  years  ago  when  she  became 
the  first  African-American 
woman  to  be  ordained  to  the 
ministry  in  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  U.S.A. 

She  was  also  the  first  Afri- 
can-American woman  to  earn 
the  doctor  of  philosophy  degree 
from  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  New  York. 

Presently  a  full-time,  ten- 
ured faculty  member  at 
Temple  University  in  Phila- 
delphia, Cannon  is  an  associ- 
ate professor  of  religion.  Lofty 
titles  haven't  diminished  her 
capacity  to  stand  in  awe  of  her 
achievements  or  recall  her  ori- 
gins in  the  ministerial  field. 

"Twenty  years  ago  a  black 
woman,  theologically  trained, 
who  passed  Greek,  Hebrew  and 
other  ordination  exams  was 
truly  an  extraterrestrial,"  Can- 
non said.  "It  was  stranger  than 


fiction.  I  mean  people  could 
not  comprehend  what  such  a 
person  looked  like,  did  or  be- 
lieved in. 

"People  don't  gawk  or 
hyperventilate  when  they 
know  now  there  are  black 
women  who  are  ordained  min- 
isters," she  said. 

Cannon's  professional  expe- 
riences are  extensive.  She  has 
served  as  the  stated  supply 
pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  Ascension  in 
New  York  City  (1975-77);  as  a 
member  of  the  ministerial  staff 
at  the  Presb5rterian  Church  of 
the  Master  in  New  York  City 
(1974-75);  as  a  member  of  the 
administration/faculty  at  New 
York  Theological  Seminary 
(1977-80);  and  as  a  tutor  in 
theology  and  ethics  at  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  Vir- 
ginia (1981  and  1983). 

For  eight  years.  Cannon  was 
the  associate  professor  of  Chris- 
tian social  ethics  at  Episcopal 


Divinity  School  in  Cambridge, 
Mass.  (1984-1992),  and  has 
traveled  extensively  in  West 
Africa  and  the  Middle  East. 

Prior  to  her  studies  at  Union 
Seminary,  Cannon  graduated 
from  Barber-Scotia  College  in 
1971  with  a  bachelor  of  science 
degree  and  attended  the  his- 
torically black  Johnson  C. 
Smith  Theological  Seminary 
in  Atlanta,  where  she  earned  a 
master  of  divinity  degree  in 
1974. 

A  great  time 

She  described  1971  as  "a 
great  time  to  be  in  seminary" 
due  to  the  Vietnam  War  and  a 
significant  number  of  students 
who  were  either  military  vet- 
erans, did  not  wish  to  join  the 
military  or  were  identified  as 
"boy  preachers"  who  showed 
tremendous  promise  as  minis- 
ters and  theologians.  Also, 
there  were  a  number  of  young, 
black,  single  women  18  to  20 


Campus  ministry  is  'new  church  development' 


continued  from  page  4 

growth  which  leads  me  to  pro- 
found awe:  "wow  God,  you  are 
so  amazing  in  creating  this 
person."  Sometimes  that 
growth  is  quite  painful.  One 
Korean-American  woman 
struggled  as  a  Christian  be- 
cause her  parents  had  quite 
different  understandings  of 
Christianity.  I  don't  bring  God 
on  campus.  God  is  already 
here.  But  I  point  and  say  "look!" 
I  see  God  everjrwhere. 

Why  should  the  church  be 
involved  in  campus  ministry'? 

First,  because  Jesus  said, 
"Let  the  children  come  unto 
me."  Campus  ministry  with 
students  and  faculty  is  an  in- 
vestment and  a  mission  of  the 
church.  Campus  ministry  is  a 
place  where  we  take  ministry 
out  into  the  world  for  others. 
We  owe  it  to  the  future  to  care 
for  and  nurture  the  young 
members  of  our  society.  Cam- 
pus ministry  is  caretaking  and 
stewardship  of  the  future 
which  has  been  entrusted  to 
us.  Campus  ministry  is  new 
church  development. 

What  is  the  justification  for 
funding  campus  ministry  in 
the  face  of  so  much  crying  need? 

That  question  divides 
"need"  into  categories  which 


may  be  artificial.  The  needs  of 
students  on  college  campuses 
are  very  real  but  may  not  be  so 
obvious.  It  would  not  be  essen- 
tial for  the  church  to  give 
money  to  campus  ministries  if 
churches  were  already  doing 
the  ministries  which  students 
desperately  need  but  often 
lack.  Students  face  tremen- 
dous pressures  on  campus: 
stress,  alcohol,  AIDS,  ques- 
tions of  sexuality,  acceptance 
and  belonging.  Pastoral  care 
must  extend  into  the  life  of 
the  campus. 

How  many  students  does  the 
campus  ministry  reach  in  a 
given  week? 

That  is  a  difficult  question 
to  answer  and  one  that 
churches  often  ask.  Last 
spring,  I  answered  the  ques- 
tion by  trying  to  add  up  the 
students  involved  in  that  par- 
ticular week.  That  week  a  stu- 
dent died.  I  spent  hours  at  the 
hospital  with  friends  and  fam- 
ily members.  I  visited  with  the 
fraternity  to  help  them  deal 
with  the  death  and  conducted 


PEW  REFINISHING' CARPET 
PEWS  •  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 


E.C.  Moore  Church  Furniture,  Inc. 
P.O.  Box  524  •  Monroe,  NC  28111 
1-800-666-7331 


the  funeral.  Do  I  count  all  the 
people  at  the  funeral?  Do  I 
count  the  members  of  the  fra- 
ternity even  though  they  are 
not  regulars  at  the  weekly  stu- 
dent gathering?  If  I'm  involved 
in  a  campus  event,  do  I  count 
all  the  students  who  attend?  If 
I  count  just  the  regular  stu- 
dents at  the  weekly  Bible  study, 
that  is  a  small  number.  If  I 
count  every  person  to  whom  I 
may  minister,  that  can  be  a 
large  number. 

The  fact  that  you  were  asked  to 
come  to  the  fraternity  and  to  do 
the  funeral  says  to  me  that  the 
campus  community  trusts  you. 

I  had  not  thought  of  it  that 
way  but  I  believe  that  I  am 
trusted.  I  work  hard  to  be  a 
trustworthy  pastor  who  hon- 
ors the  tough  theological  ques- 
tions and  the  real-life 
struggles.  To  be  trusted  also 
means  that  I  am  more  effective 
as  a  pastor  in  the  life  of  this 
community. 

"  FREE  ESTIMATES  '  , 

'\  A&H 

4fa  &  sTArivE&<jL4^  i 

COMPANY,  IJ^.  . 


years  old  also  desirous  of  at- 
tending seminary. 

"It  was  a  wonderful  mix," 
Cannon  recalled.  "All  of  my 
professors,  except  those  in  re- 
ligious education,  were  men, 
and  most  of  them  were  black 
men.  They  were  very  support- 
ive, challenging,  rigorous  and 
took  us  seriously  as  students." 

Cannon  apparently  took  her 
training  and  studies  seriously, 
too.  She  is  the  recipient  of  nu- 
merous honors  and  awards 
including  the  Rockefeller  Doc- 
toral Fellowship,  the 
Roothbert  Fellowship,  Who's 
Who  Among  Black  Americans 
1980-81,  Visiting  Scholar  in 
Christian  Ethics  at  Harvard 
Divinity  School  (1983-84),  Vis- 
iting Professor  at  Yale  Divin- 
ity School  (1987),  Visiting  Pro- 
fessor at  Wellesley  College 
(1991),  a  Rockefeller  Scholar- 
in-Residence  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania  ( 1991-92), 
a  Bunting  Fellow  at  Radcliffe 
College  ( 1987-88)  and  the  Isaac 
R.  Clark  Preaching  Award 
(1974). 

Reared  in  a  family  of  Pres- 
byterians with  a  strong  Afro- 
centric  lineage  dating  back  to 
1867,  Cannon  grew  up  in 
Kannapolis,  N.C.  Her  brother, 
the  Rev.  Jerry  Cannon,  is  pas- 
tor of  C.  N.  Jenkins  Church  in 


Charlotte. 

Katie  Cannon  said  her  min- 
isterial call  came  through  a 
series  of  social  and  personal 
processes.  During  the  Civil 
Rights  Movement,  Cannon 
became  a  black  nationalist,  a 
revolutionary  who  suddenly 
found  her  faith  and  beliefs 
challenged  by  her  newfound 
knowledge.  "I  had  a  head-on 
collision  between  what  I'd  been 
taught  and  what  I  was  now 
dealingwith,"  she  said.  "It  was 
not  a  God-struck-me-dead  ex- 
perience. Yet  within  the  first 
six  weeks  of  being  in  seminary 
I  knew  this  is  what  I  wanted  to 
do  more  than  anything  else  in 
the  world.  It  was  like  a  fire  in 
the  bones." 

As  she  lives  out  her  calling. 
Cannon,  while  acknowledging 
women  in  all  mainline  denomi- 
nations still  have  barriers  to 
overcome,  she  believes  the  fu- 
ture is  bright  for  all  female 
pastors — regardless  of  race, 
creed,  nationality  or  color. 

"Gkid  doesn't  make  junk,  God 
doesn't  make  mistakes,"  Can- 
non said.  "If  God  made  hu- 
mans as  male  and  female,  then 
God  could  call  women  as  well 
as  men  to  preach." 

— Julian  Shipp 
PCCUSA)  News  Service 


SCOTLAND  BECKONS 

The  Highlands  &  Islands 

June  15-27,  1995 
Travel  through  the  Northwest  Highlands  and  over 

to  Orkney,  Skye,  Mull  and  lona.  A  special  tour 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Scottish  Heritage  Center 
of  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College. 

Scotland's  Religious  &  Cultural  Heritage 

August  24-Septennber  5,  1995 
A  customized  tour  directed  by  Doug  and  Pat  Hix, 
assisted  by  the  Rev.  Stuart  McWilliam,  which  will  take 
you  from  the  Borders  to  Festival  time  in  Edinburgh, 
through  the  Highlands  and  to  the  Inner  Hebrides. 

For  brochures  and  information  about  these 
and  other  Scotland  travel  opportunities, 

contact  Bruce  Frye  at  TRAVEL  TIME,  INC.. 
1000  S.  Main  SL,  Laurinburg.  NC  28352 
Phone  toll-free  (800)  872-8696 


Page  6.  Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1995 


Restructuring  plan  read 


An  overview  of  the  task 

From  a  letter  to  synod  commissioners  by  the  Rev.  Sam  Rutland,  chair  of  Standing 
Committee  No.  1.  The  Synod  Assembly  will  reconvene  Jan.  27-28  in  Richmond  to 
consider  the  committee's  plan,  which  is  paraphrased  on  these  two  pages. 

As  a  preface  to  this  mission  paper,  we  would  like  to  present  some  of  the  issues 
which  guided  our  discussion  and  final  decisions  concerning  this  design.  We  hope 
that  this  introduction  might  prove  useful  as  you  consider  the  different  compo- 
nents of  the  Synod's  mission. 

Our  first  revelation  was  that  all  within  the  Synod  of  Mid- Atlantic  did  not  view 
Synod  in  the  same  way. 

Before  reunion,  the  old  PC(US)  (southern  church)  saw  one  of  the  primary 
duties  of  the  Synod  to  be  the  support  of  institutions  and  care  agencies  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  within  their  state.  That  is.  Synod  made  certain  our  retire- 
ment homes,  children's  homes,  colleges,  homes  for  the  aging,  etc.,  received  good 
and  proper  support.  To  many  who  were  in  the  old  southern  church,  this  is  still 
the  defining  and  unique  role  of  Synod.  Therefore,  Synod  required  only  a  small 
staff. 

On  the  other  hand,  those  who  were  members  of  the  former  UPC(USA) 
(northern  church)  viewed  Synod  as  a  programming/initiating  arm  of  the  larger 
church.  It  was  the  role  of  Synod  to  promote  such  issues  as  Justice  and  Mercy, 
Racial  Ethnic  Ministries,  Church  Development,  Evangelism,  etc.  Therefore, 
Synod  required  more  staff,  and  received  support  from  the  General  Assembly  for, 
in  some  cases,  staff  salaries  and  institutional  funding. 

Certainly,  this  is  a  very  broad-stroked  overview  of  the  former  synods  ...  but ... 
these  forces  still  inform  our  understanding  of  Synod.  The  greatest  evidence  of  this 
was  seen  in  response  to  the  survey  sent  to  [synod  commissioners]  following  our 
June  stated  meeting. 

When  asked  to  propose  a  synod  structure,  many  elaborate  plans  with  extensive 
staff  were  presented.  Other  plans  simply  stated,  "We  need  a  synod  executive,  a 
secretary,  and  a  copjdng  machine."  This,  by  the  way,  was  the  heart  of  our  discussion 
in  Jvme  over  whether  Synod  required  a  "bookkeeper"  or  an  associate  executive  for 
finance.  More  programming  requires  a  higher  level  of  staffing.  Not  svu-prisingly, 
mission  and  staffing  designs  among  commissioners  followed  very  closely  the  old 
UPC(USA)  and  PC(US)  perceptions  of  Synod. 

So,  why  are  we  still  wrestling  over  Synod?  Because,  unlike  many  other  Sjmods, 
we  have  an  equal  number  of  former  UPC(USA)  and  PC(US)  people  in  the  pews 
of  our  Synod.  With  reunion,  all  former  programs  were  frozen  in  place.  For  five 
years  the  Synod  was  required  to  carry  out  all  the  programs  of  the  three 
antecedent  synods.  The  good  news  in  this  is  that  for  five  years  we  had  the  luxury 
of  not  having  to  deal  with  the  issues  of  reunion  which  impacted  our  mission 
design.  But  the  reality  before  us  this  January  is  this  five-year  grace  period  is  now 
elapsed  ....  We  are  face-to-face  with  all  the  challenges  of  reconciling  our  divergent 
understandings  of  Synod's  mission.  Dear  friends  in  Christ,  this  is  the  task  before 
us. 

We,  the  members  of  Standing  Committee  No.  1,  reflect  the  diversity  of  the 
struggle  which  is  mentioned  above.  In  our  deliberations  the  passion  for  our 
varying  convictions  has  been  expressed  quite  freely.  But  God  has  brought  us 
together  to  joyfully  present  this  design.  We  believe  that  this  proposal  represents 
not  only  a  melding,  but  a  strengthening  of  all  our  views  of  Sjmod. 

Specifically,  our  committee  desired  to  accomplish  two  ends:  (1)  effective  and 
efficient  ministry  programming,  and  (2)  a  downscaling  of  Synod  reflective  of  wise 
stewardship  and  current  realities.  This  design  maintains  most  program  budgets 
at  present  levels  where  possible,  while  reducing  Synod's  Assembly  fi-om  250 
persons  to  125  in  attendance  ...  downscaling  Synod's  staff  by  25  percent ...  (and) 
reducing  the  size  of  Synod  council  from  50  to  22  people. 


^Mission  Statement 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  is  an  intermediate  governing  body 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  It  affirms  that  Christ  is 
Head  of  the  Church  and  that  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  is 
given  to  Jesus  Christ  by  Almighty  God,  who  raised  Christ  from 
the  dead,  who  comes  to  dwell  in  believers  through  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  sends  God's  people  into  the  world  to  carry  out  God's  mission. 
This  mission  is  clearly  stated  in  the  "Great  Ends  of  the  Church" — 
to  proclaim  the  gospel  for  the  salvation  of  humankind;  to  shelter, 
nurture,  and  give  spiritual  fellowship  to  the  children  of  God;  to 
maintain  divine  worship;  to  preserve  truth;  to  promote  social 
righteousness;  and  to  exhibit  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  to  the 
world. 

The  Synod  is  responsible  for  mission  and  ministry  within  the 
region  encompassing  Delaware,  the  District  of  Columbia,  Mary- 
land, North  Carolina,  Virginia,  and  a  section  of  West  Virginia.  We 
are  of  different  racial  ethnic  groups,  ages,  sexes,  and  vocations 
who  have  various  abilities,  different  theological  positions  consis- 
tent with  the  Reformed  tradition,  and  different  marital  condi- 
tions (single,  married,  widowed  and  divorced).  In  this  diversity, 
we  seek  wholeness  to  achieve  the  "Great  Ends  of  the  Church." 

Through  this  diversity,  the  Holy  Spirit  enables  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic  to  perform  its  mission  and  ministry  in  partnership 
with  the  General  Assembly  and  the  member  presbyteries  of  the 
Synod. 


SYNOD  ASSEMBLY 


SYNOD  COUNCIL 
I.   


ADMINISTRATION 


COMMUNICATIONS 
NOMINATIONS 


REPRESENTATION 
TRUSTEES 


CAMPUS  MINISTRIES  — 
EVANGEUSM 
JUSTICE  /  MERCY 
PARTNERSHIP  MINISTRIES 


URBAN  MINISTRY 


RACIAL  ETHNIC  MINISTRIES  - 


FINANCE  I 


CAMPUS  MINISTERS 


Synod  Assembly 

Mission 

Synod  is  the  intermediate  governmental  unit 
responsible  for  the  mission  of  the  church 
throughout  its  region.  It  therefore  has  the 
responsibility  and  power  to  initiate,  develop, 
coordinate  and  maintain  such  ministries  as 
are  suggested  in  the  Book  of  Order,  G-12.0102. 

Membership 

Approximately  66  commissioners,  to  be  elected 
by  their  presbyteries,  with  at  least  two  com- 
missioner representatives  from  every  presby- 
tery ...  equal  numbers  of  elders  and  ministers 
...  following]  the  representative  formula  es- 
tablished in  the  Book  of  Order  G-13.0102  for 
commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly.  The 
number  elected  ...  may  increase  or  decrease 
with  changes  in  the  size  of  a  presbytery. 

...  it  is  incumbent  upon  each  presbytery  and 
their  respective  nominating  committees  to  elect 
commissioners  to  synod  with  special  attention 
to  the  principles  of  inclusiveness. 

Special  Representatives 

...  invitations  shall  be  issued  to  the  following 
who  shall  have  voice  but  no  vote:  Synod  Coun- 
cil (22  members);  Ecumenical  Delegates  (5  to 
be  invited);  Synod  Staff  (Executive/Stated 
Clerk,  Associate  Executive,  Comptroller,  Min- 
istry Coordinator);  Synod  Mission  Commit- 
tees— one  representative  from  Campus  Minis- 
tries, Evangelism,  Justice/Mercy,  and  Racial 
Ethnic  Ministries;  Partnership  Ministries — 
one  from  each  active  partnership;  Youth  Advi- 
sory Delegates  (YADS) — one  per  presbytery. 

Meetings 

One  per  year. 

Terms 

1.  Each  commissioner  shall  serve  for  a  term  of 

one  year. 

2 .  YADS  and  Ecumenical  Delegates  shall  serve 

for  a  term  of  one  year. 

3.  Special  Representatives  may  participate  in 

Synod  as  they  continue  to  serve  in  their 
elected/appointed  offices. 

Function 

As  listed  in  Book  of  Order,  G-12.0102 


Synod  Council 

Mission 

To  serve  the  Church  and  her  mission  by  pro- 
viding leadership,  administration,  and  main- 
tenance for  the  support  of  Synod's  ministries, 
as  well  as  assistance  in  implementing  the 
actions  of  Synod's  Assembly.  To  work  for  the 
goals  and  mission  of  the  S5Tiod  and  to  "provide 
for  the  regular  review  of  the  functional  rela- 
tionship between  Synod's  structure  and  its 
mission." 

Membership 

22  members,  composed  as  follows: 
•   13  members  (one  from  each  presbytery) 


•  5  members  (one  chair  from  each  Syu 
mission  committee)  | 

•  2  members  (one  each  from  Synod's  / 
ministration  and  Finance  committees 

•  Moderator  and  Vice  Moderator  of  SyB 
shall  sit  with  voice  and  no  vote 

•  Synod  Executive/Stated  Clerk  shall  b<i 
corresponding  member  with  voice,  no  vt 

The  covmcil  shall  consist  of  one-third  min 
ters,  one-third  lay  men  and  one-third  l' 
women.  At  least  25  percent  of  council  me 
bers  shall  be  racial  ethnic  persons.  This  co 
mitment  to  inclusiveness  will  be  accomplisl 
in  the  following  manner. 

Each  of  13  presbyteries  will  be  asked 
submit  the  names  of  three  persons  to  serve 
Synod's  Council:  One  lay  person,  one  clei 
and  one  racial  ethnic  person  (provided  1 
presbytery  has  racial  ethnic  membership 
clergy).  From  this  list  the  Synod  nominat 
committee  shall  then  select  13  council  me 
bers  with  regard  to  inclusive  representati 

The  Synod  shall  also  select  the  chairs 
the  five  mission  committees  ...  thus  enabl 
a  commitment  to  inclusiveness  to  be  accc 
phshed  through  committee  representati 
and  not  solely  through  presbytery  and  Syi 
staff  representation. 

Function 

The  function  of  the  Synod  Council  is  to  p 
vide  servant  leadership  for  the  Synod.  1 
coimcil  shall  undertake  all  responsibilit 
delegated  to  them  by  the  Synod  Asseml 
including,  but  not  hmited  to.  Personnel  Cc 
mittee  administration;  development  o 
Synod  budget  and  providing  for  yearly 
dits;  coordination  of  Synod  mission  comnj 
tee  functions  and  funding  requests;  overai 
of  Partnership  and  Campus  ministries;! 
oversight  of  Communications. 

Transitional  Committee 


Mission 

To  monitor,  assist  and  provide  continuii 
the  Synod  Council  in  the  transition  pro< 
The  committee  shall  report  back  to  Sy 
Assembly. 

Membership 

Nine  members.  The  moderator  shall  be  ( 
sen  by  the  committee.  Three  members  d 
be  selected  from  Standing  Committee  N« 
six  members  shall  be  chosen  at  large.  A  q 
rum  will  be  a  majority. 

Function 

To  review  and  report  all  transitional  act 
ties  of  the  Synod.  All  records  and  report 
the  Synod  Council  shall  be  made  availabl 
the  committee. 

The  Transitional  Committee  shall  me€ 
least  bimonthly.  The  committee  shall  rej 
to  the  Synod  Assembly  on  their  work  an( 
Synod  Council  and  staff  compUances  to  Sy  I 
actions  on  the  new  design  structure, 
committee  will  sit  until  such  time  as  Sy 
dissolves  it  or  July  1, 1996,  whichever  c< 
first. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/Februai 


'  for  Synod 

Mission  Priorities 


Campus  Ministries 
Communications 
Evangelism* 
Justice  and  Mercy 
Oversight 

Partnership  Ministries 
Racial  Ethnic  Ministries 

These  seven  ministry  priorities, 
idopted  by  the  208th  Synod  Assembly 
a  June  1994,  serve  as  the  founda- 
ional  building  blocks  of  the  revised 
ttission  design.  The  S5Tiod's  mission 
ommittees — Campus  Ministries, 
Evangelism,  Justice  and  Mercy,  Part- 
lership  Ministries,  and  Racial  Ethnic 


Ministries — were  conceived  and  de- 
veloped with  these  priorities  in  mind. 
Also,  the  synod's  emphasis  upon  over- 
sight is  addressed  with  a  redesigned 
Sjmod  Council,  a  redesigned  Synod 
Assembly,  and  a  Transitional  Com- 
mittee. Finally,  a  commitment  to  ef- 
fective communications  is  reaffirmed 
as  an  essential  work  of  the  synod's 
staff. 


Deleted  by  Standing  Committee  No.  1  from 
"Evangelism" are  Church  Development  and 
Re-development,  which  are  assigned  as 
presbytery-level  mission  concerns. 


Campus  Ministries  Evangelism 


/lission 

'o  achieve  the  great  ends  of  the  Church  through 
variety  of  programs  and  ministries  con- 
ucted  throughout  the  broad  diversity  of  cam- 
uses  of  higher  education  within  the  Synod. 

/lembership 

6  members-one  from  each  presbytery,  three 
ampus  ministers,  three  representatives  from 
ach  cluster  Campus  Ministries  Committee 
vith  voice  but  no  vote),  and  the  Synod  Minis- 
*y  Coordinator  (ex  officio  member).  The  chair 
tiall  be  elected  by  Synod. 

■unction 

he  Campus  Ministries  Committee  of  Synod 

ball  meet  at  least  annually  to: 

..  Define  and  review  standards  and  require- 
ments for  the  position  of  campus  minister. 

i.  Review  annually  [vacant]  campus  minister 
positions  and  recommend  to  schools, 
presbyteries,  and  Synod  potential  persons 
to  fill  those  positions. 

'.  Encourage  and  resource  presbyteries/local 
churches  in  establishing  and  strengthen- 
ing ministries  on  primarily  racial  ethnic 


I.  Review  programs  in  the  clusters  for  fulfill- 
ment of  S3mod  mission,  recommend  alloca- 
tion of  block  grants,  provide  resource  mate- 
rials to  clusters,  develop  and  review 
enants  and  plan  for  annual  campus  minis- 
ters retreat. 

1.  Provide  an  annual  Campus  Minister's  Re- 
treat for  rejuvenation,  idea  generation,  and 
recommitment  to  pujTDOse  and  mission  .... 

'.  Provide  an  annual  Cluster  Retreat  to  im- 
prove understanding,  exchange  ideas,  and 
determine  special  needs;  limited  to  50  par- 
ticipants .... 

lusters  of  campus  ministries  shall  be  formed 
)r  the  purpose  of  improving  involvement  and 
nderstanding  within  logical  geographic  ar- 
as.  These  groups  are  not  governing  bodies, 
ut  ones  which  serve  to  improve  understand- 
ig,  exchange  ideas,  and  determine  special 
eeds  for  the  geographic  region  represented. 
L.  Three  clusters  shall  be  established  for  a 
period  of  three  years,  to  phase  out  of  exist- 
ence unless  approved  to  continue  by  action 
of  the  Synod  Assembly  during  1997. 
'..  The  make  up  of  the  clusters  of  presbyteries 
shall  be: 

Coastal — Coastal  Carolina,  New  Hope, 
Eastern  Virginia,  The  James 
Mountain — Salem,  Charlotte,  Western 
North  Carolina,  The  Peaks,  Abingdon 
Northern — Baltimore,  National  Capital, 
New  Castle,  Shenandoah 
Each  cluster  shall  estabUsh  a  Campus  Min- 
istries Committee  (CMC )  consisting  of  three 
campus  ministers  or  chaplains,  three  Pres- 
byterian students  involved  in  campus  min- 
istries (limited  to  one  per  campus),  two 
representatives  from  each  presbytery  in 
the  cluster,  three  Youth  Ministries  and/or 
Young  Adult  Ministries  delegates  (last  two 

,  years  of  secondary  education  up  to  28-year- 

I  old  recent  college  graduates). 

I.  Each  cluster  CMC  shall  elect  three  mem- 
bers as  delegates  to  the  Synod  CMC  with 
voice  but  no  vote. 

I.  Cluster  meetings  shall  be  held  at  least 
three  times  per  year. 


Mission 

To  foster  evangelism  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Synod. 

Membership 

The  committee  will  consist  of  13  members,  one 
from  each  presbytery.  The  chair  will  be  elected 
by  Synod. 

Function 

A.  To  pray  for  the  peace,  purity  and  unity  of 
the  church  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  our 
ability  as  a  Synod,  as  presbyteries  and  as 
local  congregations  to  more  effectively  com- 
municate the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 

B.  To  plan  and  administer  periodic  special 
evangelism  events.  These  events  would  uti- 
lize the  very  best  people  in  the  area  of 
Christian  evangelism. 

C .  To  maintain  regular  contact  with  the  evan- 
gelism committees  of  the  presbyteries 
within  the  Synod.  The  Evangelism  Com- 
mittee will  obtain  information  from  indi- 
vidual presbytery  evangelism  programs  and 
inform  other  presbyteries  of  effective  evan- 
gelism efforts  within  the  Synod. 

D.  To  develop  an  ongoing  contemporary  evan- 
gelism multi-media  advertising  effort. 

E.  Each  member  of  the  committee  will  report 
the  work  of  the  committee  to  their  respec- 
tive presbyteries,  in  order  that  creative 
evangelism  might  be  stimulated  and  sup- 
ported at  the  presbytery  level. 


Justice  and  Mercy 

Mission 

To  respond  to  the  call  sounded  by  the  prophet 
Micah:  "He  (the  Lord)  has  told  you,  O  mortal, 
what  is  good;  and  what  does  the  Lord  require 
of  you  but  to  do  justice,  to  love  mercy,  and  to 
walk  humbly  with  your  God."  (Micah  6:8) 

Membersllip 

14  persons,  one  from  each  presbytery  and  one 
from  the  Justice  for  Women  Committee.  The 
chair  shall  be  elected  by  Synod. 

Function 

A.  The  committee  shall  give  attention  to  the 
following  issues:  Criminal  Justice,  Envi- 
ronmental Issues,  Justice  for  Women,  Pro- 
phetic Witness,  Social  and  Economic  Jus- 
tice, and  justice  issues  responded  to  ecu- 
menically. 

B .  There  is  to  be  an  advocate/enabler  assigned 
at  the  Synod  staff  level  who  shall  facilitate 
this  ministry  dealing  with  compelling  so- 
cial issues  as  they  relate  to  the  faith. 

C.  The  committee  shall  hear,  act  upon,  and 
assign  requests  or  concerns  that  are  re- 
ceived in  the  above  listed  areas. 

D.  The  committee  will  receive  information 
from  the  presb3^eries  and  their  churches 
on  justice  issues  within  their  bounds.  When 
common  justice  issues  are  identified,  they 
will  distribute  appropriate  information  and 
recommendations  regarding  these  issues. 
Also,  they  will  apprise  the  presbyteries  of 
their  recommendations  and  distribute  in- 
formation as  it  relates  to  other  Justice  and 
Mercy  concerns  which  come  before  the  com- 
mittee. 


Plan  shifts  institutions  and 
care  agencies  to  presbyteries 


As  the  Synod's  mission  budget  has  dropped 
from  $3.95  million  in  1988  to  $  1 .6  million  in 
1993,  the  area  of  ministry  most  dramati- 
cally affected  has  been  the  support  of  our 
institutions  and  care  agencies.  Because 
support  for  those  ministries  is  one  of  the 
few  non-fixed  budget  expenses  of  Synod, 
they  have  felt  the  full  effect  of  this  financial 
downscaling. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  Standing  Committee 
No.  1  that  the  Synod  in  all  places  desires 
the  best  of  support  for  all  the  colleges,  care 
agencies,  conference  centers  and  counsel- 
ing centers.  It  is  our  decided  opinion  that 
the  S3Tiod  wishes  for  all  these  good  institu- 
tions and  care  agencies  to  grow  and  prosper 
in  their  ministries.  It  is  our  further  opinion 
that  the  continued  support  for  all  of  Synod's 
institutions  and  care  agencies  is  present 
and  strong  where  there  is  a  close  connec- 
tion between  supporters  and  the  institu- 
tion/agency. 


With  this  understanding,  it  is  the  rec- 
ommendation of  Standing  Committee  No.  1 
that: 

A.  The  support  of  all  Synod's  institutions 
and  care  agencies  (nine  colleges,  three 
older  adult  home  organizations,  and  five 
children's  ministries)  can  best  be  pro- 
vided when  under  the  care  of  the 
presbyteries  of  the  Synod. 

B.  S3niod's  Council,  in  conversation  with 
the  presbyteries,  shall  be  responsible 
for  developing  a  plan  by  which  to  trans- 
fer the  support  of  these  schools,  agen- 
cies and  ministries  to  the  presbyteries. 
This  plan  shall  be  presented  to  Synod 
Assembly  and  the  participating 
presbyteries  for  adoption. 

C.  Current  funding  of  all  institutions  and 
care  agencies  continues  to  the  extent 
possible,  so  that  an  orderly  transition  to 
presbytery  funding  may  occur. 


Partnership  Ministries 

Mission 

To  oversee  and  to  facilitate  the  cooperative 
ministry  and  efforts  between  one  or  more 
presbyteries  in  consultation  with  Synod,  work- 
ing together  on  certain  mission  efforts  be- 
tween one  or  more  presbyteries  in  consulta- 
tion with  Synod,  working  together  on  certain 
mission  concerns  such  as,  but  not  limited  to 
the  following: 

Child  Care  Agencies  Christian  Nurture 
Global/Ecumenical  Health 
Himger  Older  Adults 

Peacemaking  Presbyterian  Men 

Presbyterian  Women  Resource  Centers 
Rural  Ministries  Urban  Ministries 

Youth 

Memberslnip 

13  members,  one  from  each  presbytery.  Also, 
one  representative  from  each  partnership  shall 
be  on  the  committee  with  voice  and  no  vote. 
The  chair  shall  be  elected  by  Synod. 

Function 

A.  To  identify,  at  the  request  of  presbyteries 
within  the  Synod,  possible  partnership  ac- 
tivities to  be  accomplished  in  the  region, 
who  might  be  responsible  for  partnership 
work,  what  funding  will  be  required,  how 
the  work  is  to  be  accomplished,  and,  as  the 
mission  piogresses,  the  effectiveness  of  the 
partnership  mission  evaluation. 

B.  To  help  define  and  implement  Presbyte- 
rian mission  in  an  identified  region  which 
transcends  the  boundaries  of  a  single 
presbytery,  including  the  negotiation  of 
professional  staff  of  Synod  as  a  resource  for 
both  Synod  and  its  presbyteries. 

C.  To  consult  with  the  presbyteries  and  the 
General  Assembly,  clarifying  the  differing 
responsibilities  of  the  sessions,  presbyteries, 
Synod,  and  the  General  Assembly  as  re- 
lated to  identified  partnership  ministries. 

D.  To  clarify  through  consultations  with  the 
presbyteries  of  Synod  which  governing  bod- 
ies can  most  effectively  and  efficiently  carry 
out  specific  ministries  in  a  specified  region. 


Racial  Ethnic  Ministries 

Mission 

To  celebrate  the  rich  racial  ethnic  diversity  of 
persons  within  the  bounds  of  the  Synod,  to 
foster  and  to  have  an  understanding  of  racial 
ethnic  issues,  to  assist  in  the  development  and 
nurture  of  racial  ethnic  ministries,  and  to 
work  toward  reconciliation. 

Membership 

16  persons,  one  from  each  presbytery  and  one 
from  each  of  the  three  organized  caucuses: 
Black,  Korean,  and  Women  of  Color.  The  chair 
shall  be  elected  by  Synod.  As  other  racial 
ethnic  caucuses  are  established,  the  member- 
ship will  be  increased  to  allow  one  representa- 
tive from  each. 

Function 

To  publicly  interpret,  communicate,  and  sup- 
port racial  ethnic  concerns  within  the  bounds 
of  the  Synod,  including: 

A.  Facihtating  cross-cultural  discussions  and 
reconciliation  among  racial  ethnic  groups 
within  the  Church. 

B .  Facilitating  consultations  with  sessions  and 
congregations  and  developing  education 
programs  for  individuals. 

C.  Assisting  presbyteries  and  congregations 
by  planning  and  giving  direction. 


D.  Recruitment  of  racial  ethnic  Presbyterians 
to  the  ministry  and  to  Christian  education 
careers. 

E.  Assisting  majority  churches  in  transition 
to  a  more  inclusive  membership. 

F.  Racial  ethnic  congregation  evangelism, 
Christian  education,  and  leadership  devel- 
opment. 

G.  Fostering  support  for  historically  racial 
ethnic  colleges  within  the  Synod. 

H.  Supporting  new  church  development  and 
redevelopment  of  racial  ethnic  congrega- 
tions. 

I.  Encouraging  Presbyterians  to  become  in- 
volved in  racial  ethnic  ministries  and  in  the 
development  of  shared  ministries  among 
racial  ethnic  congregations. 

J.  Supporting  the  purposes  of  the  various 
[racial  ethnic]  caucuses  in  the  Synod. 

Connmunications 

Mission 

To  provide  a  network  of  media  ministry  for  the 
church  of  Jesus  Christ  in  this  region.  Commu- 
nications in  both  print  and  other  media  shall 
educate  local  congregations  and  the  general 
public  regarding  the  mission  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.)  and  the  Synod. 

Membership 

The  communications  ministry  of  the  Synod 
shall  be  accomplished  by  the  Synod  communi- 
cations staff  under  the  supervision  of  the  Synod 
Executive/Stated  Clerk. 

Function 

A.  The  primary  fimction  will  take  the  form  of 
print  media.  In  addition,  electronic  com- 
munications are  to  be  explored. 

B.  The  communications  staff  will  encourage 
all  churches  to  update  their  congregational 
mailing  list  annually. 

C.  The  communications  staff  will  provide  bro- 
chures for  the  Synod  and  presbyteries.  The 
Synod  shall  work  to  create  cross-communi- 
cations between  presbyteries,  as  well  as  to 
produce  creative  promotion  hterature  in 
the  Synod  office  for  various  Synod  and 
presbytery  communications  as  needed. 

D .  The  communications  staff  will  provide  lead- 
ership for  our  church  in  carrying  out  ag- 
gressive, creative  and  authentic  outreach 
of  the  (jospel  of  Jesus  Christ  through  com- 
munications .... 


Staffing  Design 

With  a  total  of  nine  persons,  this 
downsized  design  represents  a  25  per- 
cent reduction  in  Synod  personnel .  Posi- 
tions included  in  the  design  are: 

•  Synod  Executive/Stated  Clerk 

•  Associate  Executive  for  Evangehsm, 
Racial  Ethnic  Ministries  and  Justice/ 
Mercy 

•  Comptroller 

•  Director  of  Commxmications 

•  Coordinator  for  Campus  Ministries 
and  Partnership  Ministries 

•  Support  /  Technical  Staff  (four) 


[The  part-time  Associate  for  Older  Adult 
Ministries  is  funded  through  gifts  and 
shall  continue  as  is.] 


Page  8,  Mid -Atlantic  Presbjd;erian,  January/February  1995 


Resource  Corner 


From  Grim  to  Green  Pastures 

Meditations  for  the  S/c/c  and  Tlieir  Caregivers 

By  Richard  L.  Morgan.  Upper  Room  Books,  October 
1994.  190  pp.  $8.95.  Review  by  James  McPherson 

This  is  a  book  that  belongs  in  every  church's  Hbrary.  It  should 
be  made  available  to  people  through  whatever  shepherding  or 
pastoral  care  group  is  working  in  the  local  church  or  commu- 
nity. Dick  Morgan  has  written  81  devotionals,  each  about  two 
pages  in  length  with  reference  to  appropriate  passages  of 
scripture.  The  print  is  large  and  clear,  and  the  book  is  attrac- 
tively packaged. 

Churches  and  communities  are  fiiU  of  people  who  have 
suffered  the  full  range  of  pain  and  tragedy,  and  all  of  the 
confusion,  heartbreak  and  angry  rebellion  that  accompany  such 
events.  There  is  no  substitute  for  personal  pastoral  care,  but 
there  is  a  need  for  time  alone  and  meditation.  Dick  Morgan's 
book  is  an  admirable  resource  for  that  need. 

First,  he  refuses  to  sugar-coat  the  problems  of  pain  and 
suffering.  It  is  intellectually  and  emotionally  difficult  to  exam- 
ine the  many  sided  questions  that  torment  people  who  are  under 
the  extreme  uncertainties  that  result  from  illness,  death  and 
failure.  This  book  asks  all  the  questions  and  is  not  afraid  of  the 
doubts  and  fears. 

Second,  there  is  here  the  realization  that  there  are  helpful 
ways  to  think  about  and  address  human  suffering.  Ways  that 
are  available  to  everyone.  A  wide  and  appropriate  variety  of 
biblical  passages  are  included  and  helpfully  interpreted.  Dick 
uses  many  descriptive  metaphors  that  speak  both  to  the  suffer- 
ing situation  and  to  a  positive  path  through  that  situation  to  a 
stronger  grasp  of  faith.  He  also  cites  a  large  number  of  useful 
sources  to  which  the  reader  might  turn. 

Third,  the  author  speaks  to  his  readers  from  personal  expe- 
rience. There  is  a  kind  of  mysterious  communication  shared  in 
common  experience.  Used  properly  and  not  in  a  self-serving 
way,  shared  experience  can  provide  strength  and  hope  for  the 
one  who  seeks  reason  and  comfort  in  the  midst  of  pain.  Dick 
Morgan's  experience  illuminates  the  long,  deadly  burden  of 
pain  and  shows  us  a  light  at  the  end  of  the  tunnel. 

Finally,  this  book  is  an  excellent  resource  for  those  who  find 
themselves  in  the  role  of  caregiver.  He  concludes  a  section  titled 
"Supportive  Friends"  with: 

A  Prayer  of  John  Calvin 

May  we  be  so  bound  up  in  love  with  those  for  whom  we  pray, 
that  we  may  feel  their  needs  as  acutely  as  our  own,  and  intercede 
for  them  with  sensitivity,  with  understanding,  and  with  imagi- 
nation. We  ask  this  in  Christ's  name.  AMEN. 

Illness  and  the  responsibility  of  caregiving  can  isolate  us.  It 
is  a  rare  pastor  or  friend  who  can  share  the  full  range  of 
experience  with  the  sufferer  and  still  communicate  the  hope 
engendered  by  faith.  Dick  Morgan's  book  achieves  both  the 
understanding  and  the  hope. 

Jim  McPherson  is  minister  of  the  Tryon  (N.C.)  Church. 


Information  sought  on  William  Black 


Two  North  Carolina  writers 
are  researching  for  a  biogra- 
phy on  the  Rev.  William  Black, 
onetime  home  missions  secre- 
tary and  evangelist  for  the 
Synod  of  North  Carolina. 


Persons  who  have  informa- 
tion that  they  would  share 
freely  may  write  to  Robert  K. 
and  Helen  S.  Gustafson  at  711 
Frederick  Ave.,  Laurinburg, 
NC  28372. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  ASSOCIATION  OF 
MUSICIANS  SPONSORS 


The  1995 
Montreat  Conferences 
on  Worship  &  Music 
Montreat,  N.C. 

Week  I:  June  18-24,  1995 
Week  II:  June  25-July  1,  1995 


Worship:  What  Does  the  Lord  Require? 
Doing  Worship  . . .  Doing  Justice 


Worship  •  Hymnody  •  Adult  Bible  Seminar  •  Adult  Choir 
Gospel  Choir  •  Organ  Recitals  •  Junior  High  Choir 
Children's  Choir  •  Handbell  Choirs  •  Instrumental  Ensembles 
Youth  and  Children's  Bible  Studies 
Worship  Seminars  •  Worship  and  the  Visual  Ans  Seminars 


For  brochure,  registration  and  program  information,  write  to: 
Presbyterian  Association  of  Musicians,  Montreat  1995 
100  Witherspoon  Street  •  Louisville,  KY  40202-1.396 
(502)  .'169-5288  •  Fax  (502)  .569-5018 
OR 

Montreat  Conference  Center 

Development  Office 
P.O.  969  •  Montreat,  NC  28757 
1-800-572-2257  •  Fax  (704)  669-2779 


As  Self-Development  of  People  celebrates  25th  year, 
synod  committee  reports  on  first  six  projects 


BY  MARIANNE  CASHATT 

Self-Development  of  People, 
the  program  created  by  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
to  empower  communities  of 
people  who  have  been  subjected 
to  poverty,  powerlessness  and 
injustice,  will  celebrate  its  25th 
year  in  1995. 

The  national  Self-Develop- 
ment of  People  (SDOP)  com- 
mittee will  sponsor  "Journey 
to  Justice,"  a  celebratory  con- 
vocation April  21-23  in  Chi- 
cago. 

The  synod's  SDOP  Commit- 
tee has  another  important  date 
circled  on  its  calendar — March 
31 — the  deadline  for  applica- 
tions for  the  next  funding  year. 

To  qualify  for  SDOP  grants, 
a  community  must  assess  its 
condition  of  poverty  or  oppres- 
sion; indicate  a  desire  to  take 
charge  of  its  own  destiny;  and 
organize  or  be  organizing  to  do 
something  about  its  condition. 

The  results  of  work  done 
with  SDOP  funding  must  ben- 
efit the  community  directly. 
Community  members  must 
also  be  convinced  that  their 
efforts  will  produce  direct,  long- 
term  changes  for  their  lives 
and  the  community. 

A  proposal  must  state  clearly 
the  needs  to  be  addressed;  be 
initiated  and  controlled  by  the 
proposing  group;  and  be  for 
projects  which  directly  involve 
self-development  of  people  and 
the  community,  not  the  sup- 
port of  institutions  or  individu- 
als. 

Also,  the  proposal  must  de- 
scribe in  detail  the  goals  and 
objectives,  the  methods  to  be 
used  to  attain  them,  and  how 
the  project  will  support  itself 
financially  without  perpetuat- 
ing dependency  on  funding 
sources.  Realistic  income  and 
expenditure  budgets  are  re- 
quired. An  evaluation  process 
must  also  be  clearly  stated. 

Members  of  the  synod's 
SDOP  Committee  screen  sub- 
mitted proposals  for  potential 
for  self-development.  If  a  pro- 
posal meets  the  initial  criteria 
cited  above,  several  committee 
members  will  be  selected  to 
visit  the  community  in  person 
and  meet  with  its  leadership. 

With  the  results  of  this  on- 
site  visit  before  them,  the  en- 
tire committee  then  votes  on 
whether  the  proposal  is  funded. 

The  Self-Development  of 
People  program  is  funded 
through  the  annual  One  Great 
Hour  of  Sharing  offering. 
About  one-third  of  the  undesig- 
nated donations  to  this  offer- 
ing is  assigned  for  SDOP.  In 
addition  to  a  denomination- 


Wanted 

Pipe  organ-any  size,  type,  style  or 
condition-for  installation  in  Presby- 
terian church.  Call  Stan  Longwill  at 
(703)  860-1280  or  write  to  Ashburn 
Presbyterian  Church,  P.O.  Box  220, 
Ashburn,  VA  22011. 


PEW  CUSHIONS 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.  BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG,  VA  24502 

=  1-800-572-2283  =^ 


Network  for  Independence 
members  celebrate  approv- 
al of  their  SDOP  grant. 

wide  SDOP  committee,  the 
program  authorizes  commit- 
tees to  work  for  it  at  the  sjmod 
and  presbytery  levels. 

Since  its  start  in  1991,  the 
S5Tiod's  SDOP  Committee  has 
funded  six  projects.  A  brief 
description  of  each  follows. 

Jewell  Ridge  Store 

This  project  has  brought 
new  life  to  a  once-dying  South- 
west Virginia  mountain-top, 
coal  company  town  of  1,500 
residents  with  generally  low 
levels  of  education  and  few  in- 
come-producing skills. 

With  the  support  of  $30,000 
from  SDOP  for  the  purchase  of 
supplies  and  materials,  com- 
munity members  and  some 
outside  volunteers  refurbished 
the  former  company  store 
building  into  a  community  cen- 
ter, library,  museum  and  loca- 
tion for  outreach  public  ser- 
vices. The  facility  now  serves 
as  a  tourist  attraction  and  pro- 
vides employment  for  commu- 
nity residents. 

Piedmont  Courts 
Residents  Organization 

Public  housing  residents  in 
Charlotte,  N.C,  organized  to 
take  control  of  their  lives  and 
their  immediate  community  by 
creating  this  body.  They  devel- 
oped a  community  service  cen- 
ter which  they  staffed  to  pro- 
vide after-school  programs, 
holiday  and  other  celebrations, 
and  fund  raising. 

The  $2 1 ,000  SDOP  grant  by 
the  synod  committee  in  May 
1992  enabled  community  resi- 
dents, including  children,  to 
conduct  neighborhood  im- 
provement projects  such  as 
grounds-keeping,  property 
maintenance,  painting  and 
apartment  repairs. 

Network  for  Independence 

A  group  of  women  in  Forts- 
mouth,  Va. ,  chose  to  free  them- 
selves from  the  welfare  sys- 


tem while  supporting  and  en- 
couraging each  other  by  form- 
ing the  network,  which  focuses 
on  skills  for  teamwork,  com- 
munication, critical  thinking 
and  fund  raising.  A  $15,000 
grant  in  May  1992  allowed 
members  to  attend  workshops 
for  self-esteem,  educational 
and  vocational  opportunities, 
community  projects,  and  child 
care  resource  development. 

Homeless  Alumni  Shelter 

In  Raleigh,  N.C,  a  small 
group  of  ex-shelter  residents 
created  the  shelter  to  help 
themselves  and  others  still  in 
shelters  to  make  the  transi- 
tion to  life  outside  of  the  shel- 
ters. A  $9,000  SDOP  grant  in 
June  1993  assisted  the  group 
in  writing,  editing,  publishing 
and  distributing  a  Shelter  Sur- 
vival Manual  which  informs 
readers  how  to  regain  a  fully 
functional  life  and  help  others 
do  the  same. 

Umoja's  Children 

A  $30,000  grant  in  June 
1993  helped  establish  an  Afri- 
can American  greeting  card 
business  owned  and  operated 
by  inner-city  youth.  Approxi- 
mately 60  youth  ages  9  to  16 
participate  in  the  business 
which  markets  the  greeting 
cards  in  major  U.S.  cities. 

People  Outside 

Wives  and  other  family 
members  of  incarcerated  per- 
sons in  the  Richmond,  Va., 
area  formed  this  organization 
to  deal  with  issues  of  poverty, 
isolation,  ridicule,  unemploy- 
ment, failure,  low  self-esteem, 
and  mental  depression  experi- 
enced as  the  result  of  their 
situation.  A  $23,500  grant  in 
May  1994  provided  seed  money 
to  rent  space  for  an  office  and 
resource  center.  Services  in- 
clude instruction  and  peer 
counseling  regarding  speak- 
ing before  parole  boards,  cop- 
ing, dealing  with  child  devel- 
opment issues,  and  obtaining 
resources  on  housing,  employ- 
ment training,  and  more. 

For  more  information 

Persons  wanting  more  in- 
formation about  the  synod's 
Self-Development  of  People 
Committee  should  write  to  the 
committee  in  care  of  the  synod 
office,  P.O.  Box  27026,  Rich- 
mond, VA  23261-7026,  or 
phone  (804)  342-0016. 


Environmental grouporganizes 


BOONE,  N.C— A  new  organi- 
zation for  Presbjrterians  who 
are  concerned  about  the 
church's  response  to  the  envi- 
ronmental crisis  has  been  or- 
ganized: Presbyterians  For 
Restoring  Creation. 

According  the  Rev.  William 
R.  Knox,  the  group's  member- 
ship secretary,  Presbji;erians 
For  Restoring  Creation  was 
created  because  "we  recognize 
the  environmental  crisis  has 
been  mounting  while  the 
church  has  not  been  able  to 
respond  in  like  manner  to  the 
spiritual  challenge  of  steward- 
ship confronting  us." 

The  group  will  promote  full 
implementation  of  the  1990 
General  Assembly's  environ- 


mental report  "Restoring  Cre- 
ation for  Ecology  and  Justice." 

An  interim  steering  commit- 
tee has  been  formed  to  guide 
the  group.  Members  are  the 
Rev.  David  Hall,  Fond  Du  Lac, 
Mich.;  the  Rev.  William 
Gibson,  Ithaca,  N.Y.;  the  Rev. 
John  Jackson,  Maitland,  Fla.; 
Cathy  Yost,  Kirkwood,  Mo.; 
Knox;  the  Rev.  Richard  Mad- 
den, Spokane,  Wash.;  Leslie 
Reindl,  St.  Paul,  Minn.;  J. 
Wayne  Ruddock,  Baldwin, 
Md.;  John  J.  Thomas,  South 
Holland,  111.;  and  the  Rev.  Rose 
Carol  Tau,  Chicago. 

For  more  information  con- 
tact Knox  at  P.O.  Box  2146, 
Boone,  NC  28607;  phone  (704) 
262-3881. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/Februa 


PWgathering 
tofeature 

missionaryNorman 

Nancy  Norman,  a  missionary 
who  has  served  in  Central 
America  and  Africa,  will  be  a 
featured  speaker  at  the  Sum- 
mer Gathering  of  Presbyterian 
Women  in  the  synod  next  June. 

The  conference,  which  will 
follow  the  theme  "Glimpses  of 
Home:  Biblical  Images  of  the 
Realm  of  God,"  will  be  held 
June  8-11  at  Massanetta 
Springs  Conference  Center  at 
Harrisonburg,  Va. 

In  response  to  1994-95  be- 
ing declared  the  Year  with  Af- 
rica by  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.),  the  Presby- 
terian Women  will  highlight 
Africa  during  the  gathering. 

Presbyteries  within  the 
synod  are  currently  involved 
with  mission  programs  in 
Zaire,  Ghana  and  Ethiopia. 
The  Christian  church  in  Af- 
rica is  vital  and  growing  fast, 
but  there  are  many  chal- 
lenges— refugees,  hunger, 
massive  external  debts  and  the 
past  abuses  of  colonization  and 
slavery. 

Ms.  Norman,  who  served  for 
many  years  as  a  medical  tech- 
nologist and  educator  in  Zaire, 


Nancy  Norman 


will  present  the  evening  mis- 
sion interpretation  on  Satur- 
day, June  10. 

A  native  Virginian,  she 
served  primarily  in  Honduras, 
Guatemala  and  Zaire.  She  is 
active  in  PW,  is  an  elder  at 
Central  Church  in  Bristol,  Va., 
and  serves  on  her  presbjd;ery's 
commitment  committee  and 
PW  coordinating  team. 

Also  featured  will  be  key- 
note speaker  Marj  Carpenter 
and  Bible  study  leader  Isabel 
Rogers. 

More  information  will  be 
printed  in  future  issues  of  this 
newspaper.  A  registration  form 
will  be  included  in  the  March 
issue.      — Grace  Munro  Roy 


Tell  them  'Somewhere 
between  55  and  Heaven' 


By  JAN  McGILLIARD 

When  you  are  asked,  as  I  am 
often  asked,  "at  what  age  are 
you  old?"  you  might  use  the 
title  of  this  article  as  a  re- 
sponse. It's  the  best  definition 
of  aging  I've  heard  in  a  long 
time. 

Sharing  my  reaction  were 
more  than  100  gathered  at 
Mercy  Center  in  Burlingame, 
Calif.,  for  the  annual  confer- 
ence and  training  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Older  Adult  Ministry 
Network  (POAMN). 

What  do  you  do  at  a  confer- 
ence on  aging,  you  ask?  We 
listen  to  the  wisdom  people 
(our  keynote  speakers  and 
panelists),  break  into  small 
groups,  and  return  to  share 
ideas  and  long  range  plans. 

Miriam  Dunson  (General 
Assembly  Staff  for  Older  Adult 
Ministry)  described  the  "Seven 
Priority  Issues"  adopted  by  the 
204th  General  Assembly:  edu- 
cation and  leader  development, 
focus  on  racial  ethnic  persons, 
attention  to  health  care  and 
housing,  education  and  action 
concerning  elder  abuse, 
intergenerational  issues,  spiri- 
tuality and  aging,  and  global 
and  ecumenical  concerns. 

Small  groups  met  around 
these  issues  to  develop  a  10- 
year  plan  for  older  adult  min- 
istry, complete  with  goals  and 
objectives.  Most  groups  met 
far  into  the  lunch  break,  un- 
able to  stop  their  planning. 

The  premiere  showing  of  a 
new  video  for  older  adult  min- 
istry. Aging  Me  ...  Aging  You 


History  seminar 
is  April  25-28 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— The  De- 
partment of  History  will  hold 
its  17th  annual  Seminar  on 
Local  Church  History  here 
April  25-28.  For  more  informa- 
tion phone  (704)  669-7061. 


...  The  Journey  of  a  Lifetime!, 
held  our  attention  far  beyond 
the  showing  time.  Valeria  Tocci 
of  Baltimore  Presbytery  is  only 
one  of  the  stars  of  this  excel- 
lent production.  (See  "Re- 
sources" for  more  about  video.) 

Visiting  the  Bay  area  of 
California  is  like  experiencing 
a  cultural  feast:  diversity  is 
the  norm  in  this  part  of  our 
country.  Thanks  to  a  panel 
representing  Hispanic,  Native 
American,  Asian  Pacific,  Afri- 
can American,  and  European 
cultures,  we  entered,  for  a  time, 
a  different  world  with  unique 
issues  of  aging. 

David  Ng  described  the  Con- 
fucian family  system,  along 
with  his  experience  of  growing 
up  in  Chinatown  as  a  second 
generation  Chinese  American, 
with  parents  unable  to  com- 
municate in  English,  in  pov- 
erty, both  proud  of  and  embar- 
rassed by  his  heritage.  Each 
panelist  described  what  it 
means  to  be  old  in  his  or  her 
culture,  and  how  we  in  the 
church  can  make  a  difference 
in  older  persons'  quality  of  life. 

Participants  from  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  included: 
Donna  Coffman  (The  James), 
Joe  Crawford  and  Valeria  Tocci 
(Baltimore),  Jan  McGilliard 
(Peaks),  Betty  VanFossen 
(Shenandoah),  Chris  Zorn  (Sa- 
lem), and  Lloyd  Remington 
(Western  North  Carolina).  The 
Rev.  Crawford  was  elected  to 
the  board  of  directors  of  the 
Presbyterian  Older  Adult  Min- 
istry Network. 

We  returned  feeling  inspired 
and  challenged  by  the  people 
in  this  organization,  its  lead- 
ership, and  its  vision  for  older 
adult  ministries. 

My  challenge  to  you  is  to 
become  aware  of  the  older  adult 
ministry  network  in  your  pres- 
bytery, to  ask  questions  about 
consultants  and  resources  for 
your  congregation,  and  to  sup- 
port the  events  and  workshops 
planned  with  you  in  mind. 


Campus  ministry  comer 

Altemative  Christmas  a  success 


By  ROB  SPACH 
Chaplain,  Davidson  College 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.— This  year 
the  students,  faculty  and  staff 
of  Davidson  College  had  an 
opportunity  to  buy  the  perfect 
Christmas  present  for  the  per- 
son who  has  everything — a  gift 
for  a  someone  who  doesn't. 

The  student-led  Chapel 
Committee  organized  an  Al- 
ternative Christmas  Gift  Mar- 
ket, which  was  held  on  Dec.  4, 
and  got  the  entire  community 
involved  in  the  act  of  Christ- 
mas gift-giving  in  a  fresh  and 
meaningful  way. 

At  the  market,  a  wide  range 
of  student  groups — from  fra- 
ternities to  religious  fellow- 
ships— set  up  stalls  advertis- 
ing particular  projects  to  help 


people  in  need.  Present-seek- 
ers bought  such  life-giving  gifts 
as  eye  surgery  for  children  in 
Ghana,  medical  equipment  for 
Bosnia,  bicycles  for  impover- 
ished women  in  Mozambique, 
and  a  night  in  a  safe  haven  for 
battered  women  in  the  U.S. 

Upon  buying  these  gifts, 
"shoppers"  received  lovely 
Christmas  cards  to  send  to 
their  friends  and  family  on 
whose  behalf  they  made  the 
purchase,  as  well  as  descrip- 
tions of  exactly  what  needs  the 
gifts  addressed. 

The  first  such  market  was 
started  in  1980  by  Harriet  C. 
Prichard,  the  president  of  Al- 
ternative Gifts  Market,  Inc. 
(AGMI),  of  Pasadena,  Cahf 
The  markets  now  extend  across 
the  country,  raising  hundreds 


of  thousands  of  dollars  to  help 
hungry,  sick  and  homeless 
people  around  the  world  help 
themselves,  and  giving  all  of 
us  an  opportunity  to  give  the 
world  a  Christmas  present  that 
makes  a  difference  in  people's 
lives. 

Remarkably,  100  percent  of 
the  gift  purchase  price  goes 
directly  to  the  project  listed,  as 
AGMI  raises  its  overhead  in- 
dependently. The  Davidson 
market  raised  more  than 
$5,000  this  year,  and  the  stu- 
dents hope  to  raise  even  more 
next  year. 

If  you  are  interested  in  start- 
ing an  alternative  gift  market 
at  your  college  or  church,  call 
Alternative  Gift  Markets,  Inc., 
at  (800)  842-2243  for  more  de- 
tails. 


1995  Middle  School  Conference  at  Massanetta  Springs 

'Cloud  of  Witnesses'  is  event  theme 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— A 
Cloud  ofWitnesses  is  the  theme 
for  the  third  annual  middle 
school  conference  at  Massa- 
netta Springs  Conference  Cen- 
ter. 

Again,  due  to  popularity, 
two  sessions  will  be  offered: 
June  22-25  and  June  27-30. 

The  conference  "strives  to 
meet  the  needs  of  6th  through 
8th  grade  youth,  and  to  cel- 
ebrate their  God-given  variety 
and  diversity,  by  providing, 
with  God's  help,  a  loving  and 
just  environment,"  said  John 
Mayes,  chair  of  the  conference 
planning  team. 

Through  hands-on  experi- 
ences, participants  are  "chal- 
lenged and  affirmed;  set  free 
to  test  and  grow;  and  invited 
to  practice  life  skills  in  the  joy 
and  support  of  the  Christian 
community,"  added  Mayes. 

Through  theme  presenta- 
tions, biblical  character  work- 
shops, activities  and  fellow- 
ship, youth  and  adult  partici- 
pants will  step  through  the 
biblical  themes  of  creation,  fail- 
ure, redemption  and  hope. 


CAM  assembly 
to  feature  Couto 

Dr.  Richard  A.  Couto  will  be 
the  keynote  speaker  for  the 
Coalition  for  Appalachian 
Ministry's  1995  assembly  at 
Montreat  Conference  Center 
on  March  28-29. 

Couto  is  author  oi An  Ameri- 
can Challenge:  A  Report  on 
Economic  Trends  and  Social 
Issues  in  Appalachia. 

The  assembly  will  address 
the  current  economic  condi- 
tions in  Appalachia  and  offer 
local  ministries  understand- 
ing, hope  and  help  in  difficult 
times. 

For  more  information  phone 
(615)  584-6133. 


t 


FIBERGLASS  STEEPLES 
CROSSES -BAPTISTRIES 
WATER  HEATERS 


A 


LiniE  GIANT  MANUFAQURING  CO. 


AUTHORS  WANTED 

Leadingsubsidybookpublisherseeksmanuscriptsof 
all  types:  fiction,  non-Hction,  poetry,  scholariyjuve- 
nileandreligious  works,  etc.  NewauOwrs  welcomed. 
Send  for  free  32-page  illustrated  booklet  H-101 
Varttage Press,  516  W.  34  St.,  New  York,  NY  10001 


"Together  we  will  encoun- 
ter God's  relationship  with 
God's  covenant  community," 
said  Mayes.  "People  of  the  Bible 
will  come  to  life  as  we  look  at 
them  and  their  relationships 
to  God.  Through  this  Cloud  of 
Witnesses,  we  hope  to  person- 
ally encounter  God  in  new  and 
exciting  ways." 

Cost  of  the  conference  (pro- 
gram, housing  and  food)  will 


be  $150  if  registration  is  re- 
ceived by  May  16.  After  that 
date  the  cost  will  be  $160. 

One  adult  advisor  (21  years 
or  older)  is  required  for  every 
seven  youth. 

For  more  information,  write 
to  Massanetta  Springs  Con- 
ference Center,  P.O.  Box  1286, 
Harrisonburg,  VA  22801; 
phone  (703)  434-3829;  fax  (703) 
433-6118. 


Educators'  retreat  is  April  26-28 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— Mas- 
sanetta Springs  Conference 
Center  will  host  a  retreat  for 
church  educators  on  April  26- 
28.  Two  workshop  events  will 
be  offered. 

The  Rev.  Rosalind  Banbury- 
Hamm,  associate  executive  for 
synod  ministries,  will  lead  a 
session  on  "Spirituality  and  the 
Use  of  Time,"  which  will  deal 
with  issues  surrounding  time 
management  for  educators 
who  wear  too  many  hats. 

Marty  Barlow,  a  counselor 


and  mediator,  will  offer  a  work- 
shop titled  "Caught  in  the 
Middle;  Conffict  Management 
for  Church  Educators."  Par- 
ticipants will  sharpen  skills  in 
communications,  and  conflict 
recognition  and  resolution. 

Child  care  will  be  provided 
during  workshops. 

All  full-time,  part-time  or 
volunteer  educators  are  en- 
couraged to  attend.  For  more 
information  phone  Skip 
Hastings  at  (703)  434-6551  or 
Beth  Smith  at  (703)  828-4172. 


If  you  are 
exploring 
a  call 
into  the 
ministry... 


COLUMBIA 
THEOLOGICAL 
SEMINARY 

in  Decatur,  Georgia, 
invites  you  to  its 
Conference  on  Ministry 
February  24-26, 1995.  An 
opportunity  for  you 
to  take  a  fresh  look  at  the 
Vocation  of  Ministry... 
Yourself... 

Columbia  Seminary. 


Conference 
^"  Ministry 


For  further  information: 

The  Office  of  Admissions 

Columbia  Seminary 

P.O.  Box  520 

Decatur,  Georgia  30031 

404/378-8821;  404/377-9696  (fax) 

A  Sfmiiwry  of  the  Presln/teruiii  Church  (USA) 


Page  10,  Miii-  Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/February  1995 


ihIh    Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 


This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCREDITATION 
OF  SE(?VICES  FOR  FAMILIES 
ANOCHIIDREN,  INC 


Performance  inspires  youth 


Youth  and  staff  from  the  resi- 
dential centers  were  enter- 
tained on  Nov.  28,  1994,  by 
Mark  Templeman  and  J. 
Meredith  Murray,  performers 
from  Faith  'n  Flight  Ministries. 

Their  performance,  "Can 
You  Imagine"  inspired  youth 
with  a  wonderful  sense  of  cre- 
ativity and  imagination.  With 
a  unique  blend  of  humor  and 
physical  theatre,  Mark  and  J. 
Meredith  presented  a  combi- 
nation of  energetic,  exciting 
and  reflective  music  and  act- 
ing sketches  which  not  only 
entertained,  but  ministered  to 
the  audience. 

Biblical  characters,  stories, 
social  issues  and  relationships 
were  presented  with  sensitiv- 
ity and  power.  The  youth  were 
lead  through  a  range  of  emo- 
tions: comedy,  tragedy,  joy, 
sorrow  and  love  ...  challeng- 
ing them  to  consider  and  re- 
spond to  the  impact  of  the  Gos- 
pel in  their  lives. 

Frank  Stewart,  Director  of 
Residential  Services,  said  the 
young  people  were  truly  capti- 
vated by  the  show. 
"They  laughed  at  the  funny 
parts  and  grew  very  quiet  and 
attentive  during  the  more  se- 
rious parts,"  said  Stewart. 
"Usually  in  a  group  you  can 
see  several  youngsters  day- 
dreaming or  determined  not  to 
pay  attention  because  they  are 
angry  about  being  there.  But  I 
didn't  see  a  single  one  who  was 
not  engrossed  in  the  show." 

Stewart  arranged  the  per- 
formance after  seeing  Mark 
and  J.  Meredith  do  a  show  at 
his  own  church. 

"I  was  very  impressed  with 
them,"  said  Stewart.  "The  show 
at  my  church  was  for  6-  to  10- 
year-olds,  but  a  lot  of  older 
siblings  were  in  the  audience 
as  well.  When  I  saw  that  the 
older  youth  were  enjoying  the 
show  just  as  much  as  the 


During  a  fun  skit,  Mark  went  through  the  audience 
pretending  to  be  a  gorilla. 


younger  ones,  I  decided  it 
would  be  great  for  the  10-  to 
18-year-olds  we  serve  at  the 
residential  centers." 

Faith  'n  Flight  Ministries' 
purpose  is  to  provide  creative 
and  thought  provoking  in- 
sights into  the  Christian  faith, 
through  the  d3Tiamic  arts  of 
drama  and  music.  Their  focus 
is  not  only  the  concept  of  salva- 
tion, but  offering  a  fresh  per- 
spective and  understanding  of 
who  Christ  is  and  what  He 
means  in  our  lives.  Through 
their  performers,  the  ministry 
entertains  and  motivates 
people,  enabling  them  to  look 
and  laugh  while  opening  them 
to  the  reality  of  Jesus'  uncon- 
ditional love. 

Mark  and  J.  Meredith  said 
they  do  about  150  shows  a  year 
to  groups  of  all  ages.  They  are 
available  for  worship  services, 
youth  rallies ,  family  programs , 
conferences,  retreats,  conven- 
tions, college  and  public 
schools,  camps,  concerts  and 
more.  For  more  information  or 
booking  contact:  Faith  'n  Flight 
Ministries,  46  Lammers  Ave., 


Dayton,  OH  45459;  phone  (513) 
439-2504;FAX(513)439-4303. 


Attention, 
North  Carolina 
Presbyterians! 

Shop  at  Food  Lion 
ON  February  13,  14,  &  15, 

1  995,  AND  YOUR  RECEIPTS  CAN 
HELP  THE  GIRLS  AND  BOYS 

AT  Barium  Springs. 

For  DETAILS,  CONTACT  YOUR 

North  Carolina 
Presbyterian  Church 
Or 

Call  Lisa  Crater 
AT  Barium  Springs 
(704)  872-4157. 


annual  report 

FISCAL  YEAR  1994 


SERVICES  TO  CHILDREN  AND  FAMILIES 

Residential  Services*  FCDC" 


17.317 
7.6 

cent  Center 


Calling  all  program 
committee  chairs 

Have  we  got  a  deal  for 
you?  In  fact,  we  really 
do.  No  charge ...  no  pass- 
ing plate  ...  no  hard 
sales;  just  an  informa- 
tive program  about  the 
history  of  your  mission 
here  at  Barium  Springs. 

We  have  staff  avail- 
able to  speak  anywhere 
with  any  size  group 
about  the  children  and 
families  here,  the  ser- 
vices offered,  where  the 
money  comes  from  and 
goes,  and  answer  ques- 
tions. A  nine  minute 
slide  program  helps 
with  the  presentation 
and  can  also  be  sent  by 
itself  if  you  don't  be- 
lieve the  "no  passing  the 
plate"  part  above. 

Just  call  (704)  872- 
4157  to  arrange  a  pro- 
gram, or  a  tour  of  cam- 
pus. (Be  sure  to  ask  for 
Reade  if  you're  serving 
food  at  the  meeting*. 


...Or  so 
it  seems 


Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

I  had  a  very  special  day  on 
Saturday,  Oct.  8,  1994.  Lois 
Jackson  (former  houseparent) 
and  Bonnie  Homesley  Steven- 
son (former  resident)  hosted  a 
"Retirement/Reminiscing 
Party"  at  Bonnie's  house. 

They  invited  people  who 
lived  here  when  I  worked  here 
first  from  1966  to  1971,  plus 
some  former  staff,  current  staff 
and  friends.  In  all,  about  sev- 
enty were  present.  Nineteen 
residents  of  that  period  at- 
tended from  Charlotte, 
Statesville,  Raleigh,  Concord, 
Fayetteville  and  Austin,  Texas. 

It  was  one  of  the  best  days  of 
my  entire  life  since  that  period 
was  the  best  of  my  working 
years.  The  residents  of  those 
years  became  very  special  to 
me  as  I  was  the  chief  discipli- 
narian and,  as  such,  was  inti- 
mately involved  in  their  ev- 
eryday doings.  They  taught  me 
so  much  about  relationships 
and  what  children  really  want 
from  adults  despite  what  they 
say  they  want. 

Children  respect  strength 
and  hold  in  contempt  those 
adults  who  cannot  "stand  up" 
to  them  in  times  of  trouble. 
Children  want  adults  who  can 
keep  them  in  line  with  caring 
and  understanding.  Children 


who  are  out-of-control  are  par- 
ticularly responsive  to  adults 
who  offer  control  with  under- 
standing and  compassion.  Most 
of  all,  children  respond  with 
deep  affection  to  the  adults  who 
can  enjoy  them  as  people,  ap- 
preciate their  struggles,  share 
in  their  triumphs  and  dismiss 
their  failures  as  not  all  that 
important.  To  be  enjoyed  as  a 
person  says  something  deeply 
significant  about  a  child's 
worth  and  potential.  This  is 
particularly  true  of  those  who 
have  been  rejected  or  who  feel 
rejected.  Further,  children  will 
forgive  all  sorts  of  mistakes  if 
they  sense  caring  and  affec- 
tion. 

Any  adult  who  has  the  good 
fortune  to  become  a  special 
person  to  a  child  or  teenager 
will  know  what  is  really  im- 
portant— what  makes  life 
worth  the  effort.  On  Oct.  8th,  I 
was  reminded  of  this  fact  and 
was — and  am — thankful  all 
over  again  for  these  people  who 
continue  to  bring  so  much  joy 
to  my  living. 


Front  row  (1-r-):  Lois  Jackson  (former  houseparent), 
Bonnie  Williams  (former  resident),  Earle  and  Jesse 
Frazier,  Bonnie  Stevenson  (former  resident)  and  her 
husband  Bill.  Back  row:  Robert  WUliams  (husband  of 
Bonnie  Williams)  and  Larry  Ellis  (former  resident). 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $  

I  wish  to:   Honor 


_  is  enclosed 
 Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 
Survivor  to  notify:  


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  

Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs,  NC  28010 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  January/Februa; 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study— Lesson  6,  February  1995 

Christ  and  the  New  Creation 


By  EUGENIA  S.  PHILLIPS 

Since  the  beginning  of  history,  poets,  story 
tellers,  scientists  and  theoreticians  have 
sought  to  answer  the  question,  "Why  does 
the  world  exist?"  How  could  there  have 
been  a  beginning  and  will  there  be  an  end 
to  the  created  world?  Perhaps  we  would 
more  usefully  spend  our  time  wondering 
about  the  quality  of  life  in  the  world  during 
the  time  between  those  two  polar  events. 

Experience,  insight,  and  inspiration  led 
the  ancestors  of  the  Jewish  people  to  ac- 
cept and  base  their  faith  upon  the  story  of 
creation  recorded  in  the  first  three  chap- 
ters of  Genesis.  Here  we  see  God  creating 
men  and  women  and  the  world  of  nature, 
rejoicing  in  their  goodness  aind  perfection. 
The  destiny  of  nature  is  immediately  tied 
up  with  the  destiny  of  humankind.  When 
Adam  and  Eve  are  sent  from  the  Garden  of 
Eden,  they  are  given  to  understand  that 
nature  which  heretofore  has  abundantly 
served  their  needs  now  becomes  a  chal- 
lenge. "Cursed  is  the  ground  because  of 
you,"  God  said  to  Adam,  and  Eve  was  told 
that  hereafter  all  women  would  endure 
physical  suffering  because  of  her  sinful- 
ness. Nature  was  no  longer  a  kind  compan- 
ion of  humanity. 

Thus  began  the  struggle  to  find  again  the 
glorious  paradise  which  was  lost  because  of 
rebellion  against  God.  Since  then,  human- 
kind has  sought  to  regain  the  close  relation- 
ship with  God  that  would  bring  peace  of 
mind  and  body,  but  has  yet  to  attain  the 
complete  submission  to  God's  will  that  would 
bring  all  of  earth  back  to  God. 

Planet  Earth,  we  call  ourselves,  spin- 
ning through  space,  and  growing  older 
every  minute.  While  we  wait  for  God's 
redemption  of  us  and  nature  we  are  care- 
lessly ruining  our  planet  with  too  little 
thought  for  those  who  will  come  after  us. 

Until  around  a  hundred  and  fifty  years 
ago,  the  idea  of  being  concerned  over  natu- 
ral resources  seemed  rather  absurd.  There 
were  still  new  lands  to  discover  and  ex- 
plore, endless  acres  of  wilderness  to  con- 
quer, and  each  person  was  restricted  only 
by  his  or  her  own  ambitions.  Large  families 
were  needed  and  encouraged.  Prosperity 
was  an  objective  which  showed  itself  in 


abundance.  Too  many  of  us  have  inherited 
these  objectives. 

But  what  is  reality  today?  The  same 
desire  for  prosperity  continues,  but  it  is  too 
often  the  show  of  prosperity  that  is  sought, 
new  homes,  new  furniture,  larger  gifts, 
larger  festivities,  parties  and  festivals,  the 
newest  cars,  longer  trips  and  cruises— 
rather  than  simply  a  desire  to  live  comfort- 
ably. It  was  the  bedevilment  of  pride  that 
made  Eve  want  more  than  God  had  given, 
and  too  often,  we  today  have  same  attitude. 

Our  constant  craving  for  more  has  caused 
repercussions  throughout  our  world.  We 
read  the  statistics  often:  Industrial  na- 
tions, with  22  percent  of  the  world's  popu- 
lation, consume  70  percent  of  the  world's 
energy,  75  percent  of  its  metals,  85  percent 
of  its  wood,  and  60  percent  of  its  food,  and 
they  are  responsible  for  about  80  percent  of 
the  world's  environmental  pollution.  Be- 
cause of  this,  the  other  78  percent  of  the 
world's  population  lives  with  starvation, 
discomfort,  and  disease. 

A  recent  issue  of  Presbyterian  Survey 
(September  1994)  states:  "Presently  5.5 
billion  people  are  living  on  Earth  and  the 
number  may  go  to  8  billion  by  the  year  2025 
and  to  14  billion  by  the  end  of  the  next 
century.  The  planet's  soils,  forests,  fish 
stocks,  waters,  atmosphere  and  oceans  al- 
ready are  strained.  What  will  happen  if  we 
plop  down  another  whole  human  world  on 
top  of  this  one,  much  less  two  or  three?" 
The  article  argues  with  evidence  that  popu- 
lation control  is  not  the  answer  but  that 
such  growth  can  be  retarded  only  with  a 
more  even  distribution  of  resources  and 
economic  development. 

Why  are  we  such  over-consumers,  and 
why  should  Christians  be  concerned?  A 
quotation  from  The  Futurist  (January-Feb- 
ruary 1993)  tells  us:  Measured  in  constant 
dollars,  the  amount  of  goods  and  services 
that  the  world's  people  have  consumed 
since  1950  is  equal  to  that  consumed  by  all 
previous  generations  put  together.  Yet  this 
historical  era  of  large-scale  consumption 
appears  to  have  failed  to  make  the  con- 
svuner  class  any  happier.  Regular  surveys 
by  the  National  Opinion  Research  Center 
of  the  University  of  Chicago  reveal,  for 
example,  that  no  more  Americans  report 


they  are  "very  happy"  now  than  in  1957.... 
Studies  on  happiness  indicate  that  the 
main  determinants  of  happiness  in  life  are 
not  related  to  consumption  at  all;  promi- 
nent among  them  are  satisfaction  with 
family  life,  especially  marriage,  followed 
by  satisfaction  with  work,  leisure  to  de- 
velop talents,  and  friendships. 

And  so,  we  come  back,  by  way  of  experi- 
ence and  high-tech  modern  research,  to 
what  Jesus  taught  many  years  ago.  Every- 
one wants  happiness.  We  search  for  that 
sense  of  fulfillment  lost  to  our  first  par- 
ents, and  made  available  to  us  again 
through  the  life  and  teachings  of  Jesus.  We 
have  all  felt  a  close  fellowship  with  the 
natural  world,  and  it  is  surely  not  our 
desire  that  our  descendants  should  not 
know  the  pleasure  of  mountain  forests 
changing  colors  in  fall,  of  glistening  white 
snow  on  unpolluted  hills,  and  unrationed 
amounts  of  food  and  water.  Yet,  unless  we 
begin  now  to  preserve  such  pleasures  and 
necessities,  our  descendants  may  never 
know  them. 

We  do  not  need  another  television, 
another  VCR,  another  car,  telephone  or 
stereo  produced  by  factories  generated  by 
the  planet's  depleting  store  of  fossil  fuels; 
we  do  not  need  more  wood  and  paper  prod- 
ucts, more  fuels  from  the  forests  of  the 
world;  we  can  limit  our  use  of  cars,  cutting 
down  not  only  on  fuel  consumption  but  also 
on  air  pollution;  we  can  become  more  con- 
scious of  recycling;  we  can  declare  war  on 
littering. 

As  we  look  at  the  passage  from  Mark 
given  in  our  lesson,  we  recall  the  closeness 
to  nature  that  most  cultures  have  experi- 
enced to  a  far  greater  degree  than  we  do 
today.  In  this  story  of  the  silent,  mysteri- 
ous germination  of  small  seeds  into  a  boun- 
tiful harvest  that  appears  in  due  time, 
(Mark  4:26-29)  Jesus  makes  a  comparison 
with  the  kingdom  of  God  which  in  due  time 
will  come.  We,  as  his  followers  and  those 
who  await  that  day,  must  realize  that  what 
we  do  during  this  time  of  waiting  is  impor- 
tant. Those  who,  like  the  farmer,  realize 
their  responsibility,  and  care  for  all  of 
God's  creation  will  have  a  rewarding  part 
in  that  final  event. 

What  a  big  order  this  is  for  us  who  want 
to  live  responsibly  as  Christians!  We  know 
that  we  must  "do  justice,  love  mercy,  and 
walk  humbly  before  the  Lord";  we  must 
keep  the  commandments  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, the  teachings  of  the  New.  Now,  some- 


thing more  is  required  oi  us,  .sumething 
hard,  because  we  have  never  thought  of  it 
as  a  Christian  responsibility  before.  Envi- 
ronmental and  ecological  concern  must 
come  back  to  us  as  Christians,  because  we 
have  been  saying  in  our  creed,  "I  believe  in 
God  the  Father  Almighty,  Maker  of  heaven 
and  earth  ...  ."As  responsible  children  of 
God  we  must  care  for  God's  creation. 

Jesus,  in  his  sermon  on  the  mount  (Matt. 
6),  had  before  him  listeners  who  had  no 
idea  of  the  luxuries  of  life  that  we  take  for 
granted.  Theirs  was  a  life  of  daily  and 
seasonal  struggle  to  obtain  the  basic  neces- 
sities. Yet,  to  them  Jesus  preached  a  gospel 
of  happiness  of  mind  and  spirit  that  does 
not  depend  on  things.  Can  we  not  as  Chris- 
tians today  find  this  kind  of  happiness  that 
will  change  the  goals  for  our  lives,  from 
restless  activity  and  grasping  for  more 
material  wealth,  to  a  quiet  contentment, 
knowing  that  we  have  enough,  and  that  our 
concern  should  be  for  others,  those  suffer- 
ing in  the  world  today,  and  those  who  may 
suffer  even  more  tomorrow  because  of  our 
thoughtlessness  today? 

Paul  encourages  us.  He  pictures  those 
who  live  with  their  minds  on  temporal  and 
material  blessings  as  those  who  live  in  the 
flesh.  So  he  says,  "The  mind  that  is  set  on 
the  flesh  is  hostile  to  God;  it  does  not 
submit  to  God's  law — indeed  it  cannot,  and 
those  who  are  in  the  flesh  cannot  please 
God."  Then  he  says  to  us  who  call  ourselves 
followers  of  Christ,  "But  you  are  not  in  the 
flesh;  you  are  in  the  Spirit,  since  the  Spirit 
of  God  dwells  in  you."  Are  we  in  the  Spirit? 
Or  are  our  minds  set  more  on  getting  and 
spending,  following  the  letter  of  the  law 
(going  to  church,  behaving  decently,  con- 
tributing an  offering)  but  never  feeling  the 
absolute  abandon  of  all  that  we  are  and 
have  to  the  Spirit  of  God?  Paul  tells  of  it, 
and  many  have  experienced  the  true  hap- 
piness that  comes  to  the  one  in  whom  the 
Spirit  of  God  is  invited  to  dwell.  Chapter  8 
of  Romans  is  one  of  Paul's  most  eloquent 
expressions  of  the  joy  which  comes  to  those 
who  truly  trust  their  lives  to  Jesus  Christ. 

Let  us  all  become  stewards  of  the  world  God 
has  given  us.  Let  us  as  Christians  find  new  ways 
to  distribute  wealth  equitably  around  our  world, 
to  end  pollution  of  land,  water  and  air,  and  to 
save  our  rapidly  depleting  stores  of  raw  fuels 
and  other  resources.  We  have  been  accustomed 
to  the  obligation  of  Christians  to  think  of  others 
in  our  world;  now  we  know  it  is  our  duty  to  think 
of  others  who  will  be  in  our  world  tomorrow. 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study — Lesson  7,  March  1995 

Christ  and  the  Power  of  Weakness 


By  EUGENIA  S.  PHILLIPS 

Many  of  us  have  spent  years  learning  about 
Jesus  Christ.  Surely,  we  know  all  about 
him.  We  know  his  actions,  we  know  his 
words,  and  many  of  us  can  give  a  pretty 
good  explanation  of  why  certain  things 
happened.  So  why  do  we  continue  to  attend 
Bible  study  sessions  about  him?  Why  do  we 
continue  to  ponder  his  words?  One  reason 
is  that  these  words  and  actions  are  so 
completely  different  from  what  we  hear  in 
other  areas  of  our  lives  that  we  are  fasci- 
nated by  the  idea  that  one  man  could  have 
lived,  died  and  succeeded  in  changing  the 
world  with  such  upside-down  ideas,  ideas 
that  we  know  in  our  hearts  are  true  but 
which  go  against  all  that  we  hear  from 
other  directions. 

This  month's  lesson  presents  a  state- 
ment by  Jesus  which  went  against  the 
impulses  of  his  disciples  at  the  moment 
that  he  said  it,  and  goes  against  a  natural 
tendency  of  us  all.  Yet,  Jesus  lived  it  out. 
Jesus  taught  that  those  who  would  be  the 
greatest  and  the  most  powerful  among 
humankind  are  those  who  walk  in  humil- 
ity, even  in  subjection,  those  who  appear  to 
have  no  power  at  all. 

As  we  meditate  again  upon  the  subject, 
"Who  is  the  Christ?"  it  is  helpful  to  imagine 
ourselves  back  in  the  position  of  those  who 
were  first  learning  about  him.  Suppose  you 
were  hearing  for  the  first  time  that  one  of 
the  disciples  who  had  been  close  to  Jesus 
had  repeated  to  an  interviewer  the  conver- 
sation that  Jesus  had  with  his  disciples  at 
supper  just  a  few  hours  before  he  was 
arrested  and  the  events  which  led  to  his 
crucifixion? 

"What  did  he  say?"  you  would  ask  excit- 
edly, because  you  may  not  have  come  to  any 
conclusions  about  the  various  rumors  that 
were  abroad  about  this  newsworthy  per- 
son. "Did  he  say  he  knew  what  was  going  to 
happen?  Did  he  tell  his  disciples  what  they 
should  do  to  help  him?  If  he  knew  what  was 
going  to  happen,  what  plans  did  they  make 


to  protect  him?" 

Then  you  would  have  heard  the  story  as 
we  now  read  it  in  Luke  22.  You  might  have 
been  surprised  that  Jesus  showed  no  con- 
cern about  what  would  happen  to  him, 
even  though  he  seemed  to  know  that  he 
was  going  to  die.  He  even  seemed  to  know 
the  plan  which  had  been  made  for  his 
arrest,  and  who  would  carry  it  out.  You 
might  shake  your  head  in  wonder  as  you 
heard  that  most  of  the  conversation  was 
somewhat  trivial,  with  talk  mostly  about 
the  disciples  rather  than  about  their  great 
leader  who  had  said  he  was  about  to  be 
betrayed  and  to  die. 

Later,  you  would  have  realized  that  it 
was  not  trivial  conversation  that  was  made 
around  that  table.  Rather,  it  was  the  last 
chance  that  Jesus  had  to  try  to  tell  his 
disciples  that  his  way  of  life  was  different 
from  all  they  heard  from  other  people,  both 
great  and  small,  but  that  his  way  of  life  was 
the  one  that  would  bring  them  happiness 
in  this  world,  and  salvation  in  the  world  to 
come.  He  was  living  and  speaking  as  he 
taught  us  to  do,  without  concern  for  him- 
self but  with  thoughts  about  those  who 
were  his  friends. 

Probably  at  the  time,  the  disciples  were 
more  embarrassed  than  thoughtful.  They 
may  have  been  reminded  of  another  time 
when  Jesus  had  been  unhappy  with  them 
when  they  had  argued  about  who  would  sit 
among  the  most  powerful  in  the  kingdom  of 
God.  (Mark  10:35-45)  That  time  he  had 
told  them,  "Whoever  wishes  to  become 
great  among  you  must  be  your  servant,  and 
whoever  wishes  to  be  first  among  you  must 
be  slave  of  all."  In  both  instances,  he  points 
out  that  he  himself  came  not  to  be  served 
but  to  serve,  like  the  servant  who  waits  on 
others  eating  at  a  table. 

Perhaps  the  disciples  were  too  close  to 
what  was  happening.  Perhaps  they  were 
still  influenced  by  the  attitude  which  had 
prevailed  in  their  childhood  and  still  was 
all  around  them,  that  when  the  Messiah 
came,  he  would  be  the  invincible  king  of 


their  country,  full  of  power  and  might,  able 
with  the  use  of  armies  and  legions  to  save 
not  only  himself  but  all  the  country  from 
the  fierce  rule  of  the  Roman  empire. 

Like  so  many  events  of  history,  hind- 
sight made  many  things  clear.  Analyzing 
all  that  Jesus  said  and  did  brought  a  breadth 
of  vision  that  congealed  into  an  under- 
standing that  his  actions  were  a  definite 
reflection  of  what  he  said.  How  can  we 
explain  the  fact  that  this  man,  led  power- 
lessly  to  his  own  crucifixion,  became  the 
moving,  saving,  changing  power  for  the 
whole  world?  Paul,  who  put  so  many  im- 
pressions into  words  for  people  of  all  time, 
expressed  it  for  us.  In  one  of  his  earliest 
letters,  I  Corinthians,  he  speaks  about 
Jesus,  about  his  attitude  toward  power: 
"For  the  message  about  the  cross  is  foolish- 
ness to  those  who  are  perishing  (that  is, 
those  who  have  no  faith  in  Jesus),  but  to  us 
who  are  being  saved  it  is  the  power  of  God." 

Paul  continues  with  a  description  of 
the  ways  by  which  people  have  attempted 
to  live  triumphantly  in  this  life,  the  Greek 
people  through  reason  and  knowledge,  the 
Jewish  people  through  study  of  history  and 
law,  and  he  might  have  added  the  Romans 
through  their  military  expertise  and  heavy- 
handed  taxation.  For  them,  such  abilities 
led  to  the  kind  of  power  that  they  sought, 
power  that  brought  wealth,  pride,  self- 
importance,  and  pompous  vanity.  On  the 
contrary,  the  kind  of  power  that  Jesus 
taught  and  lived  was  that  which  is  foimd  in 
the  kind  of  humble  action  that  puts  aside 
self,  and  rejoices  in  kindness  and  service  in 
the  most  demeaning  of  circumstances. 

Well,  you  say,  I  don't  want  power;  it's 
not  something  I'm  after. 

It  is  true  that  few  of  us  are  looking  for 
power,  just  as  it  is  true  that  none  of  us  is 
without  power  in  some  way.  We  go  along  in 
our  rather  normal  paths,  but  the  day  comes 
when  we  feel  the  urge  to  cry  out,  "Why? 
Why  should  she  (or  he)  have  that  job  (or 
talent,  or  ability,  or  possession)  and  not 
me?  I  work  just  as  hard,  I'm  better  able,  (or 
richer,  prettier,  or  whatever),  why  not  me?" 
So  the  old  ego,  the  center  of  so  much  sin, 
takes  over.  And  then  we  need  to  realize 
that  our  satisfaction  as  followers  of  Jesus 


is  not  in  pushing  our  own  interests,  but 
unselfishly  giving  of  ourselves  to  help  oth- 
ers. We  find  power  over  our  own  lives  by 
living  as  unselfishly  as  we  can  where  we 
have  been  placed,  even  if  it  is  waiting  on 
tables,  or,  at  least  figuratively  speaking, 
washing  the  feet  of  others. 

An  amazing  thing  then  happens.  Like 
countless  people,  throughout  the  centuries 
since  that  evening  when  Jesus  spoke  of 
humility  and  servanthood,  we  find  peace 
and  inspiration  that  can  lead  to  great  ac- 
complishments. We  prove  once  again  Paul's 
words  in  this  same  passage,  "God  chose 
what  is  foolish  in  the  world  to  shame  the 
wise. ..to  shame  the  strong.. .to  reduce  to 
nothing  things  that  are.  He  is  the  source  of 
your  life  in  Christ  Jesus  ...  ." 

For  most  of  us,  this  is  all  the  power  we 
seek.  Some,  however,  in  our  own  time  have 
been  examples  of  servant  leaders  who  have 
made  a  lasting  impact  upon  their  culture 
and  times:  Ghandi,  Mother  Theresa  and 
Martin  Luther  King.  They  have  lived  with 
the  kind  of  humility  that  Jesus  taught,  and 
they  testify  to  the  fact  that  it  is  the  true 
power  which  brings  about  those  things 
which  make  a  difference  to  the  world. 

What  a  great  mistake  we  make  if  we 
think  that  by  going  through  the  motions  of 
servanthood  we  will  gain  the  results  that 
Jesus  promised!  We  must  never  forget  the 
close  relationship  that  Jesus  maintained 
with  God,  the  source  of  power.  Isaiah  had 
written  words  which  Jesus  had  probably 
learned  in  his  childhood,  words  which  as- 
sured him  and  you  and  me  of  the  power  to 
make  our  lives  rewarding  and  effective  on 
the  path  where  God  has  put  us:  "The  Lord 
is  the  everlasting  God,  the  Creator  of  the 
ends  of  the  earth.  He  does  not  faint  or  grow 
weary;  his  vmderstanding  is  unsearchable. 
He  gives  power  to  the  faint,  and  strength- 
ens the  powerless. ...those  who  wait  upon 
the  Lord  will  renew  their  strength,  they 
shall  moimt  up  with  wings  like  eagles,  they 
shall  run  and  not  be  weary,  they  shall  walk 
and  not  faint."  (Isaiah  40:  28b-31)  Such  is 
the  power  given  by  God  to  those  who  follow 
the  example  of  his  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  the 
servant  king. 


Page  12,  Mid- Atlantic  Presbjrterian,  January \  February  1995 

Chinese  Christians  harassed 


By  The  Associated  Press 
(used  with  permission) 

BEIJING— Beijing  Christians 
active  in  blocking  government 
moves  to  sack  their  popular 
pastor  have  been  tailed,  ha- 
rassed and  beaten  by  police  in 
recent  days,  and  a  foreign  re- 
porter was  detained  Nov.  24 
for  visiting  one  of  them. 

At  least  a  half-dozen  Chris- 
tians belonging  to  the 
Gangwashi  church,  the  most 
popular  in  the  capital,  say  they 
have  been  followed  since  mid- 
November  by  police  who  have 
vandalized  the  Christians' 
bikes  and  ordered  them  to  be- 
have. 


On  Nov.  23,  one  of  them, 
Liu  Fenggang,  was  beaten  by 
plainclothes  police,  who  hit  him 
in  the  face  and  head.  Friends 
said  his  eyes  were  virtually 
swollen  shut  and  that  doctors 
were  worried  he  may  have  suf- 
fered head  injuries. 

When  Jane  Macartney,  a 
Reuters  reporter,  went  to  see 
Liu  the  next  morning,  police 
took  her  away.  She  was  re- 
leased in  the  afternoon. 

The  Christians  all  were  ac- 
tive in  organizing  church  mem- 
bers to  oppose  the  govern- 
ment's attempts  to  dismiss  the 
church's  senior  pastor,  Yang 
Yudong,  who  has  long  irritated 
the  government  with  his  pro- 


democracy  views  and  his  at- 
tempts to  distance  himself  and 
his  congregation  from  govern- 
ment supervision. 

The  Chinese  Christian 
Council  and  the  Three-Self 
Patriotic  Movement,  the  ... 
bodies  that  govern  the  nation's 
Protestant  churches,  have 
tried  to  enforce  a  year-old  deci- 
sion to  dismiss  Yang  and  in- 
stall Yu  Xinli,  chairman  of 
Beijing's  Three-Self  Patriotic 
Movement,  in  his  place. 

But  church  members  say  the 
congregation's  objections  and 
the  attention  the  incident  has 
gotten  have  forced  the  authori- 
ties to  delay  implementing 
their  plan. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Complied  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


Charges  fly  during  second 
Reconciliation  Committee  meeting 


By  JERRY  L.  VAN  MARTER 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— Deep- 
seated — and  at  times  bitter — 
disagreements  about  the  di- 
rection of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A. )  and  those  who 
lead  it  coursed  through  the 
second  meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly's  Committee  on  Rec- 
onciliation here  Nov.  30. 

Armed  with  a  six-page  list 
of  the  issues  they  want  dis- 
cussed, the  eight  members  rep- 
resenting the  Presbyterian 
Lay  Committee  (PLC)  criti- 
cized a  host  of  denominational 
actions  and  specific  church 
leaders  they  alleged  were  re- 
sponsible for  them. 

Criticisms  in  the  issues  pa- 
per fall  into  four  broad  catego- 
ries: theology,  accountability, 
financial  integrity  and  repre- 
sentation. Each  section  in- 
cludes a  statement  defining  the 
issue  and  then  lists  specific  ex- 
amples of  alleged  wrongdoing. 

The  theology  section,  for  ex- 
ample, focuses  heavily  on  de- 
nominational involvement  in 
last  year's  ecumenical*  Re- 
imagining  Conference  and  on 
resources  produced  by  the 
church  on  issues  of  human 
sexuality. 

The  paper  repeats  many  of 
the  charges  that  have  ap- 
peared in  "The  Presbyterian 
Layman,"  the  PLC  publication 
that  some  denominational  rep- 
resentatives on  the  committee 
claim  is  a  major  contributor  to 
the  tattered  relationship  the 
reconciliation  committee  is  try- 
ing to  heal.  Nine  members  of 
the  17-member  committee 
were  appointed  by  General 
Assembly  moderator  Robert 
W.  Bohl. 

The  committee  agreed  to 
review  at  its  next  meeting 
(Jan.  25-26  in  Louisville)  a  40- 
page  critique  of  "The  Presby- 
terian Layman"  prepared  by 
John  Bolt,  a  Presbyterian  el- 
der and  Associated  Press  re- 
porter in  Dallas. 

But  Presbyterian  Lay  Com- 
mittee representatives  and 
their  agenda  dominated  this 
meeting.  "This  is  not  an 
idver&r.rial  document,"  said 
I'hC     vice-chair  Robert 


Howard,  an  attorney  in 
Wichita,  Kan.,  as  he  intro- 
duced the  issues  paper.  "I  don't 
see  how  any  reasonable  per- 
son could  disagree  with  it." 

However,  Howard  didn't 
make  it  through  the  third  sen- 
tence of  the  document — "Un- 
less and  until  our  denomina- 
tion reaffirms  its  historic  com- 
mitment to  God's  revelation  in 
the  Word  of  God  Incarnate  and 
Written  and  restores  the  proc- 
lamation of  that  Word  as  the 
essential  mission  of  the  Church 
in  all  of  its  policies  and  pro- 
grams, the  reconciliation 
needed  to  unite  Presbyterians 
in  mission  cannot  be 
achieved" — before  objections 
were  raised  to  it  by  the  Rev. 
Joanna  Adams  of  Atlanta. 

"This  implies  that  the 
church  and  its  staff  persons 
are  not  currently  doing  this," 
Adams  responded,  "and  I'm 
sure  they  believe  they  are." 

Trust  is  the  issue 

The  issue  is  trust,  replied 
"Layman"  editor  the  Rev. 
Parker  T,  Wilhamson.  "The 
patterns  are  clear — in  giving 
to  the  church  and  in  research 
conducted  by  the  Presbyterian 
Panel — that  distrust  is  there 
[in  the  church]  and  is  grow- 
ing," he  said. 

The  language  of  the  issues 
paper  "is  grounded  in  polar- 
ity," said  the  Rev.  James  D. 
Brown,  executive  director  of 
the  General  Assembly  Coun- 
cil (GAC).  "This  is  denuncia- 
tion and  I'm  incredulous  that 
you  [speaking  to  Howard] 
could  present  this  as  healing 
and  unifying." 

In  its  section  on  financial 
integrity  the  paper  accuses 
GAC  staff  of  "violating  its  own 
rules"  and  "illegally  transfer- 
ring" line  items  between  the 
General  Assembly  mission  and 
per  capita  budgets.  The  alle- 
gations concern  the  movement 
of  three  committees'  expenses, 
totaling  $54,000,  from  the  mis- 
sion budget  to  the  per  capita 
budget  after  the  1993  denomi- 
national restructuring. 

The  three  items,  according 
to  Brown,  were  "left  hanging 
loose"  after  the  1993  General 


Assembly  approved  a  report 
including  a  provision  that  all 
budget  items  remain  in  the 
budgets  they  were  in  prior  to 
restructuring.  The  GAC  sub- 
sequently approved  the  shift 
of  the  three  items  and  the  1994 
Assembly  gave  tacit  approval 
when  it  approved  the  budgets 
that  included  the  shift. 

Williamson  dismissed  the 
Assembly  action  and  concluded 
that  "GAC  backing  of  a  staff 
recommendation  [to  shift  the 
line  items]  doesn't  make  it  any 
less  illegal." 

Brown  countered  that  the 
decision  "was  handled  within 
established  processes  of  the 
church  ...  and  to  allege  illegal- 
ity is  patently  unfair." 

After  listening  to  the  dis- 
cussion, Alvin  Puryear,  a  Bohl 
appointee  from  the  Bronx, 
N.Y.,  sighed,  "Do  issues  have 
to  be  overdramatized  in  order 
to  get  attention?" 

In  its  section  on  accountabil- 
ity the  issues  paper  states  that 
"emplo5rment  standards  for  pro- 
fessional staff  should  require 
solemn  commitment  to  the  same 
confessional  standards  that  are 
required  of  all  ordained  officers 
of  the  church." 

Howard  insisted  there  are 
no  legal  barriers  to  such  an 
employment  requirement. 
"The  church  is  exempt  [from 
such  equal  employment  oppor- 
tunity legislation],"  he  said, 
"and  if  we  establish  some  theo- 
logical standards  for  church 
employees  we  can  prevent  di- 
sasters rather  than  constantly 
doing  damage  control." 

Asked  by  Adams  if  he  was 
suggesting  creation  of 
"thought  police,"  Howard  re- 
sponded, "No,  this  is  not  a 
witch  hunt,  but  a  call  for  stan- 
dards of  accountability — our 
church  has  confessional  stan- 
dards. We're  not  Baptists." 

Pushed  by  Adams  to  say 
what  he  would  do  about  one 
national  staff  member  named 
in  the  issues  paper,  Howard 
suggested  some  "'therapeutic 
counseling' — we  need  to  help 
them  come  on  board  or  help 
them  come  to  grips  with  not 
agreeing  with  our  confessional 
standards." 


News,  PR  coordinators  hired 

Two  key  staff  positions  in  the  Presbyterian  Church's  Office  of 
Communication  were  filled  Nov.  14  with  the  appointment  of  the 
Rev.  Jerry  L.  Van  Marter  as  coordinator  for  news  services  and 
Claude  L.  Brock  as  coordinator  for  church  and  public  relations. 

Van  Marter  has  been  a  reporter  with  the  Presbyterian  News 
Service  for  more  than  six  years.  Prior  to  that  he  was  a  pastor  of 
four  Presbyterian  churches  in  San  Francisco  Presbjrtery  and 
edited  both  his  synod  and  presbytery  newsletters  in  a  church 
career  that  has  spanned  25  years.  He  assumed  his  new  duties 
the  day  his  appointment  was  announced. 

Brock  begins  work  Dec.  5.  He  is  former  president  of  Brock- 
Kalvar  Associates,  a  Louisville-based  advertising  and  public 
relations  firm.  Before  that  he  worked  for  Louisville's  Farm 
Credit  Bank.  Brock  has  more  than  30  years'  experience  in 
communications-related  fields. 

Associate  Director  for  Communication  Gary  Luhr,  in  an- 
nouncing the  appointments,  said,  "Both  of  these  individuals 
bring  to  their  respective  jobs  talents  and  experience  that  will  be 
extremely  valuable  in  shaping  the  work  of  the  Office  of  Commu- 
nication." 

Yearbook  features  new  format 

The  1995  Mission  Yearbook  for  Prayer  and  Study,  redesigned 
and  one-third  larger  than  before,  is  now  available.  Featuring 
original  poetry  and  other  writings  by  young  people,  the  1995 
Yearbook  focuses  on  a  central  theme:  "The  Church  of  Today  & 
Tomorrow:  Young  People  &  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)." 

Readers  will  learn  how  young  Presbyterians  across  the 
United  States  are  growing  in  faith  and  sharing  their  enthusi- 
asm, fresh  insights,  and  hope  through  congregations, 
presbyteries  and  in  global  service. 

The  stories  are  told  with  more  photographs  than  in  previous 
editions  of  the  Yearbook.  For  the  first  time  in  25  years,  the  size 
of  the  Mission  Yearbook  has  changed.  Thirty-three  percent 
larger  (but  still  the  same  price),  the  new  book  has  photographs 
on  nearly  every  page,  more  mission  stories  and  a  new  design. 

The  Yearbook  also  continues  its  103-year  tradition  of  provid- 
ing information  about  people  in  mission  and  staff  members  to 
guide  Presbyterians  through  a  year  of  prayer  for  the  church's 
ministries.  The  book  includes  52  Minutes  for  Mission,  which  are 
accompanied  by  prayers  and  benedictions  and  indexed. 

The  1995  Mission  Yearbook  for  Prayer  and  Study  can  be 
ordered  by  calling  Distribution  Management  Services  (DMS)  at 
(800)  524-2612.  The  cost  is  $5  per  copy  or  $4  each  for  10  or  more 
copies  sent  to  the  same  address,  plus  shipping. 

Olan  Mills  to  do  church  directories 

The  Presbyterian  Publishing  Corporation  (PPC)  has  announced 
its  selection  of  Olan  Mills  Studio  as  the  exclusive  contractor  for 
its  church  directory  business.  The  move  to  Olan  Mills  coincides 
with  termination  of  a  PPC  contract  with  Coppinger  &  Affiliates. 
The  publishing  corporation  received  numerous  complaints  dur- 
ing the  last  couple  of  years  from  churches  displeased  with 
Coppinger's  church  directory  service. 

Founded  in  1932,  Olan  Mills  has  been  in  the  church  directory 
publishing  business  since  1971.  In  1993,  the  studio  printed  2.5 
million  directories  for  more  than  10,000  churches.  Olan  Mills 
has  more  than  1,000  studios  nationwide. 

Perkins  said  Olan  Mills  has  trained  128  marketing  represen- 
tatives to  work  specifically  with  Presb3d;erian  congregations. 
The  toll-free  information  number  for  the  Presbj^erian  Publish- 
ing Church  Directory  Service  is  1  (800)  845-1157. 

Early  PW  leader  Clements  dies 

Marian  Clements,  a  foremother  of  the  national  Presbyterian 
women's  organization  that  has  evolved  into  Presbyterian  Women, 
died  Nov.  14  in  Sun  City,  Ariz.  Clements  and  Katherine  McAfee 
Parker  were  the  two  women  credited  with  formulating  a  pro- 
posal to  the  General  Assembly  from  the  Indiana  Synodical  in 
1941  that  resulted  in  the  creation  of  the  first  national  organiza- 
tion of  Presbyterian  Women. 

Writer's  Guild  seeks  nominations 

The  Presbjrterian  Writers  Guild  is  receiving  nominations  for  its 
1994  Jim  Angell  Award.  A  prize  of  $500  will  be  given  to  the  best 
first  book  published  in  1994  by  a  Presbyterian  writer.  The  award 
will  be  presented  at  the  Guild  Luncheon  at  the  General  Assem- 
bly next  July  in  Cincinnati. 

Nominations  for  the  Angell  Award  may  be  made  by  the 
author  or  a  friend.  They  should  be  sent  to  David  Steele,  620  Del 
Ganado,  San  Rafael,  CA  94903,  and  should  include  a  copy  of  the 
book  and  the  author's  curriculum  vitae  (including  church  affili- 
ation). Entries  are  due  by  March  15.  They  will  be  judged  by  a 
regional  committee  of  Presbyterian  Writers  Guild  members.  A 
stamped,  self-addressed  envelope  will  guarantee  safe  return  of 
the  book  after  the  judging.  The  award  is  in  memory  of  James  W. 
Angell,  a  pastor/writer  who  died  in  1992. 

Church  featured  in  'Picket  Fences' 

Portions  of  three  episodes  of  the  award-winning  CBS  television 
series  "Picket  Fences"  have  been  filmed  in  the  sanctuary  of 
Culver  City  (Calif.)  Presbyterian  Church.  According  to  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Robb,  pastor  of  the  church,  "Our  sanctuary  has  now 
been  established  as  the  church  to  which  Jimmy  and  Jill  Brock 
and  their  children  belong."  It  is  not  known  whether  or  not  the 
Brocks  tithe. 


Japan  earthquake  relief — page  8 


DIGIT  27514 
MHO    519  52 


For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


/ 

Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Vol.  LXI,  Number  2 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Planners  for  Calabash  Church's  "Coming  of  Age"  celebration  included,  from  left, 
Ruth  Farr,  Ruth  Cheney,  Archie  Farr,  Julia  Thomas,  the  Rev.  Francis  Womack,  and 
Carolyn  Knott. 

Retirees  are  strength 

of  growing  Calabasli  Church 


By  JOHN  SNIFFEN 

CALABASH,  N.C.— Talk 
about  the  "graying"  of  a  church 
often  it  means  that  the  con- 
gregation is  going  nowhere.  If 
a  church  can't  attract  young 
families  with  children,  it  will 
languish  or  die.  That's  the  con- 
ventional wisdom. 

Calabash  Church  defies 
such  analysis.  Its  members  av- 
erage over  60  years  of  age,  but 
it  is  neither  weak  nor  djdng. 
In  fact,  on  Jan.  5  it  celebrated 
its  "Coming  of  Age." 

"It  was  a  celebration  of  both 
our  heritage  and  our  hopes," 
said  the  Rev.  Francis  Womack, 
pastor. 

The  congregation  has  grown 
to  include  more  than  200  mem- 
bers in  just  five  years.  It's 
larger  than  half  the  churches 
in  primarily  rural  Coastal 
Carolina  Presbytery. 

It's  also  very  healthy.  Cala- 
bash Church  no  longer  relies 
on  the  presbytery  for  support. 
Coastal  Carolina  supplied 
$240,000  over  the  years  to  start 
the  church,  but  Calabash  is 
already  returning  dividends 
on  that  investment.  During 
the  Jan.  5  celebration,  the  con- 
gregation gave  $2,500  to  the 
presbytery  for  new  church  de- 
velopment. 

The  source  of  Calabash's 
growth  is  the  large  number  of 
retirees  moving  to  the  south- 
ern part  of  North  Carolina's 
Atlantic  coast.  Many  come  to 
the  area  to  play  golf 

Eighty-seven  golf  courses 
are  within  driving  distance  of 
the  church  and  another  15  are 
planned.  There's  a  golf  course 
across  the  road  from  the 
church  and  another  proposed 
behind  it. 

Land  that  isn't  being  used 
for  golf  is  probably  being  trans- 
formed into  new  residential 
communities — from  mobile 
homes  to  multi-million-dollar 
mansions — up  and  down  the 


flat,  pine-studded  coastal 
plain.  The  vacation  homes  of 
part-time  residents  line  the 
barrier  islands. 

Womack  said  Calabash  is 
an  "exciting"  church.  The  pas- 
tor described  typical  retirees 
who  join  Calabash  Church  as 
"upper  blue  collar,  not  execu- 
tive director  types."  They're 
former  teachers,  engineers 
and  store  managers  who  sold 
their  old  homes  for  a  nice  profit 
and  moved  to  Calabash. 

"They  don't  have  a  great 
deal  of  money,  but  they  sup- 
port the  church  very  well,"  said 
Womack.  "They  won't  go  out 
on  a  limb  with  their  giving, 
but  they  are  faithful  with  what 
they  give."  Tithing  is  very 
stable,  he  added. 

Despite  the  fact  that  the 
retirees  are  often  away  on 
trips,  there  are  165  to  185  per- 
sons in  church  most  Sundays. 
"We  get  a  lot  of  visitors  ...  20  to 
25  each  Sunday,"  Womack 
said.  "There's  a  potential  new 
member  almost  every  Sun- 
day." 

A  bonus  of  having  a  congre- 
gation of  healthy,  active,  re- 
tired persons  is  that  they  have 
the  time  to  contribute  their 


experiences  and  knowledge, 
whether  serving  on  commit- 
tees or  performing  service 
projects. 

Since  many  have  left  be- 
hind the  connections — neigh- 
bors, friends,  co-workers  and 
church  ties — which  filled  their 
lives  before  retirement,  the 
new  members  tend  to  give 
more  of  themselves  to  the 
church.  "Our  new  homes  and 
this  church  are  now  the  cen- 
ters of  our  lives,"  said  Ruth 
Cheney,  formerly  a  member  of 
the  Fayetteville  Presbytery 
staff. 

"We  try  to  make  people  feel 
wanted  and  needed,"  said 
Womack.  Indeed,  the  church's 
key  elements  are  "warmth, 
openness  and  acceptance." 

Just  across  the  state  line 
from  South  Carolina,  Calabash 
started  as  a  sleepy  fishing  vil- 
lage named  Pea  Landing.  An 
assortment  of  restaurants 
were  built  to  serve  hungry  visi- 
tors from  inland  areas,  but  the 
local  population  remained 
about  250. 

In  the  last  decade  there 
came  the  influx  of  retirees, 
chiefly  from  northern  states, 
continued  on  page  2 


Synod  approves 
restructuring  plan 


RICHMOND,  Va.— A  new 
structure  designed  to  make  the 
best  use  of  declining  mission 
funding  was  approved  by  the 
Synod  Assembly  on  Jan.  28. 

Few  alterations  were  made 
in  the  structure  proposed  by  a 
commissioner  committee. 

Synod-based  mission  will 
continue  in  racial  ethnic  min- 
istries, justice  and  mercy  is- 
sues, evangelism,  campus  min- 
istries and  communications. 

Also,  the  Synod  will  con- 
tinue to  coordinate  presby- 
teries working  in  partnership 
in  other  areas  of  ministry. 
These  include — but  are  not 
limited  to — child  care.  Chris- 
tian nurture,  global  and  ecu- 
menical mission,  health,  hun- 
ger, older  adult  ministries, 
peacemaking,  Presbyterian 
Men,  Presb5i;erian  Women,  re- 
source centers,  rural  minis- 
try, urban  ministry  and  youth 
ministries. 

The  Synod  office  staff  will 
be  reduced  by  25  percent — 
down  from  twelve  to  nine  em- 
ployees. In  addition  to  a  synod 
executive/stated  clerk/trea- 
surer, the  staff  will  include  an 
associate  executive  (for  evan- 
gelism, justice  and  mercy,  and 
racial  ethnic  ministries),  a  co- 
ordinator (for  campus  minis- 
tries and  partnerships),  a  di- 
rector of  communications,  and 
a  comptroller.  There  will  be 
four  "support/technical"  staff 
members. 

Commissioners  approved  an 
amendment  which  gives  "par- 
ity" to  the  associate  executive 
and  coordinator  positions. 

The  only  personnel  change 
scheduled  at  press  time  is  the 
elimination  of  the  position  of 
associate  executive  for  s5rnod 
ministries.  That  position,  held 
by  the  Rev.  Rosalind  Banbury- 
Hamm,  ended  Feb.  28. 

Also  deleted  from  the 
Synod's  mission  responsibili- 
ties are  traditional  ties  to  nine 
Presbyterian-related  colleges, 
to  five  children's  care  agen- 
cies, to  three  older  adult  care 
providers,  and  to  a  counseling 
center,  all  in  the  states  of  North 


Carolina  and  Virginia. 

Funding  for  these  institu- 
tions and  agencies  had  been 
heavily  impacted  by  the  de- 
crease in  mission  funds  reach- 
ing the  synod  over  the  past  six 
years.  Total  mission  dollars 
dropped  from  $3.4  million  in 
1988  when  the  Synod  was 
formed  to  $1.6  milUon  in  1994. 

A  consultation  process  is 
underway  to  transfer  funding 
responsibilities  for  these  agen- 
cies and  institutions  from  the 
synod  to  presbyteries. 

Synod  will  continue  owner- 
ship of  three  conference  and 
camping  facilities:  Chesapeake 
Center,  Massanetta  Springs, 
and  William  Black  Lodge.  The 
last  two  are  operated  by  inde- 
pendent boards  of  trustees  and 
Chesapeake  Center  is  moving 
in  that  direction.  Only  Chesa- 
peake Center  receives  substan- 
tial funding  from  Synod. 

There  will  be  an  annual 
Synod  Assembly,  but  the  num- 
ber of  elected  commissioners 
will  be  cut  almost  in  half  to  70. 
An  amendment  was  approved 
to  set  the  minimum  number  of 
presbytery  commissioners  at 
four.  Under  the  proposed 
guidelines — the  same  as  used 
for  the  General  Assembly — 
the  minimum  would  have  been 
two  commissioners. 

The  next  Synod  Assembly 
will  be  held  in  October. 

Between  synod  assemblies, 
business  will  be  conducted  by 
a  22-member  Synod  Council. 

Commissioners  twice  de- 
feated motions  to  reinstate 
voting  memberships  on  coun- 
cil for  the  three  existing  racial 
ethnic  caucuses — Black,  Ko- 
rean, and  Women  of  Color. 

The  adopted  structure  man- 
dates that  the  council  have  at 
least  25  percent  racial  ethnic 
membership. 

The  continuation  of  the 
208th  Stated  Meeting  started 
with  the  election  of  Betty 
McGinnis,  an  elder  from 
Arnold,  Md.,  as  moderator. 
The  Rev.  Miller  Liston  from 
Big  Stone  Gap ,  Va .,  was  elected 
vice  moderator. 


Zairian  Presbyterian  church  growing  despite  dictatorship 


Despite  almost  three  decades 
under  a  corrupt  dictatorship 
and  facing  astronomical  infla- 
tion, the  Presbyterian  Com- 
munity of  Zaire  is  thriving. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Mulumba  M. 
Mukundi,  general  secretary  of 
the  Presbyterian  Community, 
told  commissioners  attending 
the  Synod  Assembly  in  Rich- 
mond that  "despite  the  suffer- 
ing and  difficulties"  the  church 
there  is  growing  and  active. 
"God  is  at  work  in  Africa  and 
Zaire,"  he  added. 

With  1.3  million  members, 
the  Presbyterian  Community 
is  the  largest  religious  denomi- 


nation in:  Zaire. 

Since  gaining  independence 
from  Belgium  in  1965,  Zaire 
(formerly  the  Belgian  Congo) 
has  been  ruled  by  dictator 
Mobutu  Sese  Seko. 

"These  have  been  hard 
times  for  the  Zairian  people, 
who  have  no  freedom  to  ex- 
press themselves,  no  freedom 
to  criticize  the  government, 
and  sometimes  no  freedom  to 
travel  out  of  Zaire,"  said 
Mulumba. 

"Some  of  those  who  have 
had  the  courage  to  discuss  poli- 
tics were  killed  by  President 
Mobutu  and  his  government." 


He  described  a  nation  of  38 
million  persons  in  which  the 
rich  get  richer 
while  the  poor 
get  poorer. 
"Aside  from  a 
small  group  of 
Mobutu's  gov- 
ernment and 
his  relatives, 
most  people 
are  suffering." 

Soaring  in- 
flation has 
crippled  the  Zairian  economy. 
"Zairian  money  has  no  power 
to  buy  what  people  need,"  said 
Mulumba.  "Mobutu  is  one  of 


Mulumba 


the  richest  people  in  the  world 
and  Zaire  is  one  of  the  poorest 
countries.  How  can  this  be?" 

Mulumba  asked  that  U.S. 
Presbyterians  (1)  pray  for 
Zaire  and  its  people,  "espe- 
cially for  the  prophetic  role  of 
the  church  in  Zaire,"  and  (2) 
tell  the  U.S.  government  to 
discontinue  support  for 
Mobutu. 

Noting  the  "Year  with  Af- 
rica" emphasis,  he  invited  the 
commissioners  to  ro7^  p  to  Af- 
rica and  "see  th 
life  of  the  Africa;  .  ,  J 
to  see  how  God  i- 
that  part  of  the  v 


Page  2,  Mid-Atiantic  Presb3rterian,  March  1995 


Commentary 


Work  to  do  elsewhere 

An3d;ime  people  are  forced  out  of  their  jobs  it's  not  a  pleasant  situation.  Ask  the 
farmer  who's  lost  his  land  to  foreclosure;  the  shop  owner  who  worked  hard,  but 
couldn't  keep  up  with  the  giant  department  store;  or  the  business  executive  who 
was  loyal  and  served  the  company  well  for  decades,  only  to  become  excess 
personnel  as  the  result  of  a  merger. 

It  hurts.  It  makes  one  ask  many  questions  about  the  world  and  oneself. 

When  three  out  of  twelve  positions  on  the  synod  staff  are  cut,  it's  not  a  unique 
situation.  It  happens  every  day  all  over  the  world.  Many  governing  bodies  in  the 
denomination  are  going  through  the  same  process.  Please  remember,  however, 
that  these  men  and  women — like  any  friend  or  neighbor  caught  in  such  a 
situation — need  your  prayers  and  support  during  a  time  of  transition.  They 
worked  for  you,  the  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  this  Synod. 

Most  recently,  the  position  held  by  the  Rev.  Rosalind  Banbury-Hamm  was 
eliminated.  After  five  years  of  service  to  the  Synod,  she  left  this  office  on  Feb.  28. 
As  associate  executive  for  S5Tiod  ministries,  she  was  responsible  for  a  lengthy  list 
of  ministries,  institutions  and  agencies,  many  of  which  will  no  longer  be  related 
directly  to  the  Synod.  Ros  is  one  of  those  people  who  works  whatever  hours  are 
necessary  to  get  the  job  done.  She  was  responsible  for  numerous  committees  and 
subcommittees,  and  many  of  those  hours  were  precious  ones  away  from  her 
husband  and  son. 

When  not  planning  or  assisting  with  a  committee  meeting,  Ros  could  occasion- 
ally be  found  deep  in  a  theological  discussion  around  the  copier  or  in  the  office 
kitchen.  To  those  of  us  without  the  benefit  of  seminary  educations  (or  with  poor 
Sunday  school  attendance  records),  she  had  the  patience  to  explain  why  the 
church  was  involved  in  a  particular  ministry.  I  suspect  I'm  not  the  only  one  who 
has  learned  more  than  a  little  by  having  Ros  as  a  co-worker. 

We  will  miss  Ros'  enthusiastic,  supportive  and  pastoral  presence,  but  the 
Lord  has  work  for  her  to  do  elsewhere.  And  she  will  do  it  well. 

—J.S. 

Response  was  unsatisfactory 


I  find  your  "Editor's  response"  to  Rev. 
Denton's  letter  (Jan. -Feb.  issue)  quite  un- 
satisfactory. He  mentions  a  report  that 
the  "Interfaith  Alliance"  receives  a  major 
portion  of  its  funding  from  the  Democratic 
National  Committee.  You  say  that  this 
amounts  to  $24,000,  but  minimize  it  by 
saying  that  this  liberal  group  is  "project- 
ing" a  budget  of  $4  million.  I  wonder  where 
the  rest  is  coming  from. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  you  then  add  some 
innuendo  about  a  report  of  a  "financial 
connection"  between  the  Christian  Coali- 
tion and  the  Republican  Party,  apparently 
in  an  attempt  to  create  the  impression  of 
a  moral  equivalence.  What  is  this  "report," 
and  what  does  it  involve?  I  called  the 
Republican  National  Committee  and  was 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atl  antic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins.  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 


Meg  Burley.  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 
Phone:  (804)  342-0016 


POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
]SSN#  1071-345X 


told  that  the  RNC  does  not  give  money  to 
the  Christian  Coalition  nor  does  it  receive 
any  significant  amount  from  it.  I  was  told 
that  the  Christian  Coalition  contributes 
money  to  candidates,  some  of  whom  are  no 
doubt  Republicans.  If  you  have  informa- 
tion which  would  contradict  this,  please 
let  us  know. 

J.  E.  Williams 
Carrboro,  N.C. 

Thanks  for  support 

I  would  like  to  sincerely  thank  those  who 
wrote  in  support  of  my  article  last  fall. 
There  is  hope  in  Christ's  church! 

I  will  tell  you  that  many  have  turned 
away  from  the  church  because  of  judgmen- 
tal people  who  use  the  Bible  to  justify 
judging  others.  The  Bible  does  clearly  state 
that  "women  shall  not  speak  in  church" 
and  clearly  prohibits  divorce.  Those  who 
explain  away  these  "truths"  are  twisting 
the  Bible  to  fit  their  needs,  as  they  accuse 
homosexuals  of  doing.  It  is  a  sad  commen- 
tary of  intelligent  Christians  in  our  ad- 
vanced civilization  to  continually  fight  over 
words  to  feel  self-righteous.  We  all  fall 
short  of  God's  plan,  but  He  forgives.  He 
seeks  that  we  turn  to  Him  and  worship 
Him,  not  worship  the  Bible. 

The  Bible  is  our  guide  and  inspiration 
and  God  speaks  to  us  through  His  word. 
God  also  has  created  a  diverse  kingdom  of 
many  species  of  animals  and  races  of 
people.  Can  we  so  easily  condemn  variety 
in  sexual  preference?  We  are  not  the  cre- 
ator. And  who  would  choose  a  lifestyle  of 
ridicule  and  shame  as  some  say  about  gay 
people  "choosing"  their  lifestyle?  ... 

Again,  I  challenge  the  church  to  act  like 
God's  people.  Those  of  us  who  are  gay  are 
silenced  and  sad.  We  feel  shunned  and 
often  alone  to  speak  out.  We  need  those 
who  can  see  God's  light  in  the  world  to  be 
God's  light  and  to  be  modem  day  proph- 
ets. We  are  called  to  proclaim  God's  love, 
not  man's  hate.  All  people  deserve  God's 
love  and  acceptance. 

Sherry  Hope 
Baltimore,  Md. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names  will 
be  withheld  on  request),  should  be  no 
longer  than  250  words,  and  are  sub- 
ject to  editing  for  style,  clarity,  and 
length.  Address  letters  to:  Editor, 
Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  P.O.  Box 
27026.  Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Calabash  Church's  new  building 

Retirees  make  strong  congregation 

ing  the  sermon.  "It  made  a  tremendous 
noise,  like  a  growl  and  a  hiss."  The 
noise  problem  was  solved  thusly:  her 
husband,  Jack,  joined  the  VFW  post 
and,  as  his  guests,  the  church  mem- 
bers were  able  to  make  coffee  in  the 
VFW  kitchen. 

Ruth  Cheney  remembered  the  large 
electronic  bingo  board  on  the  wall  the 
congregation  faced.  "During  Advent 
one  year  the  bingo  board  was  covered 
with  blue  burlap,  and  on  each  Sunday 
morning  silhouettes  of  various  events 
were  added  to  the  background:  Mary 
and  the  Angel,  the  road  to  Bethlehem 
with  the  town  outlined,  shepherds,  the 
manger  scene  and  so  on." 

The  congregation  was  officially  or- 
ganized as  a  new  church  development 
by  Coastal  Carolina  Presbjdiery  on  Feb . 
25,  1990.  The  following  September, 
Womack  was  called  to  be  Calabash's 
pastor. 

Coming  from  First  Church  of  Ham- 
let, N.C,  Womack  found  his  new  con- 
gregation still  meeting  in  the  VFW 
hall  and  the  church  office  behind  a 
nearby  barbershop.  There  were  plans, 
however,  to  construct  a  church. 

In  May  1991  the  congregation  pur- 
chased land  and  approved  building 
plans.  The  church  initially  wanted 
three  acres,  but  presbytery  officials 
suggested  adding  two  more,  a  "great 
gift  of  wisdom,"  said  Womack. 

Calabash  Church  may  grow  to  a 
membership  of  500  persons,  he  ex- 
plained, and  the  extra  room  will  be 
needed. 

Ground  was  broken  on  June  16, 
1991,  and  the  congregation  first  wor- 
shiped in  its  own  church  building  the 
following  Nov.  24.  A  second  phase, 
including  classrooms  and  a  library, 
was  completed  in  July  1993. 

Calabash's  first  building  cost  only 
$225,000.  Members  assisted  with  con- 
struction and  production  of  the  pulpit 
continued  on  page  4 


continued  from  page  1 
who  liked  the  warmer  climate,  lower 
cost  of  living,  and  the  local  recreational 
opportunities. 

For  many  years  the  Baptists  had 
the  only  church  in  Calabash.  As  often 
happens,  the  "natives"  did  not  openly 
accept  the  "newcomers,"  and  the  way 
was  open  for  other  denominations  to 
start  churches.  The  Methodists  were 
first  and  took  in  many  of  the  younger 
families,  according  to  Womack. 

Wilmington  Presbytery  decided  to 
try  and  organize  a  church  in  Calabash. 
In  the  fall  of  1987,  the  Rev.  Frank  A. 
Elliott  was  asked  to  spend  one  day  a 
week  in  the  area  trying  to  build  inter- 
est in  a  new  congregation. 

Up  to  that  time,  Presb3rterians  mov- 
ing to  the  community  had  the  choice  of 
attending  the  Shallotte  Church  about 
20  miles  to  the  north  or  the  North 
Myrtle  Beach  Church  about  seven 
miles  below  the  state  line. 

Through  the  door-to-door  work  of 
Elliott  and  others,  a  small  group  was 
organized.  It  drew  up  a  mission  objec- 
tive and  rented  meeting  space  in  the 
new  Calabash  VFW  building  starting 
in  July  1988.  The  Presbyterians — num- 
bering about  26 — held  their  services 
early  so  they  would  be  out  of  the  hall  by 
11:30  a.m.  That's  when  the  VFW  mem- 
bers opened  up  their  bar. 

A  9:30  a.m.  worship  hour  has  re- 
mained a  part  of  the  Calabash  Church 
routine.  Womack  said  most  members 
like  it  because  it  leaves  more  of  their 
day  available  for  other  pursuits. 

Conducting  services  at  the  VFW 
building  restricted  the  church's  growth 
to  about  50  members,  but  the  veterans 
of  those  three  years  recall  with  a  smile 
the  conditions  under  which  they 
started. 

Julia  Thomas,  co-chair  of  the  recent 
celebration,  recalled  how  the  large, 
donated  coffee  maker  at  the  rear  of  the 
meeting  room  always  made  noise  dur- 


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Union  Hieoloeical  Seminaiy 

^  IN  VIRGINIA  ^ 


Union 
Seminary 
Board  Elects 
New  Chairman, 
Trustees 


The  Board  of  Trustees  of  Union  Theological  Seminary 
in  Virginia  has  elected  William  A.  White,  Jr.,  of  Charlotte, 
North  Carolina,  to  serve  as  chairman  of  the  board.  Mr. 
White  fills  the  position  vacated  by  the  January  1995 
retirement  of  the  former  chairman,  Samuel  R.  Spencer,  Jr., 
of  Davidson,  North  Carolina.  Nancy  H.  Gottwald  of 
Richmond  and  Manmaduke  G.  Bayne  of  Irvington,  Virginia, 
will  serve  as  vice  chairs  of  the  board.  Other  members  of 
the  board's  executive  committee  are  W.  Terry  Young  of 
Charlotte  and  Vero  Beach,  Florida;  William  W.  Berry  and 
W.  Taylor  Reveley  III  of  Richmond;  the  Reverend  Ernest  T. 
Thompson,  Jr.,  of  Huntington,  West  Virginia;  and  Anne  E. 
Treicliler  of  Williamsburg,  Virginia. 

New  trustees  beginning  terms  of  service  are  Barbara 
B.  Lemon  of  Roanoke,  Virginia;  William  T.  Thompson  III 
of  Richmond,  Virginia;  James  D.  Baskin,  Austin,  Texas; 
William  A.  Coley,  Chariotte,  North  Carolina;  Arnold  B. 


..  White,  p 


of  the  Board  of  Trustees 


McKinnon,  Norfolk,  Virginia,  and  H.  Thompson  Smith, 
Tyler,  Texas. 

Eight  trustees  have  been  re-elected  to  membership  on 
the  board.  They  are  R.  Scott  Woodmansee,  High  Point, 
North  Carolina;  Robert  L.  Avinger,  Jr.,  Davidson,  North 
Carolina;  John  A.  Brabson,  Tampa,  Florida;  H.  Edwin 
Pickard,  Raleigh,  North  Carolina;  WQliam  R.  Klein, 
Roanoke,  Virginia;  Nancy  H.  Gottwald  and  W.  Taylor 
Reveley  III,  Richmond,  Virginia;  and  William  M. 
Thompson,  Jr.,  of  Charlottesville. 


Mindy  Douglas  Adams  Receives 
Stair  Fellowship 


Mindy  Douglas  Adams,  a  member  of  Townsville 
(South  Carolina)  Presbyterian  Church,  has  been  selected 
by  the  faculty  to  receive  the  Martha  O.  and  Fred  R.  Stair, 
Jr.,  Fellowship.  Ms.  Adams  is  a  native  of  Pickens,  South 
Carolina,  and  a  graduate  of  Erskine  College.  She  will 
receive  the  Master  of  Divinity  degree  from  Union  in 
May  1995.  During  the  1993-94  academic  year,  she  and 
her  husband,  Scott,  who  is  also  a  student  at  Union, 
served  as  assistant  pastors  in  the  Old  Parish  Church  of 
East  Kilbride,  Scotland.  Her  mother,  Minnie  Sue 


Douglas,  is  pastor  of 
Townsville  Presbyterian 
Church. 

The  Stair  fellowship 
was  established  in  1981 
by  friends  of  Dr.  and        Martha  and  Fred  Stair 
Mrs.  Stair,  who  is  known 

to  many  as  "Junie."  Dr.  Stair  served  as  Union's  president 
from  1967-1981.  The  Stairs  live  in  Charlotte  and  are 
active  in  First  Presbyterian  Church. 


Union  Seminary 

Announces 

Partnership  with 

Presbyterian  Church 

Business 

Administrators 

Association 

Union  Theological  Seminary  has  announced  a 
partnership  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  Business 
Administrators  Association  (PCBAA).  Under  terms  of  the 
agreement  the  seminary  will  provide  office  space  for 
administative  support  for 
PCBAA.  Sandra  Petree,  j 
the  seminary's  associate 
for  professional  develop- 
ment, will  serve  in  a 
part-time  capacity  as 
administrator  for  the 
PCBAA  office. 

Ms.  Petree,  who  is  a 
certified  church  business 
administrator,  has  a  long 
association  with  PCBAA. 
She  has  served  for  the 
last  seven  years  as  direc- 
tor of  Union  Seminary's 
certification  program  in 
church  business  admin- 
istration. Union  is  one  of 
five  certification  centers 
in  the  United  States 
which  are  operated 
under  the  auspices  of 
the  National  Association 
of  Church  Business 
Administrators.  While 
Union's  CBA  program  is 
ecumenical  in  scope,  it     Sandra  Petree 
is  the  only  certification 
program  that  offers 
Presbyterian  polity. 


"Friends"  Golden  Jubilee  Set  for  April  29 


On  Saturday,  April  29,  1995,  Union  Seminary  will 
celebrate  the  50th  anniversary  of  Friends  of  the 
Seminary.  With  fellowship  and  a  commemorative 
luncheon,  the  campus  event  honors  the  Friends' 
numerous  contributions  to  the  seminary.  The  program 
also  includes  seminars,  led  by  UTS  faculty,  students, 
and  administrators,  who  will  address  important  issues 
facing  churches  today. 

Friends  of  the  Seminary  was  begun  in  1945  by  ten 
women  from  the  synods  of  the  Virginias  and  North 
Carolina.  They  came  to  campus  and  met  with  President 
Ben  Lacy  to  find  ways  to  seek  support  from  individuals 
and  churches  for  the  seminary's  students  and  the 
school's  work  of  preparing  leaders  for  the  church.  At 
that  historic  gathering,  they  named  themselves  "Friends 
of  the  Seminary "  and  decided  to  raise  funds  to  provide 
financial  assistance,  through  what  is  now  called  Friends 
Fellowships,  for  first-level  students. 

Now,  a  half-centui7  later,  the  work  of  the  Friends 
of  the  Seminary  continues,  with  a  greatly  increased 
membership  which  now  includes  men.  First-level 
students  still  receive  Friends  Fellowships.  They  and 
other  students  live  in  residence  halls  and  apartments 
that  Friends  helped  furnish.  And  they  study  in  the 
library's  Friends  Reading  Room  using  books  the  Friends 
helped  purchase. 


PAID  FOR  BY  FRIENDS  AND  SUPPORTERS  OF  UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SI 


Union  Seminary  cordially  invites  its  many  friends, 
both  old  and  new,  to  be  a  part  of  this  special  event. 
Contact  Peggie  Atkins,  UTS  Associate  for  Stewardship, 
at  (804)  278-4321,  or  toll-free  at  (800)  229-2990,  for 
information  about  the  Friends  of  the  Seminar^'  Golden 
Jubilee. 


testing  the  Watei^ 

A  Weekend  for  Theological  Inquiry 
March  23-26,  1995 

If  \  <)U  are  considering  the  ministry-  and 
uoLild  like  to  lie  part  of  this  weekend, 
please  contact  Carol  Ann  Moore  Harris, 
Director  of  .\dmi,ssions,  at  (804)  278-4222 
or  (800)  229-2990. 


Page  4,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1995 

Third  candidate  enters  GA  moderator  race 


PHOENIX,  Ariz.— Grand  Can- 
yon Presbytery  unanimously 
made  the  Rev.  Thomas  A. 
Erickson  the  third  announced 
candidate  for  moderator  of  the 
207th  General  Assembly 
(1995)  when  it  endorsed  the 
pastor  of  Valley  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Scottsdale  at  its  Jan. 
17  meeting. 

Erickson  joins  the  Rev.  Ri- 
chard J.  Milford  of  Detroit 
Presbytery  and  Marj  Carpen- 
ter of  Tres  Rios  Presbji;ery  in 
the  race  for  the  Presbyterian 
Church's  highest  elected  of- 
fice. Commissioners  to  the 


207th  General  Assembly  will 
elect  their  moderator  July  16 
in  Cincinnati. 

Erickson,  60,  has  been  at 
the  Valley  Church  since  1986. 
Prior  to  that  he  served  pastor- 
ates in  San  Diego;  Tacoma, 
Wash.;  Spokane,  Wash.;  Los 
Angeles;  and  Boston. 

Erickson  has  twice  before 
served  as  a  commissioner  to 
the  General  Assembly.  From 
1989  to  1991  he  chaired  the 
Assembly's  Task  Force  on 
Church  Membership  Growth. 
He  has  also  served  the  Assem- 
bly as  a  volunteer  committee 


assistant. 

Erickson  is  currently  a 
trustee  of  Presbyterian  Bor- 
der Ministry  and  San  Fran- 
cisco Theological  Seminary, 
where  he  received  a  D.Min.  in 
1981.  He  is  also  on  the  alumni/ 
ae  council  of  Princeton  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  where  he 
earned  a  Th.M.  in  1961.  He  is 
a  1960  graduate  of  Fuller  Theo- 
logical Seminary. 

Erickson  and  his  wife, 
Carol,  are  parents  of  three 
daughters  and  have  four 
grandchildren. 

—PC(USA)  News  Service 


Raines  to  lead  Montreat  spirituality  conference 


MONTREAT,  N.C.— Robert  A. 
Raines,  former  director  of 
Kirkridge  Retreat  and  Study 
Center,  will  lead  participants 
in  Montreat  Conference 
Center's  Spirituality  Confer- 
ence, April  23-27. 

The  week  of  study,  reflec- 


Mother's  Day 
reminder 

Churches  are  reminded 
to  return  to  the  synod 
office  their  response 
cards  regarding  partici- 
pation in  the  annual 
Mother's  Day  Offering. 

For  information  re- 
garding the  offering,  call 
Associate  for  Older  Adult 
Ministries  Jan  McGil- 
hard  at  (703)  552-0948. 


tion,  conversation  and  worship 
is  designed  to  deepen  partici- 
pants' faith  journeys.  Focus- 
ing on  the  theme,  Taste  and 
See  That  the  Lord  Is  Good, 
from  Psalm  34:8,  the  event 
will  help  conferees  share  their 
experiences  with  others  who 
have  the  same  goal  of  an  en- 
riched spiritual  life. 

Raines  is  the  author  of  12 


books,  including  New  Life  in 
the  Church  and  Creative 
Brooding.  He  is  also  general 
editor  of  the  Journeys  of  Faith 
series. 

For  registrations  received 
before  March  9  the  program 
fee  is  $100  per  person.  After 
that  date  it  is  $115. 

For  more  details  call  (800) 
572-2257,  ext.  336. 


Weeks  will  address  men's  rally 


RICHMOND,  Va.— A  men's 
group  at  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Virginia,  with  the 
support  of  the  Presbyterian 
Men's  Council  of  the  Synod, 
will  host  a  rally  April  7-8  at 
the  seminary. 

"Men  in  Motion"  will  be  the 
rally  theme  and  UTS  Presi- 
dent Dr.  Louis  Weeks  will  be 
one  of  the  keynote  speakers. 
All  men  in  the  synod  are  in- 


vited to  participate. 

A  $10  fee  will  cover  the  cost 
of  one  meal  and  refreshments. 
Participants  will  need  to  make 
their  own  lodging  arrange- 
ments. 

Information  on  the  rally  will 
be  mailed  to  all  churches.  In- 
terested persons  may  also 
phone  Dale  Rawlings,  presi- 
dent of  the  men's  council,  at 
(804)  353-0278. 


Our  Conf( 


onterences 


-4- 

Views  As  Well  As 


^ur  Horizons. 


rfor 


ariety 


r  yourself  wky  so  many  people  come  tack  to  Montreat  year  after  year  We  ki 
rences  for  all  ages  and  interests.  Plus,  we're  in  tke  spectacular  setting  of  tke  Blue  Ridge 
■  more  information  or  a  krockure  on  our  1995  conferences,  ^-^-^ 

and  facikties,caO  us  at  1-800-572-2257  or  write  Montreat     (,J^^      ^  ^ONTREAT 


Center,  Dept.  MP,  PO  Box  969,  Montreat,  NC  28757. 


Thousands  of  vacationers  have  attended  worship 
services  on  Sunset  Beach  sponsored  by  Calabash  Church 

Beach  ministry  a  success 


continued  from  page  2 
and  other  furniture. 

And  just  in  case  members 
have  any  concerns  about  the 
new  building,  they  don't  have 
to  look  far  for  answers.  The 
building  contractor,  Darius 
Lewellyn,  and  his  familyjoined 
the  congregation. 

Even  before  ground  was 
broken  for  its  first  building, 
the  congregation  was  actively 
ministering  to  its  community. 

In  January  1991  the  church 
sought  and  received  permis- 
sion from  nearby  Sunset  Beach 
to  sponsor  Easter  and  sum- 
mer Sunday  worship  services 
on  the  beach. 

The  Rev.  Dan  Norman,  who 
had  been  conducting  similar 
services  for  summer  residents 
up  the  coast  at  Ocean  Isle, 
provided  advice.  A  sound  sys- 
tem was  rented  and  set  up 
next  to  the  fishing  pier  on  a 


Wanted-Choir  Robes 

Small  Presbyterian  Church  wouldlike  to 
buy  12  good,  used,  adult-sized  choir 
robes  in  traditional  style  and  color.  Phone 
(804)293-2518. 

Scotland-Edinburgh  Festival 

Visit  lona,  Mull,  Oban,  Skye,  the  High- 
lands, Glasgow,  Loch  Lomand,  Loch 
Ness,  St.  Andrews,  Aberdeen,  and 
Edinburgh  where  the  focus  of  the  trip  will 
be  the  famous  Edinburgh  International 
Festival.  Dates  Aug.  19  to  Sept.  2.  For 
detailed  information  contactthe  Rev.  Fred 
Griffie,310CloverSt.,  Harlan,  KY  40831, 
phone  (606)  573-9771. 


cold  Easter  morning.  Deter- 
mined to  have  a  service  even  if 
only  a  handful  attended,  orga- 
nizers were  amazed  when  al- 
most 300  worshippers  gath- 
ered for  that  initial  service. 

The  beach  ministry  has 
grown  steadily.  Last  year  more 
than  1,400  attended  the  Eas- 
ter service  and  there  were 
5,220  worshipers  total  for  the 
summer.  Offerings  are  not 
taken  during  the  nondenomi- 
national  services,  but  more 
than  $3,000  was  donated  by 
worshippers  during  1994.  That 
money  is  used  for  unbudgeted 
mission  work  like  Habitat  for 
Humanity. 

A  drawback  to  leading  the 
beach  service  has  been  return- 
ing to  Calabash  in  time  for  the 
9:30  a.m.  worship  service. 
There's  only  one  lift  bridge 
between  Sunset  Beach  and  the 
mainland,  and  it  operates  on  a 
very  strict  schedule. 

One  Sunday  the  bridge 
broke  down  and  Womack 
"hitched  a  ride"  in  a 
fisherman's  boat  to  get  back  to 
Calabash. 


FREE  ESTIMjV:TEs 


A&H 
STAINED 


Join  lis  at  an  important  Presbyterian  event.. 


PEACEMAKING  JUBILEE 

August  12-16, 1995 

Hofstra  University  (near  New  York  City) 

■Hear  presenters  like  Mairead 
Corrigan  Maguire,  recipient  of  the 
1976  Nobel  Peace  Prize,  and  co- 
founder  of  the  Community  of  Peace 
People,  Northern  Ireland. 

■Experience  the  United  Nations  in 
New  York  City  on  its  50th  anniver- 
sary. 

■Attend  "Broadway  Sings  for  a  Just 
Peace,"  a  benefit  for  UNICEF  featuring 
performers  from  Broadway,  and  a 
Korean  Jubilee  Celebration. 

■Participate  in  special  programs  for  children,  younger  youth  and 
older  youth. 

■Learn  through  workshops,  in-depth  courses  offered  by  institu- 
tions and  experiential  offerings. 


Registration  Deadline— June  1, 1995 

ution  Mcinngement  Services  (800-524-2612)  for 
re.  Specify  DMS  259-93-949. 


Sponsored  by  the 
Presbyterian  Peacemaking  Program 
Congregational  Ministries  Division  •  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 


Mairead  Corrigan  Maguire 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1995,  Page  5 


Campus  Notes 


Davies  to  deliver  McNair  Lecture 

CHAPEL  HILL,  N.C. — Paul  Davies,  professor  of  mathematical 
physics  at  the  University  of  Adelaide  in  Australia,  will  deliver 
the  annual  John  Calvin  McNair  Lecture  at  8  p.m.  on  April  10 
in  Carroll  Hall  on  the  University  of  North  Carolina  campus 
here.  Davies,  the  author  of  The  Mind  of  God  and  God  and  the 
New  Physics,  will  lecture  on  the  topic  "Creation  and  Time." 

The  McNair  Lectures  are  funded  by  a  bequest  by  John  Calvin 
McNair,  an  1849  UNC  graduate  and  theology  student  who  died 
suddenly  while  furthering  his  studies  in  Scotland.  His  will 
provided  for  the  lectures  "to  show  the  mutual  bearing  of  science 
and  theology  upon  each  other  and  to  prove  the  existence  and 
attributes  (as  far  as  may  be)  of  God  from  Nature." 

Scottish  Heritage  event  is  Marcli  17-18 

LAURINBURG,  N.C— The  sixth  Scottish  Heritage  Sympo- 
sium will  be  held  March  17-18  at  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian 
College.  Featured  speakers  will  include  David  Clarke,  head  of 
exhibitions  of  the  Museum  of  Scotland  project;  Margaret 
Hoffmann,  a  leading  teacher  and  author  in  the  field  of  North 
Carolina  genealogy;  Helen  Leary,  editor  of  North  Carolina 
Research;  Allan  Macinnes,  head  of  the  department  of  history 
and  economic  history  at  the  University  of  Aberdeen;  Ross 
MacKenzie,  property  manager  for  the  Culloden  Battlefield  site 
in  Scotland;  and  Michael  Spearman,  curator  of  the  early 
history  collections  of  the  National  Museums  of  Scotland. 

The  event  begins  with  registration  at  1  p.m.  Friday,  March 
17  and  concludes  with  a  panel  discussion  at  3:15  p.m.  Saturday, 
March  18.  The  fee  for  the  symposium  is  $99. 

The  fifth  annual  St.  Andrews  Scottish  Heritage  Awards 
Banquet  will  follow  at  6  p.m.  Saturday.  Tickets  for  the  banquet 
are  $25  per  person.  For  more  information  phone  (800)  767-9111 
or  (919)  328-6143  if  calling  from  the  Laurinburg  area. 

Seminary  elects  new  chairman 

RICHMOND,  Va.— Wilham  A.  White  Jr.  of  Charlotte,  N.C,  has 
been  elected  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  Virginia.  He  fills  the  position  vacated  by  the 
retirement  in  January  of  Chairman  Samuel  R.  Spencer  Jr.  of 
Davidson,  N.C.  (see  page  3  for  more  information) 

Brashler  named  PSCE  faculty  dean 

RICHMOND,  Va. — James  A.  Brashler  has  been  named  dean  of 
the  faculty  at  the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education 
in  Richmond,  Va.,  effective  July  1.  Brashler,  who  holds  a  Ph.D. 
from  Claremont  Graduate  School  in  California,  is  currently 
dean  of  the  Ecumenical  Institute  at  St.  Mary's  Seminary  and 
University  in  Baltimore.  He  is  an  ordained  elder  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A. )  and  has  served  on  Baltimore  Presbytery's 
committee  on  preparation  for  ministry  and  as  the  presbyter^s 
representative  on  the  PC(USA)  Theological  Education  Fund. 


Mel  White  to  keynote  symposium 


ASHEVILLE,  N.C— Mel 
White  will  be  the  keynote 
speaker  for  a  March  26  S3Tn- 
posium  sponsored  by  the 
Asheville  Religious  Network 
for  Gay  and  Lesbian  Equality 
(ARNGLE).  The  symposium, 
to  be  held  at  Grace  Covenant 
Church,  starts  at  2  p.m.  and 
concludes  at  8  p.m. 

White,  an  evangelical  Chris- 
tian, is  dean  of  the  Cathedral 
of  Hope  Metropolitan  Commu- 


= PEW  CUSHIONS  = 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128.  LYNCHBURG,  VA  24502 

^  1-800-572-2283  = 


nity  Church  in  Dallas,  Texas, 
the  largest  lesbian  and  gay 
congregation  in  the  world.  His 
experiences  of  being  a  gay 
Christian  in  America  are 
chronicled  in  his  book. 
Stranger  at  the  Gate. 

ARNGLE  chair  Henry 
Hansen,  said  White  was  in- 
vited to  speak  in  the  hope  that 
there  would  be  dialogue  about 
the  need  for  full  inclusion  of 
gay  people  in  church. 


REFINISHINC 


A  Summer  Scottish  Tour  For 
Presbyterians  &  Friends 

July  10-20,  1995 

Two  days  in  London  and  eight  in  Scotland  led  by 
former  pastor  of  Scotland,  Stuart  McWilliam. 
Departs  from  Raleight-Durham.  Cost  $2,495.00 
per  person.  For  complete  details  and  free 
brochures,  call  Titchener  Travel  of  Dunn.  N.C, 
at  1  (800)  776-9891  ' 


Women's  gathering  to  feature  Carpenter 


up  to  500  Presbyterian  Women 
are  expected  for  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic  Summer 
Gathering  June  8- 1 1  at  Massa- 
netta  Springs  Conference  Cen- 
ter near  Harrisonburg,  Va. 

The  theme  will  be  Glimpses 
of  Home:  Biblical  Images  of 
the  Realm  of  God. 

Former  PC(USA)  news  ser- 
vice manager  and  mission  in- 
terpreter Marj  Carpenter  will 
be  the  keynote  speaker.  Car- 
penter is  a  candidate  for  mod- 
erator of  the  upcoming  Gen- 
eral Assembly. 

Well  known  educator  and 


Carpenter 


former 
General  As- 
s  e  m  b  1  y 
moderator 
Isabel 
Rogers  will 
be  the  Bible 
study 
leader. 

Frances 
Cowan  will 
direct  the 
music  and  LaDonna  McCarter 
will  play  the  piano.  Carol  T. 
"Pinky"  Bender  will  lead  early 
morning  devotions. 

Workshops  will  include  con- 


flict resolution,  the  Gospels, 
Presbyterian  Women  modera- 
tors, and  other  topics  of  inter- 
est. Participants  will  also  be 
involved  in  devotions,  Bible 
study,  singing,  games,  and  a 
tea. 

A  visionary  banner  proces- 
sion will  start  the  Gathering 
on  Thursday,  June  8.  It  con- 
cludes Sunday,  June  11,  after 
a  10:30  a.m  worship  services 
and  lunch  at  11:30  a.m. 

Registration  brochures  will 
be  available  from  presbytery 
PW  moderators  and  enablers 
in  March. 


Carl  to  keynote  72nd  Bible  Conference 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— Dr. 
William  J.  Carl,  pastor  of  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Dal- 
las, Texas,  will  be  the  Bible 
teacher  for  the  72nd  Annual 
Bible  Conference,  July  30- 
Aug.  5  at  Massanetta  Springs 
Conference  Center. 

The  conference  begins  on 
Sunday  evening  with  Dr. 
Samuel  Dewitt  Proctor  preach- 
ing. 

Daily  morning  worship  will 
be  conducted  by  the  Rev. 
Deborah  Ann  McKinley.  The 


Bible  Hour  will  follow  the 
morning  worship. 

Preaching  services  each 
morning  and  evening  will  be 
led  by  Dr.  Linda  Bridges,  Dr. 
Ernest  T.  Campbell,  Dr.  Rob- 
ert Hock,  the  Rev.  Jacqueline 
T.  Rucker,  Dr.  Jerold  Shetler 
and  Dr.  Louis  Weeks. 

Dr.  John  Guthmiller,  direc- 
tor of  choral  activities  at  Vir- 
ginia Commonwealth  Univer- 
sity and  director  of  music  at 
Second  Presb5^erian  Church 
in  Richmond,  will  lead  the 


adult  choir  section  of  the 
Church  Music  Workshop 
which  is  held  concurrently 
with  the  Bible  Conference. 

Educational  and  recreation 
activities  for  children  of  all 
ages  make  the  Bible  Confer- 
ence an  exceptional  experience 
for  families  as  well  as  for 
church  professionals. 

Registration  materials  are 
available  from  Massanetta 
Springs  Conference  Center, 
P.O.  Box  1286,  Harrisonburg, 
VA  22801. 


PC(USA)  history  conferences  scheduled 


The  Department  of  History 
and  the  Presbyterian  Histori- 
cal Society  are  offering  two 
educational  opportunities  for 
persons  interested  in  history. 

The  Department  of  History 
in  Montreat,  N.C.  will  hold 
the  17th  annual  Seminar  on 
Local  Church  History  during 
April  25-28.  This  four-day 


seminar  is  designed  for  con- 
gregational historians  writing 
a  church  history  for  publica- 
tion, anniversary  celebration 
committees,  and  Presbyterian 
Women  historians  in  the  con- 
gregation, presbytery  and 
synod. 

Other  workshops  will  in- 
clude establishing  a  church 


N.C.  pastor's  widow  dies  at  age  93 


CLINTON,  S.C.— Janie  Mar- 
tin Taylor,  93,  the  widow  of 
Presbyterian  minister  Arthur 
T.  Taylor,  died  here  Dec.  19, 
1994,  at  the  Presbyterian 
Home.  Burial  was  at  Fairview 
(S.C.)  Presbyterian  Church 
Cemetery. 

From  1929  to  1964  the 
Taylors  served  the  Marks 
Creek,  Marston,  Rourk  and 


McLean  churches  in  Robeson 
County,  N.C.  After  her 
husband's  death,  Mrs.  Taylor 
continued  as  pianist  and 
worked  in  women's  and  youth 
ministry  at  the  McLean  and 
Rourk  churches.  Memorials 
may  be  made  to  the  A.  T.  Tay- 
lor Scholarship  Fund,  Marks 
Creek  Presbyterian  Church, 
Hamlet,  NO  28345. 


archives,  disaster  prepared- 
ness, and  oral  history.  The 
guest  historian  for  the  semi- 
nar will  be  Elizabeth 
Nybakken,  associate  professor 
of  history  at  Mississippi  State 
University  and  a  vice-chair  of 
the  executive  committee  of  the 
Presbyterian  Historical  Soci- 
ety. 

For  more  information  call 
(704)  669-7061. 

Princeton  Theological  Semi- 
nary will  be  the  setting  for  the 
1995  Historians'  Conference 
on  July  26-29.  In  addition  to 
workshops,  conference  partici- 
pants will  tour  local  colonial 
Presb3d;erian  historical  sites, 
including  the  seminary,  one  of 
the  oldest  schools  in  America. 

For  more  information,  con- 
tact Kerry  J.  Norce,  Depart- 
ment of  History,  phone  ''215) 
627-1852. 


At  King's  Grant, 
a  priceless  retirement 
can  be  yours 

^w-.-w.Jbi:aJonff. 


No  wonder  so  many  sing  our  praises. 
One  of  this  country's  most  exceptional 
continuing  care  retirement  communities 
is  also  an  exceptional  value. 

Few  retirement  cottages  or  apartments 
are  as  large  as  King's  Grant's.  While  ours 
are  more  spacious,  they're  also  less  cosdy. 

Value  aside,  King's  Grant  also  offers 
many  other  priceless  benefits  that  money 
just  can't  buy — like  the  peace  of  mind 
associated  with  on-site  nursing  care. 

Call  or  write  today  to  find  out  more. 

V/e  art  pitdged  to  the  letter  and  spirit  of  U.S. . 
11  e  enmurag:  and  support  an  affimatkx  advertising  ani 


Mail  to:  ]  King's  Wav  Road.  Martinsville,  VA24I12-66I0 


King's  Grant  ^ 

A  Sunnyside  Retirement  Community 

A  PreshyltTian  Minislry  sma  1912 

(703)634-1000  .  800-462-4649 


■X,  handicapjamilial  status  or  national  ori§n. 


Page  e,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1995 


^♦|tt  Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

4^|AM  This  page  is  sponsored  by  Banum  Spriiigs  HoiTie  for  Children 

1 1  An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

■  Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


)NACa(EaTATK>J 


Glasses  donated  with  love 


What  a  treat!  Seven  of  our 
young  people  were  given  free 
eye  exams,  glasses  and  more. 
Lenscrafters  annually  con- 
ducts "Home  Town  Days"  in 
580  locations  across  the  coun- 
try. Their  "gift  of  sight"  pro- 
gram has  touched  the  lives  of 
thousands  throughout  the 
world. 

This  is  obviously  a  signifi- 
cant corporate  contribution  to 
people  in  need.  We  have  the 
highest  praise  for  this 
company's  desire  to  make  a 
difference  in  the  world. 

Our  young  people  received 
so  much  more  than  new 
glasses.  The  spirit  of  the  staff 
at  Lenscrafters'  South  Park 
office  in  Charlotte  was  a  joy. 
The  caring  interpretations  of 
exam  results  to  concerned 
youth  by  Dr.  Spicoal  was  heart 
warming.  Melody's  enthusias- 


Rachel  shows  off  the  new 
glasses  she  received  free 
from  Lenscrafters. 

tic  tours  of  the  process  to  make 
each  child's  glasses  was  greatly 
appreciated,  educational  and 
fun.  Michael  and  Fran's  inter- 
est in  the  Home  from  the  be- 
ginning let  us  know  these  folks 
were  special.  All  the  staff  were 


Good  Citizenship  Award 
presented  to  Barium 


Barium  Springs  Home  for 
Children  was  one  of  32  organi- 
zations honored  at  Winn-Dixie 
Charlotte's  10th  Annual  Good 
Citizenship  Award  Luncheon 
held  Dec.  6,  1994. 

Mark  Richardson  of  the 
Carolina  Panthers  was  guest 
speaker  at  the  luncheon  and 
presented  the  Good  Citizen- 
ship Award  and  a  $2,000  check 
to  Reade  Baker,  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  Financial  Resources 
for  the  Home. 

The  awards  are  presented 
to  area  corporations  or  agen- 
cies for  their  outstanding  dedi- 
cation and  commitment  to 
their  communities.  The  Davis 
Family,  Winn-Dixie's  found- 
ers, established  the  Good  Citi- 
zenship Awards  11  years  ago 
in  an  effort  to  recognize  the 
often  unheralded  efforts  of 
those  who  give  so  much  to  our 
young  people  and  to  the  com- 
munity at  large. 

In  addition  to  addressing 
the  1994  Good  Citizenship 


Award  recipients  as  the  key- 
note speaker,  Mark 
Richardson  also  received  the 
Company's  1994  Good  Citizen 
of  the  Year  Award.  He  was 
recognized  for  his  community 
involvement  by  B.  B.  Tripp, 
President,  Winn-Dixie  Char- 
lotte. 

"Mark  Richardson's  work  on 
behalf  of  several  civic  organi- 
zations should  inspire  us  to  a 
renewed  sense  of  commitment 
to  our  communities,"  said 
Tripp. 

Winn-Dixie  Stores,  Inc.,  is 
one  of  the  nation's  largest  su- 
permarket retailers,  with  over 
1,140  stores  throughout  13 
southeastern  and  southwest- 
ern states.  Winn-Dixie  Char- 
lotte operates  99  stores  in 
North  Carolina,  South  Caro- 
lina and  Tennessee. 


Calling  all  program 
committee  chairs 

Have  we  got  a  deal  for  you? 
In  fact,  we  really  do.  No 
charge...  no  passing  plate 
...  no  hard  sales;  just  an 
informative  program  about 
the  history  of  your  mission 
here  at  Barium  Springs. 

We  have  staff  available 
to  speak  anywhere  with  any 
size  group  about  the  chil- 
dren and  families  here,  the 
services  offered,  where  the 
money  comes  from  and  goes, 
and  answer  questions.  A 
nine  minute  slide  program 
helps  with  the  presentation 
and  can  also  be  sent  by  it- 
self if  you  don't  believe  the 
"no  passing  the  plate"  part 
above. 

Just  call  (704)  872-4157 
to  arrange  a  program,  or  a 
tour  of  campus.  (Be  sure  to 
■('  f'^r  i-ieade  if  you're  serv- 
ing food  at  the  meeting.) 


NEW  GIFT 
WISH  LIST 


15-Passenger  Van 

*  Automobiles 

*  Washing  Machines  (1) 

*  Dryers  (2) 

*  Vacuum  Cleaners  (2) 

*  Twin  Mattresses  (1) 

*  Twin  Box  Springs  (1) 

*  Couches  (2) 

*  Night  Stands  (2) 

*  Large  Book  Case  (1) 

*  Toiletries 

*  Towels  and  Washcloths 

*  Sports  equipment  (balls, 

gloves,  frisbees,  bats,  ping 
pong  paddles,  balls  &  net) 

*  New  Clothes  (girls  &  boys 

10  to  18  years) 

*  Twin  bed  linens  & 

bedspreads 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write: 
Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice  Presi- 
dent, Financial  Resources, 
P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs, 
NC,  28010;  (704)  872-43  57. 


wonderful. 

The  pleasure  these  people 
received  from  giving  was  clear 
and  well  deserved.  We  are  most 
grateful  for  this  company's 
contribution,  but  equally  ap- 
preciative of  what  came  from 
the  heart  of  each  employee. 
Thanks  for  all  your  gifts. 

Once  again  children  here 
are  blessed  by  yet  another  ex- 
ample of  caring  and  sharing. 

Kid  Stuff 

The  children,  staff  and  Board 
of  Regents  would  like  to 
acknowledge  the  items  and 
services  donated  by  the  fol- 
lowing: 
Presbyterian  Women 

at  Star  Church 
Mrs.  Katherine  Hall 

of  Statesville 
Mrs.  Margaret  Gartman 

of  Suffolk,  Va. 
Mrs.  Carrie  B.  DeWitt 

of  Ellerbe 
Mr.  &  Mrs.  T.  E.  Rushforth 

ofLake  Wylie,  S.C. 
Ms.  Edna  K.  Saylor 

of  Lewes,  Del. 
Mrs.  Walta  T.  Bostic 

of  Raeford 
Mr.  David  Stickle 

of  Mooresville 
Presbyterian  Women 

of  Westminster  Church 

in  Whiteville 
Mr.  Erbie  Lee  Sullivan 

of  Pittsboro 
Cherie  and  Flint  Waters 

of  Catawba 
Raeford  Church 
Youth  Group  of  First 

Church,  Statesville 
Riches  and  Roses  Limousine 

Service,  Charlotte 
Mr.  Darryl  Norman 

of  Charlotte 
The  Extra  Ingredient 

in  Greensboro 
Amity  Church  in  Charlotte 
Ms.  Mable  M.  Johnson 

of  Lillington 
Ms.  Janice  Dal  ton 

of  Mooresville 
Lens  Crafters  at  South 

Park  Mall  in  Charlotte 
Huntersville  Oaks,  P.T. 

Department,  Huntersville 
Lettie  Beaty  Circle 

of  Prospect  Church 

in  Mooresville 
Mr.  Leslie  Everett 

of  Monroe 
Gilwood  Church  in  Concord 
First  ARP  Church  in 

Statesville  (Jay  Poole 

and  Friends) 
Lumber  Bridge  Church 

in  Shannon 
Calabash  Church 

in  Sunset  Beach 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Hewitt 

of  Davidson 
Mr.  &  Mrs.  William  V.  Haas 

of  Denver 
Mrs.  Charlotte  Soutullo 

of  Mooresville 
Mrs.  Melissa  Martin 

of  Charlotte 
Mr.  Jim  Irvin  of  Iredell  Co. 
Gary's  Bar-B-Que 

of  Mooresville 
JTS  Financial  Associates 

of  Statesville 


...Or  SO 
it  seems 


Earle  Frazier,  ACSW 
President 

We  have  had  numerous  calls 
and  letters  regarding  the  cur- 
rent debate  about  orphanages. 
I  quote  from  a  letter  from  an 
alumnus: 

"I  have  fond  memories  of 
the  Barium  people  who  raised 
me.  Good  teachers;  good  ma- 
trons; and  many  others  who 
had  to  do  with  my  care.  I  can't 
say  enough  about  Mr. 
Johnston — a  great  man.  I  shall 
forever  remember  the  Barium 
Boys  and  Girls  with  whom  I 


grew  up.  But  yesterday's  or- 
phanages are  not  what  we  need 
today.  It's  a  different  world,  a 
different  time  and  a  different 
environment." 

He  goes  on  to  suggest  that  I 
write  an  article  about  these 
things.  Friend,  with  your  con- 
siderable help,  I  just  did. 
Thanks! 


Center  needs  food  product  labels 


The  L.  C.  Wagner  Family  and 
Child  Development  Center  is 
collecting  labels  and  UPC  sym- 
bols to  participate  in  the  Camp- 
bell's Labels  for  Education 
Program. 

Wagner  Director  Marilyn 
Yakimovich  said  that  parents, 
teachers  and  friends  of  the 
Center  are  trying  to  collect  as 
many  as  10,000  labels  to  be 
redeemed  for  play  equipment. 

Products  (alphabetically) 

Campbell's  Beans 
Campbell's  Chunky  soups 
Campbell's  Condensed  soups 
Campbell's  Double  Noodle 
Campbell's  Healthy  Request 
Campbell's  Home  Cookin'  soup 
Campbell's  Instant  Cups 
Campbell's  Low  Sodium  soups 
Campbell's  Microwave  soups 
Campbell's  Quality  Soup  &  Recipe 
Campbell's  Ramen  Noodle  soup 
Campbell's  Ramen  Noodle  soup 
Campbell's  Simmer  Chef  Sauces 
Campbell's  Spaghetti  Sauces 
Campbell's  Tomato  Juice 
Chefs  Kettle  (Food  Service) 
Early  California  Olives 
Franco-American  Pasta  &  Gravy 
Franco- American  Spaghetti-O's 
Marie's  Dressings,  dips  &  glazes 
Mrs.  Paul's  Frozen  Seafood 
Open  Pit  BBQ  Sauce 
Pepperidge  Farm  Products 
Prego  Spaghetti/Pizza  sauces 
Sanwa  Ramen  Pride  soups 
Sanwa  Ramen  Pride  soups 
Specialty  Kitchens  (Food  Service) 
Swanson  broths 
Swanson  Poultry 
Swanson  Frozen  Food  Products 
V8  100  percent  Vegetable  Juice 
Vlasic  Pickles,  relish,  peppers 
Vlasic  Pickles  to  Go 
Vlasic  Ripe  Olives 
Vlasic  Spanish  Olives 


Anyone  who  would  like  to 
participate  in  this  drive  and 
has  accumulated  any  of  the 
following  labels  or  UPC  sym- 
bols may  send  them  to  the 
attention  of  Kim  Mitcham  at: 
L.C.  Wagner  FCDC,  PO  Box 
209,  Barium  Springs,  NC 
28010-0209. 

The  following  is  a  list  of 
eligible  products  and  the  part 
to  save: 


Package 

What  to  save 

can 

front  label  panel 

can 

front  label  panel 

can 

front  label  panel 

dry  pouch 

back  panel  w/UPC 

can 

front  label  panel 

can 

front  label  panel 

cup 

back  panel  w/UPC 

can 

front  label  panel 

tub 

hd 

carton 

bottom  w/UPC 

block 

front  label  panel 

cup 

back  panel  w/UPC 

can 

front  label  panel 

can 

front  label  panel 

can 

front  label  panel 

can 

front  label  panel 

can 

front  label  panel 

can 

front  label  panel 

front  label  panel 

jar  or  bottle 

lid  or  band  w/UPC 

carton 

UPC  Symbol 

bottle 

logo  area  of  label 

various 

UPC  Symbol 

jar 

front  label  panel 

block 

front  label  panel 

cup 

back  panel  w/UPC 

various 

top  label/lid 

can 

front  label  panel 

can 

front  label  panel 

carton 

UPC  Symbol 

can 

front  label  panel 

jar 

lid  or  logo  area 

packet 

logo  area  of  label 

can 

front  label  panel 

jar 

lid  or  logo  area 

IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


 is  enclosed 

_  Honor   Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


of  (address)  

On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 


ivor  to  deceased:  _ 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  7,  Barium  Springs.  NC  28010 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  '!)9r 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Guide— Lesson  8,  April  1995 

Christ,  the  Basis  of  Community 


New  Resources 


By  EUGENIA  PHILLIPS 

In  much  of  his  teaching  Jesus  called  upon 
people  to  change  their  attitudes,  even  their 
lifestyles,  if  they  were  to  find  the  peace  and 
blessing  which  he  offered  them.  This  lesson  is 
concerned  with  people  who  "want  it  all";  they 
want  to  be  esteemed  and  admired  church  mem- 
bers but  do  not  want  to  subject  themselves  to 
the  difficult  teachings  of  Jesus.  As  we  study 
this  lesson,  we  marvel  that  so  many  church 
members  today  still  have  the  mindset  of  those 
first  Christians  in  Corinth  almost  2,000  years 
ago. 

Do  we  know  the  meaning  of  community? 
The  word  "community"  shares  its  root  with  the 
word  "common."  It's  mean- 
ing is  found  when  we  ask 
ourselves,  "What  does  this 
group  have  in  common?" 
Therefore,  a  community  may 
be  a  group  that  lives  in  the 
same  area,  or  one  that  shares 
a  group  of  buildings,  or,  as 
in  the  church,  a  group  that 
has  the  same  ideals,  aspira- 
tions, and  beliefs.  Our 
churches  are  communities 
of  believers  in  Jesus  Christ, 
believers  who  profess  to  the  Eugenia 
centrality  of  his  life  in  theirs.  Phillips 

All  the  Scripture  passages 
used  in  this  lesson  have  to  do  with  a  familiar 
event,  a  gathering  of  people  to  eat  together. 
The  Old  Testament  passage  (Isaiah  25:1-9)  is 
the  prophet's  inspired  picture  of  a  glorious 
feast  which  will  be  prepared  in  a  heavenly 
Jerusalem  (Zion)  for  the  chosen  community  of 
God.  At  that  time  God  will  also  destroy  the 
"shroud  that  is  cast  over  all  peoples  ... ;  he  will 
swallow  up  death  forever."  It  will  be  a  time  of 
rejoicing  and  celebration  for  those  who  are  of 
the  community  of  believers. 

At  a  dinner  at  the  house  of  a  Pharisee,  Jesus 
also  uses  the  idea  of  a  banquet  to  develop  one 
of  his  principal  teachings  (Luke  14).  We  hope 
that  the  host  was  an  admirer  of  Jesus,  one  who 
encouraged  him  in  his  teaching,  even  though 
we  are  told  that  the  Pharisees  were  watching 
Jesus  closely.  In  any  case,  Jesus  first  instructs 
the  guests  about  how  they  should  behave  in 
gracious  humility  at  a  banquet,  and  then  he 
advises  his  host  about  who  should  be  invited. 
Most  of  us  have  been  to  a  party  at  some  time  or 
other  when  it  seemed  that  many  things  needed 
improving.  Jesus,  finding  himself  in  such  a 
position  and  being  who  he  was,  took  the  oppor- 
tunity to  point  out  the  difference  between  the 
usual,  or  worldly,  way  of  doing  these  things 
and  the  way  that  God,  in  eternal  love  for  each 
person,  would  have  them  done. 

Remember  the  poor,  the  crippled,  the  lame 
and  the  blind,  he  says,  those  who  are  different 
in  any  way,  those  who  have  not  been  made  in 
the  same  mold  as  the  people  around  them. 
Shouldn't  we  have  guessed  that  even  in  an 
affluent  home,  at  a  time  of  privilege  and  a  time 
of  honor,  Jesus  would  still  be  thinking  about 
and  showing  concern  for  the  poor,  the  under- 
privileged and  the  dishonored?  Who  is  the 
Christ?  This  is  who  he  is,  one  for  whom  the 
blind,  crippled,  poor  and  lame  person  is  so 
important  that  he  cannot  stay  quiet  but  must 
point  out  God's  concern  for  them. 

Having  made  clear  that  the  love  of  God 
extends  to  every  person  everywhere,  at  the 
end  of  his  life  Jesus  established  what  we  call 
"The  Lord's  Supper,"  his  supper.  At  this  time 
we  are  to  remember  him  and  his  message,  and 
we  are  also  to  look  forward  to  that  great  cel- 
ebration, first  mentioned  in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, when  all  of  God's  children,  all  those  who 
have  beheved  in  Jesus  and  faithfully  tried  to 
follow  him,  all  shall  come  together  for  a  trium- 
phant celebration  feast  with  Jesus  in  the  King- 
dom of  God. 

Some  in  the  church  at  Corinth  felt  that  the 
Lord's  Supper  gave  them  the  opportunity  to 
prove  their  superiority  to  others.  In  their  church 
there  was  no  unity  of  love,  but  instead  factions 
and  divisions,  jealousy  and  rivalry.  As  a  result 
of  this,  Paul  declared  that  the  Lord's  Supper 
was  being  used  simply  as  a  showplace  for 
selfishness  and  ego  boosting.  Like  their  pagan 
brothers  and  sisters,  they  came  to  the  Com- 
munion supper  in  all  their  humanity,  perhaps 
with  the  phrase  "Let's  party!"  upon  their  lips. 


They  chose  to  put  themselves  in  the  center  of 
the  picture,  and  not  Christ.  Such  an  important 
feast  was  for  important  people,  they  indicated, 
and  only  those  judged  worthy  (by  them)  should 
come.  Paul  is  not  hesitant  to  point  out  that 
those  who  eat  and  drink  in  such  an  unworthy 
manner  are  "eating  and  drinking  judgment 
against  themselves."  (I  Corinthians  11:17-34) 

We  are  quick  to  say  that  nothing  like  this  is 
happening  in  our  church,  that  all  are  invited 
to  participate  in  communion,  and  all  are  wel- 
comed in  the  congregation.  Such  may  be  true. 
But  at  the  time  when  we  plan  programs  for  our 
church,  who  do  we  have  in  mind?  Do  we  plan 
for  the  same  people  "who  are  always  there,"  or 
do  we  consciously  think  about  those  people 
who  may  be  outside  the  church,  hesitant  to 
come  for  one  reason  or  another.  In  the  name  of 
Christ,  do  we  consciously  seek  out  single  people, 
blacks,  Caucasians,  orientals,  mixed  racial- 
ethnic  persons,  divorced  or  handicapped  people 
to  come  to  our  church?  And,  if  they  come,  do  we 
hesitate  to  greet  them  because  we  are  afi-aid 
we  will  "say  the  wrong  thing"?  Should  we  not 
welcome  everyone  with  the  same  words  in  the 
name  of  Jesus? 

Does  our  church  try  to  respond  to  the  legiti- 
mate needs  of  all  persons  without  prejudice? 
And,  since  each  of  us  is  the  church,  no  matter 
where  we  are,  do  we  carry  this  teaching  of 
Jesus  with  us  to  our  work  places  and  our 
neighborhoods,  wherever  we  may  meet  those 
people  who  are  often  treated  as  "different"? 
Can  our  church  become  a  healing  community 
where  the  love  of  Christ  is  greater  than  per- 
sonal differences,  and  no  person  feels  so  impor- 
tant that  he/she  can  judge  any  other  person  by 
their  appearance? 

However  well-meaning  we  may  be,  most  of 
us  are  conditioned  by  our  background,  and 
sometimes  it  is  hard  to  think  and  respond  in  a 
new  way.  But  that  is  what  Jesus  Christ  is 
calling  us  to  do.  We  are  not  to  ponder  it,  not  to 
worry  over  "where  this  will  lead,"  but  simply 
accept  it  as  God's  will  for  the  church,  and  trust 
that  God  knows  much  more  than  we  do.  The 
future  of  Jesus'  own  community,  the  church,  is 
of  vital  importance  to  God,  and  we  humans 
should  not  get  in  God's  way. 

We  today  are  much  like  those  early  Chris- 
tians. We  are  caught  up  in  the  words  of  Jesus, 
and  we  want  the  joy,  blessing  and  salvation 
that  he  offers.  But  then,  as  we  face  putting 
aside  our  own  interests,  reaching  out  to  the 
unknown,  speaking  up  for  what  Christ  teaches 
when  others  will  not,  or  supporting  others  who 
speak  up,  or,  as  we  find  it  hard  to  love  and 
support  the  unlovable,  we  justify  our  actions 
with  "good  causes,"  and  retreat  to  our  familiar 
world,  choosing  to  forget  the  commands  and 
promises  of  Jesus.  If  this  is  what  happens, 
then  we  are  keeping  ourselves  at  the  center  of 
the  picture,  and  we  need  not  wonder  that  we 
do  not  find  the  peace  of  heart  and  mind  that 
the  Christian  is  promised. 

What  is  it  we  learn  from  this  lesson?  As 
adults,  sometimes  we  expect  to  keep  on  learn- 
ing new  facts  as  though  that  would  be  our 
salvation.  What  we  really  learn  as  we  mature 
as  Christians  in  the  faith  are  new  insights 
about  ourselves,  our  own  hangups  and  hesita- 
tions that  are  holding  us  back  from  the  reward- 
ing life  that  Christ  offers  us.  The  people  that 
both  Jesus  and  Paul  were  addressing  were  in 
many  instances  sophisticated  scholars,  yet  they 
had  something  to  learn  about  themselves.  As 
we  meditate  on  this  lesson,  can  we  look  deeply 
within  ourselves,  and  find  areas  of  selfishness 
that  keep  us  apart  from  God? 

Do  we  need  to  recognize  that  too  often  we 
close  our  minds  to  those  people  who  need  to 
know  Jesus  Christ  and  the  teachings  of  his 
church  but  who  may  be  different  fi-om  "our" 
community  of  friends? 

As  we  easily  acknowledge  that  the  basis  for 
community  in  the  church  is  Jesus  Christ,  are 
we  aware  that  what  we  are  saying  demands 
unselfishness  and  self-denial,  a  putting  aside 
of  our  own  ambitions,  self-advancement,  and 
busyness?  Such  an  attitude  is  hard  to  develop 
in  today's  world  of  what's-in-it-for-me  philoso- 
phy. But  we  can  do  it  if  we  simply  "let  go  and 
let  Jesus"  be  the  center  of  our  lives.  "Truly,  I 
tell  you,  just  as  you  did  it  to  one  of  the  least  of 
these  who  are  members  of  my  family,  you  did 
it  to  me."  (NRSV  Matt.  25:40) 


Aging  Me  ...  Aging  You  ... 
The  Journey  of  a  Lifetime! 

This  is  a  32-minute  video  about — guess  what?  AGING!  The 
video  was  produced  by  the  Office  on  Older  Adult  Ministry, 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  and  made  possible  by  gifts  to  the 
Bicentennial  Fund  for  older  adult  ministry.  It  portrays  older 
adults  and  their  special  issues  through  interviews  with  older 
adults,  church  and  community  professionals,  and  lay  leaders 
whose  special  interest  is  older  adult  ministry. 

Aging  Me  ...  Aging  You  ...  The  Journey  of  a  Lifetime!  is 
suitable  for  use  in  a  variety  of  settings  such  as  church  school 
classes,  fellowship  groups,  whole-church  gatherings,  presby- 
tery meetings,  workshops,  educational  events,  retreats,  and 
conferences.  We  hope  you  show  it  everywhere,  discuss  the 
issues  with  passion,  and  wear  out  the  tape! 

A  study  guide  is  also  available.  The  video  is  available  through 
your  presbytery  resource  center,  and  individuals  may  order  by 
calling  Synod's  associate  for  older  older  adult  ministries,  Jan 
Mcgilliard,  at  (703)  552-0948.  She  has  a  supply  of  the  videos 
available  for  $10,  half  the  regular  price  when  ordered  fi-om 
Louisville.  Add  $2.50  for  shipping. 

Other  Resources  on  aging 

Four  new  resources  have  been  produced  through  a  project 
funded  by  the  Administration  on  Aging  called  "The  National 
Clergy  Leadership  Project  to  Prepare  for  an  Aging  Society". 
The  materials  are  up  to  date,  very  practical,  and  written  for 
clergy  and  lay  leaders  who  wish  to  become  informed  and  to 
inform  others  about  issues  of  aging. 

Even  to  Your  Old  Age 

A  13-minute  video  that  focuses  on  changing  attitudes  and 
creating  actions  with  and  on  behalf  of  older  persons.  It  comes 
with  a  Facilitator's  Guide. 

Let  Days  Speak  and  Many  Years  Teach  Wisdom 

A  congregational  leader's  manual  that  provides  guidelines 
for  planning  and  programming  to  assist  in  the  education  and 
awareness  of  your  congregation  to  understand  its  older  mem- 
bers and  the  process  of  aging. 

Incline  Your  Ear  and  Apply  Your  Mind  to  Knowledge 

A  congregational  resource  book  filled  with  examples  of  psalms, 
hymns,  liturgies,  prayers,  and  services  that  may  be  duplicated, 
replicated,  or  adapted  to  a  variety  of  religious  settings.  Part 
Two  of  this  book  highlights  community  resources  "most  asked 
for"  by  older  adults. 

Can  We  Uplift  the  Spirit  as  the  Body  Slows  Down 

A  collection  of  21  articles  about  the  positive  aspects  of  religion 
and  aging  written  by  authors  from  many  faiths  (some  of  whom 
you  will  recognize).  The  articles  can  be  reproduced  in  whole  or 
in  excerpts  in  any  noncommercial  publication.  The  leader's 
manual  and  resource  book  come  in  a  three-ring  binder.  The 
project  was  carried  out  by  the  National  Interfaith  Coalition  on 


For  more  information,  contact  Jan  McGilliard,  Associate  for 
Older  Adult  Ministries,  305  Country  Club  Dr.,  SE,  Blacksburg, 
VA  24060;  phone  (703)  552-0948. 


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delicate  pin  (shown  20%  larger  for  detail)  is  plated  in  24-karat  gold  and  packaged  in  a  plastic  pouch. 

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age  8,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1995 


Japan  earthquake  relief  starts 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

Presbyterian  World  Service 
(PWS)  has  established  a  spe- 
cial account  for  those  wishing 
to  contribute  to  relief  efforts  in 
Japan  following  the  devastat- 
ing Jkn.  18  earthquake  that 
killed  kn  ore  than  5,000  in  the 
Kobe/Obaka  area. 

Three  times  that  number 
were  injured,  a  quarter  mil- 
lion people  were  left  homeless, 
and  hundreds  of  buildings 
were  destroyed. 

The  PWS  account  number  is 
9-2000117  and  it  is  labeled  "Ja- 
pan Earthquake  ReUef "  Pres- 
byterians may  contribute 
through  th eir  local  congregation. 

In  the  immediate  aftermath 
of  the  quake,  PWS  sent  $10,000 
for  immediate  relief  help  to 
the  Japan  North  American 
Commission  on  Cooperative 


•Mission,  an  ecumenical  part- 
ner agency  of  the  PCUSA. 
That  contribution  came  from 
One  Great  Hour  of  Sharing 
offering  monies. 

Other  Japanese  partners  in 
the  relief  efforts  include  the 
Reformed  Church  of  Japan  and 
the  United  Church  of  Christ 
in  Japan. 

The  PCUSA  has  45  mission- 
aries in  Japan,  including  14  in 
the  area  affected  by  the  quake. 
All  have  been  reported  safe. 

Hospital  Plays  Key  Role 

According  to  the  Rev.  Dan 
Rift,  PWS  coordinator,  Pres- 
bs^erians  are  pla3ring  a  key 
role  in  the  relief  efforts  through 
the  denomination's  Yodogawa 
Christian  Hospital  in  Osaka, 
which  came  through  the  earth- 
quake relatively  unscathed. 
Because  it  is  pretty  much  fully 
operational,  the  hospital  has 


been  a  primary  receiving  site 
for  the  injured. 

Presbyterian  missionaries 
assigned  to  the  hospital  are 
the  Rev.  Lardner  and  MoUie 
Moore. 

Dr.  Seiya  Shirakata,  hospi- 
tal superintendent,  said,  "The 
equipment  is  working  fine  and 
we  are  able  to  do  our  normal 
work.  I  hear  some  of  our  staff 
members'  houses  collapsed, 
but  nobody  got  injured  and  we 
are  all  doing  fine.  I  am  so 
thankful  to  God  for  this." 

In  addition  to  the  efforts  at 
the  hospital,  three  churches 
in  the  Kobe  area  are  being 
used  as  relief  centers.  Partner 
church  officials  there  report 
that  about  a  dozen  churches 
have  been  completely  de- 
stroyed, another  dozen  suf- 
fered major  damage  and  count- 
less others  sustained  lesser 
degrees  of  damage. 


Started  by  Presbyterians  in  Lubbock,  Texas 

Program  seeks  to  offset  lure  of  drug  money 


By  JULIAN  SHIPP 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LUBBOCK,  Texas— In  a  na- 
tion that  cherishes  material 
things,  many  elementary 
school  children  are  forced  to 
undertake  a  crash  course  in 
economics  that  epitomizes  the 
discrepancy  between  haves 
and  have-nots. 

To  "be  down"  or  "get  in 
where  they  fit  in,"  students 
enrolled  in  schools  that  don't 
require  uniforms  are  under 
constant  peer  pressure  to  wear 
expensive,  name-brand  cloth- 
ing, including  athletic  shoes 
that  can  cost  $150  or  more. 

For  children  living  in  an  at- 
risk  neighborhood  on  the  east 
side  of  Lubbock,  Texas,  wear- 
ing fresh  footgear  often  means 
resorting  to  criminal  activity 
like  selling  drugs,  stealing  or 
assaulting  other  children  who 
have  the  coveted  shoes.  Kids 
who  distribute  or  sell  drugs 
can  afford  to  buy  premium  ath- 
letic shoes  which  other  kids 
only  wish  they  could  afford. 

Mindfijl  of  this  dilemma,  the 
session  of  Messiah  Presbyte- 
rian Church  confronted  it  toe- 
to-toe  through  "P.S.— Go  For 
It,"  a  Presbyterian  shoes 
project  designed  to  induce  stu- 
dents at  lies  Elementary 
School  to  stay  off  drugs  and 
keep  away  from  the  dope 
dealer's  fast-money  lifestyle. 

The  program  awards  54 
children  (three  students  in  18 


classrooms)  a  pair  of  expen- 
sive sports  shoes  for  being  an 
outstanding  student,  athlete 
or  citizen. 

Selected  by  their  teachers, 
the  students  are  given  a  cer- 
tificate which  they  take  to 
Footlocker  or  Kids  Footlocker 
(located  in  their  local  mall) 
and  select  any  pair  of  shoes 
they  desire. 

The  school's  principal  and 
staff  are  assisting  the  church, 
(an  African  American  small- 
membership  congregation  of 
Palo  Duro  Presbytery),  in 
implementing  the  program. 

According  to  the  Rev.  Pam 
Powell,  pastor  of  Messiah 
Church,  the  program  was  offi- 
cially launched  Jan.  9.  It  was 
conceived  last  June  during  a 
meeting  of  the  school's  com- 
munity involvement  commit- 
tee. Powell,  the  school  princi- 
pal, concerned  parents,  teach- 
ers and  community  leaders 
attended  that  meeting. 

Astounded  by  the  stories  she 
heard  there  from  teachers  con- 
cerning gang  activity  and  drug 
trafficking  within  the  commu- 
nity and  school,  Powell  was 
inspired  to  create  the  shoes 
program. 

"One  of  the  teachers  said 
that  they  had  a  kid  who  bought 
his  mother  a  car  with  the  money 
from  drugs,"  Powell  said.  "At 
one  point,  one  of  the  teachers 
happened  to  say,  "Well,  the  kids 
come  on  the  playground  with 
these  expensive  shoes  and  ex- 


Feminist  theology  in  Survey 

Simply  mentioning  the  word  feminist  is  enough  to  inspire 
strong  feelings  among  some  church  members,  says  Shelley 
C.  Wiley  in  an  article  in  the  March  issue  of  Presbyterian 
Survey  magazine.  In  "What's  All  the  Fuss  About  Feminist 
Theology?"  Ms.  Wiley,  a  Presbyterian  minister  living  in 
Raleigh,  N.C.,  answers  some  basic  questions  about  this 
growing  and  sometimes  controversial  theological  move- 
ment. She  explains  in  easy-to-understand  terms  what 
feminist  theology  is,  why  it  arose,  and  what  feminist 
theologians  are  trying  to  accomplish. 

Ms.  Wiley's  article  is  one  of  a  package  of  articles  in  the 
March  issue     '  ■  '     '■'ring  women's  voices 

and  concerns  )  :ogue. 

The  issue  m  Fell  Me  About  Your 

Boss"  by  Rayinbuu  buiumeiiin  ir  of  Richmond,  Va.  It 
recounts  how  Summerlin,  a  former  hospice  chaplain,  told 
a  dying  man  about  Jesus. 

'        "ormation  about  subscribing  to  Presbyterian  Sur- 
0  (800)  227-2872. 


pensive  bikes.'  That  sort  of  rang 
a  bell  with  me  and  I  thought, 
'Shoes  — maybe  there's  some- 
thing in  that.'" 

Suzanne  Christopher, 
school  principal,  said  area  dope 
dealers  often  recruit  children 
to  deliver  drugs  on  their  bi- 
cycles and  reward  them  for 
their  "courier  services" 
through  expensive  gifts  like 
athletic  shoes,  sports  jackets, 
electronic  games,  bicycles  and 
other  items. 

Christopher  said  she  favors 
the  Presbyterian  shoes  pro- 
gram because  it  allows  the 
school's  360  students  to  see 
that  desirable  material  things 
can  also  be  obtained  through 
positive,  character-  building 
endeavors  like  hard  work, 
strong  study  skills,  self-  disci- 
pline and  self-motivation. 

"I  think  it's  really  going  to 
motivate  the  kids,"  Christo- 
pher said.  "I  think  it's  also 
going  to  be  a  super  tool  to  show 
how  the  community  can  work 
with  our  school  as  well.  I'm 
really  excited  about  it." 


New  Hope  ministers 
invited  to  N.  Ireland 

East  Belfast  Presbytery  invites 
ministers  from  New  Hope 
Presbsrtery  to  share  two-week 
exchange  opportunities  in 
Northern  Ireland. 

The  visitors  to  Belfast  will 
join  host  pastors  in  their  daily 
duties,  sharing  in  their  work 
and  experiences.  Meals  and 
lodging  will  be  provided. 

"This  kind  of  hands-on  ex- 
perience would  certainly  give 
insight  into  the  similarities 
and  differences  between  our 
churches  as  well  as  provide  a 
way  to  learn  more  about  the 
struggles  and  triumphs  of 
Presbyterians  in  East  Belfast 
Presbytery  with  which  we  en- 
joy a  partner  relationship," 
said  Mary  Rose  Raufer. 

Ministers  in  New  Hope 
Presbytery  also  want  to  host 
ministers  from  Northern  Ire- 
land, she  said. 

For  more  information  or  to 
speak  with  someone  who  has 
been  on  such  an  exchange, 
contact  Gene  Pierce  at  (919) 
552-4214  or  Christopher 
CarUsle  at  (919)  658-2044. 


Chevy  Chase  installs  Sundstronn 

CHEVY  CHASE,  Md.— The  Rev.  Dr.  Arthur  Sundstrom  was 
installed  as  the  eighth  pastor  in  the  87-year  history  of  Chevy 
Chase  Church  on  Jan.  8.  PC(USA)  Moderator  Robert  W.  Bohl 
delivered  the  sermon  for  the  installation  service.  Sundstrom 
came  to  Chevy  Chase  from  Collegiate  Church  in  Ames,  Iowa, 
where  he  had  been  pastor  for  10  years.  He  is  director  of  the  1995 
PC(USA)  Peacemaking  Conference  to  be  held  in  August  at 
Hofstra  University. 

The  Chevy  Chase  congregation,  now  numbering  1,050  mem- 
bers, has  been  known  in  recent  decades  for  the  many  members 
who  are  engaged  in  public  policy  work.  It  has  pursued  a 
vigorous  mission  program,  at  home  and  internationally.  Its 
motto  is  "Where  Faith  and  Life  Intersect." 

Ogilvie  named  Senate  Chaplain 

The  Rev.  Lloyd  John  Ogilvie,  pastor  of  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Hollywood,  Calif.,  has  been  named  chaplain  of  the 
United  States  Senate.  He  succeeds  the  Rev.  Richard  C. 
Halverson,  who  is  retiring  after  14  years  in  the  post.  Ogilvie 
was  chosen  for  the  $115,700-a-year  job  from  a  field  of  200 
candidates.  His  duties  will  include  opening  each  Senate  session 
with  a  two-minute  prayer  and  being  available  for  counseling 
with  the  100  Senators  and  6,000  Senate  staffers. 

Barnes  named  to  Princeton  board 

PRINCETON,  N.J.— The  Rev.  M.  Craig  Barnes,  pastor  since 
1993  of  National  Church  in  Washington,  D.C.,  has  been  elected 
to  the  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  board  of  trustees.  A 
1981  graduate  of  the  seminary,  Barnes  also  holds  a  doctorate  in 
the  history  of  Christianity  fi-om  the  University  of  Chicago. 

Wrenn  is  development  VP 

LYNCHBURG,  Va.— Thomas  M.  Wrenn  Sr.  has  been  named 
vice  president  of  development  for  Presbyterian  Home  and 
Family  Services,  Inc.,  effective  Jan.  1.  "Mr.  Wrenn  brings  with 
him  30  years  of  extensive  marketing  and  motivational  leader- 
ship and  a  strong  commitment  to  the  mission  of  Presbyterian 
Home  and  Family  Services,  Inc.,"  said  the  Rev.  E.  Peter 
Geitner,  PH&FS  president. 

Wrenn  was  formerly  vice  president  of  development  for  the 
Presbyterian  Retirement  Communities  Foundation,  Inc.,  in 
Winter  Park,  Fla.  In  that  capacity  he  managed  all  fund-raising 
activities  for  current  and  deferred  gifts  that  benefit  10  affiliated 
communities.  An  active  Presbyterian,  Wrenn  has  served  his 
church  as  choir  director,  elder  and  Sunday  school  teacher. 

The  headquarters  and  three  children's  division  programs  of 
Presbyterian  Home  and  Family  Services,  Inc.  are  located  in 
Lynchburg.  Mental  retardation  division  programs  are  located 
in  Fredericksburg  and  Zuni,  Va. 

Virginia  disaster  volunteers  organize 

RICHMOND,  Va. — Presbyterians  played  a  major  role  in  the 
creation  of  the  Virginia  Voluntary  Organizations  Active  in 
Disaster  (VAVOAD)  here  on  Jan.  9.  VAVOAD  is  a  state  coun- 
terpart of  the  National  Voluntary  Organizations  Active  in 
Disaster  (NVOAD).  VAVOAD  is  a  coordinating  body  associated 
with  the  National  VOAD  and  is  designed  to  bring  together 
voluntary  disaster  service  organizations  to  more  effectively 
serve  people  affected  by  disaster.  This  will  be  accomplished  by 
creating  a  climate  for  cooperation,  by  disseminating  informa- 
tion and  by  providing  educational  opportunities.  j 
Temporarily,  representing  the  Presbyterian  presence  in  j 
Virginia  is  Elder  Dan  Grimes,  the  hunger  action  enabler  for  the  [ 
Presbytery  of  Eastern  Virginia.  Four  presbyteries  were  repre- 
sented by  five  persons  and  three  other  organizations  were  led 
by  Presbyterians  at  the  organizational  meeting.  "We  will  be 
seeking  at  least  one  person  from  each  presbytery  as  we  develop  ; 
and  expand  our  vision,"  said  Grimes.  Persons  interested  in 
assisting  can  contact  their  presbytery  office  or  write  to  Dan 
Grimes,  Presbytery  of  Eastern  Virginia,  801  Loudoun  Ave., 
Portsmouth,  VA  23707. 

McFarland  to  lead  prison  chaplains 

RICHMOND,  Va.— The  Rev.  Cecil  E.  McFarland  has  been 
appointed  executive  director  of  the  Chaplain  Service  of  the 
Churches  of  Virginia,  Inc.,  effective  March  13.  A  United  Meth-  j 
odist  minister,  he  will  be  the  seventh  executive  of  the  75-year- 
old  Chaplain  Service.  McFarland  has  served  25  years  as  an 
administrator  for  Goodwill  Industries.  He  succeeds  the  Rev. 
George  F.  Ricketts,  who  retired  after  leading  the  Chaplain 
Service  for  27  years.  The  service  employs  three  full-time 
chaplains  and  24  part-time  chaplains.  | 

W-C  Virginia  Beach  names  staff 

VIRGINIA  BEACH,  Va.— Westminster-Canterbury  in  Virginia 
Beach  has  announced  two  appointments.  Mary  M.  Harrell, 
formerly  administrator  of  The  Ballentine  retirement  residence 
in  Norfolk,  has  been  named  vice  president.  The  Rev.  J.  Allen 
Johnson  has  been  named  chaplain.  Formerly  interim  pastor  at 
Hilton  Presbyterian  Church  in  Newport  News,  Va.,  Johnson 
served  20  years  as  a  U.S.  Army  chaplain  and  13  years  as 
minister  of  Suffolk  (Va.)  Presbyterian  Church.  Westminster- 
Canterbury  in  Virginia  Beach  is  a  500-resident  continuing  car© 
retirement  community  founded  by  the  Presbytery  of  Fasten^ 
Virginia  and  the  Episcopal  Diocese  of  Southern  Virginia.  j 


Two  honored  by  educators-page  4 


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For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
resbyterian 


April  1995 


Vol.  LXI,  Number  3 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Chesapeake  Center  counselor  Chris  Doty  climbs  a  log 
which  forms  a  part  of  the  camp's  new  high  ropes  course. 
Chris  is  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Beth  Doty,  pastor  of  the 
Delaware  City  and  Port  Penn  churches  in  Delaware. 


Christian  education  is  an  integral  part 
of  the  program  at  Chesapeake  Center 


By  JOHN  SNIFFEN 

PORT  DEPOSIT,  Md.— The 
hills  and  valleys  of  Chesapeake 
Center  are  quiet  on  a  sunny- 
but-frigid  March  weekday. 
Inside  the  offices  in  the  Balti- 
more Retreat  House,  however, 
there  is  much  activity. 

Bill  and  Elaine  Deutsch  are 
busy  with  the  numerous  tasks 
involved  with  operating  a  115- 
acre,  year-round  camp  and 
retreat  facility.  In  preparation 
for  the  upcoming  summer 
camping  season,  they  are  hir- 
ing staff",  producing  and  mail- 
ing publicity,  and  ordering 
supplies. 

And  since  Chesapeake  Cen- 
ter is  also  a  retreat  facility,  the 
phone  is  constantly  ringing 
with  calls  from  potential  cus- 
tomers and  those  who  have 
already  scheduled  retreats. 

Only  the  Deutches'  huge 


Newfoundland  "Bear"  can  re- 
lax, which  she  does,  almost 
blocking  the  hallway. 

The  Deutsches  have  man- 
aged church-related  camps 
since  1978.  They  know  they 
must  take  advantage  of  the  off 
season.  In  a  few  months,  hun- 
dreds of  children  will  be  run- 
ning up  and  down  the  hills 
which  overlook  the  northern 
shore  of  Chesapeake  Bay.  If 
they  don't  plan  now,  there  will 
be  utter  chaos  come  summer. 

It's  a  lesson  they  learned 
many  years  ago.  Bill  recalled 
the  day  they  moved  into  their 
first  camp.  Cedar  Ridge  in 
Louisville  Presb3d;ery.  As  a 
teenager  ("a  strong,  strapping 
farm  boy")  he  had  helped  build 
Cedar  Ridge.  Later  he  volun- 
teered at  the  camp  while  at- 
tending nearby  Louisville 
Presbyterian  Theological 
Seminary.  And  during  a  six- 


year  pastorate  in  Iowa  he 
shared  chairmanship  of  the 
presbytery  camp  committee. 

"I  thought  that  I  knew  about 
running  a  camp,"  said  Bill,  "but 
I  soon  learned  otherwise. 
While  we  were  moving  into 
Cedar  Ridge,  people  began 
showing  up  for  a  banquet  about 
which  I  knew  nothing." 

While  Bill  has  been  profes- 
sionally involved  managing 
church  camps  for  almost  17 
years,  Elaine  has  been  assist- 
ing him  through  most  of  those 
years.  She  was  a  volunteer 
during  their  six  years  at  Ce- 
dar Ridge  and  worked  on  her 
own  professional  advancement 
while  serving  as  food  service 
director  during  Bill's  five-and- 
a-half  years  as  director  of 
Camp  Cho  Yeh  in  southeast 
Texas. 

When  they  came  to  Chesa- 
continued  on  page  3 


New  Synod  Council  named  as  restructuring  proceeds 


The  new  Synod  Council,  with 
a  few  exceptions,  has  been 
elected. 

The  old  50-member  council, 
meeting  via  telephone  confer- 
ence call  on  March  31,  was 
scheduled  to  approve  the  new 
body.  With  that  action,  the 
former  council  ceased  to  rep- 
resent the  synod  and  the  new 
council  started  its  task. 

The  new  22-member  coun- 
cil includes  the  following  pres- 
bytery representatives: 

June  Bucy,  elder,  Shenan- 
doah Presbytery;  Sue  Fricks, 
minister.  New  Hope  Presby- 
tery; Karl  Green,  elder,  New 
Castle  Presbytery;  Sam  Hale, 
minister,  Western  North  Caro- 
lina Presbytery;  and  Richard 
Mosser,  elder,  National  Capi- 


tal Presbytery 

Also,  J.  Herbert  Nelson, 
minister,  Salem  Presbytery; 
Peta  Patton,  elder,  Abingdon 
Presbjd;ery;  Rafe  Pride,  elder, 
Charlotte  Presbytery;  Fred 
Sanner,  minister,  Eastern  Vir- 
ginia Presbytery;  Jan  Schnei- 
der, elder.  Presbytery  of  the 
James;  David  Thornton,  min- 
ister, Coasted  Carolina  Pres- 
bytery; Valeria  Tocci,  elder, 
Baltimore  Presbsrtery;  and  an 
elder  yet  to  be  named  from  the 
Presbytery  of  the  Peaks. 

Also  nominated  for  election 
were  six  committee  chairs: 

Harold  McKeithen,  a  min- 
ister from  Eastern  Virginia 
Presbytery,  will  lead  the  Cam- 
pus Ministries  Committee; 

Barbara  Allen,  an  elder 


from  New  Castle  Presbytery, 
will  lead  the  Evangelism  Com- 
mittee; 

Grace  Solomon,  an  elder 
from  Charlotte  Presbytery, 
will  lead  the  Justice  and  Mercy 
Committee; 

Vivian  Moses,  an  elder  from 
National  Capital  Presbytery, 
will  lead  the  Racial  Ethnic 
Ministries  Committee; 

Fred  Ward,  an  elder  from 
Salem  Presb5d;ery ,  will  lead  the 
Finance  Committee;  and 

Robert  Curry,  a  minister 
from  National  Capital  Presby- 
tery, will  lead  the  Administra- 
tion Committee. 

Ward  was  a  member  of  the 
former  council. 

An  elder  who  had  not  been 
selected  as  of  March  17,  will 


lead  the  Partnership  Develop- 
ment Committee. 

Green,  Patton,  Pride  and 
Ward  were  also  members  of 
the  former  council. 

Also  serving  on  the  council 
will  be  Synod  Moderator  Betty 
McGinnis  and  Vice  Moderator 
J.  Miller  Listen. 

The  composition  of  the  new 
council  includes  eight  minis- 
ters and  14  elders  (seven 
women  and  seven  men).  Seven 
are  African  Americans. 

The  Transitional  Commit- 
tee, which  will  oversee  the 
process  of  downsizing  the 
SjTiod's  mission  and  staff",  has 
also  been  elected. 

Three  of  the  nine  members 
come  from  the  standing  com- 
mittee which  produced  the  new 


mission  plan.  They  are  Jean 
Bane,  an  elder  from  Abingdon 
Presbytery;  Nancy  Clark,  a 
minister  from  National  Capi- 
tal Presbytery;  and  George 
Harrison,  an  elder  from  East- 
ern Virginia  Presb)d;ery. 

Five  of  the  six  at-large  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  will  be 
Ashley  Parr,  a  youth  delegate 
(Eastern  Virginia);  Bob 
Cummings,  a  minister  (New 
Castle);  Edward  Newberry,  a 
minister  (Charlotte);  Roy 
Knight,  an  elder  (Baltimore); 
and  Emma  Jean  Levi  Hines, 
an  elder  (New  Hope).  A  sixth 
at-large  member  had  not  been 
named  as  of  March  17. 

Knight  and  Hines  were 
members  of  the  former  Synod 
Council. 


New  church  pastors  share  adventures  during  annual  retreat 


BROOKNEAL,  Va.— Despite 
wintry  weather,  18  adventur- 
ous souls  from  13  new  church 
developments  across  the  synod 
gathered  Jan.  30-Feb.  1  at 
Camp  Hat  Creek  near  here  for 
the  s5mod's  third  annual  re- 
treat for  NCD  pastors. 

"They  were  adventurous  in 
more  ways  than  one,"  said 
Wilson  Gunn,  chair  of  the 
synod's  New  Church  Develop- 
ment Partnership.  "Not  only 
has  each  embarked  upon  the 
arduous  task  of  building  new 
communities  of  faith  with  new 
converts  and  the  until-recently 
lapsed,  but  each  also  braved 
the  six-inch  snowfall  and  slip- 
pery conditions  to  arrive." 

Dr.  Robert  Ramey  of  Co- 
lumbia Theological  Seminary 
provided  leadership  for  the 
retreat.  He  led  the  group 
through  discussions  and  exer- 
cises centering  on  personal 


spiritual  development,  eccle- 
siastical spiritual  develop- 
ment, and  the  spiritual  devel- 
opment of  church  leaders,  es- 
pecially session  members. 

As  with  the  previous  re- 
treats, participants  also  shared 
their  unique  challenges,  and 
received  support  and  counsel 
from  their  peers. 

"Most  presbyteries  do  not 
have  more  than  one  new 
church  development,"  said 
Gunn,  pastor  of  Peace  Church, 
a  new  church  near  Roanoke  in 
Peaks  Presbytery.  "This  synod 
retreat  is  one  of  the  few  places 
NCD  pastors  can  find  knowl- 
edgeable personal  and  profes- 
sional support." 

The  leadership  team  for  the 
1996  retreat  will  be  Bill  Lee  of 
Shenandoah  Presbjrtery,  Bill 
McKissick  of  National  Capital 
Presbytery,  and  Ed  Moore  of 
Eastern  Virginia  Presbytery. 


The  New  Church  Develop- 
ment Partnership  also  held  a 
March  13  session  in  Richmond 
on  Developing  a  Vision  and 
Strategy  for  New  Church  De- 
velopment. Union  Theological 
Seminary  President  Louis 
Weeks  led  the  meeting  in  the 
synod's  office. 

Future  events  planned  by 
the  partnership  include  a  Sept 
18  workshop  on  starting  new 
African  American  churches 
and  a  Nov.  13  workshop  on 
starting  new  Korean  churches. 

Presbyteries  are  encour- 
aged to  send  select  members 
of  their  NCD  committees  to 
these  events.  The  synod  cov- 
ers the  expenses  of  those  who 
also  attend  as  synod  entity 
members  designated  by  the 
presbytery  NCD  chair  and  the 
presbytery  NCD  staff  person. 

"We  hope  to  help  them  avoid 
the  scenario  where  a  commit- 


tee member  says  'By  the  time 
I  figured  out  what  I  was  sup- 
posed to  do,  my  term  expired'," 
said  Gunn. 

Foi  niO!<        •       :  .  ibout 


the  New  Church  Development 
workshops,  contact  Gunn  at 
(703)  977-1821  or  write  to  him 
at  4365  Cloverdale  Rd., 
Roanoke,  VA  24019. 


Haney  of  the  James  Presbytery,  and  . 
Charlotte  Presbytery  participate  in  a  discu  ;s  ■  .  ig 

the  annual  new  church  pastors'  retreat. 


Page  2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1995 


From  Grumpy  to  Doc:  Revisioning  aging 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

My  friend,  Stephen  Sapp,  tells  about 
receiving  a  weekly  newspaper  from 
his  presbytery  office  which  featured  a 
newspaper  in  editorial-cartoon  entitled 
"The  Seven  Ages  of  Man."  Each  of  the 
seven  frames  contained  a  face  labeled 
with  what  turned  out  to  be  one  of  the 
Seven  Dwarfs  from  Disney's  Snow 
White.  The  first,  of  course,  was  an 
infant  who  was  "Sleepy,"  and  the  fol- 
lowing frames  represented  progres- 
sively older  people  with  dwarfs  names 
(the  teenager  was  "Dopey,"  not  "Bash- 
ful") until,  in  the  final  fi-ame,  an  obvi- 
ously old  man  was  labeled  "Grumpy." 
One  wondered  where  "Happj^  fit  into 
the  scheme. 

Dr.  Sapp  commented  that,  "Had  the 
last  fi-ame  of  the  cartoon  depicted  a 
woman,  Afi-o-American,  or  gay  person 
in  a  similarly  negative  way,  the  news- 
paper editor  would  have  thrown  the 


thing  away  in  disgust."  The  sad  truth 
remains  that  older  people  in  the  United 
States  are  the  only  group  it  is  still 
politically  correct  to  disparage  and 
demean. 

As  if  that  weren't  bad  enough,  my 
sister  sent  me  an  article  by  Sandra 
Crandall,  R.N.,  "Avoiding  the  7 
Dwarfs,"  in  which  she  graphically  de- 
picts "the  seven  dwarfs  of  older  women," 
viz.  Weaky,  Leaky,  Wimpy,  Sexless, 
Forgetful,  Wrinkled  and  Ugly."  Hor- 
rors! What  a  caricature  of  older  women! 

As  I  get  closer  to  my  70th  year,  I 
admit  to  some  queasy  feelings  that  old 
age  is  catching  up  with  me.  I  dread  the 
thought  that  my  last  days  on  earth  will 
be  diminished  by  grumpy  nothingness, 
or  dribbled  away  into  non-sense.  When 
people  pass  around  family  pictures,  I 
find  myself  bypassing  the  pictures  of 
the  attractive  young  and  focusing  on 
the  old  for  clues  to  the  life  that  has 
created  their  faces,  to  search  for  the 


Commentary 


soul  behind  the  fading  body.  We  need 
better  images  of  aging  than  Grumpy 
and  Forgetful. 

So,  I  watched  the 
Disney's  1937  film 
Snow  White  and  the 
Seven  Dwarfs  with 
older  eyes.  At  first 
"Grumpy^'  is  a  can- 
tankerous, obsti- 
nate old  man  with  a 
perpetual  scowl  on 
his  face.  He  resists 
every  progressive 
step  by  saying, 
"There's  trouble 
a'brewing."  Repeat- 
edly he  says,  "Never 
trust  a  woman,"  showing  his  obvious 
anti-feminism.  Such  a  grumpy  old  man. 

It  seems  to  me  that  "Doc"  would  be  a 
much  better  candidate  for  the  last  stage 
of  life.  It  is  not  because  he  is  the  only 
dwarf  wearing  bifocals;  it  is  his  win- 
some personality,  his  genuine  wisdom. 
Notice  in  every  "Hi  Ho,  Hi  Ho  ..."  it  is 
"Doc"  who  leads  the  way,  symbolic  of 
how  the  other  dwarfs  acknowledged 
his  leadership  and  wise  counsel.  "Doc" 
is  also  a  good  pastoral  counselor,  seen 
in  the  artful  way  he  handles  "Grumpy," 
and  the  empathy  he  gives  to  "Dopesr"  at 


the  apparent  death  of  Snow  White. 
Older  people  should  be  seen  as  "Docs," 
wisdom  people,  like  the  Hebrew Zazens, 
sages,  who  are  honored  for  their  un- 
questioned wisdom  and  experience. 

But  wait!  There  is  redemption  for 
old  Grumpy.  We  all  recall  from  roman- 
tic days  how  Snow  White  is  reawakened 
by  Prince  Charming's  kiss.  We  forget 
"Grumpy"  is  changed  by  the  repeated 
kisses  of  Snow  White.  He  really  mourns 
her  apparent  death,  and  when  she  is 
revived  he  is  no  longer  the  grouchy 
negaholic  but  joins  in  the  dwarfs'  joy- 
ous celebration,  no  longer  the  outsider 
but  now  a  real  member  of  the  commu- 
nity. 

So,  let's  be  done  with  this  blatant 
ageism  still  rampant  in  our  society. 
Let's  honor  older  people  who  have  aged 
with  grace,  whose  ageless  spirit  (like 
Doc's)  or  transformed  lives  (like 
Grumpy's)  bring  joy  ...  and  hope  to  us 
all. 

The  Rev.  Richard  L.  Morgan  of 
Lenoir,  N.C.,  is  the  author  of  several 
books  on  aging.  His  latest,  "From  Grim 
to  Green  Pastures:  Meditations  for  the 
Sick  and  Their  Caregivers,"  was  re- 
leased recently  by  Upper  Room  Press. 


Every  member  endowment  campaign  helps  Delaware  church's  security 


By  WILLIAM  C.  PFEIFER 

Over  the  past  three  years  the  First 
Presbj^erian  Church  of  Sm5rma,  Del., 
operated  with  a  deficit  budget.  In  an 
effort  to  overcome  this  and  to  insure 
short-  and  long-term  financial  secu- 
rity for  our  church,  every  member  of 
the  101-member  congregation  was 
asked  to  contribute  to  the  "Every  Mem- 
ber Endowment  Program"  with  the 
goal  of  100  percent  participation. 

The  purpose  of  the  Every  Member 
Endowment  Program  was  to  involve 
each  person  in  the  congregation  in 
canying  out  the  mission  of  our  church. 
By  making  a  contribution  of  any 
amount  above  the  member's  normal 
contribution,  each  member  committed 
to  the  future  of  our  church  and  experi- 


enced the  spiritual  joy  of  forever  fund- 
ing Christ's  mission  on  earth. 

An  endowment  is  established  when 
the  donated  money  is  invested  and 
never  spent.  Only  interest  from  the 
invested  principal  is  used  for  the  needs 
of  our  church.  The  endowed  principal 
will  earn  interest  for  our  church  for- 
ever. 

The  Every  Member  Endowment 
Program  was  approved  by  the  church 
session,  a  committee  was  established 
and  the  campaign  plan  developed.  The 
committee  sought  and  received  help 
and  guidance  from  Riley  McDonald, 
development  officer  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation. 

The  endowment  campaign  ran  from 
Nov.  20,  1993,  to  Jan.  9,  1994. 
McDonald  delivered  a  sermon  on  gift- 


ing to  kick  off  the  campaign.  A  letter 
describing  the  Every  Member  Endow- 
ment Program  and  a  request  for  par- 
ticipation was  sent  to  every  church 
member  and  to  selected  non-church 
members.  A  campaign  update  was  pre- 
sented in  the  church  bulletins  and 
mentioned  by  the  pastor  each  Sunday. 

During  the  last  two  weeks  of  the 
campaign,  members  who  had  not  con- 
tributed (approximately  15)  were  called 
or  visited  by  a  member  of  the  Every 
Member  Endowment  Committee  and 
asked  to  participate. 

Ninety-six  percent  of  the  church 
members  and  several  non-members 
contributed  a  total  of  $11,998  to  the 
campaign.  This  money  was  invested  in 
an  endowment  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation  and  will 


serve  First  Presb5d;erian  Church  of 
Sm3Tna  forever. 

For  more  information  or  to  schedule 
a  visit  from  a  Foundation  representa- 
tive, contact  the  appropriate  person 
listed  below: 

Doug  Aitken— (919)  672-6042— 
Charlotte,  Salem  and  Western  North 
Carolina  presbyteries; 

Riley  McDonald— (410)  381-0689— 
Baltimore,  National  Capital  and  New 
Castle  presbyteries; 

John  Pilutti— (919)  231-9524— 
Coastal  Carolina,  Eastern  Virginia  and 
New  Hope  presbyteries;  and 

Jan  Schneider— (703)  949-5590— 
Abingdon,  James,  Peaks  and 
Shenandoah  presbyteries. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 


Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 

Vol.  LXI 
April  1995 


Readers'  Comments 


Legalism?  Not! 


I  write  in  reference  to  the  letter  by  Jack 
Prince  in  the  Jan/Feb  issue.  Prince  mis- 
takenly asserts  Matthew  5  (the  sermon  on 
the  mount)  to  be  "doing  away  with  the  old 
and  redefining  much  of  the  old."  He  blithely 
ignores  the  strongest  of  warnings  by  Christ, 
following  the  beatitudes,  not  to  interpret 
the  sermon  on  the  mount  in  discontinuity 
with  the  Old  Testament,  precisely  as  Prince 
has  done.  I  urge  Prince  and  those  who 
agree  with  him  to  reflect  on  Matthew  5:17- 
20,  especially  v.  19. 

Prince  accuses  Christ  of  "reinterpret- 
ing four  Old  Testament  Laws  and  outright 
contradicting  two  more,"  oblivious  that 
Christ  was  in  fact  expanding  the  area  of 
the  Law's  valid  application  from  outward 
behavior  (objective  actions  requiring  a 
human  witness  for  conviction)  to  cover 
also  inner  thoughts  and  feelings  (subjec- 
tive actions  witnessed  by  God,  and  not 
requiring  a  human  witness  for  conviction 
at  the  Judgement).  At  the  end  of  the 
sermon  on  the  mount  Jesus  again  warns 
against  antinomian  construction  of  His 
teaching  by  bluntly  stating  that  many  who 
deluded  themselves  into  thinking  they 
were  following  the  Lord  are  denied  en- 
trance into  God's  Kingdom,  because  "I  will 
declare  to  them,  'I  never  knew  you;  Depart 
from  me,  you  who  practice  lawlessness." 
(Mt.7:21). 

Prince  believes  "Jesus  fought  against 
legalistic  adherence  to  obeying  the  law" 
and  "Jesus  and  Paul  struggled  to  discredit 
legalism."  Actually,  Jesus  and  Paul  spoke 
not  against  obedience  to  the  Law  (slan- 
dered as  "legalism")  but  misinterpreta- 
tion, misuse,  and  selective  application  of 
the  Law  in  the  teaching  of  religious  au- 
thorities. Matthew's  gospel  concludes  with 
the  Great  Commission,  in  which  Jesus 


defines  the  mission  of  the  church:  "make 
disciples,"  Jesus  further  specified  the 
method  as  "teaching  them  to  observe  all 
that  I  have  commanded  you."  Thus,  as 
defined  by  Christ  Himself,  a  disciple  is  one 
who  has  been  taught  to  obey  all  of  God's 
commandments.  And  yet,  some  who  pre- 
tend to  follow  Christ  imagine  that  He 
teaches  us  to  ignore  the  Law! 
...  [edited  for  length] 

Mark  Linker 
Ricmond,  Va. 

It's  all  the  same  thing 

The  law  of  faith  and  the  law  of  Christ  and 
the  doctrine  of  Christ  are  all  referring  to 
the  same  thing  which  is  the  written  word 
of  God.  ... 

Since  Christ  has  been  given  all  power 
by  God  and  is  coming  again  to  judge  each 
of  us,  we  should  obey  Him.  He  expects  us 
to  obey  Him.  If  this  is  called  legalism  so  be 
it.  Are  we  afraid  to  say  that  we  are  to  obey 
God  through  the  written  word?  To  obey 
God  is  better  than  sacrifice.  I  believe  we 
are  to  obey  God  rather  [than]  man.  Man  is 
unable  to  save  man. 

James  R.  Dearworth,  M.D. 

Newark,  Del. 

Jesus  kept  th6  Commandments 

Jesus  did  not  do  away  with  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments. Matthew  5:17-20  talks  about 
"Do  not  think  I  came  to  abolish  the  Law  or 
the  Prophets:  I  have  not  come  to  abolish 
them  but  to  fulfill  them." 

There  were  three  categories  of  the  Law: 
1)  ceremonial,  2)  civil,  and  3)  moral. 

The  ceremonial  law  was  the  system  of 
sacrifice.  These  prepared  people  for 
Christ's  coming.  With  His  death  and  res- 
urrection this  system  was  no  longer  needed. 


The  principles  behind  these — to  worship 
and  love  a  holy  Grod — still  apply. 

The  civil  law  applied  to  daily  living  in 
Israel.  Society  and  culture  have  influence 
on  these,  but  the  principles  behind  them 
are  timeless.  Jesus  demonstrated  this  in 
living  a  holy  and  obedient  life. 

"Setting  aside  the  first  system  in  order 
to  establish  a  far  better  one  meant  doing 
away  with  the  system  of  sacrifices  ...  It 
didn't  mean  eliminating  God's  moral  law 
which  [is]  the  Ten  Commandments  ... 
through  Christ  we  can  fulfill  the  moral 
law  as  we  let  Him  live  in  us." 

The  new  covenant  is  that  of  Grace.  We 
now  have  a  High  Priest  who  is  holy,  blame- 
less, exalted  above  the  heavens,  who  meets 
our  every  need  and  who  can  be  approached 
daily,  day  or  night,  and  who  paid  the  price 
for  sin  once  and  for  all  time,  past,  present 
and  future. 

Carol  Taylor 
Walhalla,  S.C. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ingfor  style,  clarity,  andlength. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presb3i;erian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Christian  education  integral 
part  of  camp's  program 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1995,  Page  3 


continued  from  page  1 
peake  Center  on  Feb.  1,  1990, 
Elaine  was  hired  as  associate 
director  for  administration. 
Both  are  certified  as  profes- 
sional camp  directors  by  the 
American  Camping  Associa- 
tion. She  is  president-elect  of 
the  ACA's  Chesapeake  Section 
and  treasurer  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  Camps  and  Con- 
ference Associates. 

Bill  and  Elaine  met  when 
they  were  both  students  at 
Centre  College  in  Kentucky. 
She  was  a  biology  major  and 
he  was  studying  physics.  "It 
was  my  goal  from  childhood  to 
run  the  power  plant  on  the 
first  manned  flight  to  Mars," 
he  said. 

Bill  was  a  superior  math 
student  from  elementary 
through  high  schools.  His  abili- 
ties placed  him  in  the  national 
program — a  result  of  the 
"space  race"  with  the  USSR — 
to  find  and  improve  the  best 
students  in  the  United  States. 

Then,  while  a  student  at 
Centre  College,  Bill  went  in 
for  free  vocational  testing  at  a 
local  Presbyterian  counseling 
center.  The  results  said  he  was 
subnormal  in  math.  Convinced 
the  tests  were  faulty,  he  tried 
again,  but  got  the  same  re- 
sults. 

Without  any  apparent  rea- 
son, his  math  skills  had  disap- 
peared. The  experts  called  it  a 
"neurotic  fugue."  Bill  could  not 
pursue  his  long-held  goal.  He 
switched  his  major  to  religion. 

"I  decided  I'd  rather  be 
'called'  than  'craz/ .  Sometimes 
God  is  trying  to  tell  you  some- 
thing. I  appreciate  more  the 
story  of  Paul  being  struck  blind 
...  I  was  blinded  to  something 
that  I  could  once  see." 

NASA's  loss  has  been 
church  camping's  gain.  Pre- 
paring for  their  sixth  summer 
at  Chesapeake  Center,  the 
Deutsches  outlined  the  major 
changes  that  have  occurred  at 
the  camp. 

One  of  those  changes  was 
already  underway  when  Bill 
and  Elaine  arrived  in  Port 
Deposit.  The  completion  of  the 
Baltimore  Retreat  House  in 
1989  has  greatly  improved  the 
center's  ability  to  host  off-sea- 
son retreats  which  are  impor- 
tant income  producers. 

The  building  accommodates 
up  to  22  persons  in  11  comfort- 
able, centrally  air-conditioned 
rooms  with  private  bathrooms. 
The  privacy  and  comfort  of  the 
Baltimore  House  have  at- 
tracted groups,  especially 
adults,  who  were  not  previ- 
ously interested  in  Chesa- 
peake Center. 

That's  an  important  factor 
because  the  building  accounts 
for  ten  percent  of  the  camp's 
annual  income. 

Future  plans  call  for  mov- 
ing the  camp  offices  out  of  the 
Baltimore  House  so  that  space 


New  Church  Developer 

The  Presbytery  of  Charlotte 
is  seeking  a  New  Church  De- 
veloper for  a  project  in  the 
fast-growing  North  Mecklen- 
burg/South Lake  Norman 
area.  E.O.E.  At  least  four 
years  experience  required. 
Send  papers  to  Billy  S.  Howell 
Jr.,  Presbytery  of  Charlotte, 
5700  Executive  Center  Dr., 
Suite  200,  Charlotte,  NC 
28212-8801  by  May  15. 


can  be  used  for  more  housing 
and  meeting  rooms,  thus  in- 
creasing its  income  potential. 

Two  other  year-round  build- 
ings— Piedmont  House  and 
New  Castle  House — provide 
similar  accommodations  for  a 
total  of  30  persons  (in  suites). 

Chesapeake  Center  also  has 
85  bunk  beds  in  dorms  or  cab- 
ins. 

From  mid-April  to  mid-Oc- 
tober another  100  bunks  are 
available  in  screened  tents. 
Despite  the  obvious  appeal  to 
some  retreat  participants  for 
more  comfort,  others  still  like 
the  tents,  said  Bill. 

Programming  for  the  sum- 
mer camping  sessions  is  the 
other  major  change  at  the  cen- 
ter, according  to  the 
Deutsches. 

"We  made  Christian  educa- 
tion an  integral  part  of  the 
program,"  said  Bill.  "Instead 
of  being  a  separate  piece  that 
could  be  avoided,  we  build  it 
into  every  activity." 

The  center  starts  with  the 
basic  curriculum  of  the  re- 
formed church:  Bible  studies 


Bill  and  Elaine  Deutsch 


and  suggested  activities.  The 
activity  leaders  are  asked  to 
look  at  the  materials  and  sug- 
gest ways  they  can  incorpo- 
rate the  lessons  into  the  ac- 
tivities. 

Bill  used  the  new  high  ropes 
course  as  an  example  of  how 
Christian  principles  are  inte- 
grated into  an  activity.  The 
high  ropes  area  consists  of  "el- 
ements"— rope  bridges,  lines 
and  ladders  strung  between 
continued  on  page  4 


Day  care  center 
grants  approved 


Grants  totaling  almost 
$114,000  have  been  approved 
by  the  Synod  Council  to  four 
day  care  centers  at  African- 
American  Presbyterian 
churches  in  North  Carolina 
and  Virginia. 

Grants  were  awarded  to  the 
following: 

Rybum  Church  in  Shelby, 
N.C.— $5,000  to  help  replace  a 
van  used  by  a  center  which 
serves  24  children; 

Dulatown  Church  in  Lenoir, 
N.C.— $10,000  to  upgrade 
staffing  and  facilities  so  its 
center  can  receive  licensing; 

Thyne  Memorial  Church  in 
Chase  City,  Va.— $60,890  to 
help  meet  building  codes  and 
for  program  as  part  of  a  new 
day  care  center  which  will 
serve  12  children;  and 

Chestnut  Street  Church  in 
Wilmington,  N.C.— $37,294  to 
help  start  a  new  day  care  pro- 
gram to  serve  50  children.  If 
the  day  care  center  fails  to 
become  operational,  these 
funds  will  be  given  to  another 
church-run  day  care  center. 


The  four  day  care  centers 
were  selected  from  eight  ap- 
plicants. 

The  funds  came  from  the 
Major  Mission  Fund,  a  1977- 
79  fund-raising  campaign  of 
the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  (USA).  As  a  part  of  the 
Major  Mission  Fund  prospec- 
tus, the  Synod  of  the  Pied- 
mont established  the  Day  Care 
Fund  to  create  day  care  opera- 
tions in  African  American 
churches  within  the  Catawba 
Unit  in  North  Carolina. 

Funds  contributed  to  the 
Day  Care  Fund  totaled  about 
$500,000.  Most  of  this  amount 
was  awarded  to  churches  in 
the  Charlotte  area.  After  1985, 
few  grants  were  made. 

Of  the  amount  recently 
awarded,  about  one  half  came 
from  investment  of  funds 
which  were  intended  for  day 
care  programs  which  never 
became  operational. 

In  1993  the  Synod  Council 
approved  formation  of  a  task 
force  to  determine  how  to  use 
these  remaining  funds. 


*'My  Charitable 
Gift  Annuity. 
IsFuimiii 

More  Than 
Own  Needs." 

'jlrve  never  had  a  lot  of  money, 
l^but  I  make  the  best  of  it.  And 
when  a  friend  at  my  church  told 

me  about  a  Charitable  Gift 
Annuity,  I  knew  it  was  exac+h 
what  I  wanted  to  do. 
to  tbe  Church  will  be  ui 
children,  jtist  like  I  reque&t^u 
I  receive  a  guaranteed  income 
for  life  and  certain  income  tax 

benefits  too.  I  think  it 
«t.  a  smart  thing  to  do  .  . 
a  nice  thing  too. 

■jH  If ^u'd%ft  more  details 
ahout^  muty  benefits  offfvmg 
through  a  Charitable  Gift  Anmuty, 
call  us  taitt-free.  ^ 


Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Founj 
1-800-289-0313 


ae  tax 


Psge  4,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1995 


Success  of  church  camping 
determined  by  growth  of  camper 


continued  from  page  3 
large  trees  20  to  30  feet  above 
the  ground.  The  participant  is 
protected  from  injury  by  a  har- 
ness secured  to  a  safety  rope. 

"A  teenager  may  be  strug- 
gling with  growing  in  the  faith. 
His  or  her  early  Christian  edu- 
cation lessons  may  not  seem 
relevant  anymore,"  said  Bill. 
"On  the  high  ropes  course  they 
realize  they  can  do  many 
things  because  of  the  safety 
rope.  And  God  is  more  power- 
ful than  a  safety  rope." 

Another  example  is  an  ac- 
tivity called  the  Predator 
Game.  Campers  are  divided 
into  groups  representing  the 
different  levels  of  the  food 
chain.  As  in  nature,  the  larger 
or  more  powerful  creatures 
feed  on  the  smaller,  weaker 
ones. 

"They  can't  hide  forever," 
said  Bill.  "Eventually  they 
must  come  out  and  find  food, 
water  or  others  of  their  own 
kind." 

The  game  teaches  how  all 
creatures  are  affected  by 
changes  in  the  environment. 
"If  a  predator  eats  another 
creature  that  has  been  poi- 
soned, then  the  predator  is 
poisoned,  too,"  said  Bill.  "A 
child  experiences  how  pollu- 
tion affects  [creation]  ...  and 
how  man-made  changes  take 
their  toll. 

"The  campers  really  get  into 
the  game,"  he  added.  "Both 
campers  and  staff  get  emo- 
tionally involved  in  the  pro- 
gram. It's  unlike  listening  to  a 
person  'preach,'  which  can  be 
easily  ignored." 


REFINISHING 


Another  activity  that 
teaches  lessons  about  the 
world  in  which  we  live  is  World 
III.  Participants  help  raise 
farm  animals  and  grow  veg- 
etables. Thus,  they  learn  how 
food  comes  to  our  tables. 

For  three  years,  George 
Kudaya,  a  native  of  Ghana, 
has  been  employed  to  give  this 
activity  another  facet.  He 
teaches  the  participants  how 
the  success  and  failure  of  these 
activities  affect  everyday  life 
in  a  central  African  village. 

"In  Africa,  if  an  animal  dies 
or  crops  fail,  there  is  no  abun- 
dance of  food  to  fall  back  on 
like  we  have  in  this  country," 
said  Bill. 

Other  activities  featured  at 
Chesapeake  Center  include 
swimming,  inner-tube  floats, 
nature  study,  crafts,  pottery, 
campfire  programs,  baking, 
Bible  study,  gardening,  candle 
making,  photography,  music, 
drama,  field  sports,  dancing, 
tennis,  videaproduction,  back- 
packing, ar- 
chery and 
camp  outs. 

Off-campus 
activities  pro- 
grammed by 
the  center  in- 
clude horse- 
back riding  at 
a  nearby  stable 
and  rafting  on 
the  Potomac 
and  Shenan- 
doah rivers. 

Asked  to 
name  the  best 
way  to  mea- 
sure how  well  a  camping  pro- 
gram is  doing.  Bill  Deutsch 
said,  "when  a  child  returns 
home  after  camp  and  a  parent 
is  thankful  for  the  positive 
changes  they  see  in  that  child. 

"Children  who  were  Seven 
years  old  when  we  started  [in 
camping]  are  now  in  their  mid 
20s,"  he  said.  "It  warms  me  to 
see  the  people  those  kids  have 
become  and  hear  them  talk 
about  the  experiences  they  had 


Rafting  on  the  Potomac  and  Shenandoah  rivers  is  an 
activity  offered  by  Chesapeake  Center. 


Chesapeake  Center 

will  hold  open  houses 
on  Saturday,  April  15, 
Sunday  April  23  and 
Sunday  May  7. 

For  more  information 
phone  (410)378-2267 

or  write  to 
Chesapeake  Center 
50  Happy  Valley  Rd. 
Port  Deposit,  MD  21904. 


in  camp.  That's  a  very  impor- 
tant measure  of  success. 

"Over  a  half  dozen  years, 
we  see  a  child  who  has  poten- 
tial focus  on  a  career  that  will 
let  him  or  her  use  all  they've 
got  ...  maybe  in  the  church, 
but  more  commonly  in  the  help 
or  facilitator  professions  and 
many  times  in  business. 

  "Also,  if 

they  ac- 
knowledge 
their  calling 
to  be  Chris- 
tians, then 


we  ve  suc- 
c  e  e  d  e  d  ,  " 
added  the 
camp  direc- 
tor. 


On  the 
other  hand, 
there  are 
measures  of 
success  with 
which  he  dis- 
agrees, such  as  "when  a  camp 
talks  about  how  many  people 
they  claim  to  have  saved. 

"God  does  all  the  saving  that 
needs  to  be  done.  We  send  chil- 
dren back  to  their  churches 
better  able  to  function . . .  that's 
what  we're  supposed  to  do." 

Among  the  Chesapeake 
Center's  "success  stories"  is 
Jeff  Sheggrud,  who  will  be 
serving  his  second  year  as  the 
center's  simimer  program  di- 


To  Help  You... 


Planning 


1995-96  Presbyterian 
Planning  Calendar 

If  We  Live  by  the  Spirit: 
Reflections  on  the  Beatitudes 
Schedule  your  year  with  inspirational  reflections  on 
the  Beatitudes  and  a  variety  of  worship  ideas  and 
planning  suggestions.  $6.50  each  /  $4.00  for  ten  or 
more,  plus  shipping.  Also  available  —  Reflections  on 
the  Beatitudes:  A  Guide  for  Prayer  &  Conversation, 
a  companion  booklet  for  spiritual  growth. 
$1 .50  each/  $1  for  ten  or  more. 
^  :  '  r  a  iling  (800)  524-2612. 


1996  Mission  Yearbook 
for  Prayer  &:  Study 

We  Believe  in  One  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
Discover  how  Presbyterian  churches  in  your 
synod  and  how  overseas  mission  personnel  make 
a  living  wimess  to  Christ's  call.  Save  up  to  one- 
half  of  the  cover  price  by  ordering  through  your 
presbytery  office  before  July  1 .  For  more  details, 
call  your  presbytery  or  (502)  569-5170. 


rector.  He  came  up  "through 
the  ranks,"  starting  as  a  young 
camper  and  participating  in 
the  various  levels,  including 
the  two-year  Leaders  in  De- 
velopment program. 

Sheggrud,  a  member  of  the 
Glen  Burnie  (Md.)  Church,  is 
doing  graduate  work  at  the 
University  of  Maryland-Balti- 
more County  after  graduating 
from  Clemson  University. 

After  17  years  in  camping, 
the  Deutsches  have  numerous 
"success  stories"  to  tell  about 
the  many  young  men  and 
women  who  have  passed 
through  their  camps.  Overall, 
however,  their  definition  of 
success  is  fairly  all-encompass- 
ing. "We  want  everyone  to  have 
a  safe  and  wholesome  experi- 
ence," said  Bill  Deutsch. 
"That's  what  we're  really 
about." 


Members  invited 
to  the  207th  GA 

Cincinnati  Presbytery  and  the 
Office  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly are  inviting  Presbyterians 
from  across  the  country  to 
come  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  from 
July  15  through  July  21  for 
the  207th  General  Assembly. 
Also,  there  will  be  a  Celebra- 
tion of  Faith  on  July  14. 

For  information  and  regis- 
tration material,  call  the  GA 
Meeting  Service  toll-free  at 
(800)  210-9371.  Or,  if  you  pre- 
fer, FAX  requests  for  informa- 
tion to  (502)  569-8005. 


Two  in  synod  win 
honors  from 
church  educators 

ATLANTA— Two  church  edu- 
cators from  within  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  were  rec- 
ognized during  the  Associa- 
tion of  Presbyterian  Church 
Educators  (APCE)  conference 
here  Feb.  8-11. 

Stratton  Lee  Peacock  of 
Montreat,  N.C.,  received  one 
of  three  APCE  Life  Achieve- 
ment Awards. 

Peacock  began  her  Chris- 
tian education  career  at  the 
Columbus,  Ga.,  church  in 
1949.  After  marriage  in  1952, 
she  continued  as  a  volunteer 
until  1975  when  she  became  a 
staff  associate  for  Southwest 
Georgia  Presb5d;ery.  She  was 
ordained  in  1984  and  worked 
with  several  congregations. 
She  retired  in  1990  only  to 
volunteer  further  in  setting 
up  pre-school  and  after-school 
programs  in  Columbus,  Ga. 

Peacock  moved  to  Montreat 
in  1993  and  has  served  locally 
since  that  time.  She  is  chair  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Western 
North  Carolina's  Education 
Committee  and  recently 
served  as  interim  educator  at 
First  Church  in  Asheville,  N.C. 

Marilyn  liana  Avent,  who 
received  the  E.  Valaria 
Murphy  Scholarship  Award, 
is  a  native  of  Nashville,  N.C. 
She  plans  on  attending 
Johnson  C.  Smith  Theological 
Seminary  in  Atlanta. 

A 1992  graduate  of  the  Pres- 
byterian School  of  Christian 
Education,  she  has  been  em- 
ployed by  New  Hope  Presby- 
tery and  currently  works  with 
the  Mount  Pisgah  Church  in 
Rocky  Mount,  where  she  is 
also  a  member. 

In  addition  to  her  master's 
degree  from  PSCE,  Avent 
holds  a  bachelor's  degree  in 
journalism  from  Virginia 
Union  University. 

Betty  Sue  Wright  of  Atlanta, 
who  also  received  an  APCE 
Life  Achievement  Award, 
graduated  from  three  schools 
within  the  synod — the  Pres- 
b3d;erian  School  of  Christian 
Education  in  Richmond,  Va.; 
Queens  College  in  Charlotte, 
N.C;  and  Peace  College  in 
I  Raleigh,  N.C. 


Belk  Catechism  Awards 


The  following  young  Presbyterians  have  received  certificates 
and  monetary  awards  for  reciting  the  Catechism  for  Young 
Children  or  the  Shorter  Catechism.  The  sjTiod's  catechism 
fund,  established  by  the  late  W.H.  Belk,  provides  recognition  to 
boys  and  girls  age  15  and  younger  who  recite  either  catechism. 
The  most  recent  recipients  are  from: 

Blackstone  (Va.)  Church — Megan  Ferguson,  Thomas 
Forrester,  Benjamin  Spence  and  Lauren  Spence 
Clifton  Forge  (Va.)  Church — Margaret  Adams 
First  Church,  Charlotte,  N.C. — Erin  Davis,  Anna  Harkey, 
Sara  Henley,  Lucy  Long,  Jonathan  Lovelett,  Will  Meacham, 
Anna  Rainey,  Caroline  Seals,  Leslie  Spilmann-Ehrsam  and 
Maggie  Staton 

First  Church,  Raleigh,  N.C. — David  Gentry,  Evan  Legarde, 

Allison  Parks  and  Emily  White 

Ginter  Park  Church,  Richmond,  Va. — Carolyn  Lovell 
Grace  Covenant  Church,  Asheville,  N.C. — Jack  DePaulo, 

Sarah  DePaulo,  Emily  Jacobs,  April  Martin,  Dawn  Martin, 

Ann  Neeriemer,  William  Neeriemer,  Emily  Pennell  and  Martha 

Pennell 

Shelby  (N.C.)  Church — Laura  Couey  and  Sarah  Crosland 


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Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1995,  Page  5 


Live  from  Richmond,  it's  Dr.  Weeks! 

RICHMOND — Union  Theological  Seminary  President  Louis  Weeks 
(above  left)  and  UTS  Media  Producer  Jeff  Keezel  prepare  for  a 
"broadcast"  of  Lenten  Study  to  the  Presbytery  of  Eastern  Virginia. 
The  four-part  study,  titled  "Prayer  101,"  was  televised  via  closed 
circuit  to  three  cluster  sites:  the  WHRO  television  studio  in  Norfolk, 
Eastern  Shore  Community  College  in  Melfa,  and  Hidenwood  Church 
in  Newport  News.  The  live  programs  of  "distance  learning"  were 
offered  on  March  2,  9,  16  and  23  as  part  of  the  Makemie  Institute  of 
Christian  Studies  and  were  co-sponsored  by  the  presbytery  and  the 
seminary.  There  was  no  cost  to  participants.  For  more  information, 
contact  Phil  Leftwich,  associate  presbyter,  at  (804)  397-7246. 

Williamsburg  study  trip  offered 

RICHMOND— Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  will  offer  a 
one-day  study  excursion  to  Williamsburg  on  April  26.  "Roots  and 
Branches:  Our  American  Tradition"  will  include  visits  to  First 
Baptist  Church,  Bruton  Parish  Church,  Williamsburg  Presbyterian 
Church,  as  well  as  brief  stops  to  various  historical  sites  in  the  area. 
Dr.  James  Smylie,  UTS  professor  of  church  history,  and  Dr.  Louis 
Weeks,  UTS  president  and  professor  of  historical  theology,  will  lead 
the  group.  Registration  fee  for  the  program,  lunch,  and  round-trip  bus 
transportation  from  Richmond  is  $30  per  person.  For  more  informa- 
tion call  278-4301  (Richmond  area)  or  (800)  229-2990. 

Jackson  Harrill  joins  PSCE  staff 

RICHMOND — C.  Jackson  Harrill  Jr.  is  the  new  associate  director  of 
institutional  advancement  at  the  Presbji^rian  School  of  Christian 
Education  effective  Feb.  2.  He  wiU  visit  churches  and  donors,  as  well 
as  m£iking  new  contacts  for  the  School.  Harrill  comes  to  PSCE  with 
13  years  of  development  experience  in  a  variety  of  areas  including 
annual  giving,  foundation  relations,  direct  marketing,  and  planned 
giving.  A  lifelong  Presbyterian,  Harrill  and  his  family  are  members 
of  Tuckahoe  Church  in  Richmond. 

Forbes  to  lecture  at  Warren  Wilson 

ASHEVILLE,  N.C.— The  Rev.  Dr.  James  A.  Forbes  Jr.,  senior  minister 
of  Riverside  Church  in  New  YorkCity,  will  give  the  1995  George 
Donnell  Davidson  Roundtable  lecture  at  Warren  Wilson  College  on 
April  22.  The  lecture  starts  at  8  p.m.  in  the  Kittredge  Community 
Arts  Center.  Forbes  will  also  preach  at  the  11  a.m.  April  23  worship 
service  in  the  college's  chapel. 

Peace  announces  new  trustees 

RALEIGH,  N.C. — Peace  College  has  announced  the  election  of  the 
following  new  trustees:  John  Adams,  builder  and  developer,  and 
member  of  First  Church  in  Raleigh;  Connie  Grant,  president  of 
Britt/Grant  Associates,  Inc.,  who  attends  White  Memorial  Church; 
Stan  Kelly,  vice  president  of  Wachovia  Bank  of  N.C.  and  a  member 
of  Our  Lady  of  Lourdes  Catholic  Church;  Bill  McDonald,  president 
and  chief  executive  officer  of  Spring  Mid-Atlantic  Telecom;  Bill 
White,  vice  president  of  CJS,  Inc.,  and  president  of  Motor  Bearings 
and  Parts  in  Raleigh,  and  a  member  of  White  Memorial  Church. 

Peace  College  is  a  liberal  arts  and  sciences  college  for  women 
currently  offering  two-year  associate  degrees  with  plans  to  add 
several  four-year  baccalaureate  degree  programs  in  fall  1995. 

PSCE  receives  major  gift 

RICHMOND— The  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education  has 
received  an  unrestricted  stock  gift  of  $105,000  from  Dr.  J.  Marcus 
Shim  and  his  wife.  Dr.  Young  Soon  Shim.  Marcus  Shim  is  a  member 
of  the  school's  board  of  trustees  and  an  elder  in  Richmond's  Korean 
Presbyterian  Church.  Approximately  half  of  the  gift  will  be  added  to 
the  school's  endowed  Williamson  Fund,  which  supports  PSCE's 
Program  for  Education  in  a  Global  Context.  Another  $30,000  will  be 
used  to  endow  the  school's  Korean-American  Ministrj-  Scholarship 
Fund,  and  the  remainder  will  be  used  for  unrestricted  purposes. 


IJfe  Care  Retirement 


Rappahannodc  Westminster-Canterbury 

A  retiranent  community  related  to  tbe  Presbyterian  and  Episcopal 
Cbuidies,  kx:aled  in  the  scenic  Chesapeake  Area. 


10  Lancaster  Drive  •  Irvington,  Virginia  2m)  •  (804)  ^-4000 


Campus  Ministry  Comer 

Ecumenical  student  gathering  worth  trip 


By  STEWART  ELLIS 

As  a  local  church  pastor  and 
part-time  Presbyterian  cam- 
pus minister  in  Winston-Sa- 
lem, I  wondered  whether  it 
would  be  worth  spending  my 
after-Christmas  holiday  with 
1,800  college  students  in  St. 
Louis  at  the  Celebrate  Confer- 
ence. 

I  am  very  glad  I  did.  Espe- 
cially since  we  stopped  in  Ken- 
tucky on  the  way  and  I  got  a 
last  glimpse  of  my  dad  before 
Alzheimer's  disease  ended  his 
life  on  Jan.  3. 

I  had  heard  about  the  Rev. 
James  Forbes  of  Riverside 
Church  in  New  York  for  years 
and  was  delighted  to  hear  him 
preach  a  challenging  sermon 
on  finding  a  life-long  "project." 
Discovering  our  project,  or 
Christian  calling,  became  a 
unifying  theme  for  the  ecu- 
menical student  conference. 

My  own  vocation  in  minis- 
try was  encouraged  by  a  simi- 
lar conference  some  30  years 
ago,  so  it  pleased  me  that  11  of 
us  Presbyterians,  Methodists, 
and  a  Catholic  from  Wake  For- 
est University  made  the  trek 
to  St.  Louis. 

Remembering  the  furor  over 
the  ecumenical  Re-Imagining 
Conference  of  14  months  ear- 
lier, I  had  expected  Re-Imag- 
ining speaker  Rita  Nakashima 
Brock's  Bible  studies  to  be 
more  controversial.  To  me, 
they  were  stimulating  but  as 
mainstream  as  our  local  Pres- 
b3d;erian  Women's  circle  Bible 
studies. 

Our  students  seemed  most 
impressed  with  Edwina 
Gateley,  the  British  Catholic 
laywoman,  whose  entertain- 
ing and  dynamic  presentation 
showed  that  one  person  can 
make  a  big  difference,  even  in 
the  Catholic  church.  Her  mis- 
sion work  in  Africa  and  her 
Genesis  House  ministry  with 
prostitutes  in  Chicago  were 
most  inspiring. 

Having  read  one  of  semi- 
nary professor  and  Methodist 
minister  Tex  Sample's  books 
on  evangelism  with  "baby 
boomers,"  I  enjoyed  hearing 
him  at  the  closing  worship  ser- 
vice preach  a  wonderful  ser- 
mon on  the  importance  of  the 


community  of 
faith. 

My  personal 
favorite  was  the 
music  group 
Bread  for  the 
Journey  which 
sang  and  played 
and  led  us  in 
singing  and 
moving  with 
wonderful 
Christian  music 
from  all  over  the  world. 

And  I  especially  enjoyed  the 
evening  when  all  the  interna- 
tional student  representatives 
of  the  World  Student  Chris- 
tian Federation  introduced 
themselves  and  gave  us  a 
glimpse  of  the  global  dimen- 
sions of  our  Christian  faith. 

We  Presbyterians  met  to- 
gether for  three  well-planned 
sessions,  and  former  modera- 
tor John  Fife  and  Youth  Min- 
istry Associate  Rodger 
Nishioka  were  singularly  en- 
gaging. 

I  regret  I  did  not  go  up  in 
the  taller-than-two-football- 


Wake  Forest  students  and  ministers  at  Celebrate! 


fields  Arch.  I  could  not  take  in 
all  the  workshops  and  small 
group  experiences.  And  I  did 
not  get  enough  sleep,  but  I  am 
delighted  that  the  ecumenical 
student  Christian  movement 
is  alive  and  well  in  the  1990s, 
and  I  hope  it  will  grow  and 
flourish  in  the  years  to  come. 

Stewart  Ellis  is  co-pastor  of 
Trinity  Church  in  Winston- 
Salem,  N.  C,  and  campus  min- 
ister at  Wake  Forest  Univer- 
sity and  the  North  Carolina 
School  for  the  Arts,  two  of  48 
Presbyterian-related  campus 
ministries  in  the  synod. 


Other  comments  about  Celebrate! 

The  National  Ecumenical  Christian  Student  Gather- 
ing was  an  excellent  experience.  I  was  surrounded  by 
Christians  who  believed  and  were  trying  to  live  the  gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ.  I  felt  part  of  the  community  that  makes 
Christianity  so  unique.  ...  It  did  not  matter  that  someone 
celebrated  communion  in  a  different  way  than  I  did.  We 
were  part  of  the  same  body  of  Christ.  I  would  not  have 
traded  the  experience  ...  for  anything.  [Such]  experiences 
which  affirm  my  faith  ...  empower  me  to  live  a  better  life 
in  our  broken  society.  I  was  reminded  that  being  a  Chris- 
tian is  not  just  a  part  of  my  life  but  something  that  guides 
my  life  and  encompasses  every  decision  I  make. 

— Mark  Hoskins  Senior,  UNC-Charlotte 

The  Celebrate!  Conference  encouraged  us  to  recognize 
diversity  within  the  body  of  Christ.  We  did  not  look  at 
ourselves  as  separate  denominations  but  as  denomina- 
tions who  are  bound  in  one  purpose,  to  do  the  wdll  of 
Christ.  — Lissa  Weber,  Senior,  UNC-Charlotte 


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No  wonder  so  many  sing  our  praises. 
One  of  this  country's  most  exceptional 
continuing  care  retirement  communities 
is  also  an  exceptional  value. 

Few  retirement  cottages  or  apartments 
are  as  large  as  King's  Grant's.  While  ours 
are  more  spacious,  they're  also  less  costly. 

Value  aside,  King's  Grant  also  offers 
many  other  priceless  benefits  that  money 
just  can't  buy — like  the  peace  of  mind 
associated  with  on-site  nursing  care. 

Call  or  write  today  to  find  out  more. 


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Page  (),  Mid-Atlantic  Presb5i;erian,  April  1995 

William  Black 
Lodge  provides 
special  for  pastors 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— After 
Easter  William  Black  Lodge 
here  will  offer  free  lodging  from 
April  17  to  April  19  for  minis- 
ters and  their  families.  The 
after-Easter  special  offer  does 
not  include  meals  but  the  lodge 
will  provide  coffee  for  guests. 

Also  during  1995,  WilUam 
Black  Lodge  will  offer  retired 
ministers  and  their  spouses  a 
free  room  for  three  days.  This 
offer  is  good  during  the  regu- 
lar season,  April  1  through 
Nov.  30.  The  offer  is  good  as 
space  is  available;  rooms  may 
not  be  obtainable  during  busier 
parts  of  the  season.  Owned  by 
the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic, 


Officers  for  the  William  Black  Lodge  are,  from  left,  Bill 
Sessler,  treasurer;  Ginny  Williamson,  vice  president; 
Bill  McCachem,  manager;  Ann  McNeill,  secretary;  and 
Bob  James,  chairman. 


the  William  Black  Lodge  was 
built  in  1951.  It  can  accommo- 
date 64  overnight  guests  and 
has  a  dining  room  which  will 
seat  72  guests.  During  the 
regular  season  three  family 


style  meals  are  served  daily. 

For  more  information, 
phone  Manager  Bill  Mc- 
Cachem, at  (704)  669-6314  or 
write  to  him  at  the  lodge,  P.O. 
Box  819,  Montreat,  NC  28757. 


Montreafs  Peterson  to  resign  June  1 


MONTREAT,  N.C.— H.  Will- 
iam Peterson,  executive  direc- 
tor of  Montreat  Conference 
Center  for  the  past  10  years, 
has  announced  fiis  resignation 
effective  June  1. 

"The  past  decade  has  been  a 
time  of  growth  for  the  confer- 
ence center,"  said  Peterson.  "I 
feel  the 


Bill  Peterson 


ten  years. 

"My  hope  is  that  Montreat 
will  continue  to  serve  the 
Church  as  a  catalyst  where 
many  life-changing  experi- 
ences take  place."  Montreat  is 
one  of  the  three  national  con- 
ference centers  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.). 

During  his  tenure  at 
Montreat,  Peterson  directed 
the  completion  of  classroom 
and  recreational  facility  reno- 


vations totaling  over  $3  mil- 
lion. The  conference  center's 
operating  budget  has  grown 
from  $1  million  in  1985  to  $4.5 
million. 

Montreat  is  in  the  midst  of 
a  $6  million  fund  drive  to  build 
an  addition  to  the  center's  pri- 
mary housing  facility.  Assem- 
bly Inn. 

Montreat  now  plans  and 
hosts  over  40  year-round  con- 
ferences and  retreats.  Nearly 
30,000  people  from  all  50  states 
and  many  foreign  countries 
participated  in  Montreat  Con- 
ference Center's  events  last 
year.  This  represents  an  in- 
crease of  33  percent  from  the 
20,000  people  served  in  1985. 

In  1993,  Peterson  was  the 


driving  force  behind  the 
center's  hosting  the  first-ever 
World  Convention  of  Christian 
Lay  Centres  and  Movements. 
During  this  event,  250  repre- 
sentatives from  70  foreign 
countries  discussed  the  cur- 
rent challenges  and  future 
possibilities  of  the  Christian 
lay  movement. 

Peterson's  commitment  to 
environmental  conservation 
saw  the  institution  of  land-use 
development  policies  for  the 
center  and  the  designation  of 
2,500  acres  of  its  property  as 
wilderness.  In  1994,  the  State 
of  North  Carolina  entered 
Montreat  Conference  Center 
into  its  Registry  of  Natural 
Heritage  Areas. 


Early  registration  deadline  nears 
for  Middle  School  Conference 


May  16  is  the  deadline  for  early 
registration  for  the  Massa- 
netta  Springs  1995  Middle 
School  Conference,  A  Cloud  of 
Witnesses. 

Through  May  16,  the  cost  of 
registration  will  be  $150.  Af- 
ter that  date  it  will  be  $160. 


-  the  Si/nod  of  the  Mid-Atlar 


Presbyterian  Women's  Gathering 

June  8-11 

A  Cloud  of  Witnesses 
Middle  School  Conference 

June  22-25  and  June  27-30 

Synod  Presbyterian  Men 

July  14-16 

72nd  Annual  Bible  Conference 
and  Church  Music  Workshop 

July  30- Aug.  4 

Synod  Youth  Leadership  Workshop 

Nov.  10-12 

Elderhostels 

May  7-12,  June  1 1-16,  July  9-14,  Sept.  10-15 

For  information  and  brochures  write  to: 
:      y  Springs,  P.O.  Box  1286,  Harrisonburg,  VA  22801 
(703)  434-3829 


The  popular  event  at  the 
synod-owned  conference  cen- 
ter will  have  two  sessions:  Jime 
22-25  and  June  27-30. 

The  annual  conference  is 
specifically  designed  for  6th- 
8th  grade  youth  and  their  adult 
leaders.  It  strives  "to  meet  the 
needs  of  the  youth,  and  to  cel- 
ebrate their  God-given  vari- 
ety and  diversity,"  said  confer- 
ence planning  team  chair  John 
Mayes  of  Richmond,  Va. 

For  more  information,  con- 
tact Massanetta  Springs  Con- 
ference Center,  P.O.  Box  1286, 
Harrisonburg,  VA  22801 


Chesapeake  Center 
offers  April  retreat 
for  clergy,  educators 

PORT  DEPOSIT,  Md.— Trea- 
sure in  Earthen  Vessels,  a  post 
Lenten  Season  retreat  for 
clergy  and  church  educators, 
will  be  held  April  18-20  at 
Chesapeake  Center. 

Nancy  Pederson,  an  associ- 
ate for  camp  and  conference 
ministry  for  the  Presbytery  of 
Western  New  York,  will  lead 
the  retreat. 

The  retreat  will  give  par- 
ticipants a  chance  to  rest  and 
renew  themselves  following 
the  rigors  of  Lent  and  Holy 
Week,  and  to  reflect  upon  the 
meaning  of  their  ministry. 
There  will  be  time  for  personal 
contemplation,  group  sharing, 
and  the  practice  of  the  spiri- 
tual disciplines  of  the  church. 

For  more  information, 
phone  (410)  378-2267. 


Rogers  to  lead  Bible  study  for  women 

Former  PC(USA)  moderator  Isabel  Rogers  will  lead  the  Bible  study 
at  the  1995  summer  gathering  of  the  synod's  Presbyterian  Women, 
June  8-11,  at  Massanetta  Springs  Conference  Center.  The  theme  of 
the  study  will  be  "Glimpses  of  Hoine:  Biblical 
Images  of  the  Realm  of  God." 

Rogers,  a  professor  of  applied  Christianity  at 
the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education, 
holds  a  doctorate  from  Duke  University  School  of 
Divinity  and  a  master's  degree  from  PSCE.  She 
is  also  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Virginia 
and  Florida  State  University. 

She  is  a  popular  speaker  and  the  author  of 
several  books,  including  Our  Shared  Earth ,  which 
was  re-issued  as  part  of  Handle  with  Care  in 
1982. 

Rogers  was  elected  moderator  of  the  199th 
General  Assembly  (1987).  She  is  an  elder  at  the 
Ginter  Park  Church  in  Richmond,  Va.  Before 
joining  the  PSCE  faculty  in  1961,  she  held  sev- 
eral posts  at  Georgia  College. 

In  addition  to  Rogers,  other  leaders  of  the  gathering  will  include 
kejTiote  speaker  Maij  Carpenter,  mission  interpreter  Nancy  Norman, 
music  director  Frances  Cowan,  worship  leader  Ten  Thomas  Taylor, 
and  morning  devotions  leader  "Pinky"  Bender.  Conference  informa- 
tion and  registration  forms  are  available  from  presbjrtery  moderators 
of  Presbyterian  Women. 

Weeks  to  keynote  men's  conference 

Dr.  Louis  B.  Weeks,  president  of  Union  Theological  Seminary  in 
Virginia,  will  be  the  keynote  speaker  for  the  annual  conference  of  the 
synod's  Presb3derian  Men.  With  Faith  in  Action  as  its  theme,  the 
event  will  be  held  July  14-16  at  Massanetta 
Springs  near  Harrisonburg,  Va. 

Other  conference  leaders  will  be  Dale  A. 
^  ^    Rawlings,  president  of  the  Synod  Men's  Council 

Wm  I     and  a  student  at  Union  Theological  Seminary; 

fmd,,,       ■:  Edward  A.  McLeod,  a  retired  Presbs^terian  min- 

''■"^7  I  '/r  ister  now  living  in  Black  Mountain,  N.C.;  and 
L     «        *  *^  1    Kemper  Bausell,  choir  director  of  Buchanan  (Va.) 

^m^^i    ^i^st  Church.  After  a  brief  absence,  Bausell  is 
.  ■    returning  for  his  ninth  appearance  as  the  confer- 

ence music  leader. 

The  conference  will  start  with  registration  at 
4  p.m.  Friday  afternoon  and  conclude  with  Ivmch 
on  Sunday.  Weeks  will  present  his  addresses 
Friday  evening,  Saturday  morning  and  Saturday 
evening.  There  will  also  be  four  workshops  on  family  life  and  Presby- 
terian Men's  involvement  in  international  missions. 

The  conference  registration  deadline  is  June  17.  Brochures 
are  being  mailed  to  past  participants,  churches  and  presbytery 
offices.  Copies  may  also  be  requested  by  writing  to:  Men's 
Conference,  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic,  P.O.  Box  27026,  Rich- 
mond, VA  23261-7026. 

Intergenerational  Elderhostel  set 

HARRISONBURG,  Va.— Massanetta  Springs  will  host  its  first 
intergenerational  Elderhostel  session  the  week  of  July  9-14. 

The  intergenerational  event  at  Massanetta  Springs  is  one  of  10 
Elderhostel  sessions  the  Presbyterian  conference  center  vrill  offer 
during  1995.  It  will  be  open  to  older  adults  and  their  grandchildren 
in  the  10-  to  12-year-old  range.  Topics  to  be  studied  during  the  July 
session  include:  Early  Scotch-Irish,  German  and  English  settlement 
of  the  Shenandoah  Valley  and  what  life  was  like  on  the  frontier;  the 
biology  of  a  fresh  water  lake  and  the  botany  of  the  wild  flowers  on  local 
trails  and  meadows;  and  "Rocks  and  Critters"  of  the  Shenandoah 
National  Park.  Field  trips  are  scheduled  to  the  American  Frontier 
Museum  in  Staunton  and  to  Shenandoah  National  Park. 

A  brochure  on  Massanetta's  Elderhostel  programs  is  available 
from  the  conference  center.  Write  to  Massanetta  Springs,  P.O.  Box 
1286,  Harrisonburg,  VA  22801,  or  phone  (703)  434-3829. 

Recreation  workshop  is  May  1  -6 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— The  42nd  Annual  Recreation  Workshop  will  be 
held  May  1-6  at  the  Montreat  Conference  Center.  The  workshop  offers 
courses  and  hands-on  experience  in  cooperative  games,  dancing, 
crafts,  camping,  music,  recreation  leadership  skills  and  more. 

The  event  is  designed  for  lay  leaders,  youth  workers,  Sunday 
school  volunteers,  camp  and  conference  leaders,  ministers.  Christian 
educators  and  students.  Registration  is  limited  to  200  persons.  For 
more  information  contact  Registrar  Kathy  Emerson  at  1535  Alexander 
Rd.,  Rock  Hill,  SC  29732;  phone  (803)  328-2764. 

Older  adult  ministry  event  set 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— The  Skills  for  Older  Adult  Ministry  Conference 
is  scheduled  for  May  8-12  at  the  Montreat  Conference  Center.  The 
event  is  for  clergy,  church  staff,  and  members  involved  in  planning  for 
and  ministry  with  older  adults. 

Theme  of  the  1995  conference  is  Aging  is  a  Faith  Journey: 
Continuing  to  Declare  God's  Power  to  the  Generations. 

The  conference  will  underline  the  spiritual  tasks  of  old  age  and 
how  the  witness  of  older  people,  no  matter  what  their  vigor  or  frailty, 
strengthens  the  entire  church.  Former  PC(USA)  moderator  J.  Randolph 
Taylor  will  be  one  of  the  conference  leaders. 

For  more  information  contact  the  Montreat  Development  Office, 
P.O.  969,  Montreat,  NC  28757;  phone  (800)  572-2257. 

Youth  leadership  event  Nov.  10-12 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic's  1995  youth  leadership  event  will  be 
held  Nov.  10-12  at  Massanetta  Springs  Conference  Center  near 
Harrisonburg,  Va.  Youth  Garage — How  to  Build,  Maintain  and 
Repair  Your  Youth  Ministry  will  be  the  theme.  Purpose  of  the  annual 
event  is  to  support,  train  and  equip  adults  and  youths  to  lead  youth 
fellowships  and  organizations.  More  information  will  be  announced 
later  and  mailed  to  past  participants. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbjrterian,  April  1995,  Page  7 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study— Lesson  9,  May  1995 

The  Christ  who  returns 


By  EUGENIA  S.  PHILLIPS 

The  older  you  are,  the  more  likely  it  is  that  you 
need  more  than  the  fingers  on  both  hands  to 
count  the  number  of  times  you  have  watched 
someone  shrug  his  shoulders  or  shake  her 
head  and  say  in  some  way  or  another,  "I  don't 
know  what  the  world's  coming  to!" 

Most  often  this  follows  some  observation 
about  a  person  or  experience  that  goes  against 
what  has  been  considered  normal  or  routine  up 
until  this  point.  If  the  speaker  is  truly  dis- 
mayed by  whatever  brought  on  the  statement, 
he  or  she  may  continue  a  trend  of  thought 
which  leads  to  depression,  discovu-agement, 
and  a  general  fearfulness  about  the  future. 

If  we  are  Christians,  we 
may  very  likely  make  this 
remark,  without  much 
thought,  and  then  later,  on 
second  thought,  say  to  our- 
selves, "But  I  really  do.  I  do  ^jj 
know  what  the  world's  com-  J 
ing  to  because  I  know  what 
the  Bible  says,  and  I  know 
what  Jesus  taught." 

"What  the  world  is  com- 
ing to"  is  the  theme  of  this 
last  lesson  of  the  PW  Bible 
study  series.  Who  Is  the  Eugenia 
Christ?  From  earliest  times,  Phillips 
humankind  has  wrestled 
with  this  question.  Events  in  personal  lives 
and  in  the  world  have  always  been  puzzling, 
even  senseless,  unless  some  overall  plan  or 
scheme  is  discovered. 

The  student  of  the  Bible  and  the  disciple  of 
Jesus  Christ  is  neither  discouraged  or  baffled, 
because  he  or  she  already  knows  "what  the 
world's  coming  to."  Prophets  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment predicted  it;  Jesus  taught  it,  and  Paul 
tried  to  explain  the  "mystery"  of  its  happening. 
Our  world  and  all  in  it  are  moving  to  that  day 
when  Jesus  Christ  will  come  into  our  midst 
and  establish  the  kingdom  of  God  among  us. 

The  God  whom  we  worship  created  the  world 
with  a  plan.  The  plan  included  a  freedom  of 
choice  for  humankind,  and  has  been  frustrated 
but  never  lost.  Grod's  original  intention,  indi- 
cated in  the  setting  of  the  garden  of  Eden,  will 
be  realized.  The  powers  of  evil  will  be  subdued, 
all  humankind  will  be  judged,  the  unrepentant 
who  have  cast  their  lot  with  Satan  will  be 
banished,  and  the  wonderful  reign  of  God's 
kingdom  on  earth  will  begin.  (Matthew  25:31- 
40) 

"Be  patient  with  me,  God  is  not  through 
with  me  yet,"  is  a  slogan  we  see  from  time  to 
time.  This  might  also  be  a  slogan  for  our  world, 
because  we  know  that  God  is  working  a  pur- 
pose out.  From  the  beginning  of  recorded  his- 
tory, the  story  of  Abraham,  to  the  last  page  of 
the  Bible,  events  move  in  a  destined  course, 
most  often  not  understood  by  the  participants, 
but  always  leading  to  a  point  where  the  plan  of 
God  is  made  clear.  Abraham  does  become  fa- 
ther of  a  multitude;  Jacob,  after  many  trials, 
becomes  Israel,  father  of  the  twelve  tribes; 
Joseph,  kidnapped  as  a  child  and  carried  into 
slavery,  lives  to  save  Israel  from  possible  ex- 
tinction by  famine;  Moses,  after  years  of  dis- 
comfort and  frustration,  brings  a  stubborn 
people  back  to  the  land  God  planned  for  them; 
Joshua,  against  seemingly  impossible  odds, 
establishes  the  Israelites  in  Palestine;  the 
prophets  predict  a  day  to  come  which  they 
themselves  cannot  understand,  and  in  due 
time  Jesus  is  bom;  the  apostles  preach  and  die 
martyr's  deaths  but  Christ's  church  is  estab- 
lished; Jesus  ascends  from  a  sinful  world  into 
heaven,  but  he  will  return  to  establish  his 
Kingdom.  God  continues  to  work  out  God's 
plan  among  men,  women  and  children. 

The  Kingdom  of  God  is  the  central  theme  of 
Jesus'  teaching.  In  the  passage  for  study  today 
(Matt.  25:31-46)  we  read  what  Jesus  teaches 


about  the  end  time  when  all  the  nations  will  be 
gathered  before  the  throne  of  God.  There  will 
be  those  who  will  be  chosen  for  favor  because 
they  have  done  what  they  could  to  care  for  the 
hungry  and  the  thirsty,  help  the  poor,  comfort 
the  lonely,  and  show  concern  for  the  sick  and 
the  imprisoned.  A  recent  poll  reported  that 
most  people  in  America  believe  there  will  be  a 
definite  time  when  the  world  will  end.  How- 
ever, Jesus  did  not  congratulate  anyone  be- 
cause they  knew  that  the  world  would  end. 
Instead,  his  congratulations  went  to  those 
who  were  not  idle  as  they  waited  for  that  day. 

Sometimes,  it  seems  that  many  people  who 
enter  our  churches  to  join  in  prayer  and  wor- 
ship, and  who  enjoy  the  fellowship  of  other 
Christians,  forget  that  Christianity  is  not  just 
a  hobby,  to  be  used  when  it  is  convenient  and 
enjoyable.  Instead,  it  is  a  way  of  life,  some- 
times difficult  and  often  requiring  sacrifice  of 
our  own  objectives  and  personal  desires.  The 
ancient  Israelites  were  required  to  give  sacri- 
ficial offerings  and  obey  strict  laws;  the  early 
Christians  were  often  required  to  sacrifice 
their  lives.  We  also  are  asked  to  sacrifice  time 
and  personal  desires  putting  first  our  worship 
and  service  to  God. 

As  Christians,  we  join  with  others  through- 
out the  centuries  to  look  forward  to  the  return 
of  Jesus.  What  happens  to  us  in  the  present  as 
we  live  by  such  a  hope  for  the  future?  We 
become  stronger  as  we  live  in  the  knowledge 
that  the  risen  Christ  is  with  us  and  leads  us 
toward  that  day  of  his  return.  The  awareness 
of  his  loving  presence  with  us  transforms  our 
attitude  toward  all  that  happens  in  our  lives. 
Jesus  becomes  the  important  guide  and  direc- 
tor of  our  lives  as  well  as  our  comforter  and 
sustainer  at  times  of  sadness  or  confusion. 

Also,  we  take  seriously  the  requirements  of 
Jesus,  that  we  be  concerned  about  those  who 
have  trouble:  the  hungry,  the  poor,  the  lonely, 
the  finghtened,  the  helpless,  the  unjustly  per- 
secuted, all  those  who  are  deprived  either  in 
body  or  spirit;  that  we  take  to  them  the  saving 
message  of  Jesus  Christ  and  his  love  for  every 
person. 

With  the  help  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  faith  we 
look  forward  to  the  future  that  God  has  for  us, 
knowing  that  the  same  loving  God  who  is  with 
us  in  this  world  will  continue  to  be  with  us  in 
the  world  to  come.  The  ultimate  shape  of  the 
world  will  be  as  God  has  planned  it,  not  as  the 
sinfulness  of  humankind  has  twisted  it.  From 
the  Confession  of  1967,  we  read:  Biblical  vi- 
sion and  images  of  the  rule  of  Christ  such  as  a 
heavenly  city,  a  father's  house,  a  new  heaven 
and  earth,  a  marriage  feast,  and  an  unending 
day  culminate  in  the  image  of  the  kingdom. 
The  kingdom  represents  the  triumph  of  God 
over  all  that  resists  his  will  and  disrupts  his 
creation.  Already  God's  reign  is  present  as  a 
ferment  in  the  world,  stirring  hope  in  men  and 
preparing  the  world  to  receive  its  ultimate 
judgment  and  redemption. 

With  an  urgency  born  of  this  hope  the  church 
applies  itself  to  present  tasks  and  strives  for  a 
better  world.  It  does  not  identify  limited 
progress  with  the  kingdom  of  God  on  earth, 
nor  does  it  despair  in  the  face  of  disappoint- 
ment and  defeat.  In  steadfast  hope  the  church 
looks  beyond  all  partial  achievement  to  the 
final  triumph  of  God.  (9.54,  9.55) 

Let  us  not  forget  that  such  affirmation  ap- 
plies not  only  to  the  church  as  a  whole,  but  to 
each  of  us,  young,  old,  able,  handicapped, 
simple  and  sophisticated  of  every  race.  Where 
we  are  is  where  Jesus  is  and  should  be  made 
known  by  our  words  and  our  actions.  His 
returning  will  be  a  time  of  great  rejoicing  for 
all  of  us  who  have  loved  and  served  him,  and 
who  await  with  joy  that  wonderful  day. 

Eugenia  Phillips  is  a  member  of  Sinking 
Spring  Church  in  Abingdon,  Va. 


NC  Presbyterian  Historical  Society  to  meet  April  29 


The  North  Carolina  Presbyte- 
rian Historical  Society  will 
hojds  its  spring  meeting  on 
Saturday,  April  29,  at  Queens 
College  in  Charlotte,  N.C. 

Annual  memberships  in  the 
NCPHS  are  $3  for  individuals 


and  $5  for  families.  The  cost  of 
a  lifetime  membership  is  $100. 

More  information  about  the 
meeting  will  be  mailed  to  mem- 
bers. Others  wishing  more  in- 
formation about  the  meeting 
or  membership  in  the  organi- 


zation may  phone  Secretary- 
Treasurer  John  MacLeod  Jr. 
at  (704)  438-4217  or  write  to 
him  in  care  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Western  North  Carolina, 
114  Silver  Creek  Rd., 
Morganton,  NC  28655. 


Resources 


Interpretation 


A  series  from  Westminster/John  Knox  Press,  James  L. 
Mays,  Patrick  D.  Miller  and  Paul  J.  Achtemeier,  editors. 
Book  lengths  and  prices  vary. 

A  few  years  ago  Westminster/John  Knox  Press  launched  a 
series  called  simply:  Interpretation.  The  series  will  eventually 
number  nearly  40  volumes,  based  on  scripture,  much  like 
familiar  commentaries.  But  Interpretation  is  a  great  deal  more! 

Most  of  the  volumes  are  based  on  specific  books  of  scripture 
though,  for  convenience,  some  of  the  minor  prophets  are  given 
a  pair  of  volumes  while  John's  letters  are  gathered  in  a  single 
one.  The  stated  purpose  of  the  series  is  to  provide  fresh  insights 
for  the  preacher  and/or  teacher.  In  fact,  the  series  combines 
historical  scholarship  and  theological  insights  into  the  texts 
with  an  eye  to  revealing  insights  for  the  critical  questions  and 
problems  of  contemporary  life  and  faith. 

The  authors  were  given  latitude  to  explore  their  books  with 
an  equal  amount  of  subjective  and  objective  curiosity.  These  are 
not  line-by-line  commentaries  which  demand  reasonable  knowl- 
edge of  Hebrew  or  Greek.  Rather,  they  are  personal  inquiries  by 
known  scholars  seeking  to  intrigue  us  with  the  mysteries, 
subtleties  and  often  overlooked  historical  points  about  the 
books  in  question.  They  are  imminently  readable  works  for 
anyone  with  a  reasonable  knowledge  of  or  interest  in  the  subject 
scripture. 

The  most  recent  release  is  James  Mays'  work  on  Psalms. 
Mays,  a  Hebrew  and  Old  Testament  scholar  of  no  small  repute, 
happily  shows  how  his  interests  in  the  Psalms  are  often  very 
similar  to  ours.  It  is  a  monumental  work  that  even  the  most 
devoted  reader  of  Psalms  will  find  inspiring,  and  it  easily  meets 
the  standards  set  by  its  20-some  predecessors. 

The  series'  authors  comprise  a  literal  Who's  Who  of  present 
scholars  from  the  Reformed  (or  close  to  it)  tradition.  Walter 
Brueggemann  was  responsible  for  Genesis  and  I  &  II  Samuel. 
In  addition  to  the  Mays  work.  Union  Seminary  is  also  repre- 
sented with  W.  Sidney  Towner  presenting  Daniel,  Elizabeth 
Achtemeier  studying  Nahum-Malachi  and  Paul  Achtemeier 
creating  a  tour  de  force  on  Romans.  PSCE's  Lamar  Williamson 
contributes  Mark. 

Douglas  R.A.  Hare  of  Pittsburgh  Seminary  offers  Matthew, 
Fred  Craddock  contributes  Luke  and  Philippians  and  William 
Willimon  is  responsible  for  Acts.  Hare  always  has  something 
new  to  add  to  the  Matthew  debate  and  Craddock's  writing  is  as 
energized  as  are  his  sermons  and  lectures.  Adding  an  interna- 
tional flavor,  R.E.  Clements  of  King's  College,  University  of 
London,  contributes  Jeremiah,  Ernest  Best  of  the  University  of 
Glasgow  offers  II  Corinthians  and  Ralph  P.  Martin,  formerly  of 
Fuller  Seminary,  presently  of  Sheffield  (England)  University 
contributes  Ephesians,  Colossians  and  Philemon  in  a  single 
volume. 

Of  the  dozen  volumes  still  in  the  works,  Thomas  Long, 
professor  of  Homiletics  at  Princeton  Seminary,  will  present 
Hebrews  and  James  Newsome,  I  &  II  Chronicles. 

The  individual  volumes  vary  in  price,  generally  according  to 
length.  All  are  as  attractively  presented  as  they  are  stimulat- 
ing. 

If  you  know  anyone  with  a  special  interest  in  a  particular 
book  of  scripture,  or  would  like  to  evoke  such  an  interest,  the 
proper  volume  from  the  Interpretation  series  will  provide  a 
memorable  gift.  Also  consider  buying  two,  one  to  give  and  one 
to  keep.  You  won't  regret  the  decision. 

— Stan  Fedyszyn 

Healing  Touch:  The  Church's 
Forgotten  Language 

By  Zach  Thomas.  Forward  by  WiUiam  B.  Oglesby  Jr. 
Westminster/John  Knox  Press.  June  1994.  ISBN  0-664- 
25187-0.  145  pp.  Paper.  $12.99 

In  this  book,  Zach  Thomas  shows  how  clergy,  friends  and 
congregations  can  reclaim  the  ancient  practice  of  healing  touch. 
Thomas,  a  Presbyterian  minister  and  certified  bodywork  thera- 
pist from  Charlotte,  N.C,  presents  biblical  principles  that 
encourage  wholesome  behavior  and  protect  against  unhealthy 
touch.  He  provides  a  model  for  reflecting  on  touch  in  pastoral 
care,  offers  case  studies  that  demonstrate  how  and  when  clients 
should  be  referred  to  bodywork  therapies,  and  provides  congre- 
gations with  gmdance  in  designing  appropriate  healing  ser- 
vices that  include  laying  on  of  hands. 

''Healing  Touch  is  a  welcome  and  much  needed  guide  to  a 
body-affirming,  incarnational  ministr y  by  and  in  the  church," 
says  James  B.  Nelson,  professor  of  Christian  ethics  at  United 
Theological  Seminary  of  the  Twin  Cities  in  Brighton,  Minn. 


Mother's  Day  Offering  Reminder 

Chuj-ches  which  need  buJletin  inserts  and  offering  enve- 
lopes for  the  upconaing  Mother's  Day  OfTering  may  order 
them  by  contacting  Associate  for  Older  Adult  Ministries 
Jan  McGilliard  at  <703)  552-0948.  While  many  churches 
choose  to  take  up  the  offering  on  Mother's  Da  ' 
the  offering  may  be  taken  anytime  during  Ms. 


Page  8,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1995 


Self-Development  of  People's 

25th  anniversary  fete  set  for  Chicago 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

The  Self-Development  of 
People  Committee  (SDOP) 
will  celebrate  25  years  of  part- 
nerships with  poor,  oppressed 
and  disadvantaged  communi- 
ties around  the  world  at  "Jour- 
ney to  Justice,"  an  anniver- 
sary convocation  scheduled 
for  April  21-23  at  the  Chicago 
O'Hare  Marriott  Hotel. 

Community  activist  James 
Foreman  and  General  Assem- 
bly moderator  the  Rev.  Rob- 
ert W.  Bohl  will  keynote  the 
event. 

Foreman's  fiery  speech  to 
the  1969  General  Assembly 
demanding  "reparations"  for 
the  "self-development"  of  Af- 
rican Americans  and  Hispanic 
Americans  led  to  the  creation 
of  the  SDOP  program  of  the 


Presbyterian  Church  in  1970. 
His  address  will  be  entitled 
"The  Black  Manifesto:  Then 
and  Now." 

Worship  will  be  led  by  re- 
nowned singers/songwriters 
Avery  and  Marsh.  Presbyte- 
rian hymnologist  Jane  Parker 
Huber  has  written  a  special 
hymn  for  the  convocation. 

Workshops  will  be  led  by 
representatives  of  SDOP- 
funded  projects,  who  will  offer 
models  for  self-development. 
Other  sessions  will  provide 
training  for  s5Tiod  and  presby- 
tery SDOP  committees  and 
prospective  projects.  Crafts 
produced  by  funded  projects 
will  be  for  sale  at  the  convoca- 
tion. 

Workshop  topics  include  "I 
Am  Somebody";  "Shattering 
the  Myths  of  Poverty";  "Com- 
munity Empowerment  for 


Environmental  Justice";  "Tak- 
ing Care  of  Yourself:  Issues  in 
Health  Care";  "Taking  Back 
Our  Communities";  "The  Eco- 
nomics of  Welfare  Rights";  and 
a  discussion  of  international 
development. 

According  to  promotional 
material  for  the  convocation, 
the  Self-Development  of 
People  program  is  a  ministry 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  that  unites  faith  and 
action  in  affirming  God's  con- 
cern for  humankind. 

SDOP,  through  its  grants 
to  projects,  creates  partner- 
ships designed  to  change  the 
structures  that  perpetuate  in- 
justice and  enables  people  to 
take  control  of  their  own  lives. 

Presbyterians  participate  in 
the  program  through  the  One 
Great  Hour  of  Sharing,  an  of- 
fering collected  on  Easter. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


Rwandans  must  survive  on  a  10-by- 10-foot  plot 

Life  is  narrow,  desperate  in  refugee  camp 


By  HOWARD  CAMERON 

International  Mission  Volunteer 

Editor's  note:  Howard 
Cameron  has  been  in  Zaire  for 
some  time,  coordinating  Pres- 
byterian Church  (U.S. A.)  re- 
lief efforts  in  the  wake  of  the 
Rwandan  civil  war.  The  fol- 
lowing story  was  furnished  to 
the  Presbyterian  News  Service 
by  Presbyterian  World  Service. 
— Jerry  L.  Van  Marter 

BUKAVU,  Zaire— What's  life 
like  for  a  Rwandan  refugee  in 
a  camp  in  Kari,  Zaire?  What 
are  one  million  plus  refugees 
experiencing?  Imagine  this,  if 
you  can. 

Go  out  in  your  backyard  and 
choose  a  10-by- 10-foot  plot  of 
ground.  Choose  well  because 
that's  where  you  will  live  for  a 
while.  You  can  keep  the  clothes 
you  are  wearing.  Get  a  10-by- 
10-foot  sheet  of  blue  or  white 
plastic,  a  cooking  pot  and  a 
five-  gallon  plastic  jerrycan  for 
water.  Yellow  seems  to  work 
best.  Don't  fill  it  yet.  That 
comes  later. 

Now  you  and  your  family  (if 


Peacemaking 
Offering  sliows 
increase  in  1994 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— The  Pres- 
byterian Peacemaking  Offer- 
ing grew  by  3 . 3  percent  in  1994 
with  Presbyterians  contribut- 
ing more  than  $1.5  million  to 
the  offering. 

According  to  the  Rev.  Rich- 
ard L.  KjUmer,  coordinator  of 
the  Presbjrterian  Peacemak- 
ing Program,  this  marks  the 
14th  consecutive  year  the  of- 
fering has  increased. 

"I  am  very  pleased, "  Eallmer 
said.  "This  has  been  a  chal- 
h  :  •  r  ^'  for  the  Presbjrte- 
'  U.S.A.),yetthere 
cent  increase." 


you  still  have  one)  leave  the 
house  and  move  to  that  10-by- 
10-foot  plot.  Make  yourself 
comfortable  because  that  is 
where  you  are  going  to  be  to- 
night, tomorrow  and  many 
more  tomorrows  while  politi- 
cians and  military  leaders  play 
out  their  games,  which  will 
decide  if  you  can  ever  go  back 
in  the  house  and  resume  a 
normal  life. 

No  breaks.  No  time-outs.  No 
trips  to  the  bathroom.  Every- 
thing that  happens  happens 
on  that  10-by- 10-foot  piece  of 
ground.  If  you  are  lucky,  a 
neighborhood  slit  trench  has 
been  cut  into  the  rocky  volca- 
nic soil.  Privacy?  You  learn 
very  quickly  that  privacy  is 
between  your  ears.  It's  a  state 
of  mind  rather  than  a  closed 
door. 

You  can't  leave  your  10- 
by- 10-foot  plot,  except  to  go 
daily  for  a  yellow  jerrycan  of 
water  or  a  weekly  ration  of 
beans — 100  grams  of  beans  per 
person  per  day.  That  means 
three  (?)  ounces  of  beans.  You 
can  handle  that  except  on  the 
day  when  beans  are  handed 
out.  Then  you  have  to  make  a 
choice.  The  water  is  so  far  away 
and  the  food  line  is  so  long  that 
there's  not  enough  time  to  do 
both. 

If  your  husband  or  wife  was 
murdered  before  you  fled 
Rwanda,  you  must  choose  ei- 
ther water  or  beans.  It  will 
probably  be  beans,  so  that  day 
no  water  —  not  both  on  the 
same  day. 

If  you  or  someone  with  you 
catches  something  (and  there 
are  plenty  of  "somethings"  to 
catch),  no  call  to  your  doctor's 
office. 

You  go  down  the  hill  and 
stand  in  line  at  a  small  clinic 
tent  set  up  by  the  Presbj^e- 
rian  Church.  That  line  may  be 
so  long  that  you  won't  have 
time  to  get  to  water  and  back 
afterwards.  Pray  that  you 
aren't  sick  on  bean  day. 


Are  you  beginning  to  get 
the  feel? 

Now,  let's  put  you  in  a  refu- 
gee camp.  Take  your  10-by- 
10-  foot  plot  and  put  it  in  the 
middle  of  a  100-acre  field  on  a 
steep  hillside.  Scratch  out  a 
level  spot  with  a  stick.  No 
shovel.  Divide  the  rest  of  that 
field  into  10-by- 10-foot  plots 
and  fill  them  with  10,000 
people.  Rows  are  allowed  with 
foot  paths  up  and  down  the 
hillside.  Understand  that 
those  others  couldn't  choose 
their  plot  as  you  did.  They 
took  what  they  could  find.  Or 
maybe  the  one  they  found  was 
occupied  by  a  family  who  just 
died.  They  took  the  bodies 
down  by  the  road  so  they  would 
be  picked  up  and  they  moved 
in. 

The  other  refugees  couldn't 
even  choose  their  clothes. 
When  they  heard  shooting  and 
screaming  down  the  street  and 
realized  gangs  were  shooting 
and  hacking  to  death  friends, 
neighbors  and  family,  they  ran 
with  what  they  had  on.  Maybe 
they  grabbed  a  pot  and  some- 
thing else.  Maybe  not.  They 
ran  until  they  only  had 
strength  left  to  walk. 

Some  walked  for  six  days 
with  little  or  nothing  to  eat. 
Their  water  was  roadside 
puddles,  small  streams  and 
rain.  Thank  God  for  the  rain. 
It  was  fresh  and  clean.  And 
bone-chilling.  Finally,  they 
crossed  into  Zaire.  Some  stood 
around  and  tried  to  under- 
stand what  had  happened. 
Some  tried  to  mourn,  but  were 
too  numb.  Some  simply  lay 
down  and  died.  The  trauma 
and  the  trip  killed  them. 

Some  quietly  died  from  gun- 
shot or  machete  wounds.  Some 
were  loaded  on  trucks,  driven 
into  rough  hillsides  to  places 
called  "camps"  and  told  to  find 
a  10-by- 10-foot  home.  They 
were  given  a  blue  plastic  tarp 
and  yellow  jerrycan. 

And  there  they  are. 


Duckert  named  educator  of  the  year 

ATLANTA— Mary  Duckert  was  named  Educator  of  the  Year  during 
the  conference  of  the  Association  of  Presbyterian  Church  Educators 
(APCE)  here  Feb.  8-11.  Described  as  a  "with  the  troops"  educator  and 
writer,  Duckert,  who  has  been  involved  with  APCE  for  more  than  40 
years,  was  one  of  five  people  honored  for  their  achievements  during 
the  organization's  awards  ceremony. 

Author  of  the  book  Help!  I'm  a  Sunday  School  Teacher,  which  was 
in  print  25  years,  Duckert  said  her  honor  marks  a  victory  for  all 
church  educators.  She  said  Christian  educators  are  proud  of  their 
importance  to  the  Presbjd;erian  Church  and  have  a  strong  internal 
support  group. 

Following  graduation  from  McCormick  Theological  Seminary  in 
Chicago,  Duckert  was  called  to  First  Church  in  Hammond,  Ind., 
where  she  served  as  director  of  Christian  education  (DCE).  She  next 
worked  at  Westminster  Press  as  a  publications  representative  in  the 
Southeast  and  Northeast,  which  led  to  her  editing  Christian  Faith 
and  Life  children's  resources. 

Pastor  wins  appeal,  loses  award 

AUSTIN,  Texas — ^A  Texas  appeals  court  has  upheld  a  lower  court's 
judgment  that  the  Texas  Department  of  Human  Services  violated  the 
Rev.  Ned  Benson's  right  to  confidentiality  when  he  reported  sus- 
pected child  abuse  by  members  of  his  Austin  congregation  several 
years  ago. 

"Benson  was  poorly  treated  by  Department  of  Human  Services 
employees,  who  negligently  promised  confidentiality  and  then  ig- 
nored these  promises  in  disclosing  his  identity  to  suspects  under 
investigation,"  said  the  state  Third  District  Court  of  Appeals  Feb.  8. 

However,  in  the  same  decision,  the  court  reversed  monetary 
damages  the  lower  court  had  awarded  Benson.  It  based  that  reversal 
on  a  technicality  in  Texas  tort  claims  law.  The  court  did  uphold  the 
payment  of  Benson's  attorney's  fees  by  the  state. 

The  revelation  of  Benson's  identity  in  the  child  abuse  case  so 
disrupted  the  congregation  he  was  serving  that  he  resigned  and  was 
subsequently  unemployed  for  a  couple  of  years.  Benson  was  recently 
called  as  pastor  to  St.  John's  Presbjrterian  Church  in  Reno,  Nev. 

"My  bullheaded  persistence  in  this  (clergy  confidentiality)  thing 
has  never  been  about  money,"  Benson  said.  "It's  been  about  the  safety 
and  security  of  children,  about  protecting  them  from  abuse  by 
encouraging  ordinary  folks  and  professionals  who  suspect  abuse  to 
report  it." 

Rwandan  church  leader  elected 

GENEVA— The  Presbyterian  Church  in  Rwanda  (PCR)  has  elected  a 
new  president,  Andre  Karamaga,  to  replace  Michel  Twagirayesu, 
who  fled  Rwanda  during  the  genocide  of  about  one  million  people  last 
year.  Karamaga,  the  head  of  the  All  Africa  Council  of  Churches' 
(AACC)  theology  and  interfaith  desk,  has  assumed  the  post  of 
president  for  a  two-year  "crisis  transitional  period."  He  was  elected 
Feb.  3  at  a  meeting  of  104  PCR  leaders  in  Kigali,  the  capital  of 
Rwanda. 

Twagirayesu,  a  member  of  the  central  committee  of  the  World 
Council  of  Churches  (WCC),  now  lives  at  Bukavu,  Zaire.  Karamaga 
faces  a  difficult  task  in  rebuilding  the  PCR,  which  was  decimated  by 
the  genocide  and  civil  war.  Many  of  its  pastors  and  their  families  were 
killed,  hundreds  of  members  died  and  thousands  are  now  refugees. 
Church  buildings,  schools  and  hospitals  were  badly  damaged. 

54  Presbyterians  in  new  Congress 

WASHINGTON— The  104th  United  States  Congress  includes  54 
Presbyterians — 44  in  the  House  of  Representatives  and  10  in  the 
Senate — according  to  data  released  this  week  by  the  denomination's 
Washington  Office.  Of  the  44  Presbyterian  House  members,  29  are 
Republicans  and  15  are  Democrats.  The  Presbyterian  Senate  delega- 
tion is  evenly  divided. 

The  Presbyterian  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives  from 
states  included  within  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  are  (in  alpha- 
betical order):  Richard  Burr,  R-N.C;  Eva  Clayton,  D-N.C;  Howard 
Coble,  R-N.C;  Lewis  F.  Payne  Jr.,  D-Va.;  Nick  Joe  Rahall  II,  D- 
W.Va.;  Charlie  Rose,  D-N.C;  Melvin  Watt,  D-N.C;  and  Frank  R. 
Wolf,  R-Va.  Presbyterians  from  the  same  states  in  the  Senate  are 
D.M.  "Lauch"  Faircloth,  D-N.C;  John  D.  Rockefeller  IV,  D-W.Va. 

Bellis  is  1997-98  Bible  study  author 

The  Rev.  Barbara  Roche,  editor  of  Horizons,  the  magazine  oi  n-esoy- 
terian  Women,  announced  that  the  Horizons  Bible  study  author  for 
1997-98  will  be  the  Rev.  Alice  Ogden  BelHs,  assistant  professor  of  Old 
Testament  language  and  literature  at  Howard  University  School  of 
Divinity  in  Washington,  D.C  The  study  will  be  on  Jeremiah. 

Evangelical  pastors'  event  slated 

The  14th  annual  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Evangelical  Pastors' 
Conference  has  been  scheduled  for  May  1-4  at  the  Heartland  Presby- 
terian Center  in  Kansas  City,  Mo.  According  to  the  Rev.  Greg 
Callison,  president  of  the  Presbyterian  Evangelical  Pastors'  Fellow- 
ship, the  purpose  of  the  conference  is  to  provide  intellectual  stimula- 
tion, spiritual  refreshment,  fellowship  and  training  for  ministry.  He 
said  spouses  and  children  are  welcome. 

Keynote  speakers  are  the  Rev.  Aida  Spencer,  professor  of  New 
Testament  at  Gordon-Conwell  Seminary,  and  Tim  Stafford,  a  Pres- 
byterian elder  and  senior  writer  for  Christianity  Today  magazine. 

Spencer  will  speak  on  the  roles  of  men  and  women  in  the  church, 
diversity  and  representation,  and  goddess  spirituality.  The  title  of 
Stafford's  address  is  "Becoming  a  Christian  Counter-culture." 

More  information  is  available  from  Callison  at  (614)  878-6957. 

Cho  is  Presbyterian  Men's  leader 

Youngil  Cho,  an  elder  from  Raleigh,  N.C,  is  serving  as  president  of 
Presbyterian  Men.  Cho,  who  recently  completed  a  term  on  the 
General  Assembly  Council,  has  been  the  leading  force  to  acquire 
funding  for  completion  of  the  chapel  within  the  Presbyterian  Center 
in  Louisville. 


New  Hope  News— page  8 


;f0  0  5^8fa5  1«  WHO  1/ 

.auilH    CAROLINA  COLLECTION 

ILL    lie  <i7  bl  tJVU 

...U.lMllMl.lM!.l.l..li....llHl 


CHaPEL 

I. , I. II. ..I. I. i 


For  address  changes  send  maihng  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


d-Atlantic 
resbyterian 


May  1995 


Vol,  LXI,  Number  4 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Betsy  Jamerson,  left,  parish  nurse  with  Westminster  Church  in  Lynchburg,  Va., 
checks  the  blood  pressure  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Mahler  during  an  exercise  class. 

Parish  nursing  especially  welcome 
among  older  adult  church  members 


LYNCHBURG,  Va.— With  a 
growing  number  of  older  per- 
sons in  the  population,  a  new 
form  of  ministry  is  gaining 
popularity  within  the 
church — parish  nursing. 

At  Westminster  Church  in 
downtown  Lynchburg,  the 
Rev.  Robert  Wilson  saw  this 
need  eight  years  ago  and  pro- 
posed that  the  200-member 
urban  congregation  support  a 
part-time  parish  nurse. 

"We  needed  a  nurse  more 
than  an  associate  pastor  or  a 
director  of  Christian  educa- 
tion," said  Wilson,  who  heard 
of  the  concept  from  a  Lutheran 
church  in  Chicago. 

At  approximately  the  same 
time,  Betsy  Jamerson's  posi- 
tion as  director  of  nursing  at 
Virginia  Baptist  Hospital  was 
being  phased  out  after  a 
merger.  She  was  considering 
an  early  retirement,  but  was 
hired  by  Westminster  Church 
and  has  spent  the  last  seven 
years  caring  for  its  members. 

"It's  a  fun  job ...  a  pleasure," 
said  Jamerson.  "I  love  people." 
In  contrast  to  hospital  work, 
she  works  with  her  patients 
for  longer  periods  of  time. 
"They  get  to  be  like  family." 

Jamerson's  job  description 
calls  for  20  hours  of  work  per 
week.  With  a  smile  she  lists 
duties  which  easily  spill  over 
that  limit. 

Most  of  the  time  she's  in  the 


homes  of  Westminster's  mem- 
bers, who  are  scattered  across 
the  city.  She  checks  blood  pres- 
sure and  other  vital  signs, 
answers  questions  and  holds 
hands. 

If  her  examination  reveals 
sjrmptoms  of  trouble,  she  calls 
the  member's  physician  or 
sends  the  doctor  a  copy  of  her 
report. 

In  the  event  that  a  member 
needs  treatment  or  surgery, 
she  will  accompany  them  to 
and  from  the  doctor's  office  or 
hospital.  After  surgery,  she 
assists  with  recovery. 

She  has  office  hours  Mon- 
days and  Wednesdays  at  the 
church  and  is  present  every 
second  Sunday  of  the  month 
before  church  school  to  check 
blood  pressure  and  answer 
questions. 

In  addition  to  diagnosing 
health  problems,  Jamerson 
seeks  to  help  prevent  them. 
Weekly  exercise  sessions  in  the 
fellowship  hall  and  classes  for 
all  ages  on  health-related  top- 
ics are  other  facets  of  the  par- 
ish ■  nurse  program  at 
Westminster  Church. 

Jamerson  also  helps  fami- 
lies place  aging  members  in 
retirement  communities.  This 
includes  helping  them  through 
the  decision  process  and  choos- 
ing an  appropriate  facility. 

Jamerson  said  the  purpose 
of  her  job  is  "to  involve  people 


Fire  delays  newspaper 

A  warehouse  fire  in  Reidsville,  N.C.,  destroyed  about 
half  of  the  May  issues  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian. 
If  you  are  reading  this,  your  newspaper  was  one  of 
those  destroyed.  Although  the  reminder  about  the 
Mother's  Day  Offering  (see  page  5)  will  come  to  you  late, 
we  hope  you  will  take  time  to  read  this  material  and 
give  to  this  worthy  effort. 


in  their  own  health  care,  and 
their  neighbors'  care,  acknowl- 
edging that  health  care  is  part 
of  the  stewardship  of  one's 
own  body." 

The  Lynchburg  native  grew 
up  a  Baptist  but  "converted"  to 
the  Presbyterian  church  and 
is  a  member  of  the  Rivermont 
congregation. 

Her  ministry  was  the  sub- 
ject of  a  1991  article  in  Presby- 
terian Survey  magazine.  That 
publicity  led  to  some  interest 
in  the  program  outside 
Lynchburg.  Locally,  however, 
only  Westminster  Church  has 
been  able  to  maintain  a  parish 
nurse,  although  two  other  non- 
Presbyterian  churches  have 
tried  similar  programs. 

"I  would  like  to  get  more 
church  nurses  started  in  the 
city,"  said  Jamerson.  "Then  we 
could  sponsor  more  education 
programs  for  parish  nurses." 

Pastor  Wilson  remains  a 
proponent  of  the  program. 
"With  the  aging  of  our  mem- 
bership, I  see  a  strong  need  for 
it,"  he  said.  "The  members  feel 
comfortable  calling  Betsy 
about  health  problems,  espe- 
cially the  women." 

Charlotte  program 

Covenant  Church  in  Char- 
lotte, N.C.,  has  had  a  parish 
nurse  for  five  years.  Presbyte- 
rian Hospital  started  the  pro- 
gram and  Covenant  was  one  of 
four  churches  which  initially 
joined  it. 

Judy  White  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  Covenant  Church  for 
more  than  20  years  and  a  pro- 
fessional nurse  for  28  years. 
She  learned  of  the  parish  nurse 
position  through  one  of  the 
church's  associate  ministers 
and  applied,  hoping  she  would 
be  hired  to  work  with  her  con 
gregation. 

continued  on  page  2 


National  Black  Caucus  honors 
Cordery,  Mandela,  Wilmores 

cated  most  of  his  ministry  to 
the  cause  of  racial  justice  in 
the  church  and  society.  His 
contributions  as  an  "in  the  dirt" 
participant  during  the  civil 
rights  movement  of  the  1960s 
continue  today  through  lec- 
tures and  the  publication  of 
his  works  and  thoughts 

The  Lucy  Craft  Laney 
Award  is  presented  annually 
to  African-American  women 
who  have  served  admirably  in 
their  respective  places  of  min- 
istry, according  to  Bettie 
Durrah,  one  of  the  program 
participants. 

"The  individuals  whom  we 
honor  today  are  carrying  on  in 
the  same  tradition  of  Lucy 
Craft  Laney,"  Durrah  said. 
"African-American  Presbyte- 
rians need  to  tell  their  own 
stories  and  celebrate  and  share 
our  heritage  and  hope." 

Born  in  Macon,  Ga.,  in  1855, 
Laney  was  a  former  slave, 
daughter  of  a  Presbyterian 
minister  and  noted  educator. 
In  1883,  she  opened  a  private 
school  in  the  lecture  room  of 
Christ  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Augusta,  Ga.,  which  later  be- 
came Haines  Normal  and  In- 
dustrial Institute,  offering 
both  college  preparatory  and 
vocational  courses. 

Three  generations  of  young 
African-American  men  and 
women  who  responded  to 
Lane^s  influence  went  to  col- 
lege. 

— Julian  Shipp 
PC(USA)  Ne  ws 


MEMPHIS,  Tenn.— Dr.  Sarah 
Cordery  of  Baltimore,  Md. ,  was 
one  of  three  persons,  includ- 
ing Nelson  Mandela,  who  re- 
ceived Lucy  Craft  Laney 
Awards  during  the  National 
Black  Presbyterian  Caucus 
meeting  here  March  23-26. 

"I'm  grateful  to  the  Black 
Presbyterian  Women  for  this 
honor,"  Cordery  said.  "I'm  not 
a  wagering  woman,  but  I'm 
willing  to  bet  that  I  see  before 
me  the  core  of  black  Presbyte- 
rian leadership  in  this  church." 

Cordery  recently  completed 
a  term  as  moderator  of  the 
Presbj^erian  Women's  church- 
wide  coordinating  team. 

Vera  Swann,  ecumenist, 
teacher,  author  and  former 
missionary  in  South  Africa, 
accepted  the  award  for 
Mandela.  Swann  participated 
as  an  observer  last  year  dur- 
ing the  nation's  post-apartheid 
democratic  election  which  re- 
sulted in  Mandela's  election 
as  president. 

Also  honored  was  Lee 
Wilmore,  co-partner  in  minis- 
try with  her  husband.  Dr. 
Gayraud  S.  Wilmore.  "This  has 
been  a  very  pleasant  experi- 
ence, one  which  has  made  me 
very  happy,"  Wilmore  said. 

The  National  Black  Presby- 
terian Caucus  honored  her 
husband  during  an  ecumeni- 
cal symposium  highlighting 
his  life  and  achievements. 

A  noted  Presbyterian  pas- 
tor, theologian,  educator  and 
author.  Dr.  Wilmore  has  dedi- 


Second  Church  of  Richmond,  Va.,  is  celebrating  its 
150th  anniversary  during  1995.  In  addition  to  an  April 
homecoming  celebration,  the  downtown  congregation 
noted  the  occasion  by  installing  a  bell  in  its  bell  tower ... 
which  had  never  contained  a  bell.  Other  churches 
celebrating  landmark  anniversaries  in  1995  include: 
275  years-Rock  Church  (Fair  Hill,  Md.);  150  years- 
Buchanan  (Va.)  and  Neelsville  (Germantown.  Md.);  100 
years-First  (Arlington,  Va.)  and  Brookneal,  (Vh..):  50 
years-National  (Washington,  D.C.),  Fairlawn  (Radford, 
Va.)  and  Old  Brick  (Radford,  Va.). 


I  Commentary 
A  new  creation 


Westminster  Church  pastor  Robert  Wilson,  left,  gets  his  blood  pressure 
checked  by  Parish  Nurse  Betsy  Jamerson.  Wilson  initiated  the  program 
at  his  Lynchburg,  Va.,  church  in  1988. 


Parish  nurses  gaining  acceptance 


By  BETTY  McGINNIS 
Synod  Moderator 

When  reunion  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  took  place,  change  was  inevi- 
table at  all  levels  of  the  denomination. 
"Let  go  and  let  God"  was  probably  the 
strongest  statement  which  could  be 
made  and  continues  as  various  judica- 
tories search  and  re-examine.  The 
mission  was  tailored  for  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic  directly  from  our  Book 
of  Order  at  the  June  meeting. 

In  June  1994,  the  Standing  Com- 
mittee on  Mission  was  instructed  by 
commissioners  at  the  synod  meeting  to 
complete  the  work  of  restructuring 
and  present  a  plan  in  January.  The 
synod  recessed.  Presbyteries  and  com- 
missioners had  an  opportunity  to  re- 
spond during  those  six  months.  Dedi- 
cated commissioners  from  each  pres- 
bytery worked  diligently  through  the 
plan  of  restructuring  at  the  January 
synod  meeting.  Thoughtful  and  care- 
ful decisions  were  made,  one  by  one. 
By  the  end  of  the  last  session,  a  design 
for  our  synod  was  adopted. 

The  design  had  been  created  by 
human  beings  who  are  never  perfect. 
Focus  was  given  to  ministries  and  part- 
nerships. Now  the  job  lies  in  each 
church  member's  heart.  If  there  are 
parts  of  the  design  which  are  weak,  we 
must  be  open  and  honest  with  one 
another.  No  design  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  is  ever  carved  in  stone 
forever — "reformed;  always  reform- 
ing." Church  members  should  "pray  as 
if  it  all  depends  on  God  and  work  as  if 
it  all  depends  on  you"  so  that  a  "new 
creation"  can  be  formed  for  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

Our  synod  is  diverse:  we  come  from 
varied  histories;  we  all  have  joys  and 
sorrows;  we  all  go  about  handling  our 


church  business  in  different  ways.  Yet 
we  are  called  together  from  presby- 
teries located  throughout  North  Caro- 
lina, Virginia,  District  of  Columbia, 
Maryland,  Delaware  to  be  one  in  the 
spirit.  We  come  from  Abingdon,  Balti- 
more, Charlotte,  Coastal  Carolina, 
Eastern  Virginia,  the  James,  National 
Capital,  New  Castle,  New  Hope,  the 
Peaks,  Salem,  Shenandoah  and  West- 
ern North  Carolina  presbyteries.  The 
church  can  build  upon  our  past  and 
present  strengths.  Out  of  this  new 
design,  we  must  create  a  strong  minis- 
try for  the  Mid-Atlantic  synod.  A  chal- 
lenge lies  ahead  in  forming  this  "new 
creation." 

Our  denomination  is  built  on  a  con- 
nectional  church.  This  "new  creation" 
must  be  molded  carefully  so  that  a 
stronger  church  can  emerge  and  de- 
velop within  all  levels  of  the  denomi- 
nation. The  newly  restructured  synod 
can  unite  by  faith  and  works  forming  a 
strong  ministry  to  God's  people.  Now 
is  the  time  for  each  church  and  presby- 
tery to  work  together  to  help  in  creat- 
ing this  body  of  the  church  of  God 
which  can  produce  much  fruit  and 
produce  a  creative  ministry  among  us. 

Easter  has  recently  been  celebrated. 
All  of  the  human  powers  collaborating 
to  arrange  the  crucifixion  surrounded 
us.  With  the  resurrection,  all  the  power 
of  Christ  sent  the  disciples  into  all  the 
world.  A  "new  creation"  was  before  us. 
With  the  resurrection,  we  are  reminded 
of  Christ's  work  in  our  midst,  the 
church's  mission,  the  cross  which  we 
should  bear,  the  great  joy  of  the  resur- 
rection, and  the  unconditional  love 
which  is  bestowed  upon  each  of  us. 
One  knows  that  the  power  of  the  res- 
urrection assures  us  that  the  church 
can  be  built  and  rebuilt  with  vigor  and 
new  life  exhibiting  the  fruit  of  the 
Spirit.  We  can  look  forward  to,  work 
toward,  and  pray  for  a  vision  of  "a  new 
creation." 

I  welcome  listening  to  church  mem- 
bers all  over  the  synod  concerning  the 
vision  of  the  newly  restructured  synod 
and  other  suggestions.  I  am  willing  to 
meet  with  groups.  Please  call  me  at 
(410)  647-7494. 

Letters  held 

Due  to  space  limitations,  several  let- 
ters to  the  editor  received  during  the 
past  month  are  being  held  and  will  be 
printed  in  the  June  issue. 


Continuing  Education 
and  Golf  Event 

"Shepherding  Married  Couples,"  a  continu- 
ing education  event  for  clergy,  educators 
and  other  church  professionals.  Leader: 
Margaret  Barnes  Peery,  Presbyterian  pas- 
tor and  practicing  pastoral  counselor.  Oct. 
24-26,  1995,  at  Ocean  Isle  Beach,  N.C. 
Registration  fee  includes  two  rounds  of  golf 
at  two  of  NC's  premier  golf  courses.  Regis- 
tration is  limited.  For  more  information,  con- 
tact Chuck  Williamson,  (704)  289-2574. 

Church  van  for  sale 

1990  Ford,  15-passenger,  dual  AC,  towing 
package,  cassette  stereo,  good  condition, 
less  than  60,000  miles,  $1 0,000.  Call  9  a.m.- 
5  p.m.  (910)  762-9693. 

Choir  robes  available 

Trinity  Church  of  Hendersonville,  N.C,  has 
30  adult  choir  robes  (plus  one  for  organist  or 
director).  Traditional  style.  Maroon.  Free.  If 
interested  phone  (704)  891-9228. 


continued  from  page  1 

About  one-fourth  of  Covenant's 
2,000-plus  members  are  older  adults, 
and  much  of  White's  job  at  the  start 
was  working  with  that  segment  of  the 
membership. 

During  recent  years,  however,  the 
program  has  branched  out  to  encom- 
pass other  age  groups  and  health  con- 
cerns. For  example,  it  has  provided 
support  to  mothers  with  young  chil- 
dren and  women  with  breast  cancer. 

She  noted  that  these  support  groups 
help  members  feel  a  closeness  that  is 
sometimes  lacking  within  a  large  con- 
gregation. 

White  works  with  the  church's  min- 
isters and  with  a  health  cabinet  which 
meets  monthly  to  plan  health  programs 
for  the  whole  congregation.  Heart  dis- 
ease, sports  medicine  and  nutrition 
are  samples  of  topics  which  have  been 
covered.  An  emphasis  on  the  National 
Marrow  Registry  resulted  in  150  mem- 
bers of  Covenant  having  their  marrow 
types  listed  for  possible  use. 

While  some  members  of  Covenant 
may  have  had  their  doubts  about  the 
parish  nurse  program.  White  said  re- 
sponse has  been  supportive  "once 
people  caught  on"  to  what  the  program 
offered.  One  barometer  of  that  support 
is  the  fact  that  the  program  is  renewed 
annually. 

White  noted  that  members  preferred 
to  come  to  her  at  the  church  for  blood 
pressure  checkups  or  inoculations.  And 
while  they  may  not  have  wanted  to  go 
to  a  doctor  for  these  services,  she  learns 
a  lot  about  their  conditions  from  such 
visits  and  "can  get  them  to  a  doctor  if  I 
need  to." 

Part  of  the  service  she  provides  is 
interpretation.  She  helps  members 
understand  their  medical  conditions 
in  a  personal  context  that  time- 
strapped  physicians  may  not  provide. 

Like  Jamerson,  White  officially 
works  only  20  hours  per  week,  al- 
though it  really  takes  "25  to  30  hours 
to  get  it  done."  One  of  her  hopes  for  the 


future  is  that  the  working  hours  will 
be  extended. 

The  Charlotte  program  has  been 
extended  by  Presbyterian  Hospital  to 
six  churches,  but  Covenant  remains 
the  only  Presbyterian  congregation 
involved. 

Dave  Zuverink,  associate  for  health 
ministries  with  the  National  Minis- 
tries Division  of  the  PC(USA),  reported 
about  100  parish  nurse  programs  in 
Presbyterian  churches  across  the  de- 
nomination. 

He  added,  however,  that  there  are 
also  several  hundred  more  Presb5rte- 
rian  churches  which  are  engaged  in 
health  ministries  through  programs 
other  than  parish  nursing. 

Both  Zuverink  and  White  said 
health  ministry  programs  vary  in  de- 
sign according  to  the  needs  of  the  local 
church  and  community.  "There's  no 
one  precise  way  to  do  it,"  said  Zuverink. 

Spreading  the  word 

Betsy  Jamerson  recently  spoke  to  a 
gathering  of  older  adult  ministry 
enablers  from  throughout  the  s3mod. 
Jan  McGilliard,  the  synod  associate 
for  older  adult  ministries,  said  she 
would  like  to  see  the  synod  sponsor  an 
educational  event  on  parish  nursing. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.), 
through  its  Office  of  Health  Minis- 
tries, offers  an  annual  parish  nurse 
seminar.  This  year  the  event  will  be 
held  June  26-July  2  in  Santa  Fe,  N.M. 
For  more  information  phone  Dave 
Zuverink  at  (502)  569-5793. 

For  more  information  about  the 
Westminster  Church  parish  nurse  pro- 
gram, contact  either  the  Rev.  Robert 
Wilson  or  Betsy  Jamerson  at  the 
church,  1022  Floyd  St.,  Lynchburg, 
VA  24501;  telephone  (804)  847-6655. 

For  information  on  the  Covenant 
Church  parish  nurse  program,  contact 
Judy  White  at  the  church,  1000  E. 
Morehead  St.,  Charlotte,  NC  28204; 
telephone  (704)  333-9071. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 

Edith  Goodman  and  Laura  Jurman, 
Editorial  Assistants 
Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 

Vol.  LXI 
May  1995 

April  1995  circulation 
170,384 


For  more  information 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  provides  a  number  of  resources  for  persons 
interested  in  the  church's  role  in  health  ministries.  These  may  be  ordered 
through  the  Presbj^erian  Distribution  Management  Service,  100  Witherspoon 
St.,  Louisville,  KY  40202-1396;  telephone  (toll  free)  (800)  524-2612. 

Life  Abundant:  Values,  Choices  and  Health  Care 

The  report  from  the  Health  Task  Force  to  the  1988  General  Assembly  which 
details  the  denomination's  responsibility  and  role  in  health  care.  About  80 
pages.  DMS  #OGA-88-103.  $1  each. 

Congregations  Who  Care: 

The  Ministry  of  Health  &  Wholeness 

A  28-minute  videotape  on  two  successful  parish  nursing  programs  in  Lexington, 
Ky.,  and  Columbus,  Ohio.  DMS  #72-660-94-004.  $5  each. 

Whole  Health  Catalog 

A  catalog  of  resources  and  tools  offered  by  the  Office  of  Health  Ministries, 
PC(USA).  DMS  #72-660-94-001.  One  free  per  person. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May 


Union  Iheolracal  Seminaiy 

^  IN  VIRGINIA  ^ 


Professor  Donald 
Dawe  (left)  with 
George  (Wicky) 
Thorpe  and 
Harriet  Thorpe. 
Tlje  Thorpes  are 
members  of  First 
church,  Rocky 
Mount,  where 
Union  alumna 
Carol  Sieuerling 

'te  pastor.  Dr. 
Dawe  preached 
It  the  church  on 
"aravan  Sunday- 
Mr.  Vmrpe  is  a 
member  of  the 
seminary  's  Board 
of  Trustees. 


Professor  James  Smylie  and  Muriel  Hart  from  Rocky  Mount.  Ms. 
Han  was  a  member  of  Ginter  Park  church  in  Richmond,  where 
Dr.  Smylie  and  his  wife  are  active  members.  Dr.  Smylie 
preached  at  First  church,  Greenville,  where  Angus  McGregor,  a 
Union  alumnus,  is  pastor. 


New  Hope 
Presbytery 
Hosts  Seminary 
Caravan 


Twenty-four  churches  in  the  eastern  portion  of 
New  Hope  Presbytery  hosted  faculty  and  students  from 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  during  the 
seminary's  Spring  Caravan,  April  1  and  2.  Barbara 
Campbell  Davis,  the  New  Hope  Presbytery's  executive 
presbyter/stated  clerk,  is  a  member  of  the  seminary's 
Board  of  Trustees. 

Caravan  events  included  a  dinner  and  a  program 
about  the  seminary  on  Saturday  evening  at  Howard 
Memorial  Presbyterian  Church,  Tarboro.  The  church's 
pastor,  Robert  Burns,  is  an  alumnus  of  Union  Seminary. 
Louis  B.  Weeks,  president  of  the  seminary,  spoke  to  the 
group  after  dinner. 

On  Sunday  morning,  seminary  visitors  preached 
and  taught  in  worship  services  and  church  school 
classes  in  the  presbytery  churches.  In  addition  to 
Howard  Memorial,  other  congregations  hosting 
seminary  visitors  include  the  following:  Cobb  Memorial, 
also  in  Tarboro;  First  and  Hollywood  in  Greenville; 
Edgemont,  Morton  Memorial,  First,  Second,  and  West 
Haven  in  Rocky  Mount;  First  in  Mt.  Olive,  New  Bern, 
Smithfield,  Washington,  and  Wilson;  Plymouth  and 
Calvary  in  Plymouth;  Peace  in  Winterville;  Rivermont 
and  White  Rock  in  Kinston;  First  and  Stanley  White  in 
Roanoke  Rapids;  Roanoke  Island  in  Manteo;  South 
Edgecombe  Parish;  Spring  Hill  in  Lucama;  and  Center 
Ridge  and  Oak  Grove  in  Kenly. 


n  and  Shelia  Bums  of  Howard  Memorial  Presbylerian 
Church,  Tarboro.  Robert,  an  alumnus  of  Union  Seminary,  is 
pastor  of  the  congregation,  which  hosted  a  dinner  and  program 
for  the  spring  Caravan 


New  Hope  Presbytery's  executive/stated  clerk,  Barbara  Campbell 
Davis,  with  third-level  student  David  Stipp  (left),  of  Hot  Springs 
Arkansas,  and  third-level  dual-degree  student  Matt  Sauer, 
from  Phoenix,  Arizona.  David  preached  at  Rivermont  church, 
Kinston,  NC,  where  Spike  Coleman,  a  Union  alumnus,  is  pastor. 
Matt  preached  at  First  church,  Roanoke  Rapids,  where  Frank 
Covington  is  pastor.  This  summer  Matt  will  serve  an  internship 
at  Howard  Memorial,  in  Tarboro. 


Pastors  On  Campus  for  Independent  Study 
in  Reformed  Theology 


Beginning  in  late  January  and  continuing  into 
May  1995,  nine  groups  of  pastors  are  engaged  in 
independent  study  in  Reformed  Theology  through  an 
on-campus  program  set  up  in  1988  to  honor  Dr.  John 
Leith,  Union  professor  emeritus  of  theology. 

The  groups,  each  with  four  or  five  members, 
include  a  convener,  who  is  selected  by  Dr.  Leith  to 
invite  other  participants.  The  seminary  provides  each 
participant  with  a  stipend  for  travel  and  lodging 
expenses  for  a  week  of  study. 

From  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  are  the 
following  conveners:  Charies  E.  Raynal  III  (B.D.'69), 
pastor  of  Davidson  College  Presbyterian  Church, 
Davidson,  North  Carolina;  E.  Douglas  Vaughan,  Jr. 
(M.Div.'63),  pastor  of  First  Presbyterian  Church, 


Wilmington,  North  Carolina;  and  James  W.  White,  Jr. 
(M.Div.'70),  pastor  of  St.  Giles  Presbyterian  Church, 
Raleigh,  North  Carolina. 

Other  conveners  include  Samuel  B.  Shumate 
(M.Div.'69),  pastor  of  Williamsburg  Presbyterian  Church, 
Kingstree,  South  Carolina;  Edward  A.  McLeod,  Jr. 
(D.Min.'85),  pastor  of  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Greer. 
South  Carolina;  William  W.  Williamson,  Jr.  (B.D.'70), 
pastor  of  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Columbia, 
Tennessee;  Alexander  W.  Evans  (M.Div.'87),  pastor  of 
Pickens  Presbyterian  Church,  Pickens,  South  Carolina; 
Agnes  W.  Norfleet  (M.Div.'86),  pastor  of  North  Decatur 
Presbyterian  Church,  Decatur,  Georgia;  and  Richard  A. 
Ray  (B.D.'6l),  pastor  of  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
Bristol,  Tennessee. 


Preachers'  Conference 
on  Bible  and  Theology 
June  26-July  7 

Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  will 
host  Interpreting  the  Faith,  its  annual  conference 
on  Bible  and  theology,  June  26-July  7,  1995.  The 
two-week  program  includes  lectures  by  six 
nationally  recognized  scholars  and  worship 
services  led  by  four  accomplished  preachers. 

Structured  seminars  allow  participants  to 
engage  in  informal  discussions  with  lecturers  and 
preachers.  During  the  first  week  of  the  conference, 
lecture  topics  will  include  the  New  Testament, 
religion  and  contemporary  American  culture,  and 
homiletics.  Lectures  during  the  second  week  cover 
the  Old  Testament,  evangelism,  and  the  American 
Protestant  experience.  Participants  may  register  for 
both  weeks,  or  for  one  week.  Tuition  is  S300  ($150 
for  one  week).  On-campus  room  and  board  are 
available  for  additional  charges. 

Lecturers  for  the  first  week  of  Interpreting  the 
Faith  include  Dr.  John  Carroll,  associate  professor 
of  New  Testament  at  Union  Theological  Seminary 
in  Virginia;  Dr.  Theodore  Wardlaw,  pastor  of 
Central  Presbyterian  Church  in  Atlanta,  Georgia; 
and  Dr.  Dean  Hoge,  professor  in  the  Department 
of  Sociology  at  Catholic  University'-  of  America. 
During  the  second  week,  the  lecturers  will  be  Dr. 
Carol  Reynolds,  associate  professor  of  Old 
Testament  at  Western  Theological  Seminary;  Dr. 
Arnold  Lovell,  professor  of  evangelism  at  Union 
Seminary;  and  Dr.  Louis  B.  Weeks,  president  and 
professor  of  historical  theology  at  Union  Seminary. 

Preachers  during  the  first  week  include  the 
Reverend  Holly  Haile  Davis,  pastor  of  Shinnecock 
Presbyterian  Church,  Southhampton,  New  York, 
and  Dr.  Theodore  Wardlaw,  pastor  of  Central 
Presbyterian  Church,  Atlanta.  During  the  second 
week,  conference  preachers  will  be  Dr.  John  B. 
Trotti,  seminary  librarian  and  professor  of 
bibliography,  and  the  Reverend  Karen  Pidcock- 
Lester,  co-pastor  of  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Pottstown,  Pennsylvania. 

For  more  information  about  Interpreting  the 
Faith,  please  contact  the  Office  of  Professional 
Development  and  Doctor  of  Ministry  Studies, 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia,  3401 
Brook  Road,  Richmond,  Virginia  23227.  Telephone 
inquiries  are  welcome.  Please  call  804-278-4301,  or 
800-229-2990  (toO-free). 


PAID  FOR  BY  FRIENDS  AND  SUPPORTERS  OF  UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  IN  VIRGINIA 


Page  4,  Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1995 


Campus  Notes 


Collegiate  Conference  is  June  1-4 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— The  Montreat  Conference  Center  will  host  a 
Collegiate  Conference  for  18-to-23-year-olds  who  have  been  out  of 
high  school  for  at  least  one  year.  The  June  1-4  event  will  follow  the 
theme  "Live  Boldly:  It's  Your  Call!" 

The  Rev.  John  Anderson  of  Dallas,  Texas,  will  be  the  keynote 
speaker.  Anderson  was  moderator  of  the  122nd  (1982)  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.).  Worship  leaders  will  be 
Steve  and  Nancy  Harrington  of  Sunnyvale,  Calif.  The  Rev.  Jimmie 
Hawkins  of  Martinsville,  Va.,  will  lead  recreation. 

The  program  fee  will  be  $52  per  person.  Housing  will  be  available 
in  Hickory  Lodge  at  $34.50  per  person  or  in  Reynolds  Lodge  at  $46.50 
per  person.  For  more  information  write  to  Montreat  Conference 
Center,  P.O.Box  969,  Montreat,  NC  28757;  telephone  (704)  669-2911 
or  (800)  572-2257,  ext.  336. 

Achtemeier  to  be  Union  speaker 

RICHMOND,  Va. — Elizabeth  R.  Achtemeier  has  been  selected  by  the 
Union  Theological  Seminary  Class  of  1995  to  deliver  the  commence- 
ment address  on  Sunday,  May  28.  The  service  will  take  place  at  the 
Ginter  Park  Presbyterian  Church,  3601  Seminary  Ave. 

Dr.  Achtemeier,  adjunct  professor  of  Bible  and  homiletics,  has 
taught  at  Union  since  1973.  An  ordained  minister  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.),  she  is  known  throughout  the  United  States  and 
Canada  as  a  preacher,  lecturer,  and  writer.  She  is  the  author  of  20 
books  and  frequently  contributes  to  various  publications. 

Taylor  to  lead  Pisgah  Symposium 

ASHEVILLE,  N.C.— Dr.  J.  Randolph  Taylor,  former  moderator  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  and  retired  president  of  San  Francisco 
Theological  Seminary,  will  lead  the  first  Pisgah  Symposium  on  the 
campus  of  Warren  Wilson  College,  June  19-26.  The  Symposium  is  a 
week-long  gathering  of  pastors  for  informal  discussion  and  personal 
reflection  on  the  nature  and  meaning  of  Christian  ministry  in  the  late 
20th  century  North  American  context. 

The  symposium  will  include  worship,  Bible  study  and  spiritual 
growth;  assessment  of  our  culture  and  congregations,  strengths  and 
weaknesses,  leadership  and  management  styles;  with  space  for 
recreation  and  for  renewal  of  the  sense  of  call  to  ministry. 

Enrollment  is  limited.  For  information  contact:  The  Office  of 
Church  Relations,  Warren  Wilson  College,  P.O.  Box  9000,  Asheville, 
NC  28815-9000;  telephone  (704)  294-3325,  extension  204. 


Computer  network  conference  set 


Ministry  in  Cyberspace,  the 
Ecunet  '95  Conference,  will  be 
held  May  21-24  at  the  Holiday 
Inn  Conference  Center  in 
Timonium,  Md. 

The  conference  will  focus 


on  ministry  with  the  computer 
via  Ecunet  and  Internet. 

For  more  information,  con- 
tact the  Rev.  Jack  Sharp  at 
Govans  Church  in  Baltimore, 
telephone  (410)  435-9188  or 
contact  him  on  Ecunet  at  JACK 
SHARP. 


FREE  ESTIMATES_^:^ 

•  Flbtifliisa  BapttslrlM  &  Si  ij^gfTi  i 

A&H 

ART  &  STAENED  GLA^ 
COMPANY,  INC 


Campus  ministry  corner 


REFINISHING 


Life  should  be  approached  with  wonder 


By  SUSAN  STRIBLING 

A  sense  of  wonder,  a  capacity 
for  anger,  and  a  vision  of  hu- 
manity are  the  three  main 
spiritual  benefits  religious 
communities  can  contribute  to 
the  life  of  the  mind  in  the 
1990s,  according  to  the  Rev. 
William  Sloane  Coffin. 

The  noted  preacher  and  so- 
cial justice  advocate  spoke  on 
"The  University  and  the  Reli- 
gious Community:  The  Divorce 
of  Truth  From  Goodness,"  dur- 
ing a  recent  weekend  visit  to 
Westminster  Church  in  Char- 
lottesville, Va.  On  a  snowy  Sat- 
urday morning.  Coffin  gave  a 
lively  presentation  to  a  group 
of  faculty,  staff,  students  and 
other  members  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Virginia  community. 

Arguing  that  we  live  in  a 
de-spiritualized,  mean-spir- 
ited age.  Coffin  said  that  the 
whole  planet  is  at  risk  because 
of  a  deficiency  of  reverence. 
Quoting  Aristotle,  Coffin  as- 
serted that  "life  should  be  ap- 
proached with  wonder."  Un- 
fortunately, intellectuals  ap- 
proach their  subject  less  with 
wonder  than  with  doubt. 
"Doubt  as  a  penultimate  stance 
is  wonderful,  but  as  an  ulti- 
mate stance,  it's  disastrous," 
Coffin  said.  Only  reverence  can 
restrain  violence.  Coffin 
claimed,  and  religious  commu- 
nities can  help  universities 
rejuvenate  reverence. 

Coffin  also  asserted  that 
universities  are  too  detached 
from  the  injustices  of  society. 
"People  in  the  academic  world 
aren't  easily  enough  dis- 
turbed," he  said.  Academics 
give  intellectual  support  to  the 
notion  that  all  people  are  cre- 
ated equal.  "But  how  many 
academics  actually  feel  the 
monstrosity  of  inequality?" 
Coffin  asked.  Too  often  in  the 

PEW  CUSHIONS  = 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128.  LYNCHBURG,  VA  24502 

-   1-800-572-2283  = 


universities,  a  capacity  for 
anger  at  injustice  is  clouded 
by  the  American  clarion  call, 
"enrich  thyself,"  and  the 
American  ideology  that  exalts 
freedom  over  obligation  to  any- 
one else.  Claiming  that  uni- 
versities graduate  students 
into  positions  of  power,  Coffin 
said  the  religious  community 
must  urge  universities  to  re- 
member 
their  re- 
sponsibility 
to  society. 
Universi- 
ties should 
ask  of  them- 
selves and 
their  stu- 
dents, "Now 
that  we 
have  all  this 
power, 
what  are  we 
going  to  do  with  it?" 

Thirdly,  Coffin  suggested 
that  religious  communities  can 
supply  universities  with  a  vi- 
sion of  human  unity.  The  very 
name  "university"  implies  a 
universal  understanding,  Cof- 


Coffin 


fin  said,  and  in  this  era  of 
nuclear  weapons,  environmen- 
tal crises  and  increasing  gaps 
between  rich  and  poor,  that 
universal  understanding  must 
be  emphasized.  In  order  to 
enable  students  to  grasp  the 
unity  that  binds  us  in  our  di- 
versity. Coffin  recommended 
that  sororities  and  fraterni- 
ties be  abolished,  and  that 
small  group  living  arrange- 
ments be  instituted. 

Coffin  also  recommended 
that  all  students  have  a  third 
world  experience,  though  he 
said  that  you  do  not  have  to 
leave  the  United  States  to  find 
Third  World  conditions.  The 
challenge  for  this  generation. 
Coffin  claimed,  is  "to  seek  a 
unity  that  celebrates  diver- 
sity." 

Note:  Tapes  of  William 
Sloane  Coffin's  presentation 
are  available  from  West- 
minster Presbyterian  Church, 
P.O.  Box 3365,  Charlottesville, 
VA  22903,  telephone  (804)293- 
3133.  Westminster's  campus 
ministry  is  one  of  42  in  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 


Plan  to  sell  PSCE  buildings 
raises  some  criticism 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

RICHMOND,  Va.— A  plan  to 
ease  the  financial  crisis  at  the 
Presbyterian  School  of  Chris- 
tian Education  (PSCE)  by  sell- 
ing off  at  least  one  and  possi- 
bly several  campus  buildings 
is  threatening  to  rend  the  usu- 
ally tight-knit  community  of 
supporters  of  the  81-year-old 
school. 

Faced  with  annual  deficits, 
and  deferred  maintenance  es- 
timates of  at  least  $1  million, 
the  29-member  PSCE  board  of 
trustees  agreed  March  13  to 
sell  Watts  dormitory  to  the 
Baptist  Theological  Seminary 
at  Richmond  (BTSR),  which 
has  been  renting  space  at 
PSCE  since  1989. 

The  agreement  also  in- 
cludes a  possible  joint-use 
agreement  for  Lingle  Hall, 
which  currently  houses  a  din- 
ing facility  and  bookstore,  and 
the  purchase  of  PSCE-owned 
faculty  houses  by  faculty  mem- 
bers or  BTSR  as  the  houses 


become  available. 

The  BTSR  board  approved 
the  agreement  March  21. 

No  one  contacted  by  the 
Presbyterian  News  Service 
denied  the  seriousness  of 
PSCE's  financial  plight — the 
board  reduced  the  school's  op- 
erating budget  by  25  percent 
in  February  of  1992  to  ease  the 
crisis — but  many  are  con- 
cerned that  selling  off  prop- 
erty endangers  the  school's 
future. 

In  an  opinion  column  pub- 
lished in  the  April  10  issue  of 
The  Presbyterian  Outlook, 
longtime  PSCE  supporter  and 
former  Outlook  editor  Aubrey 
Brown  wrote:  "There  is  fear 
and  apprehension  that  PSCE 
is  about  to  become  a  shadow  of 
its  former  self  ..." 

Former  General  Assembly 
moderator  and  PSCE  profes- 
sor Isabel  Rogers  agrees.  "The 
facts  are  incontrovertible — we 
are  desperate  for  maintenance 
money,"  Rogers  said  in  a  March 
21  interview. 


No  wonder  so  many  sing  our  praises. 
One  of  this  country's  most  exceptional 
continuing  care  retirement  communities 
is  also  an  exceptional  value. 

Few  retirement  cottages  or  apartments 
are  as  large  as  King's  Grant's.  While  ours 
are  more  spacious,  they're  also  less  cosdy. 

Value  aside.  King's  Grant  also  offers 
many  other  priceless  benefits  that  money 
just  can't  buy — like  the  peace  of  mind 
associated  with  on-site  nursing  care. 

Call  or  write  today  to  find  out  more. 


Mdil  to:  1  King's  Way  Road,  Martinsville,  VA  24112-6610 


King's  ©rant 

A  Sunnyside  Retirement  Community 

A  Prcsbytirian  Mimslry  since  1912. 

(703)634-1000  .  800-462-4649 


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using  opportunity  ihrou^out  the  nation. 


IN  THE  BLUE  RIDGE  MOUNTAINS 
OF  NORTH  CAROLINA 

TRADITIONAL  CAMP 

Cheerio's  summer  resident  camp  offers  boys  and  girls  7-15  the 
chance  to  participate  in  many  exciting  camp  activities. 
Horseback  riding,  svs^imming,  soccer,  rappelling,  arts  and 
crafts,  and  dance  are  among  over  20  activities  available  for 
selection  by  campers.  Boys  and  girls  attend  separate  one  or 
two  week  camps,  or  they  can  select  a  one  week  coed  camp.  A 
spiritual  emphasis  is  provided  through  daily  devotions. 


Camp  Cheerio,  PO  Box  6258 
High  Point,  NC  27262 
(910)  869-0195 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  199,j,  Page  5 

Mother's  Day  Offering 

in  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

May  14,  1995 
'Hence  I  remind  you  to  rekindle  the  gift  of  God 
that  is  within  you.'  Timothy  1:6 


The  two  main  questions  that  are  in  the  minds  of 
older  adults  in  the  latter  part  of  the  twentieth 
century  are:  How  can  I  maintain  a  quality  life, 
economically,  practically,  and  emotionally,  for 
the  rest  of  my  life?  How  can  I  find  meaning  and 
purpose  in  my  life  for  the  rest  of  my  life? 

These  are  questions  to  which  the  church  is 
uniquely  qualified  to  speak,  and  to  which  it  is 
challenged  to  speak.  The  Older  Adult  Ministries 
Committee  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid -Atlantic, 
representing  all  13  presbyteries  and  offering  a 
wealth  of  experience  and  knowledge  about  is- 
sues of  aging,  has  as  its  mission: 

•  to  meet  the  increasing  physical,  social,  and 
spiritual  needs  of  older  adults; 

•  to  raise  awareness  among  clergy  and  laity  of 
the  uniqueness  of  aging;  and 

•  to  empower  those  who  are  aging  to  identify 
their  own  strengths  and  contributions  to  be 
offered  to  the  church  and  community. 

Presbjrterian  Older  Adult 
Ministry  Network 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  has  a  network  of 
30  volunteer  older  adult  ministry  enablers  whose 
purpose  is  to  initiate,  expedite,  train,  and  advo- 
cate for  older  adult  ministry  in  their  presbyteries. 
They  spearhead  older  adult  ministry  commit- 
tees, raise  awareness  about  issues  of  aging,  and 
assist  congregations  in  their  efforts  to  recognize 
the  gifts  and  experience  of  older  adults  as  well  as 
their  unique  needs  and  concerns.  They  are  avail- 
able to  consult  with  local  congregations,  lead 
workshops,  organize  retreats,  provide  resources, 
and  give  speeches,  to  name  a  few.  FoUoAving  are 
some  examples  of  their  efforts. 

•  This  year,  older  adult  retreats  of  one  to  three 
days  have  been  held  in  Baltimore,  Charlotte, 
Eastern  Virginia,  The  James,  The  Peaks,  Salem, 
and  Western  North  Carolina  Presbyteries. 

•  Nearly  every  presbytery  offers  one  to  three 
workshops  related  to  older  adult  ministry  at 
their  annual  education /leadership  events. 

•  James,  Peaks,  &  Western  North  Carolina  pres- 
byteries are  developing  special  recognition  for 
retiring/retired  pastors  &  church  professionals. 

•  Ecumenical  interfaith  coalitions  for  older  per- 
sons are  springing  up  everjrwhere,  combining 
church  and  community  resources. 

•  A  three-day  training  conference  is  held  annu- 
ally to  provide  enablers  with  the  opportunity  to 
share  models  of  ministry,  to  receive  and  share 
resources  and  training  on  a  particular  topic. 
This  year's  conference  was  held  March  23-26  at 
Glenaire  Retirement  Community  in  Cary.  N.C. 
Leaders  were  Tom  Mainor,  a  consultant  of  the 
Presb)^erian  Network,  teaching  about  health 
ministries  in  congregations,  and  Virginia 
Bethune,  who  teaches  a  course  in  faith,  health, 
and  humor. 

•  Notable  resources  include:  Project  Model  Min- 


istry, a  collection  of  models  for  ministry  with 
older  adults  from  across  the  country;  Older 
Adult  Ministry:  Growing  in  the  Abundant  Life, 

a  report  of  the  General  Assembly  task  force  on 
older  adult  ministry;  Aging  Me  ...  Aging  You  ... 
The  Journey  of  a  Lifetime,  a  new  video  about 
issues  of  aging  that  can  be  used  in  a  variety  of 
settings;  Agenda,  a  quarterly  publication  of  the 
General  Assembly  on  issues  of  age;  Older  Adults 
Serving  in  Society,  a  semi-annual  newsletter  of 
the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  for  older  adult 
ministry  enablers  and  interested  individuals. 

Our  synod-related 
retirement  communities 

Sunnyside  Presbyterian  Retirement  Commu- 
nities. The  Presbyterian  Homes  Inc.,  and 
Westminster  Presbyterian  Homes  Inc.  have  a 
special  commitment  and  ministry  to  older  adults 
that  includes  a  variety  of  living  arrangements, 
ranging  from  independent  living  in  detached 
homes  or  apartments  to  assisted  living  and  nurs- 
ing home  care  as  needed. 

Sunnyside  Presbyterian  Retirement  Commu- 
nity is  located  in  Harrisonburg,  Va.  For  over  80 
years  Sunnyside  has  taken  a  "family"  approach 
to  its  ministries  with  older  adults.  A  note  to  the 
Sunnyside  staff  from  the  daughter  of  a  resident 
describes  this  approach  well:  "Our  heartfelt 
thanks  for  each  member  of  the  Sunnyside  staff 
for  the  loving  care  and  attention  shown  to  Mother. 
She  considered  all  to  be  her  friends  and  she  truly 
considered  Sunnyside  as  home.  We  took  comfort 
over  the  years,  knowing  she  was  receiving  the 
best  of  care.  May  God  grant  to  each  of  you  a 
special  blessing,  as  each  of  you  were  a  special 
blessing  to  Mother." 

Located  in  Martinsville,  Va.,  King's  Grant  will 
celebrate  its  second  anniversary  this  April.  It 
offers  three  lifestyle  options;  independent  living 
in  cottages,  apartments,  and  residential  rooms; 
assisted  living;  and  skilled  nursing  care.  Resi- 
dents enjoy  a  variety  of  activities,  many  of  which 
they  organize  and  cany  out  themselves,  such  as 
a  weekly  chapel  service  led  by  local  pastors. 
Piano  and  organ  music  are  always  provided  by  a 
group  of  resident  volunteers  organized  by  Priscilla 
Brown.  Residents  are  actively  involved  in  local 
churches  and  community  events. 

The  Presb3rterian  Homes,  Inc.  was  formed  in 
the  fall  of  1984  to  oversee  the  governance  of  its 
three  divisions,  all  in  North  Carolina:  Scotia 
Village  in  Laurinburg,  The  Presbyterian  Home  of 
High  Point,  and  Glenaire  in  Cary. 

Some  300  residents  live  at  the  Presbyterian 
Home  of  High  Point,  which  has  been  an  impor- 
tant part  of  the  community  for  the  past  43  years. 
Work  has  now  begun  on  a  three-phase  renova- 
tion project  that  will  enhance  and  improve  op- 
tions for  present  and  future  residents  of  this 
landmark  retirement  community.  The  Presbyte- 
rian Home  believes  in  being  a  resource  to  the 
community  by  offering  lecture  series  each  winter 
covering  a  variety  of  topics  that  inform  and 
entertain.  One  of  the  Home's  ambassadors  is  the 
High  Point  Band,  which  entertains  near  and  far 
in  retirement  communities,  church  and  civic 
groups. 

Scotia  Village  and  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian 
College  are  separated  by  only  a  well-used  path  in 
Laurinburg,  N.C.  Residents  of  Scotia  Village, 
now  in  its  eighth  year,  can  frequently  be  seen  on 
the  college  campus,  taking  part  in  activities  and 


using  St.  Andrews'  facilities.  They  also  teach  or 
take  classes  through  St.  Andrews  Institute  for 
Life-Long  Learning  (SAILL),  a  program  for  per- 
sons over  50  years  of  age.  Residents  enjoy  excel- 
lent living  opportunities,  a  caring  staff,  and  a 
positive  attitude  that  promotes  "a  good  old  age." 

Like  King's  Grant,  Glenaire  Retirement  Com- 
munity in  Cary,  N.C,  is  in  its  second  year  of 
providing  up-to-date  living  opportunities,  in- 
cluding cottages  and  apartments,  assisted  liv- 
ing, and  a  health  care  facility.  A  special  associa- 
tion of  residents  sharies  planning  and  decision- 
making responsibilities  with  the  staff.  Glenaire 
hosted  the  annual  conference  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Older  Adult  Ministry  Network  of  the  Synod 
this  year,  offering  hospitality,  meeting  space, 
tours  of  the  facility,  and  opportunities  to  see  the 
campus  and  meet  the  residents. 

In  1966 Westminster  Presbyterian  Homes  Inc. 

was  formed  as  a  special  committee  on  ministry  to 
the  aging  and  retired.  It  has  been  co-sponsor 
(with  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia)  of  six 
Westminster-Canterbury  facilities  in  Virginia. 
For  the  past  few  years  the  organization  has  been 
involved  in  developing  low-  and  moderate-in- 
come housing  options  for  older  Virginians.  A  30- 
unit  apartment  complex  for  older  adults  in 
Pearisburg,  Va.,  is  nearing  completion  and  will 
soon  be  occupied.  WPH  Inc.  is  always  seeking 
new  and  different  ways  to  serve  older  adults  and 
is  willing  to  work  with  presbyteries,  churches, 
and  housing  organizations. 


The  Mother's  Day  Offering  is  taken  by  local 
congregations.  Information  about  the  Mother's 
Day  Offering  was  sent  out  to  churches  in  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  in  January.  In  Febru- 
ary all  churches  received  worship  resources  for 
Older  Adults  Month,  also  celebrated  in  May.  For 
further  information  contact  Jan  McGUliard,  synod 
associate  for  older  adult  ministries,  at  (703)  552- 
0948.  You  may  phone  or  fax  your  order  for 
offering  materials  at  this  number.  Each  church 
treasurer  will  send  the  church's  offering  to  the 
presbytery  for  remittance  to  the  S5rnod. 

Checks  for  the  offering  should  be  made  payable 
to:  Mother's  Day  Offering,  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic. 


i*Aid -Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1995 


Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


COUNCIl.  ON  ACCTCDITATION 
or  SEIJVICES  FOR  FAMHJES 
AND  CHILDREN.  INC 


Retiring  May  31  after  20  years  as  executive  director 

Frazier's  leadership  spans  many  changes 


By  JIM  WRINN 

Charlotte  Observer  / Iredell  Neighbors 

Framed  in  wood  on  a  wall  in 
Earle  Frazier's  office  at 
Barium  Springs  Home  for 
Children  are  two  college  de- 
grees: a  bachelor's  in  voca- 
tional agriculture  and  a 
master's  in  social  work. 

To  Frazier,  they  are  remind- 
ers of  the  dramatic  changes  he 
has  navigated  in  almost  20 
years  as  executive  director  at 
the  Home.  He's  taken  Barium 
Springs  from  a  traditional  or- 
phanage where  children  grew 
up  working  the  Home's  or- 
chards to  a  place  where  courts 
and  social  agencies  ^end 
troubled  youths. 

"It's  been  a  period  of  big 
change,"  said  Frazier,  who  re- 
tires May  31. 

Through  all  of  the  changes, 
friends  and  colleagues  say, 
Frazier  has  been  dedicated  to 
one  task:  Do  something  to  help 
children  in  trouble. 

"He's  changed  the  face  of 
the  place  with  the  needs  of  the 
time,"  said  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President  of  Financial  Re- 
sources for  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children.  "He's  a 
genuine  caring  person,  espe- 
cially when  it  comes  to  kids." 

Since  1976,  Frazier  has  di- 
rected the  activities  of  an  in- 
stitution rich  with  history. 

Started  as  a  Presbyterian 
orphanage  in  1891,  the  first 
Home  was  in  an  old  hotel  that 
had  catered  to  those  who  came 


from  far  away  to  sample  and 
bathe  in  the  mineral  water 
that  flows  from  the  nearby 
Barium  Springs. 

At  its  height  in  1929,  about 
37 5  children  lived  at  the  Home. 
On  almost  1,100  acres  of  land, 
they  picked  apples,  milked 
cows  and  grew  crops.  Along 
the  way,  they  became  a  family 
for  each  other  when  they  had 
none. 

Over  the  years,  thousands 
of  children  passed  through  the 
doors  at  Barium  Springs. 
Many  came  because  epidem- 
ics like  influenza  had  killed 
both  parents.  Others  were 
separated  from  their  families 
by  the  hard  financial  times  of 
the  Depression. 

Then  in  the  early  1960s 
came  a  big  change.  True  or- 
phanages, homes  for  children 
of  families  in  which  one  or 
both  parents  were  dead,  were 
no  longer  needed  and  society's 
emphasis  shifted  to  rehabili- 
tating troubled  families  so  that 
children  didn't  spend  their 
childhoods  in  orphanages.  At 
the  same  time,  more  institu- 
tions were  needed  to  help 
young  people  with  social,  emo- 
tional and  academic  problems. 

Like  other  homes.  Barium 
Springs  began  to  refocus  on 
those  needs.  Serving  as  direc- 
tor of  campus  life  and  resident 
director  at  Barium  Springs 
from  1966  to  1971,  Frazier 
experienced  the  shift  first- 
hand. 

He  was  director  of  the  Mon- 


The  above  photo  of  the  baby  cottage  children,  taken  in  1925, 
is  representative  of  the  Home's  years  as  an  orphanage.  The 
photo  below  represents  the  Home's  goals  today- 
reunification  of  the  family  whenever  possible. 


roe  Harding  Children's  Home 
before  he  returned  as  execu- 
tive director  in  1976. 

Today,  Frazier  oversees  a 
Presbyterian  institution  that 
each  year  serves  about  140 
troubled  children,  ages  10  to 
20.  On  an  average  day,  there 
are  47  young  people  on  cam- 
pus; on  average,  they're  there 
for  a  little  under  eight  months. 

Unlike  the  old  days  when 
housing  and  rearing  children 
was  the  emphasis,  Frazier 
said,  the  Home  now  focuses  on 
solving  problems  and  reunit- 
ing children  with  their  fami- 
lies. 

"We  work  with  children  who 
have  emotional  and  social 
problems  and  try  to  get  them 
back  with  their  families  as  soon 
as  possible,"  Frazier  said. 

The  Home  also  operates  a 
day  care  center,  which  serves 
about  125  local  children  and 
provides  child-care  training  for 
other  agencies  and  day  care 
centers  across  the  state. 

Frazier's  office  is  in  the  1907 
boy's  library  in  the  middle  of 
the  campus.  The  son  of  a  Wake 
County  tobacco  farmer, 
Frazier  enjoys  the  sketches  of 
mules  hanging  on  the  walls.  A 
plaque  in  the  window  over- 
looking the  campus  says:  "Chil- 
dren have  more  need  of  mod- 
els than  critics." 

Barium  Springs  Home  for 
Children  is  an  oasis  on  heavily 
commercialized  U.S.  21  be- 
tween Statesville  and  Trout- 
man.  Tall  oaks  and  manicured 
lawns  line  U.S.  21  just  north 
of  Troutman.  Unassuming 
brick  buildings — dorms,  staff 
housing  and  educational  build- 
ings— dot  the  landscape. 

Much  of  Frazier's  time  is 
spent  raising  money  for  the 
Home.  Frazier's  secretary, 
Bette  Chastain,  sits  at  a  desk 
between  Frazier's  office  and  a 
room  filled  with  file  cabinets 
containing  thousands  of  do- 
nor records. 

When  there's  a  mass  mail- 
ing, Frazier  is  in  the  work  room 
with  the  rest  of  the  staff  stuff- 
ing envelopes. 

Frazier  spends  many 
days  visiting  churches  across 
the  state  to  tell  them  about  the 
work  that  goes  on  at  Barium 
Springs.  "Finding  the  money 
to  do  this  is  always  the  prob- 
lem," Frazier  said. 

Of  the  Home's  annual  bud- 
get of  $3.2  million,  34  percent 
comes  from  fees,  22  percent 
from  bequests,  15  percent  from 
trusts  and  14  percent  from  in- 
dividual contributions.  An- 
other 10  percent  comes  from 
investments,  3  percent  from 
the  church  and  3  percent  from 
other  sources. 

Frazier's  concern  for  chil- 
dren started  when  he  was 
growing  up  near  the  end  of  the 
Great  Depression,  Chastain 
said.  "He  saw  the  needs  out 
there,  both  physical  and  emo- 
tional," she  said. 

Frazier  gives  his  staff  credit 
for  any  success  at  the  Home. 
"He  hires  good  people  and  then 
steps  aside  and  lets  them  do 


W.  EARLE  FRAZIER 


.Or  SO  it  seems 


To  all  the  friends  of  Barium 
Springs,  thank  you  for  the 
experiences  of  the  past  nine- 
teen years.  This  is  the  last 
time  my  words  will  appear 
in  this  space  as  my  retire- 
ment is  at  hand. 

For  all  the  kind  words, 
prayers  and  other  forms  of 
undergirding,  I  am  most 


grateful;  I  will  join  you  in 
doing  the  same  for  Skip 
Stansell  and  all  who  work 
with  him  in  service  to 
troubled  children  and  fami- 
Hes  on  behalf  of  our  church. 


their  job,"  said  Baker,  who 
went  from  day  care  director  to 
Barium  Springs  chief  fund- 
raiser several  years  ago  at 
Frazier's  urging.  "He  said  the 
person  who  knows  the  needs 
personally  can  tell  the  story 
the  best." 

Bynum  Carter,  a  Gastonia 
businessman  who  was  on  the 
search  committee  that  hired 
Frazier  almost  20  years  ago, 
said  Frazier  took  a  tough  job — 
helping  reshape  an  institu- 
tion— and  made  it  look  easy. 

"We  were  talking  about  big 
changes,"  Carter  said.  "He 
came  along  and  made  them 
happen." 

Despite  opposition  from  sen- 
timental alumni,  it  was  Frazier 
who  worked  to  close  the  last  of 
the  Home's  orchards.  He  put 
emphasis  on  professional 
treatment  for  children,  seek- 
ing recognition  by  the  Council 
on  Accreditation  of  Services 
for  Families  and  Children,  Inc. 

Frazier  is  adamant  that 
today's  mission  of  "the  Home" 
is  the  right  one. 

Frazier  took  special  note  of 
U.S.  House  Speaker  Newt 
Gingrich's  interest  in  orphan- 
ages last  winter. 

"We  had  calls  from  Ted 
Koppel's  office  last  fall  when 
the  orphanage  issue  arose  at 
the  national  level,"  he  said. 
"I've  been  trying  to  clarify  the 
issue  ever  since." 

"Bringing  back  orphanages 
would  not  help,"  Frazier  said. 
"The  bottom  line  is  some  people 
say  they  had  a  good  experi- 
ence and  should  bring  it  back; 
but  I  grew  up  on  a  tobacco 
farm  and  found  that  to  be  a 
good  experience,  but  it  doesn't 


mean  we  should  bring  it  back." 

The  needs  of  children  today 
are  more  complex.  Simply 
housing  children  in  a  group 
home  won't  work,  he  said. 

But  that's  a  debate  some- 
one else  will  have  to  see 
through,  Frazier  said.  At  age 
65,  he  and  his  wife,  Jessie,  are 
ready  to  relax  and  spend  time 
with  their  four  grandsons. 
Frazier  has  a  special  gift  for 
his  grandchildren. 

"I've  written  about  75  or  80 
children's  stories  about  what 
life  on  the  tobacco  farm  was 
like,"  he  said.  "They'll  never 
know  what  it  was  like." 


Welcome! 


^^^^^^^^ 

ROBERT  W.  STANSELL 


Mr.  Robert  W.  (Skip)  Stansell 
Jr.  will  assume  the  position  of 
President  of  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children  beginning 
June  1.  He  will  be  featured  on 
this  page  in  the  June  issue  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian . 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Ma>  199'  ,  F'age  7 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps— Lesson  10 

Jesus  Christ,  God's  gift 


Eugenia 
Phillips 


By  EUGENIA  PHILLIPS 

With  the  last  article  written  for  this  newspaper 
I  completed  my  explorations  into  the  ideas  set 
forth  in  the  nine  lessons  of  Presbyterian 
Women's  Bible  study  book,  Who  is  the  Christ? 
For  the  next  three  issues,  I  shall  reflect  upon 
other  words  of  Paul  about  Jesus  Christ,  and 
their  meaning  for  us  today. 

Let  us  consider  I  Corinthians  1:18-31  and 
Chapter  2.  Paul  talks  about  the  doctrine  of  the 
cross  which  he  says  is  foolishness  (translated 
"sheer  folly"  in  the  New  English  version)  to 
those  who  are  perishing  or  on  their  way  to  ruin 
but  the  power  of  God  to  those  who  are  being 
saved.  Many  of  the  people  reading  this  may  not 
understand  why  Paul  calls 
the  gospel  message  "foolish- 
ness" because  they  have  be- 
lieved it,  experienced  its  joy, 
and  relied  upon  its  message 
for  many  years.  Others  to- 
day may  be  more  like  those 
who  first  heard  the  message 
at  Corinth.  They  may  feel 
that  they  have  a  better  idea 
and  cannot  understand  why 
some  Christians  teach  such 
a  "foolish"  doctrine.  They 
find  it  difficult,  as  it  must 
have  been  for  early  listen- 
ers, to  accept  the  idea  that 
the  man  Jesus  who  hung  on  a  cross,  dying  a 
disgraceful  death,  showed  us  the  love  of  God 
and  the  way  to  eternal  life! 

At  the  beginning  of  Jesus'  ministry,  the  first 
disciples,  probably  the  apostles  themselves, 
thought  of  Jesus  as  a  great  teacher  and  prophet, 
like  many  who  had  gone  before  him.  Through 
his  close  walk  with  God  in  prayer  and  dedica- 
tion, they  could  see  that  he  had  been  given  by 
God  special  gifts  of  speaking  and  healing  which 
set  him  apart  from  others.  Nicodemus  stated 
what  many  may  have  recognized  during  his 
lifetime:  "Master,  we  know  that  you  are  a 
teacher  come  from  God;  for  no  one  can  do  these 
signs  that  you  do,  unless  God  is  with  him." 
(John  3:2) 

Yet,  as  time  went  on,  the  disciples  experi- 
enced feelings  and  aspects  of  this  man  that 
they  could  not  understand.  In  the  gospels  we 
repeatedly  read,  "...  but  they  understood  him 
not."  His  answers  to  those  in  authority,  his 
parables  about  the  love  and  care  of  God,  and 
his  teachings  about  the  kingdom  of  God  led 
them  to  feel  the  presence  of  God  in  their  midst. 
Like  many  who  hear  the  gospel  for  the  first 
time,  they  wanted  to  believe  that  this  was  truly 
God,  but  why  would  God  be  present  as  a  simple 
teacher?  And  if  Jesus  were  God,  why  did  he 
talk  about  dying? 

Yet,  it  was  the  experience  of  death  and 
resurrection  that  would  confirm  in  their  minds, 
and  in  ours,  the  reality  of  Jesus  as  the  Son  of 
God.  After  the  resurrection,  the  disciples  un- 
derstood for  the  first  time  what  J esus  had  been 
telling  them.  This  man  whom  they  had  fol- 
lowed and  who  had  died  a  shameful  death  on  a 
cross  was  the  long-awaited  Messiah,  the  Son  of 
God,  whose  death  on  the  cross  had  brought 
atonement  for  sins  and  opened  the  doors  of 
heaven  to  all  who  believed.  After  the  resurrec- 
tion, from  that  day  to  this,  many  have  found 
that  as  they  prayed  and  meditated  on  Jesus 
they  once  again  felt  the  mysterious  sense  of  the 
presence  of  God  which  we  call  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"Atonement"  is  one  of  those  words  used  by 
theologians,  but  not  understood  by  everyone. 
Basic  to  our  reformed  faith  is  our  belief  that 


Bender  to  write  helps 

The  Rev.  Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender  will  write 
the  1995-96  Bible  study  helps  for  the  Presbyte- 
rian Women  of  the  synod.  The  articles,  in- 
tended as  supplements  to  the  annual  Bible 
study  published  hy  Horizons  magazine,  appear 
in  this  newspaper. 

Bender  is  pastor  of  McQuay  Memorial 
Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C.  Her  first  article,  for 
use  in  September,  will  appear  in  the  July- 
August  issue. 

The  Rev.  Eugenia  Gamble  of  Birmingham, 
Ala.,  is  the  author  of  the  1995-96  study. 
Glimpses  of Home:  Biblical  Images  of  the  Realm 
of  God.  To  order  copies  phone  (800)  487-4875. 


men  and  women  are  sinful  and  can  by  no 
means  of  their  own  attain  the  righteousness 
required  for  peaceful  and  joyful  communication 
with  God.  In  order  to  redeem  or  save  this 
disastrous  situation,  God  chose  to  enter  into 
the  word  in  the  person  of  Jesus  who  by  his 
sacrifice  of  himself  showed  God's  love  and 
forgiving  acceptance  of  humanity.  The 
Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  states:  "The 
Lord  Jesus,  by  his  perfect  obedience  and  sacri- 
fice of  himself,  which  he  through  the  eternal 
Spirit  once  offered  up  unto  God,  has  fully 
satisfied  the  justice  of  his  Father,  and  pur- 
chased not  only  reconciliation,  but  an  ever- 
lasting inheritance  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
for  all  those  whom  the  Father  has  given  him." 
(6.047)  An  easy  way  to  remember  the  meaning 
of  the  word  is  to  separate  it  thus:  at-one-ment. 

This  is  the  foolishness  of  which  Paul  speaks. 
To  say  that  Jesus  was  both  completely  human 
and  completely  God  was  a  concept  absolutely 
impossible  to  the  rational  minds  of  the  Greek 
philosophers.  God  stood  for  eternity-man  for 
only  a  small  moment  of  time.  How  could  the 
two  be  the  same? 

In  the  independent  thinking  of  the  world 
today,  I  would  guess  that  there  are  probably 
more  variations  of  cults,  sects  and  religions 
than  there  have  ever  been  before.  Among 
them  are  those  who  deny  the  "original  sin" 
idea  as  expressed  in  the  Bible.  It  is  indeed  a 
difficult  doctrine  to  adopt  if  one  has  no  view  of 
the  perfection  of  God  as  contrasted  with  the 
self-centered  sinfulness  of  humanity. 

Paul  faced  a  similar  situation  at  Corinth. 
There  were  Jews  who  believed  that  the  coming 
Messiah  would  come  to  their  country  alone; 
there  were  Greeks  who  had  determined  that 
their  sophisticated  philosophers  were  flaw- 
less. To  them,  the  idea  that  God  would  endure 
suffering  and  sacrifice  to  sinful  creatures  was 
nothing  less  than  idiotic.  Are  there  religions 
today  who  have  similar  objections? 
Paul  answered  these  critics: 
Divine  folly  is  wiser  than  the  wisdom  of 
man,  and  divine  weakness  stronger  than  man's 
strength.  ...Think  what  sort  of  people  you  are, 
whom  God  has  called.  Few  of  you  are  men  of 
wisdom,  by  any  human  standard;  few  are 
powerful  or  highly  born  (implying  that  other 
religions  attempt  to  appeal  only  to  such).  Yet, 
to  shame  the  wise,  God  has  chosen  what  the 
world  counts  weakness.  ...And  so  there  is  no 
place  for  human  pride  in  the  presence  of  God. 
You  are  in  Christ  Jesus  by  God's  act,  for  God 
has  made  him  our  wisdom;  he  is  our  righteous- 
ness; in  him  we  are  consecrated  and  set  free.  (I 
Cor.  1:23-31;  New  EngHsh)  Such  faith  allows 
every  person  to  come  to  God.  Not  by  wisdom, 
by  wealth,  by  learning  or  sophistication;  not  by 
argument  or  by  reason  do  we  come  to  experi- 
ence the  power  of  God  but  by  simple  faith, 
gratitude,  and  love.  Our  love  responds  to  God's 
love  as  we  acknowledge  God's  sacrifice  on  our 
behalf.  Death  on  the  cross  signified  disgrace, 
yet  the  cross  today  is  a  sjrmbol  of  grace,  power, 
and  glory,  and  remains  the  chief  symbol  of  the 
Christian  religion.  "Things  beyond  our  seeing, 
things  beyond  our  hearing,  things  beyond  our 
imagining,  all  prepared  by  God  for  those  who 
love  him,  these  it  is  that  God  has  revealed  to  us 
through  the  Spirit."  (I  Cor.  2:9) 

Who  is  the  Christ?  Much  about  the  incarna- 
tion will  forever  remain  a  mystery.  In  the 
following  words  from  his  book  Jesus:  God's 
Emptiness,  God's  Fullness,  Jennings  Reid 
states:  "Jesus  Christ  was  an  historical  person 
who  has  come  to  us  where  we  are,  and  in  his 
coming  has  shown  us  who  God  is  and  the 
meaning  of  redemptive  grace.  He  is  not  a 
person  whom  one  may  accept  or  reject  and  be 
none  the  better  or  worse  for  the  decision.  For 
in  his  presence  'the  kingdom  of  God  has  drawn 
nigh'  (Luke  10:11).  Just  as  we  may  appreciate 
a  beautiful  sunset  and  the  symmetry  and 
beauty  of  a  tree  without  understanding  all  of 
the  scientific  aspects  of  either,  so  we  may 
appreciate  the  wondrous  revelation  of  God  in 
Jesus  Christ  and  appropriate  the  grace  which 
he  brings.  The  incarnation  should  never  end 
as  a  problem  to  be  solved,  but  as  the  prime 
occasion  for  thanksgiving  and  rejoicing." 

Eugenia  Phillips  is  a  member  of  Sinking 
Spring  Church  in  Abingdon,  Va.  The  Bible 
study  helps,  sponsored  by  the  Presbyterian 
Women  of  the  synod,  are  intended  as  a  supple- 
ment to  the  annual  Bible  study  published  by 
Horizons  magazine. 


Synod  Women  offer  early 
registration  discount 


Presbyterian  Women  attend- 
ing the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic's  "Glimpses  of  Home: 
Biblical  Images  of  the  Realm 
of  God"  on  June  8-11  can  save 
$10  if  they  register  by  May  15. 

The  cost  of  registration, 
room  and  board  for  the  confer- 
ence at  Massanetta  Springs 
Conference  Center  in  Harri- 
sonburg, Va. ,  is  $  167  until  that 
date.  After  May  15,  the  cost  is 
$177. 

Information  on  the  confer- 
ence and  registration  forms 
are  available  from  PW  mod- 
erators. 

Marj  Carpenter,  a  former 
head  of  the  Presb3rterian  News 
Service  and  mission  inter- 
preter for  the  Worldwide  Min- 
istries Division  until  her  re- 
cent retirement,  is  the  key- 
note speaker  for  the  event.  She 
will  speak  at  the  opening  cer- 
emonies on  June  8. 

Carpenter,  a  candidate  for 
moderator  of  the  207th  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  worked  with 
several  Texas  newspapers, 
winning  more  than  90  awards, 
and  as  a  teacher  before  begin- 


ning to  work  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.)  in  1972. 

She  is  a  member  of  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Big 
Spring,  Texas. 

Dr.  Isabel  Rogers,  Bible 
study  leader;  Nancy  Norman, 
mission  interpreter;  Frances 
Cowan,  music  director;  Teri 
Thomas  Taylor,  worship 
leader;  and  Pinky  Bender, 
morning  devotion  leader,  will 
also  be  featured  during  the 
conference. 

The  90-minute  workshops 
offered  include  studying  Jesus 
as  seen  in  the  Gospels,  PW 
moderators,  diversity,  ena- 
blers,  resources  and  church- 
wide  PW  concerns.  Optional 
sessions  include  cooking  for 
the  church  crowd,  tips  for  im- 
proving newsletters,  model 
circle  meetings,  swimming, 
intergenerational  recreation 
and  pieces  of  the  past — a  his- 
tory of  quilting  with  hands-on 
activities. 

Presbytery  gatherings  for 
each  of  the  13  presbyteries  in 
the  synod  will  be  held  the  night 
of  June  8  after  the  program. 


Synod's  older  adult  ministry 
enablers  gather  at  Glenaire 


By  JAN  McGILLIARD 

CARY,  N.C— Glenaire  Retire- 
ment Community  recently 
hosted  23  older  adult  ministry 
enablers  and  their  leaders 
during  their  annual  Enablers 
Gathering. 

Nine  of  our  13  presbs^eries 
were  represented  at  this  lively 
meeting. 

Five  panel  members  de- 
scribed their  experience  with 
a  special  project  involving 
needs  assessments  pertaining 
to  older  adults  in  local  congre- 
gations. The  project  was  di- 
rected by  Dr.  John  Rhea,  vol- 
unteer in  mission  at  the  GA's 
Older  Adult  Ministry  office. 

Hein,  Mary  Harris  Todd, 
Mary  Alice  and  Jere  Thomas, 
and  Valerie  Rosenquist  pre- 
sented their  findings  of  tele- 
phone interviews  with  older 
adults,  cited  recommendations 
of  Dr.  Rhea,  and  shared  their 
interpretation  of  plans  for  fu- 
ture programming  and  in- 
volvement for  and  with  older 
persons. 

Because  Dr.  Rhea  provided 
leadership  for  the  Enablers 
Gathering  last  year,  partici- 
pants were  especially  inter- 
ested in  this  model  as  put  into 
practice  in  New  Hope  Presby- 
tery. 

"Health  Ministries  in  Con- 
gregations" was  led  by  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Mainor,  pastor  of 
Shady  Grove  Church  in  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.,  and  consultant  to 
the  Ministries  Division  of  the 
General  Assembly.  Tom  pro- 
vided the  group  with  a  theo- 
logical basis  for  considering 
health  issues  in  the  life  of  the 
church,  along  with  practical 
resources  designed  to  be  used 
in  local  congregations. 

Virginia  Bethune  of  Blacks- 


burg,  Va.,  led  the  group  in  a 
seminar  entitled  "A  Merrie 
Heart,"  which  examined  the 
connections  of  faith,  health, 
and  humor.  The  group  took  on 
a  zany  look  as  they  played  tone 
chimes  and  wore  phylactery 
verses  printed  on  yellow 
headbands.  The  videotape  of 
our  meeting  would  provide 
many  minutes  of  comic  relief. 

Carlita  Hunter,  0AM 
enabler  from  Charlotte  Pres- 
bytery, periodically  tested  our 
wit  and  coordination  with 
songs,  games,  stories,  and  ex- 
ercises that  helped  us  through 
a  tightly  scheduled  two  days. 
Betsy  Jamerson,  parish  nurse 
at  Westminster  Church  in 
Lynchburg,  Va.,  described  her 
ministry  with  a  congregation 
of  mostly  older  adults,  their 
special  needs,  and  the  advo- 
cacy provided  by  the  presence 
of  a  "health  minister"  working 
with  the  pastor. 

Recommendations  of  0AM 
enablers  included: 

1)  the  need  for  churches  to 
become  involved  in  health  min- 
istries, including  the  parish 
nurse  model  and  its  variations, 
with  special  focus  on  the  posi- 
tive outcomes  of  pastor/nurse 
partnerships; 

2)  the  need  to  integrate  faith, 
health,  and  humor  in  the  life  of 
the  congregation; 

3)  the  need  to  identify,  ad- 
vocate for,  and  create  models 
of  modest,  middle-income  hous- 
ing options  throughout  the 
synod; 

4)  to  advocate  for  continu- 
ing education  and  course  of- 
ferings at  Union  Theological 
Seminary  and  the  Presbyte- 
rian School  of  Christian  Edu- 
cation that  will  equip  individu- 
als to  provide  meaningful  min- 
istry with  older  persons. 


PEWREFINISHING  ♦  CARPET 
PEWS  ♦  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 
CHURCH  LIGHTING 


CHURCH  FURNISHINGS,  INC. 

Monroe,  NC  281 1 1    1  -800-666-7331 


t 


FIBERGLASS  STEEPLES 
CROSSES  -  BAPTISTRIES 
WATER  HEATERS 


A 


UHLE  GIANT  MANUFAOTSflNG  CO. 


pHgti  <■;,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1995 


News  from  ^^^-^ 

The  Presbytery 
of  New  Hope 

sai.m    H    New  Hope  \  ,J^'^'^*?^T. 

.                ^                              \      of  New  Hope  includes 

 P^^^  yi^^v             J     136  PC(USA)  churches 

Charlotte  \         ^   in  36  North  Carolina 

[       '"OQ-tal  Carolina  rr»iintif»c 

Presbytery  Office:  Suite  136  at  Station  Square,  Roclty  Mount,  NC  27804  •  Telephone  (919)  977-1440  •  FAX  (919)  977-9878 


From  Our  Presbytery  Office 

Camp  brochures  available 

If  you  would  like  a  brochure  on  the  presbytery's  summer 
programs  at  Camp  New  Hope,  Camp  Albemarle  or  Presbyte- 
rian Point,  call:  Debbie  Pearson  at  (919)  942-4716  in  Chapel 
Hill.  An  attractive  publication,  the  new  brochure  details  the 
offerings  at  all  three  camps. 

Presbytery  offices  to  relocate 

At  a  called  meeting  of  the  presbytery  in  December,  com- 
missioners voted  to  purchase  a  7, 470- square-foot  office 
building  in  Rocky  Mount.  The  two-story  frame  structure  is 
located  at  2309  Sunset  Ave.,  in  an  area  occupied  by  offices, 
retail  business,  banks  and  a  major  shopping  mall — approxi- 
mately 1.5  miles  west  of  the  downtown  business  district. 
The  new  location  will  offer  significantly  more  area  than  the 
4.000  square  feet  presently  being  leased  by  the  presbytery 
in  Roclty  Mount,  allowing  for  additional  meeting  facilities 
and  expansion  of  the  presbytery's  Resource  Center.  Staff 
will  be  settling  into  their  new  offices  this  summer. 

'Growing  Together,  1995' 

On  Sept.  1 6  the  Presbytery  of  New  Hope  will  once  again  be 
offering  a  variety  of  informative  leadership  training  classes 
and  personal  enrichment  workshops  at  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Wilson.  These  sessions  are  offered  for  laity, 
session  members,  Christian  Education  leaders,  church 
staff  and  ministers.  Guest  speaker  for  this  year's  event  will 
be  Dr.  Sara  Little,  retired  professor  of  Christian  Education 
at  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia.  Mark  your  calen- 
dar for  this  wonderful  day  of  learning  and  fellowship,  and 
watch  for  more  details  as  fall  approaches! 


Church-to-Church: 
Sharing  Good  Ideas 

'Senior  Appreciation  Sunday' 
First  Presbyterian  Church,  Kinston 
Three  years  ago.  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Kinston, 
decided  to  start  celebrating  its  senior  members  and 
their  contributions  to  the  work  and  worship  of  the 
church  with  a  special  day  in  their  honor.  On  Sunday, 
Feb.  12,  a  special  worship  service  focused  upon  Psalm 
37:1-11  and  Luke  6:27-38.  The  sermon  was  titled, 
"Wisdom  takes  Time,"  and  seniors  assisted  with  vari- 
ous aspects  of  the  worship  service.  Many  members  of 
the  congregation  took  this  opportunity  to  invite  par- 
ents, grandparents  or  other  senior  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances to  church.  Youth  of  the  church  served 
refreshments  at  a  reception  held  immediately  after  the 
service. 

Ministering  to  Older  Adults 

First  Presbjrterlan  Church,  Smithfield 
A  Ministry  for  Older  Adults  has  been  established  at 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Smithfield.  Following  a 
needs  assessment,  a  committee  was  established  to 
concentrate  on  five  specific  areas  of  ministry:  "Specicd 
Caring"  (concerned  with  sickness,  shut-ins,  and  deaths: 
responds  with  cards,  flowers,  and  visits);  Telephone" 
(phones  individuals  who  indicate  that  they  would  like 
to  be  called  on  a  regular  basis;  feedback  given  to  pastor 
or  to  committees  as  appropriate);  "Problem  Solving" 
(does  odd  jobs  for  those  who  cannot  do  things  for 
themselves,  runs  errands,  etc.);  "Celebrations"  (re- 
members special  days  such  as  anniversaries  and  birth- 
days with  calls  and  cards;  plans  special  gatherings  for 
holidays);  and  "Leisure"  (brings  together  those  who 
enjoy  company  and  outings  by  organizing  trips,  show- 
ing old  movies  and  providing  other  activities  as  inter- 
ests indicate).  This  approach  to  ministering  to  older 
adults  was  organized  as  the  result  of  a  pilot  project  of 
the  Presb3rtery  of  New  Hope. 

ebrate  "Older  Adult  Week' 
—  May  7-13.  1995  


Growing  Together 
1995 


An  educational  event  of  The  Congregational  Nurture 
&  Resources  Ministry  Unit  of  The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope 

9  a.m.  to  3:15  p.m.,  Saturday,  September  16 
First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Wilson,  N.C. 

Keynote  Address  by 

Dn  Sara  Little 

'Between  the  Times': 
the  future  of  Christian  education 

Sara  Little  is  professor  emerita  of  Christian  education  at 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  and  for  the  past  two 
years  has  served  as  distinguished  visiting  professor  of 
Christian  education  at  PSCE.  For  2^/^  years  before  that,  she 
was  interim  dean  and  vice  president  for  academic  affairs  at 
Pacific  School  of  Religion  in  Berkeley,  Calif.  She  is  the  author 
of  To  Set  One's  Heart  widely  used  by  educators  in 
congregations.  Little  received  one  of  the  four  distinguished 
service  awards  given  by  the  Association  for  Theological 
Schools  in  the  last  decade. 

More  than  thirty  courses  offered  for  church  members, 
officers,  leaders  and  pastors. 

What  do  you  need? 

How  can  1  renew  my  spiritual  life?  How  can  I  improve  my  Sunday  School  class? 
What  can  1  do  to  enhance  my  preaching?  All  of  these  questions  and  more  could  be 

answered  with  two  words:  Growing  Together.  Growing  Together  is  New  Hope 
Presbytery's  fall  leadership  training  event — a  full  day  of  classes  for  many  types  of 
needs.  Here  are  just  some  of  the  classes  to  be  offered 
at  First  Church.  Wilson,  on  Sept.  16: 

Glimpses  of  the  Reign  of  God  (Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study) 
Sarah  Bell  Lucas 

Advanced  Leadership  Training — Jim  Rissmiller 

Support  Groups /Small  Groups — Jim  Eller 

Short  Courses  for  Adults — Martha  Stevenson 

Youth  Ministry  in  Small  Churches — Jimmie  Hawkins 

Families  in  Crisis — Dottie  DuBose 

Enhancing  Your  Caregiving  Skills — Lynn  Stall 

What's  the  Enneagram? — Paul  Bonham 

The  Book  of  Common  Worship— Glaucia  Vasconcelos  Wilkey 

Global  Missions — Jean  Rybum 

Bible  Study  Methods — David  Huffman 

Some  other  courses  to  be  offered  (titles  to  be  determined)  include  two  courses 
about  preaching  with  Lucy  Rose,  two  courses  designed  for  small  churches  with 
Marsha  Myers,  and  two  courses  about  spirituality  with  Jeannene  Wiseman. 

Don't  miss  the  exciting  opportunities 
at  Growing  Together  1995! 


Union  Seminary  starts  library-page  5 


For  address  changes  sei   o         "-o  auuress  on  page  2. 

Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
resbyterian 


June  1995 


Vol.  LXI,  Number  5 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Clergy  rally  to  spiritually 
support  bombing  victims 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

Just  days  after  Easter,  clergy 
in  Oklahoma  City  drew  upon 
theological  imagery  and  psy- 
chological theory  to  care  for  a 
city  grappling  with  what  one 
expert  observer  calls  "pure  un- 
mitigated evil." 

"To  call  the  bombing  of  the 
Federal  Building  in  Oklahoma 
...  pure  unmitigated  evil  would 
not  be  too  strong,"  says  the 
Rev.  Ruth  H.  Bersin  of  Burke, 
Va.,  an  Episcopal  priest  who 
led  the  first  crisis  response 
team  into  Oklahoma  City  from 
the  National  Organization  for 
Victim  Assistance  (NOVA)  in 
Washington,  D.C.,  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  state's  attorney 
general  and  the  governor. 

"Evil  because  the  impact  is 
so  far-reaching  and  so 
devastating.  Evil  because  lives 
have  been  destroyed.  Evil  be- 
cause it  was  calculated  and 
intentional.  Evil  because  the 
perpetrators  of  such  a  crime 
are  forever  outside  the  human 
community  and  probably  have 
been  so  deeply  hurt  themselves 
that  they  are  numb  to  the  stuff 
of  life  that  makes  us  human," 
Bersin  told  the  Presbyterian 
News  Service  in  a  telephone 
interview. 

"This  is  beyond  the  capacity 
of  rational  beings  to  absorb. 
This  is  beyond  our  ability  to 
fathom  both  in  terms  of  pain 
and  in  terms  of  the  hate  that 
would  cause  such  pain." 

But  what  clergy  do  fathom 
right  now  is  that  they  are 
facing  an  unknown  number  of 
funerals  and  memorial  ser- 
vices. They  are  facing  years  of 
pastoral  caregiving  to  people 
suffering  from  sleeplessness, 
panic  attacks,  shock  and  ex- 
haustion— with  an  anniver- 
sary of  the  trauma  coming  ev- 
ery year.  And  they  are  facing 
tragedy  right  in  their  midst 


while  trying  to  speak  hope  for 
the  future. 

"Here  we  just  celebrated 
Easter. . . .  The  questions  of  why 
and  how  are  difficult,"  said  the 
Rev.  Pat  Kennedy  of  St. 
Andrews  Church,  who  lives 
just  blocks  from  the  bomb  site. 
"And  there  really  isn't  a  satis- 
fying answer  ...  but  we  live  in 
the  hope  of  [the]  Resurrection 
all  the  time.  ... 

"And  I  have  seen  God's 
people  reach  out  and  touch 
people." 

The  Rev.  Mark  Heaney  said 
one  way  10  clergy  responded 
to  potential  conflict  in  the  city 
was  to  attend  a  Muslim  prayer 
service  in  the  city — despite 
rumors  then  of  ties  between 
Islamic  terrorist  groups  and 
the  bombing.  "[We  wanted  to 
say]  we  weren't  going  to  point 
any  fingers  or  single  out  any 
groups,"  he  said.  "And  they 
[the  Muslim  community]  were 
very  grateful  for  that." 

But  within  congregations, 
Heaney  says,  people  are  talk- 
ing in  small  groups  about  their 
experiences  during  the  past 
week — some  who  escaped  the 
building,  others  who  have 
someone  missing  and  still  oth- 
ers who  witnessed  injuries  on 
the  city's  streets  from  fljdng 
glass  and  concrete. 

"People  need  to  talk  and 
keep  talking,"  he  said. 

Bersin  said  clergy  will  most 
likely  do  more  listening  than 
talking  over  the  next  few 
months.  But  there  is  power, 
Bersin  says,  in  symbol  and  in 
liturgy  that  may  carry  people 
through  a  recovery  process 
that  can  "almost  be  likened  to 
the  journey  of  Christ  through 
hell  between  the  Crucifixion 
and  the  Resurrection.  ...  He 
died,"  she  said,  "and  then 
walked  among  the  damned 
before  he  rose  to  be  the  Re- 
deemer of  all." 


Elected  to  lead  the  new  Synod  Council  were,  from  left,  Vice  Chair  David  Thornton, 
pastor  of  Westminster  Church  in  Laurinburg,  N.C.,  and  Chair  June  Bucy,  an  elder 
from  Harrisonburg,  Va.  Also  shown  are  Moderator  Betty  McGinnis,  an  elder  from 
Arnold,  Md.,  and  Vice  Moderator  J.  Miller  Liston,  a  minister  from  Big  Stone  Gap,  Va. 

New  council  approves  $1 95,000 
in  synod  mission  budget  cuts 


RICHMOND— Barely  given 
time  to  get  to  know  each  other's 
names,  the  new  down-sized 
version  of  the  Synod  Council 
approved  approximately 
$195,000  in  cuts  to  the  synod's 
mission  budget  when  it  met 
here  May  5-6. 

The  budget  cuts  represent 
a  12  percent  decrease  in  mis- 
sion spending  from  the  origi- 
nal budget  and  a  nine  percent 
drop  from  spending  in  1994. 

Decreased  income  from 
some  presbyteries  and  one- 
time costs  associated  with  dis- 
charging personnel  were  cited 
as  reasons  for  the  need  to  cut 
spending. 

Presb3rtery  funds  available 
for  Synod's  mission  programs 
are  now  projected  at  $1.24 
million  for  1995,  a  $100,000 
decrease  from  the  amount  ac- 
tually given  in  1994. 

The  cost  of  downsizing  the 
staff  has  added  about  $53,000 
to  the  mission  budget.  Total 
budget  for  mission-related 
staff  is  now  $390,071,  up  from 
$339,411  spent  in  1994.  This 


amount  should  decrease  be- 
low the  1994  level  in  1996  af- 
ter the  synod  staff  downsizing 
is  complete. 

The  largest  amount  cut  from 
the  mission  budget  came  from 
the  nine  colleges  and  univer- 
sities which  receive  some  fi- 
nancial support  through  the 
synod.  This  category  was  cut 
$74,522  or  51  percent. 

The  decrease  in  funding  to 
schools  was  made  primarily 
by  cutting  all  money  for  four  of 
them:  Davidson,  Hampden- 
Sydney,  Mary  Baldwin  and 
Queens.  Three  others — Lees- 
McRae,  St.  Andrews  and  War- 
ren Wilson — will  receive  lesser 
amounts  than  budgeted.  Two 
historically  racial  ethnic 
schools  supported  by  synod — 
Barber  Scotia  and  Johnson  C. 
Smith — will  retain  their  full 
funding,  just  over  $7,000  each. 

While  regretting  the  cuts  to 
educational  institutions,  the 
council  agreed  that  it  was  best 
to  maintain  funding  to  those 
that  needed  the  support  the 
most. 


Reconciliation  effort  with  Lay  Committee  comes  apart 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— Furious 
with  the  Presbyterian  Lay 
Committee  (PLC)  over  what 
they  say  is  the  "breaking  of  a 
covenant  with  us,"  nine  mem- 
bers of  the  General 
Assembly's  Committee  on 
Reconciliation  are  drafting  a 
report  to  this  year's  assem- 
bly charging  that  the  dissi- 
dent group  "has  chose  repeat- 
edly to  subvert  the  process  of 
reconciliation  ..." 

After  four  meetings,  the 
Reconciliation  committee — 
nine  members  appointed  by 
General  Assembly  modera- 
tor Robert  W.  Bohl  and  eight 
members  chose  by  the  PLC — 
reached  uneasy  agreement 
March  2.  The  PLC  offered 


several  self-imposed  guide- 
lines for  its  bi-monthly  publi- 
cation, The  Presbyterian  Lay- 
man, that  were  quickly  ac- 
cepted by  the  moderator-ap- 
pointed members. 

The  PLC  delegation  also 
presented  a  paper,  "Honor- 
ing the  Boundaries  of  Re- 
formed Faith  and  Practice," 
that  included  numerous  de- 
mands for  changes  in  Gen- 
eral Assembly  policies  and 
practices.  The  paper  was 
unanimously  rejected  by  the 
moderator's  appointees  as 
"wrong  in  its  analysis  and 
un-Presbyterian  in  its  rec- 
ommendations." 

The  moderator's  appoin- 
tees did,  however,  agree  to 
forward  some  of  the  paper's 
concerns  to  appropriate  Gen- 
eral Assembly  bodies  with- 


out endorsement. 

"Honoring  the  Bound- 
aries" calls  for: 

•  the  taking  of  a  loyalty 
oath  to  Presbjrterian  stan- 
dards of  ordination  by  all 
national  staff  members, 
whether  they  are  Presbyte- 
rian or  not; 

•  the  dismantling  of  rep- 
resentation standards  cur- 
rently in  the  Book  of  Order; 

•  withdrawal  of  most  de- 
nominational support  for  the 
World  and  National  councils 
of  churches; 

•  and  "a  public  re-exami- 
nation" of  all  designated  gifts 
to  the  church — a  procedure 
already  in  place  through  an- 
nual external  audits. 

PLC  Chair  Warren  Reding 
sent  a  letter  to  every  clerk  of 
session  in  the  Presb5rterian 


Church  (U.S.A.)  and  another 
letter  to  more  than  30,000 
contributors  asking  them  to 
put  pressure  on  their  ses- 
sions and  presbs^eries  to  sub- 
mit "Honoring  the  Bound- 
aries" to  the  General  Assem- 
bly as  an  overture.  Each  let- 
ter included  a  copy  of  "Hon- 
oring the  Boundaries"  and  a 
request  for  contributions. 

In  a  mid-May  letter  to 
clerks  of  session  responding 
to  Reding's  letter,  the 
moderator's  appointees 
wrote:  "We  ask  you  to  reject 
this  attempt  by  the  Lay  Com- 
mittee to  divide  our  church." 

Their  report  now  asks  the 
General  Assembly  "to  urge 
that  the  Lay  Committee 
'cease  and  desist'  it's  destruc- 
tive behavior,  which  harms 
our  beloved  church." 


Other  cuts  were  $35,872  (64 
percent)  to  Global  and  Ecu- 
menical Ministry',  $34,462  (9 
percent)  to  Campus  Ministry, 
and  $32,387  (60  percent)  to 
Justice  and  Mercy  Ministries. 

Global  and  Ecumenical 
Ministries  includes  the  Coali- 
tion for  Appalachian  Minis- 
tries and  councils  of  churches 
in  North  Carolina,  Virginia 
and  West  Virginia.  Justice  and 
Mercy  Ministries  includes 
prison  chaplain  programs  in 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina, 
the  Virginia  Interfaith  Center 
for  Public  Policy,  and  Justice 
for  Women,  among  others. 

Cuts  to  the  communication 
section  of  the  budget  will  mean 
reducing  the  frequency  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
from  nine  to  eight  issues  per 
year.  There  will  be  no  Septem- 
ber issue  this  year. 

Staff  downsized 

During  a  two-hour  execu- 
tive session,  the  council  ap- 
proved the  reduction  of  the 
synod  office  staff  by  four  posi- 
tions: adminstrative  associate, 
associate  for  accounting,  net- 
work/print media  support  as- 
sistant and  secretary/recep- 
tionist. 

Three  of  the  positions  were 
occupied  at  the  time.  Marlene 
Butler  was  serving  as  admin- 
istrative associate,  Diane 
Capehart  was  associate  for 
accounting,  and  Edith 
Goodman  was  secretary/recep- 
tionist. Butler  had  been  with 
the  synod  since  December 
1988,"' while  Capehart  and 
Goodman  had  served  just  over 
five  years  each. 

Prior  to  working  for  the  new 
synod,  Butler  was  on  the  staff 
of  the  Synod  of  the  Virginias 
for  14  years,  and  served  as 
associate  for  social  justice  and 
in.stitutionsfrom  1979  to  1988. 

Laura  Jurman,  who  had 
held  the  post  of  network/print 
media  support  assistant  for 
five  years,  left  the  '  ^ 

to  take  another  p  >  ^ 

continue,.:  3 


Page  2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbj^terian,  June  1995 


Focus,  focus 


By  BETTY  McGINNIS 
Moderator,  Synod  of  Mid-Atlantic 

Each  day  our  world  becomes  more  star- 
tling, more  frightening,  more  poverty 
stricken,  more  violent  and  full  of  ha- 
tred. Darkness  and  the  powers  of  evil 
seem  to  prevail.  The  words  of  John 
prey  upon  our  lives  even  more  with  all 
the  news  of  terror:  "The  Word,  the  true 
light,  was  coming  into  the  world  that 
had  its  being  through  him,  and  the 
world  did  not  know  him.  He  came  to 
his  own  domain  and  his  own  people  did 
not  accept  him."  (John  1:9-11) 

As  I  search  for  meanings  and  an 
understanding,  I  am  constantly  re- 
minded of  the  nurture  and  strength 
that  comes  from  within  those  who  can 
focus  on  Christ.  Focus,  focus.  What  are 
we  as  a  church,  as  a  group  of  Chris- 
tians within  this  fellowship  of  believ- 
ers to  be  doing  today?  Focusing  on 
discipleship  is  often  not  easy  in  this 
world  in  which  we  live.  "Do  not  model 
yourselves  on  the  behavior  of  the  world 
around  you,  but  let  your  behavior 
change,  modeled  by  your  new  mind. 


This  is  the  only  way  to  discover  the  will 
of  God  and  know  what  is  good,  what  it 
is  that  God  wants,  what  is  the  perfect 
thing  to  do."  (Romans  12:2) 

Often,  these  answers  come  to  me 
from  the  most  silent  moments  ... 

In  the  silence  of  the  mountaintop 
near  Ixmiquilpan  as  the  oxen  moved 
the  rope  back  and  forth  to  finally  get  a 
small  bucket  of  water  from  deep  within 
the  well; 

The  overwhelming  talk  interspersed 
with  spontaneous  silence  of  six  church 
men  sharing  their  thoughts  with  an- 
other for  the  first  time  after  the  former 
Czechoslovakia  first  opened  up  to  de- 
mocracy even  though  they  had  known 
one  another  for  many  years; 

The  moment  of  our  last  Synod  meet- 
ing in  January  when  Mulumba 
Mukundi  spoke  of  the  great  challenges 
of  the  church  in  his  homeland  yet  the 
channel  of  blessings  which  filled  the 
churches  in  Zaire  and  when  he  com- 
pleted speaking,  a  deafening  silence 
came  over  the  room  as  the  commis- 
sioners respectfully  stood; 

Watching  the  Habitat  for  Human- 


in  the  midst  of 
)ved  one  and  then 

H 

Betty 
McGinnis 


Commentary 


ity  home  being  built  and  the  last  nail 
being  driven,  the  family  standing  there 
in  disbelief  with  a  joyful  silence;  and 

A  silent  moment  in  the  midst  of 
grueling  illness  of  a  loved  one  and  then 
death. 

Silence,  even 
small  moments, 
cause  a  reawaken- 
ing within  our  in- 
ner souls,  a  focus- 
ing on  Christ.  As 
disciples,  we  need  to 
search  for  more  si- 
lent moments  con- 
tinuing to  ask:  How 
do  we  follow  Jesus? 
What  would  Jesus 
do?  "For  hereunto 
were  ye  called;  because  Christ  also 
suffered  for  you,  leaving  you  an  ex- 
ample that  ye  should  follow  his  steps." 
(I  Peter  2:21) 

Within  our  Synod,  many  of  you  have 
shared  with  me  the  wonderful  ex- 
amples of  discipleship  within 
presbyteries  and  churches.  Within  a 
three-day  period,  I  heard  from  seven 
churches  which  are  seeking  to  lead 
their  members  into  discipleship.  The 
first  began  with  a  letter  from  a  dear 
minister's  friend  sharing  that  one  of 
his  ministers  had  said  the  church  mem- 
bers were  the  "leavening  in  the  bread." 
I  thought  what  an  analogy!  Are  we  all 
working  toward  being  that  "leaven- 
ing" for  Christ?  Then  I  heard  from  a 
church  with  a  ministry  to  the  home- 
less on  the  top  floor  of  the  church;  a 
youth  going  to  build  for  the  summer; 


an  inner-city  ministry  to  children;  a 
campus  ministry  building  a  Habitat 
for  Humanity  house;  the  work  of  the 
Coalition  of  Appalachian  Ministry;  a 
church  with  exciting  activities  cen- 
tered around  the  "Year  with  Africa"; 
persons  going  to  Africa  to  share  and 
help;  and  then,  EASTER— and  the 
RESURRECTION!  Focus  on  Christ. 
Who  are  we?  How  do  we  serve  as 
faithful  disciples  within  a  connectional 
church?  Focus?  How  do  we  follow 
Jesus?  What  would  Jesus  do? 

Now  a  new  Synod  Council  is  meet- 
ing and  the  new  structure  of  our  Synod 
is  in  place.  How?  Why?  Who?  Where? 
When  perceived  problems  occur,  how 
do  we  handle  them?  Everyone  is  a 
child  of  God.  Everyone  is  a  sinner. 
How  can  this  new  structure  help  every 
Presbyterian  within  its  geographical 
boundaries  to  be  a  better  disciple?  To 
Focus  on  what  the  church  is  about? 
What  would  Jesus  do? 

Wait  for  those  silent  moments.  Pray 
unceasingly.  Create  a  faithfulness  in 
our  hearts  for  true  discipleship.  Focus, 
focus  on  Christ.  Then  ask  ourselves, 
"What  would  Jesus  do?"  That  still, 
small  voice  will  truly  speak  to  those 
who  focus,  who  pray,  who  are  faithful 
disciples  bringing  forth  light,  who  wait 
for  the  silent  moments  here  in  our 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

Betty  McGinnis  welcomes  correspon- 
dence and  phone  calls  with  sugges- 
tions for  the  newly  structured  Synod. 
Please  correspond  with  her  directly  at 
1234  Tamarack  Trail,  Arnold,  MD 
21012; phone  (410)  647-7494. 


Visions  at  an  ophthalmologists'  office 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

I  had  to  wait  a  long  time  in  an 
opthalmologist's  office  the  other  day  to 
get  some  debris  removed  from  my  eye. 
I  could  not  believe  how  many  older 
people  began  to  share  their  eye  prob- 
lems with  me.  I  heard  endless  war 
stories  about  cataracts,  retinal  tears, 
macular  degeneration  and  vitreous 
floaters  and  wondered  how  may  of 
them  I  would  experience. 

An  elderly  man  asked  a  younger 
woman  to  marry  him,  and  said  "Don't 
worry  about  finances.  I  will  pay  for  a 
cook,  a  maid,  and  a  nurse."  When  she 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Published  nine  times  a  year 
(monthly  except  February,  August 
and  December)  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbjfterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 
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Mailing  Address: 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 

POSTMASTER 
Send  address  changes  to: 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 

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Second  Class  Postage  Paid 

at  Richmond,  VA  23232 
and  additional  post  offices. 
USPS  No.  604-120 
ISSN#  1071-345X 


asked  why  he  wanted  to  marry  her,  he 
replied,  "I  need  someone  to  drive  at 
night." 

When  the  last  patient  had  left  the 
waiting  room,  I  began  to  think  about 
that  blinding  experience  of  Saul  or 
Tarsus  on  the  Damascus  road.  I  am 
not  sure  exactly  what  happened,  but 
Dr.  Luke  tells  us  that  "for  three  days 
he  was  blind,"  and  only  when  Ananias 
placed  his  hands  on  his  eyes  that  "some- 
thing like  scales  fell  from  Saul's  eyes, 
and  he  could  see  again."  Only  then  did 
he  see  clearly  and  realize  that  this 
Jesus  whom  he  was  persecuting  was 
the  risen  Lord. 

If  you  are  older,  you  can  expect 
some  inevitable  vision  problems.  It  is 
one  of  the  perks  of  living  longer.  But 
Presb3^erians  at  any  age  may  suffer 
from  spiritual  eye  problems.  One  is 
presbyopia,  when  our  lens  lose  their 


elasticity  and  flexibility  and  become  so 
rigid  that  we  cannot  focus  clearly.  Like 
Saul  of  Tarsus  we  can  become  so  rigid, 
so  sure  that  our  dog- 
mas and  systems  are 
i-ight,  that  we  can- 
not "see"  the  new 
light  of  the  King- 
*Mm\,  dom. 
k  «  opthal- 

^  A    mologist  began  to 

****^^^^B    dig  the  debris  out  of 
Hjjj^    "  Jjflf  J    my  eye,  I  thought  of 
^Km  f/Mmm   m    another  vision  prob- 
Richard  L.      lem.  We  might  call 
Morgan        it  splinteritis .  Jesus 
said,  "Why  do  you 
take  out  the  splin- 
ter in  your  brother's  eye,  and  pay  no 
attention  to  the  log  in  your  own  eye?" 
We  can  be  so  quick  to  find  splinters  in 
other  eyes,  that  we  are  blind  to  the  logs 


Good  attitude,  faith  are  keys  to  aging 


I  have  just  finished  reading  Richard  L. 
Morgan's  article  "From  Grumpy  to  Doc" 
[April  issue]. 

I  know  I  am  just  one  of  many  who 
object  to  the  portrayal  of  those  of  us 
who  are  "senior  citizens"  as  grouchy, 
unfriendly,  leaky,  wimpy,  out-of-the- 
mainstream,  dowdy,  etc. 

I  have  worked  with  the  public  in 
many  areas  over  the  years,  not  the 
least  of  which  was  leading  groups  of  all 
ages  around  Colonial  Williamsburg.  I 
am  still  active  though  retired  and  have 


had  a  number  of  much  younger  friends 
ask  me  how  do  I  do  all  the  things  I  do. 

The  secret  to  growing  older  must  be 
an  upbeat  attitude,  an  interest  in  some- 
one and  something  other  than  oneself. 
A  strong,  sure  faith  is  also  the  abso- 
lutely best  support  plus  that  given  by 
a  loving  family  and  good  friends. 

As  the  kids  today  say,  "Give  me  a 
break!!" 

Roberta  J.  Sanders 
Williamsburg,  VA 


Heed  the  cries  for  help  in  Zaire 


My  deepest  gratitude  to  you  for  pub- 
lishing the  article  on  the  "Zairian  Pres- 
byterian church  growing  despite  dic- 
tatorship" on  the  front  page  of  the 
March  1995  news.  I  pray  that  all  your 
readers  will  heed  the  request  of 
Mulumba  for  all  U.S.  Presbyterians 
(1)  to  pray  for  Zaire  and  its  people, 
especially  the  prophetic  role  of  the 
church  in  Zaire,  and  (2)  to  tell  the  U.S. 
government  to  discontinue  support  for 
Mobutu  (the  present  dictator  of  Zaire). 
Having  heard  the  cries  of  the  people 


in  what  is  now  known  as  Zaire  since 
the  sixties,  when  its  Christian  leader 
Moise  Tshombe  was  run  out  of  office 
and  hounded  to  death  in  what  was 
then  known  as  the  Katango  province 
of  the  Congo  and  replaced  by  the  com- 
munist stooge,  Lumumba,  my  heart 
has  bled  for  the  people  there. 

Since  this  is  the  "Year  with  Africa," 
may  our  people  listen  to  the  voices  of 
such  Christians  as  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Mulumba  M.  Mukundi  and  learn  how, 


in  our  own.  What  usually  happens  is 
that  we  exclude  others  who  don't  see  it 
our  way. 

In  1848  William  Mountford  talked 
about  vision  problems  that  occur  for 
older  people.  "Is  your  eyesight  dim- 
mer? Then  the  world  is  seen  by  you  in 
cathedral  light."  Few  older  people  can 
be  like  Moses,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
120,  yet,  "his  eyes  were  not  weak" 
(Deut.  34:7).  But  I  have  learned  that 
many  older  people  do  see  life  in  "cathe- 
dral light."  We  learn  to  "walk  by  faith, 
not  by  sight."  We  stumble  some  times, 
can't  see  to  drive  at  night,  and  find 
small  print  unbearable.  But  our  vision 
goes  beyond  the  mundane  things  of 
this  life  to  a  better  world. 

This  Paul  suffered  from  poor  eye- 
sight all  his  life.  He  was  the  first  to 
insist  upon  large  print  Bibles  when  he 
told  the  Galatians,  "See  with  what 
LARGE  letters  I  have  written  to  you 
..."  (Gal.  6:11).  Douglas  V.  Steere  wrote 
memorable  words  at  the  death  of  Tho- 
mas R.  Kelly,  "Now  he  can  look 
unblinkingly  at  the  light,  never 
again. .  .to  be  distracted,  unintentional, 
unaware... always  concentrated."  Yes, 
"now  we  see  dimly  in  a  mirror,  but 
then  face  to  face ... "  What  vision  we  will 
have  then! 

The  Rev.  Richard  L.  Morgan  is  a 
parish  associate  for  older  adult  minis- 
tries at  First  Church  of  Morganton, 
N.C.  He  recently  finished  the  final 
revision  of  his  latest  book,  "Autumn 
Wisdom,"  due  for  publication  by  Upper 
Room  next  fall. 


in  our  desire  to  help  the  people  of 
Africa,  we  have  fallen  into  trap  after 
trap  and  have  lent  support  to  those 
who  have  persecuted  the  Christians 
and  other  innocent  people  in  country 
after  country  all  across  Africa. 

Asking  God's  forgiveness  for  our 
blindness,  for  the  people  in  Africa  do 
suffer  greatly  because  of  this. 


Emily  W.  Elmore 
Rocky  Mount,  N.C. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presb)rterian,  June  1995,  i  a^e  3 


Chaplain's  service  director  leaves 
legacy  of  responsible  management 


On  March  13,  1995,  the  Rev. 
George  F.  Ricketts  officially 
retired  from  the  position  of 
executive  director  for  the 
Chaplain  Service  of  the 
Churches  of  Virginia,  Inc.,  a 
position  he  filled  with  distinc- 
tion for  27  of  his  34  years  with 
the  chaplain  service. 

George,  a  Baptist  minister, 
served  longer  than  any  of  his 
five  predecessors.  This  ecu- 
menical ministry  which  serves 
adult  prisoners  and  youth  in 
state  correctional  institutions 
was  begun  75  years  ago  by 
Presbyterians,  Methodists, 
Episcopalians,  Lutherans,  Dis- 
ciples, the  Society  of  Friends, 
and  Baptists.  It  is  now  sup- 
ported by  18  denominations. 

During  George's  tenure  the 
prison  population  expanded  to 
five  times  the  size  it  was  [when 
he  started],  and  though  the 
penitentiary  in  Richmond  was 
closed,  at  least  16  new  major 
adult  prisons  were  built  by  the 
state. 

During  this  same  time,  ex- 
penditures for  the  chaplain 
service  stafTincreased  357  per- 
cent while  Chaplain  Ricketts 
held  the  increase  for  office  ex- 
pense to  60  percent,  well  be- 
low the  rate  of  inflation.  His 
careful  financial  management 
enabled  the  chaplain  service 
to  place  at  least  a  part-time 
chaplain  in  almost  every  one 
of  these  major  institutions 


while  our  churches  have 
struggled  to  increase  support 
in  proportion  to  the  growth  in 
the  prison  population.  This 
population  is  expected  to  grow 
even  more  rapidly  from  the 
present  level  of  21,000  to  over 
50,000  over  the  next  few  years. 

The  new  executive  director 
is  the  Rev.  Cecil  E.  McFarland, 
a  United  Methodist  minister 
who  has  served  as  parish  pas- 
tor. Navy  chaplain,  and  ex- 
ecutive for  Goodwill  Indus- 
tries. 

Presbyterians  currently  on 
the  staff  of  the  chaplain  ser- 
vice are  Etta  Rossman,  chap- 
lain at  the  Virginia  Correc- 
tional Center  for  Women,  and 
William  Dent,  chaplain  at 
Powhatan  Correctional  Cen- 
ter. 

The  first  chaplain  appointed 
in  1920,  Dr.  R.V.  Lancaster,  a 
Presb5^erian,  was  also  direc- 
tor for  the  service's  first  18 
years. 

Presbyterians  have  been 
deeply  involved  in  many  other 
ways.  The  Rev.  James  A.  Payne 
served  many  years  on  the 
board  and  as  treasurer.  The 
Rev.  William  Oglesby  was  on 
the  advisory  board  for  almost 
40  years.  The  Rev.  William  H. 
Jordan  Jr.  just  completed  a 
two-year  term  as  president. 

Others  who  have  served  or 
are  serving  include  Jim 
Gilkeson  Jr.,  an  elder  from 


George  Ricketts 

Shenandoah  Presbytery, 
Christine  Darden,  an  elder 
from  Eastern  Virginia  Pres- 
bjrtery,  and  the  Rev.  Rosalind 
Banbury-Hamm  and  the  Rev. 
Carroll  Jenkins  from  the  synod 
staff,  to  name  a  few.  They  and 
many  others  continue  to  pro- 
vide outstanding  service  on  the 
board  or  as  volunteers  and  fi- 
nancial supporters. 

George  Ricketts  enabled  us 
to  provide  a  much-needed  min- 
istry  together  with  other 
Christians  to  thousands  of 
adult  prisoners,  youth  wards 
of  the  state  and  their  families 
during  his  34  years  of  service. 
Let  us  thank  God  for  the  gifts 
we  have  received  and  pray  for 
wisdom,  courage  and  energy 
for  the  challenges  ahead  and 
blessings  on  the  Rev. Cecil 
McFarland  and  his  ministry. 

WilHam  H.  Dent  Jr. 
Richmond,  Va. 


New  council  tackles  tough 
agenda  during  first  session 


continued  from  page  1 
Three  positions  will  be  cre- 
ated for  the  new  staff:  admin- 
istrative assistant,  secretary, 
and  bookkeeper. 

The  contracts  for  the  tran- 
sitional associate  executive  for 
partnership  ministries,  the 
Rev.  Warren  Lesane,  and  the 
comptroller.  Jack  Wheeler, 
were  extended  up  to  Dec.  31, 
1995. 

Investigation  reported 

The  new  council  adopted  a 
report  by  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  former  council 
regarding  a  list  of  allegations 
relating  to  financial  manage- 
ment practicies. 

The  allegations  were  made 
last  December  in  an  anony- 
mous memo  to  the  synod's 
trustees.  The  trustees  ordered 
an  independent  compliance 
audit  to  investigate  the  alle- 
gations. In  response  to  the  al- 
legations and  the  auditor's  re- 
port, the  synod's  finance  and 
personnel  committees,  along 
with  Synod  Comptroller  Jack 
Wheeler,  prepared  a  report, 
which  was  adopted  by  first  the 
executive  committee  and  then 
the  new  council. 

In  a  separate  action,  the 
council  approved  changes  in 
internal  controls  as  proposed 
by  the  finance  committee  as 
part  of  its  response  to  the  alle- 


gations. 

The  council  also  approved 
formation  of  a  four-member 
committee  to  review  its  re- 
sponse with  the  synod  office 
staff",  the  trustees  and  repre- 
sentatives of  the  synod's  13 
presbytery  executives. 

Synod  Moderator  Betty 
McGinnis  lead  the  first  coun- 
cil meeting.  New  chair  June 
Bucy  began  her  term  with  the 
conclusion  of  the  session  on 
May  6. 

Among  other  actions,  the 
Synod  Council: 

•  approved  formation  of  a 
committee  to  study  the  possi- 
bility of  the  formation  of  a 
Korean-language  presbytery 
within  the  synod; 

•  approved  grants  to  three 
churches  from  the  New  and 
Small  Church  Grant  Fund. 
They  are  Christ  our  Anchor 
Church  in  Annapolis,  Md., 
Bunker  Hill  (W.Va.)  Church, 
and  Glendale  Springs  (N.C.) 
Church;  and 

•  approved  the  transfer  of 
the  Christ  Memorial  Church 
of  Columbia,  Md.,  from  Na- 
tional Capital  Presbytery  to 
Baltimore  Presbytery. 

The  next  Synod  Council 
meeting  will  be  June  23-24  in 
Richmond. 

The  next  Synod  Assembly 
will  be  Oct.  12-14  at  a  location 
to  be  announced. 


How  can  we  show  love  and  forgiveness  to  the  world? 


(A  copy  of  a  letter  sent  to  the 
Indian  Nations  Presbytery  of- 
fice in  Oklahoma  City,  Okla.) 

Dear  Friends, 

Your  tragedy  and  sorrow 
was  reported  to  [Western 
North  Carolina]  Presbytery  on 
April  25.  I  want  you  to  know 
that  you  and  your  fellow  citi- 
zens there  have  had  our  ear- 
nest prayers  ever  since  that 
sad  day  in  April. 

What  a  terrible  travesty  on 
what  we  believe  is  the  land  of 
freedom  and  justice!  What 
senseless  hatred  must  have 
motivated  that  unspeakable 
and  unconscionable  bombing! 
How  do  we  respond? 

I  guess  what  God  would 
have  us  do  is  look  into  our  own 
hearts  and  see  where  hatred 
and  violence  starts.  It  lurks 
there,  in  some  measure,  in 
every  human  heart.  And  that 
is  where  we  must  start:  to  rid 
ourselves  of  it  and  to  share 
with  others  the  Good  News 
which  is  the  only  hope  of  the 
world. 

It  all  ties  in  with  a  happen- 
ing in  our  sleepy  little  town 
last  Sunday.  For  the  first  time 
in  our  experience,  the  Ku  Klux 
Klan  rallied  in  peaceful  Black 
Mountain  and,  I  hope,  opened 
a  lot  of  eyes.  Apparently,  they 


came  from  Georgia,  South 
Carolina,  North  Carolina  and 
other  southeastern  states  and 
paused  long  enough  to  spew 
hatred  and  bigotry  in  our 
streets.  Where  does  freedom 
and  tolerance  end? 

It  should  give  pause  to  ev- 
ery Presbyterian  (and  Chris- 
tian); how  can  we  show  love 
and  forgiveness  to  the  world 
so  that  the  world  might  be- 
lieve? How  can  we  practice 
brotherhood  in  our  homes,  of- 
fices, factories,  schools  and 
government  buildings?  I  have 
only  one  answer:  try  to  live  as 
Christ  would  have  us  live.  Love 
God  and  our  neighbor  (yes, 
even  our  enemies  and  that  is  a 
tough  task! )  and  become  peace- 
makers. 

As  a  World  War  II  veteran, 
I  can  only  say  that  war  and 
terrorists  are  cut  out  of  the 
same  cloth.  They  are  both  ter- 
ribly wrong — gross  sin.  How 
can  we  use  the  horrible  trag- 
edy in  Oklahoma  City  to  mobi- 
lize people  of  good  will  of  every 
faith  into  sounding  a  loud 
clarion  call  for  righteousness, 
for  peace  and  justice?  To  start 
with  ourselves  in  rooting  out 
hate  and  bigotry  and  violence? 
We  even  squabble  within  our 
own  denomination!  Christ  calls 
us  to  be  ministers  of  reconcili- 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names  will  be  withheld  on 
request),  should  be  no  longer  than  250  words,  and  are 
subject  to  editing  for  style,  clarity,  and  length.  Address 
letters  to: 

Editor,     Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


ation.  We  must  live  it  and 
preach  it.  I'd  welcome  your 
ideas. 

Theodore  B.  Pratt 
Black  Mountain,  N.C. 

Shoes  are  fine,  but 
kids  need  more 

Regarding  your  article  about 
the  Messiah  Presbyterian  con- 
gregation in  Lubbock,  Texas: 
they  showed  a  caring  attitude 
when  they  helped  underprivi- 
leged boys  and  girls  feel  good 
about  themselves  by  provid- 
ing them  with  as  good  shoes  as 
their  peers  were  wearing.  They 
recognized  the  problem,  com- 
mon to  many  young  people 
today,  of  associating  things 
with  self-worth,  and,  in  the 
absence  of  a  way  to  change  the 
way  the  young  people  think 
about  things,  the  congregation 
did  the  best  thing  they  knew 
how  to  do  to  bolster  the  young 
people's  self  image. 

I  hope  the  congregation  will 
go  a  step  further  and  find  ways 
that  will  teach  these  boys  and 
girls  to  feel  good  about  them- 
selves even  after  their  shoes 
wear  out.  This  is  an  area  of 
child  rearing  and  child  edu- 
cating where  most  of  us  need 
help  in  being  good  Christians. 

These  girls  and  boys,  along 
with  the  major  part  of  our  so- 
ciety today,  need  to  feel  ac- 
cepted and  acceptable,  to  be- 
long to  someone,  to  have  some- 
one care  about  them.  One  of 
our  jobs  as  Christians  is  to 
convince  ourselves  and  others 
that  God  cares  for  us  and  that 
we  are  important  to  God.  Then 
we  will  find  that  we  have  self- 
confidence  that  is  strong 
enough  to  stand  against  any- 
one who  casts  doubt  on  our 
worth. 


I  believe  that  as  parents  we 
must  start  with  each  infant 
and  show  love  and  caring  at 
all  times  and  throughout  the 
young  person's  life,  and  then 
the  person  will  grow  up  self- 
confident  and  self-assured  to 
the  extent  that  peer  pressure 
cannot  make  him  or  her  feel 
that  expensive  shoes  are  nec- 
essary in  order  to  feel  good.  Or 
that  drugs  are  necessary,  or 
that  sex  is  necessary,  or  that 
an  expensive  house  is  neces- 
sary, or  that  any  of  the  out- 
ward signs  of  wealth  are  nec- 
essary. 

Christians  have  always  rec- 
ognized the  need  to  feed  the 
soul,  but  have  realistically  re- 
alized that  it  was  necessary  to 
feed  and  clothe  the  body  as 
well.  However,  we  have  never 
been  taught  that  God  expects 
us  to  wear  expensive  clothes 
to  Church  or  that  God  will  not 
favor  us  unless  we  have  an 
expensive  car.  It  seems  to  me 
that  our  job  as  Christians  is  to 
show  others  that  outward  trap- 
pings of  success  are  not  needed 
and  that  people  who  have  de- 
veloped kind  hearts,  helping 
hands,  respect  for  the  world, 
and  true  love  for  their  neigh- 
bors are  the  truly  successful 
people. 

A  concerned  Presbyterian 

(name  withheld  by  request) 

Church  members  hurt 
by  apathy 

Editor's  note — The  name  of  the 
church,  presbytery  and  per- 
sons involved  have  been  de- 
leted from  the  following  letter. 
The  synod  newspaper  is  not 
the  place  to  air  those  allega- 
tions. The  letter  is  included 
here  because  of  the  fact  that 
the  writer's  criticism  includes 


the  church  at  large. 

My  husband  and  I  have  been 
members  of  [  ]  Presbyterian 
Church  since  1954.  We  have 
been  involved  in  about  every 
aspect  of  the  church.  My  hus- 
band is  80  years  old  and  I  am 
73.  Approximately  two  years 
ago,  because  of  many  circum- 
stances in  our  lives,  we  have 
been  unable  to  attend  church. 
To  our  surprise  and  hurt  it 
seems  no  one  has  missed  us 
from  the  minister  on  down. 
After  about  one  year  of  being 
ignored  I  wrote  the  session 
two  letters  concerning  our  feel- 
ings. Since  I  got  no  response  I 
wrote  to  [the  presbytery's 
stated  clerk]  and  he  in  turn 
contacted  [our  minister  and 
clerk  of  session].  [The  clerk  of 
session]  and  a  member  of  ses- 
sion finally  came  to  see  us. 

In  all  the  years  we  have 
been  members  this  is  the  first 
time  we  have  asked  for  help, 
concern,  etc.,  from  the  so-called 
"church  family."  Our  son, 
daughter-in-law  and  grand- 
son, who  is  13,  visited  two  or 
three  times  and  signed  the 
friendship  pad  that  they  would 
like  to  join.  No  one  visited  them 
or  followed  up  on  their  request. 

We  have  been  deeply  hurt 
by  the  apathy  of  our  "church 
family."  I  can  certainly  under- 
stand why  the  Presbyterian 
church  is  losing  members.  I 
know  that  we  are  not  the  only 
ones  in  the  church  that  have 
had  the  same  experience.  I 
just  happened  to  be  the  only 
one  to  speak  out. 

There  is  much  more  to  this 
situation,  but  because  of  the 
limit  of  words  this  will  have  to 
suffice. 

Name  ay-  i  ' 
withheld  by  ,  a" 


Page  4,  Mid-Atlantic  Presb3rterian,  June  1995 


Three  churches  celebrate 
800  total  years  of  ministry 


Three  churches  within  the 
synod  will  be  celebrating  min- 
istries which  total  800  years. 

The  Rock  Church  in  Fair 
Hill,  Md.,  and  Lower  Brandy- 
wine  Church  in  Wilmington, 
Del.,  are  celebrating  their 
275th  anniversaries  this  year. 
Both  are  part  of  New  Castle 
Presbytery,  which  was  orga- 
nized four  years  before  the  two 
churches. 

Falling  Waters  Church  in 
Spring  Mills,  W.Va.,  is  cel- 
ebrating its  250th  anniversary. 
This  congregation  is  a  part  of 
Shenandoah  Presbytery. 

Rock  Church 

On  May  18, 1720,  "a  certain 
number  of  people  from  Ire- 
land, having  settled  about  the 
branches  of  the  Elk  River" 
asked  New  Castle  Presbytery 
for  someone  to  come  and 
preach  among  them.  Samuel 
Young,  who  had  been  preach- 
ing there  already,  was  sent  by 
presbytery  to  the  church  that 
was  to  become  Rock  Church  in 
Fair  Hill. 

In  1741  the  church  was  af- 
fected by  the  "old  side/new 
side"  theological  schism  of  the 
time.  The  congregation  was 
reunited  in  1761  when  the 
present  building  was  built — 
but  such  divisions  are  not  eas- 
ily overcome. 

October  1787  marks  the  first 
usage  of  the  name.  Rock 
Church,  highly  appropriate 
given  its  location  on  rolling 
terrain  among  large  rock 
outcroppings. 

Rock  Church's  current  pas- 
tor, Al  Yuninger,  began  his 
ministry  at  the  church  in  1961. 
Over  the  years  10  ministers 
have  come  from  within  the 


PEW  CUSHIONS 

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CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.  BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG.  VA  24502 

^  1-800-572-2283  = 


congregation. 

Rock  Church  will  celebrate 
its  anniversary  with  two  ser- 
vices, morning  and  afternoon, 
and  lunch  on  Sunday,  Oct.  29. 

Lower  Brandywine 

Lower  Brandywine  Church 
marks  the  date  of  Oct.  15, 1720, 
as  its  beginning.  It  was  "formed 
from  the  Birmingham  Meet- 
ing of  Friends  for  the  benefit 
of  their  Presbyterian  friends." 

Originally  the  church  was 
located  in  Pennsylvania  on 
land  whose  yearly  rent  was 
"one  peppercorn  to  be  paid  to 
the  trustees  'if  demanded."' 

A  log  church  was  con- 
structed in  1774  near  the  site 
of  the  present  church  which 
was  built  in  1859.  In  1828 
Lower  Brandywine  Church 
gained  a  unique  distinction  in 
the  life  of  New  Castle  Presby- 
tery for  it  was  at  that  meeting 
that  tea  was  served  instead  of 
the  traditional  "ardent  spir- 
its" which  had  been  served  up 
to  that  time.  A  pipe  organ  was 
installed  in  1929,  and  the 
steeple  was  added  that  year. 
In  the  1950s  a  Sunday  School, 
library  and  kitchen  wing  was 
added  and  in  1992  extensive 
renovations  made  the  church 
handicap  accessible. 

Roy  Martin  has  been  the 
pastor  of  Lower  Brandywine 
since  1988. 

Falling  Waters 

Scotch-Irish  pioneers  began 
moving  south  out  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  across  the  Potomac 
River  in  the  1730s.  Families 
who  found  good  farm  land  just 
south  of  the  ford  at 
Williamsport,  Md.,  formed  a 
congregation  in  1745. 

The  first  house  of  worship 
was  a  log  building  at  the  top  of 
a  hill  overlooking  a  great  bend 
in  the  Potomac.  The  church 
took  its  name  from  Falling 
Water  Run  which  flows  into 
the  Potomac. 

A  minister  from  Gettysburg, 
Pa.,  led  monthly  services  at 
the  new  church.  In  addition  to 
having  to  cover  the  distance  to 


the  church  on  horseback,  the 
minister  also  to  had  to  ford  the 
river  going  and  coming  to  the 
church. 

Falling  Waters  early  his- 
tory was  linked  on  and  off  with 
the  Tuscarora  Church  near 
Martinsburg. 

In  1796  the  church  was 
moved  to  Spring  Mills,  but  re- 
tained its  name  (which  was 
changed  to  Falling  Waters 
around  1890).  On  this  new  site 
the  present  church  building 
was  erected  in  1834.  With  only 
a  few  minor  changes,  the  build- 
ing is  the  same  as  it  was  then. 

Falling  Waters  and 
Tuscarora  churches  share  the 
credit  for  launching  the  ca- 
reer of  one  of  the  Presbyterian 
church's  great  ministers,  the 
Rev.  Stuart  Robinson.  Born  in 
Ireland  in  1814,  he  was  reared 
in  the  Falling  Waters  Church 
and  his  mother  started  a  Sun- 
day school  there  in  1820. 

Robinson  helped  found  Cen- 
tral Church  in  Baltimore,  Md.. 
in  1853 .  He  had  a  lengthy  term 
as  pastor  of  Second  Church  in 
Louisville,  Ky.,  and  was 
elected  moderator  of  the 
PC(US)  in  1869. 

The  Falling  Waters  congre- 
gation will  celebrate  its  anni- 
versary with  a  "super"  wor- 
ship service  at  10  a.m.  on  Sun- 
day, July  23. 

Christopher  C.  Carlson  is 
pastor  of  the  Falling  Waters 
Church. 


Falling  Waters  Church 


Today'  marks  new  era  for  'Presbyterian  Survey' 

temporary  look  and  much 
more,  according  to  Gary  W. 
Luhr,  associate  director  for  the 
Ofiice  of  Communication  of  the 
General  Assembly  Council. 

Presbyterians  Today  has  a 
strong  past,  but  its  focus  will 
be  on  the  present  and  future," 
Luhr  said.  "Magazines  change 
to  reflect  their  times  and  the 
audience  they  serve.  We  think 
Presbyterians  Today  is  the 
right  magazine  for  today's 
Presbyterian." 

"Rock  n'  Roll  Church,"  an 
article  by  Associate  Editor  Eva 
Stimson  in  the  June  issue  de- 
scribes a  new  Presbyterian 
congregation  in  downtown 
Seattle,  Wash.,  that  uses 


By  JULIAN  SHIPP 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.-Presbyte- 
rian  Survey  welcomes  a  new 
generation  of  readers  in  June 
when  it  becomes  Presbyteri- 
ans Today,  a  publication  de- 
signed to  bring  information 
and  assistance  for  daily  living 
to  Presbyterians. 

With  a  fresh  focus  on  a 
younger  audience,  the  128- 
year-old  magazine  for  Presby- 
terians will  sport  a  clean,  con- 


No  wonder  so  many  sing  our  praises. 
One  of  this  country's  most  exceptional 
continuing  care  retirement  communities 
is  also  an  exceptional  value. 

Few  retirement  cottages  or  apartments 
are  as  large  as  King's  Grant's.  While  ours 
are  more  spacious,  they're  also  less  costly. 

Value  aside,  King's  Grant  also  offers 
many  other  priceless  benefits  that  money 
just  can't  buy — like  the  peace  of  mind 
associated  with  on-site  nursing  care. 

Call  or  write  today  to  find  out  more. 


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Organizing  Pastor  for 
New  Church  Development 
The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope  is 
seeking  an  organizing  pastor  for 
a  new  church  development  in 
the  fast-growing  Cary/Apex, 
N.C.,  area.  EOE.  At  least  four 
years  experience  required.  Send 
papers  by  Aug.  18  to:  Barbara 
Campbell  Davis,  The  Presby- 
tery of  New  Hope,  2309  Sunset 
Ave.,  Rocky  Mount,  NC  27804. 


contemporary  rock  music  and 
worship  in  a  movie  theatre  to 
attract  the  under-40  crowd. 

Two  articles  in  the  same 
issue  examine  the  intriguing 
dialogue  starting  to  occur  be- 
tween science  and  religion. 
One,  "A  Quiet  Revolution,"  by 
the  Rev.  James  R.M.  Young, 
describes  a  new  breakthrough 
in  the  science  vs.  religion 
standoff  in  which  leading  sci- 
entists, theologians  and 
church  people — some  of  them 
Presbyterians — are  now  talk- 
ing with  each  other  about  how 
to  incorporate  recent  scientific 
discoveries  into  the  Christian 
faith.  Young  is  pastor  of  Thalia 
Trinity  Church  in  Virginia 
Beach,  Va. 

Subscriptions  to  Presbyte- 
rian Today  can  be  ordered  by 
calling  (800)  227-2872.  Several 
group  discount  plans  are  avail- 
able to  churches. 


Needed:  Hymnbooks 

Butner  (N.C.)  Church  needs  125 
copies  of  The  Hymnbook  (red 
cover).  Ifyou  can  help  them,  phone 
Marshall  Dixon  at  (919)  575-6691 


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Union  Seminary  starts  library  construction, 
announces  $31  million  capital  campaign 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,       j  1995,  Page  5 


RICHMOND— Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  Virginia 
celebrated  on  May  5  the  start 
of  construction  for  a  new  $13 
million  facility  to  accommo- 
date its  library. 

At  the  same  time,  the  semi- 
nary announced  a  $31  million 
capital  campaign,  the 
institution's  first  major  public 
fund-raising  effort  since  the 
1960s.  In  addition  to  construc- 
tion of  the  library  and  the  pur- 
chase of  new  equipment  and 
furnishings  and  an  endow- 
ment for  its  operation,  the  cam- 
paign seeks  to  convert  the  ex- 
isting library  into  an  academic 
center. 

Other  objectives  of  the  cam- 
paign include  increasing  stu- 
dent scholarship  resources  and 
providing  additional  support 
for  faculty  development  and 


continuing  education  for  min 
isters. 

Construction  of  the  new  li- 
brary is  a  natural  extension  of 
the  seminary's  goals  to  main- 
tain quality  and  expand  ser- 
vices, according  to  seminary 
president  Louis  B.  Weeks. 

"Union's  commitment  has 
been,  always,  to  prepare  min- 
isters for  the  church;  minis- 
ters who  are  grounded  in  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,"  he 
said.  "That's  not  going  to 
change.  However,  there  are 
new  ways  to  do  things,  new 
technology,  and  greater  needs 
for  student  assistance.  With 
new  resources,  we're  going  to 
be  able  to  maintain  the  level  of 
quality  that  is  a  tradition  here, 
and  move  ahead  and  expand 
services  in  ways  that  have 
never  before  been  possible. 


These  are  exciting  times  for 
Union  Seminary." 

William  A.  White,  chairman 
of  the  seminary's  board  of 
trustees,  said  "Space,  technol- 
ogy, and  accessibility  are  our 
major  concerns  for  the  library." 

White  said  the  seminary's 
current  library  proved  to  be 
unsuitable  for  renovation  or 
additions.  Instead,  the  trust- 
ees and  seminary  community, 
working  with  a  Richmond  ar- 
chitectural firm,  decided  to 
enlarge  and  renovate  another 
under-utilized  structure, 
Schauffler  Hall. 

Plans  call  for  doubling  the 
size  of  Schauffler  Hall  in  a 
manner  that  respects  the  origi- 
nal architecture  and  the  cam- 
pus plan,  while  introducing 
much  more  natural  light  and 
thus  creating  a  more  welcom- 


Drawing  of  new  Union  Theological  Seminary  library 


ing  study  environment. 

Six  large  seminar  rooms  and 
dozens  of  small  reading  rooms 
and  group-study  rooms  will 
double  the  stack  space  to  ac- 
commodate and  permit  expan- 
sion of  the  seminary's  current 
collection  of  more  than  286,000 
volumes  and  12,000  audio  and 
video  tapes,  and  thousands  of 
other  documents  and  periodi- 


cals. 

Also,  the  new  library  will 
have  a  conservation  labora- 
tory for  the  de-acidification  of 
manuscripts  and  for  the  pres- 
ervation of  books  printed  prin- 
cipally between  the  late  1800s 
and  the  1970s.  Lab  technicians 
will  also  mend  rare  books  that 
in  some  instances  date  to  the 
1500s. 


Church  and  college  conference 

Among  participants  at  an  April  19  conference  about  St. 
Andrews  Presbyterian  College  and  its  connection  with 
the  church  were,  from  left,  John  Nicholas  Mager  Jr., 
pastor  of  Laurinburg  (N.C.)  Church;  Dr.  Jeri  Fitzgerald 
Board,  director  of  special  projects  in  marketing  and 
development  for  St.  Andrews;  the  Rev.  Laura  Dunham  of 
Hilton  Head,  S.C.;  and  Coastal  Carolina  Presbytery 
Executive  Robert  Miller. 


Negotiations  proceed  to  sell  PSCE  buildings 


RICHMOND— Following  criti- 
cism from  some  alumni,  fac- 
ulty and  supporters,  the  Pres- 
byterian School  of  Christian 
Education's  trustees  met  here 
May  10-11  intent  on  mending 
fences. 

The  criticism  came  after  the 
trustees  voted  on  March  13  to 
enter  negotiations  for  the  sale 
of  the  Watts  Dormitory  to  a 
Baptist  seminary  which  has 
been  renting  space  in  the  build- 
ing since  1989.  Those  finding 
fault  with  the  action  said  the 
81-year-old  school  was  selling 
its  future. 

PSCE  President  Wayne  G. 
Boulton  said  that  the  heart  of 
PSCE's  financial  problems  was 
having  to  maintain  old  and 


Graduation  roundup 

Lancaster  receives  honorary  doctorate 

ceremony  on  May  7. 


Hampden-Sydney  (Va.)  Col- 
lege confered  an  honorary  doc- 
tor of  divinity  degree  on  the 
Rev.  Lewis  H.  Lancaster  dur- 
ing commencement  ceremo- 
nies on  May  7. 

Lancaster,  who  retired  last 
year  from  the  Ecumenical  and 
Interfaith  Office  of  the  World- 
wide Minstries  Division,  was 
a  Presbyterian  missionary  to 
Japan  in  addition  to  serving  in 
a  variety  of  ecumenical  minis- 
try posts  in  the  former  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United 
States  prior  to  Presbyterian 
reunion  in  1983. 

Even  after  retirement, 
Lancaster  has  continued  his 
ecumenical  service  as  a  volun- 
teer in  the  Office  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly. 

St.  Andrews 

LAURINBURG,  N.C— Honor- 
ary doctorate  degrees  were 
presented  to  former  PC(USA) 
moderator,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Joan 
SalmonCampbell;  John 
Sylvester  Jr.,  director  of  the 
North  Carolina  Japan  Center 
at  N.C.  State  University;  and 
Dr.  Raymond  F.  Baddour,  edu- 
cator and  entrepreneur. 


PEWREFINISHING  ♦  CARPET 
PEWS  ♦  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 
CHURCH  LIGHTING 


CHURCH  FURNISHINGS,  INC. 

Monroe.  NC  281 1 1    1  -800-666-7331 


History  professor  Charles 
W.  "Skip"  Clark  III  and  gradu- 
ating seniors  Brian  C.  Doles 
and  Cecelia  Smith  Warren 
were  the  speakers. 

The  graduating  class 
pledged  more  than  $32,000  in 
gifts  to  the  college  to  establish 
the  Will  C.  Duncan  Memorial 
Scholarship. 

King  College 

BRISTOL,  Tenn.— Charles  W. 
"Chuck"  Colson,  former  spe- 
cial counsel  to  President  Rich- 
ard M.  Nixon,  spoke  during 
King  College's  commencement 


Mary  Baldwin 

STAUNTON,  Va.— U.S.  Sena- 
tor John  W.  Warner  of  Vir- 
ginia was  guest  speaker  for 
the  153rd  commencement 
exercies  at  Mary  Baldwin  Col- 
lege on  May  28. 

Montreat-Anderson 

MONTREAT,  N.C— William 
R.  (Bill)  Bright,  founder  and 
president  of  Campus  Crusade 
for  Christ  International,  gave 
the  keynote  address  for  com- 
mencement services  May  13. 


Seminary  to  host  'Bible  &  Theology' 


RICHMOND— Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  Virginia 
will  host  a  two-week  confer- 
ence on  "Bible  and  Theology, 
Interpreting  the  Faith,"  June 
26- July  7.  The  program,  held 
annually,  will  include  lectures 
by  six  nationally  recognized 
scholars  and  worship  services 
led  by  four  accomplished 
preachers.  Structured  semi- 


AUTHORS  WANTED 

Leading  subsidy  book  publisliers  seeks  manu- 
scripts of  all  types:  fiction,  non-fiction,  poetry, 
scholarly,  juvenile  and  religious  works,  etc. 
New  autfiors  welcomed.  Send  for  free  32-page 
illustrated  booklet.  H-101 ,  Vantage  Press,  516 
W.  34tfi  St..  New  York,  NY  10001. 


nars  allow  participants  to  en- 
gage in  informal  discussions 
with  lecturers  and  preachers. 
For  information  on  the  confer- 
ence, write  to  the  seminary's 
Office  of  Professional  Devel- 
opment and  Doctor  of  Minis- 
try Studies. 


REFINISHING 


under-used  buildings.  "Own- 
ership of  these  facilities  is  erod- 
ing our  position,"  he  said.  The 
trusees  continued  to  support 
that  view. 

The  outcorne  of  lengthy  ex- 
ecutive sessions  was  a  report 
on  continued  negotiations  for 
the  sale  of  Watts  Dormitory 
and  a  joint  ownership  agree- 
ment for  Lingle  Hall.  The  pro- 
spective buyer  is  the  Baptist 
Theological  Seminary  at  Rich- 
mond. 

The  board  also  approved  a 
detailed  proposal  for  the  dis- 
position of  former  faculty 
homes,  including  a  priority  list 
of  persons  and  institutions  to 
whom  they  would  be  offered. 

Even  more  important  to  the 
school's  future,  however,  may 
be  the  board's  efforts  to  unite 
students,  alumni  and  support- 
ers in  planning  the  school's 
future. 

The  trustees  established 
two  task  forces  to  help  refine 
PSCE's  goal  of  training  Chris- 


Correction 

The  Campus  Ministry  Corner 
for  the  May  issue  ("Life  should 
be  approached  with  wonder") 
was  written  by  Susan 
Steinberg,  associate  pastor  in 
Westminster  Church  in  Char- 
lottesville, Va.  Her  name  was 
incorrect  in  the  byline. 


tian  educators  to  meet  the 
needs  of  the  church. 

The  first  committee  "of  some 
of  the  most  knowledgeable 
Presbyterians  in  the  field  of 
Christian  education"  will  seek 
to  identify  and  define  the  is- 
sues facing  theological  insti- 
tutions and  primarily  PSCE 
as  they  position  themselves  for 
educational  ministry  in  the 
21st  century. 

The  second  committee,  or- 
ganized by  alumni  and  selected 
by  the  Alumni  Council  in  key 
geographic  regions,  will  work 
with  local  church  leaders  to 
identify  needs  and  opportuni- 
ties facing  the  churches. 

Sadler  said  that  PSCE  pro- 
fessor Dr.  Sara  Little  and 
former  PSCE  president  Dr. 
Heath  Rada  will  advise  the 
refinement  of  the  "visioning 
process." 

The  board  also  announced  a 
"deepening  examination"  of  its 
partnership  opportunities 
with  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary. The  study  will  be  funded 
by  a  grant  from  the  Lilly  Foun- 
dation. 

FREE  ESTIMATES^ 

.  Slalned  &hwl  ImMBllaUOn*  ^XlTX^ 
•8lala«»  61a«8  Re8»ieUo» 
•CiMlom  Atunllninn  Ji»lB«s 
•  Fitxi^ass  BaptlstrtM  &  St«|(te» 

A&H 

ART  &  STAINED  GLA^ 
COMPANY,  INC 

P:0.  Box67  Hmm 
Harmony,  N.C.  2S634        (7tM)  546-2687 


IN  THE  BLUE  RIDGE  MOUNTAINS 
OF  NORTH  CAROLINA 

TRADITIONAL  CAMP 

Cheerio's  summer  resident  camp  offers  boys  and  girls  7-15  the 
chance  to  participate  in  many  exciting  camp  activities. 
Horseback  riding,  swimming,  soccer,  rappelling,  arts  and 
crafts,  and  dance  are  among  over  20  activities  available  for 
selection  by  campers.  Boys  and  girls  attend  separate  one  or 
two  week  camps,  or  they  can  select  a  one  week  coed  camp.  A 
spiritual  emphasis  is  provided  through  daily  devotions. 


I 


Camp  Cheerio,  PO  Box  6258 
High  Point,  NC  27262 
(910)  869-0195 


'^-A^laacic  Presb3rterian,  June  1995 


mhi    Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 


This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Cliildren 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITATK3N 
1  FOR  FAMILIES 
AND  CHILDREN,  INC 


Home  welcomes 
Robert  Stansell 


Mr.  Robert  W.  (Skip) 
Stansell,  Jr.  is  the  new  Presi- 
dent of  Barium  Springs  Home 
for  Children  as  of  June  1, 
1995.  Mr.  Stansell  comes  to 
Barium  Springs  from  Arkan- 
sas, where  he  has  been  ex- 
ecutive director  of  the  Vera 
Lloyd  Presbyterian  Home 
since  1990. 

The  Vera  Lloyd  Home  is  a 
family  services  agency  which 
provides  long-term  residen- 
tial treatment  and  emer- 
gency shelter  for  adolescents. 
It  is  based  in  Little  Rock  and 
Monticello,  Arkansas. 


Prior  to  1990  Mr.  Stansell 
served  as  executive  director 
of  the  Presbyterian  confer- 
ence center  in  Harrisonburg, 
Va.,  and  was  director  of  the 
Christian  Education  Center 
of  Bethel  Presbytery  in  York, 
S.C. 

Mr.  Stansell,  44,  gradu- 
ated from  Presbyterian  Col- 
lege in  Clinton,  S.C.  in  1973 
with  a  major  in  Christian 
education.  He  received  a 
master  of  Science  in  recre- 
ation and  parks  administra- 
tion from  Indiana  University 
in  1975.  He  got  a  master's  in 


A  word  from  the  President 

Together,  we  can 


Robert  W.  Stansell 

business  administration  from 
Wake  Forest  University  in 
1985. 

He  and  his  wife,  Peggy, 
have  a  daughter,  Neely. 


The  great  ends  of  the  church 
are  the  proclamation  of  the 
gospel  for  the  salvation  of  hu- 
man kind;  the  shelter,  nur- 
ture, and  spiritual  fellowship 
of  the  children  of  God;  the 
maintenance  of  divine  wor- 
ship; the  preservation  of  the 
truth;  the  promotion  of  social 
"ighteousness;  and  the  exhi- 
bition of  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven  to  the  world. 

These  words  from  our  Book 
of  Order,  which  speak  so  elo- 
quently of  the  mission  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  U.S.A., 
are  particularly  meaningful 


YOU  make  difference  in  Food  Lion  project 


The  children  and  families  at 
Barium  Springs  Home  for 
Children  received  approxi- 
mately $5,800  from  Food  Lion 
Stores,  Inc.,  in  this  year's 
Food  Lion  Community  Way 
Days  project.  A  special 
thanks  goes  out  to  all  of  the 
individuals,  churches  and 
church  groups  who  partici- 
pated in  this  year's  project. 
Without  your  collecting  and 
turning  in  the  receipts  we 
would  not  have  received  a 
penny. 

Since  the  Home  began  par- 
ticipating in  this  project  in 


1991,  Food  Lion  has  donated 
approximately  $44,300.  The 
way  the  project  works  is 
simple.  The  Home  chooses  a 
Monday,  Tuesday  and 
Wednesday  as  Food  Lion 
Shopping  days  for  the  Home 
(it  is  usually  the  2nd  Mon- 
day-Wednesday in  Febru- 
ary). North  Carolina  Presby- 
terians, donors  and  friends 
of  the  Home  simply  do  their 
regular  weekly  grocery  shop- 
ping at  a  North  Carolina  Food 
Lion  on  one  of  those  three 
days,  keep  their  receipt,  sign 
their  name  and  BSHC  on  the 


NEW  GIFT 
WISH  LIST 


•  16-Passenger  Van 

•  Sporting  Equipment 

Sleeping  bags 

Fishing  rods  &  reels 

Canoe(s) 

Small  john  boats 

Tennis  racquets 

&  balls 
Ping-pong  paddles 

&  balls 
Softballs  and  gloves 
Outdoor  games 

•  Manual  typewriters  (4) 

•  Toiletries 

•  Refrigerator 

•  Electric  range 

•  Linens 

•  Towels 

•  Heavy-duty  dressers 

•  Tickets  to  sporting  events 
in  Charlotte,  Winston- 
Salem,  or  Hickory  area 

If  you  are  interested  in  donat- 
ing any  of  these  new  items  for 
the  children,  call  or  write  to: 
Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice  Presi- 
dent, Financial  Resources, 
P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs, 
NC,  28010;  r/r me  (704)  872- 
4T-.7 


back  and  either  turn  it  in  to 
their  Presbyterian  Church  or 
send  it  to  the  Home.  Each 
person  can  turn  in  up  to  two 
cash  register  receipts  from 
Food  Lion  dated  during  those 
three  days,  and  can  also  turn 
in  up  to  two  receipts  of  a 
friend  (non-Presbyterian  ). 

The  receipts  are  collected, 
totaled  and  taken  to  Food 
Lion  who  generously  writes 
a  check  for  5  percent  of  the 
total  of  receipts. 

"It  is  an  easy  way  to  do 
something  for  the  youth  at 
Barium  Springs  without  hav- 
ing to  make  a  cash  donation," 
said  Reade  Baker,  Vice  Presi- 
dent, Financial  Resources  for 
the  Home.  "I  hope  people  will 
continue  to  mark  the  days  on 
their  calendar  and  do  their 
regular  grocery  shopping 
then  at  Food  Lion.  We  will  be 
doing  it  again  in  1996  as  long 


as  Food  Lion  says  it  is  okay." 

The  Home  will  be  sending 
little  reminders  about  the 
Food  Lion  dates  for  1996  as 
soon  as  we  have  confirma- 
tion. The  amount  received 
each  year  from  the  project 
has  decreased.  The  first  check 
received  from  Food  Lion  in 
1991  was  for  $12,991.96.  In 

1992,  it  was  $10,955.62;  in 

1993,  $6,766.32;  in  1994, 
$7,809.95  and  this  year, 
$5,800.  We  hope  that  by  re- 
minding groups  frequently 
about  the  dates  we  can  in- 
crease participation  in  this 
important  project  once  again 
for  the  sake  of  the  children 
here. 

Remember,  every  penny 
goes  to  change  the  lives  of 
hurting,  troubled  North 
Carolina  girls  and  boys.  YOU 
can  make  the  difference!! 


to  me.  They  remind  me  each 
time  I  read  them  of  how  cen- 
tral the  work  of  Barium 
Springs  Home  for  Children 
is  to  the  mission  of  the  church. 

For  over  one  hundred 
years.  Barium  Springs  has 
been  providing  for  the  shel- 
ter, nurture,  and  spiritual 
fellowship  of  children,  youth 
and  families  in  need  through 
a  variety  of  high  quality  pro- 
grams. I  am  grateful  for  the 
opportunity  to  become  a  part 
of  this  impressive  tradition 
and  for  the  privilege  of  serv- 
ing with  a  highly  trained  and 
committed  staff  and  a  dedi- 
cated Board  of  Regents  in  this 
important  mission. 

As  I  begin  my  work  at 
Barium  Springs,  I  want  to 
join  with  the  Synod  and  the 
many  friends  of  this  institu- 
tion in  expressing  my  appre- 
ciation and  admiration  for  the 
tremendous  contribution 
that  Earle  Frazier  made  to 
the  children  and  families  of 
North  Carolina  during  his 
distinguished  career  in  child 
care.  One  of  the  great  joys  of 
coming  to  Barium  Springs 
has  been  the  opportunity  to 
get  to  know  Earle  and  Jessie 
Frazier.  I  am  grateful  for 
their  friendship  and  support 
and  for  the  warm  welcome 
that  my  family  and  I  have 
received  from  the  Fraziers, 
from  the  Board  of  Regents, 
and  from  the  staff  at  Barium 
Springs.  It  is  truly  a  joy  and 
an  honor  to  be  a  part  of  this 
ministry. 


HOMECOMING 

1995 
August  5  &  6 
Sat.f  Aug.  5: 
Noon  to  5  pmt 
Registration  at  the 
Alumni  Museum  on 

Campus 
Sun.,  Aug.  6: 
11  amt 

Services  at  Little 
Joe's  Presbyterian 

Churdi 
Noont 

Lunch  at 
Adolescent  Center 

Dining  Hall 
Following  Luncht 
Alumni  Association 
Mtg.  in  Dining  Hall 


Calling  all  program 
committee  chairs 

Have  we  got  a  deal  for 
you?  In  fact,  we  really  do. 
No  charge...  no  plate  pass- 
ing ...  no  hard  sales;  just 
an  informative  program 
about  the  history  of  your 
mission  here  at  Barium 
Springs. 

We  have  staff  available 
to  speak  anywhere  with 
any  size  group  about  the 
children  and  families  here, 
the  services  offered,  where 
the  money  comes  from  and 
goes,  and  answer  ques- 
tions. A  nine-minute  slide 
program  helps  with  the 
presentation  and  can  also 
be  sent  by  itself  if  you  don't 
believe  the  "no  passing  the 
plate"  part  above. 

Just  call  (704)  872-4157 
to  arrange  a  program,  or  a 
tour  of  campus.  (Be  sure 
to  ask  for  Reade  if  you're 
serving  food  at  the  meet- 
ing.) 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Address: 


My  gift  of  $  

I  wish  to:   Honor 


is  enclosed 
 Remember 


of  (address )_ 
On  the  occasioi 


of  _ 


Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:   

Address:   


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs.  NC  28010 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Jur 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  l-lelps— Lesson  1 1 

The  Christ  Who  Interrupts 


By  EUGENIA  PHILLIPS 

Jesus  stood  beside  the  Sea  of  Galilee  watching 
the  endless  activity  of  the  men  who  labored 
there.  Most  of  them  had  been  fishing  since 
childhood.  There  was  much  rushing  about, 
rude  talk  from  some,  silent  concentration  from 
others,  but  all  of  them  intent  on  one  purpose  - 
to  catch  as  many  fish  as  they  could  while  it  was 
daylight,  sell  the  fish,  and  provide  food  and 
other  necessities  for  their  families.  They  were 
practical  men,  working  and  living  as  their 
fathers  before  them  in  a  highly  competitive 
world.  They  had  little  time  to  ponder  the  phi- 
losophies of  the  Greeks  and  Romans,  or  to  do 
more  than  accept  the  religion  of  their  country- 
men. 

The  man  Jesus,  known 
only  as  a  carpenter  turned 
itinerant  preacher,  lingered 
nearby,  only  watching. 
Then,  he  approached  two 
who  were  in  the  process  of 
throwing  their  great  net  out 
into  the  sea,  and  then  two 
others  who  worked  with 
their  father  at  mending  nets . 
(Mark  1:16-20) 

We  know  little  about  the 
lives  of  the  disciples  before 
they  were  called  by  Jesus, 
but  we  can  assume  that  they 
were  much  like  hard-working  women  and  men 
today.  Some  of  them  had  wives  and  perhaps 
children.  They  spent  hours  at  sea,  and  prob- 
ably experienced  dangerous  hours  in  storms. 
Their  concerns  were  real:  taxes  from  the  Ro- 
man government,  food  for  their  families,  the 
future  welfare  of  their  children.  They  were 
hard-working  Jewish  men  with  no  plan  to  do 
anything  different  tomorrow  from  what  they 
were  doing  today. 

However,  we  read  that  after  Jesus  spoke  to 
them,  these  conscientious  dependable  fisher- 
men "left  all,"  their  jobs,  their  security,  their 
families,  and  followed  Jesus.  God  interrupted 
their  lives,  changing  their  course  forever.  In 
the  days  that  followed  they  would  move  as 
moths  toward  a  light,  fascinated  by  something 
they  did  not  understand.  For  their  dedication 
they  would  experience  bewilderment,  frustra- 
tion, and  eventually  death.  But  through  their 
sacrifice,  they  became  known  as  friends  and 
followers  of  Jesus  Christ  which  brought  them 
joy,  assurance  and  devotion. 

The  call  of  God  to  individuals  is  a  mystery 
which  is  worth  exploring.  When,  how,  and  to 
whom  does  God  speak?  Many  believers  look  at 
the  stories  of  God's  intervention  in  the  lives  of 
leaders,  prophets  and  kings  in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, and  they  have  no  doubt  that  these  things 
really  happened.  Yet,  the  idea  that  God  might 
speak  to  anyone  today  is  cause  for  skeptical 
cynicism. 

Moses  had  escaped  with  his  life.  Railing 
against  injustice  to  a  Hebrew  slave,  he  had 
killed  a  man,  not  just  any  man,  but  one  of  the 
king's  guards.  He  had  fled  for  his  life  into  the 
deserts  of  Midian.  There,  the  Lord  blessed  him 
with  a  wife  and  sons,  and  a  happy  relationship 
with  his  wife's  family.  Knowing  Moses  as  we 
do,  we  can  assume  that  each  day  as  he  told  his 
wife  and  children  goodbye,  and  went  out  into 
the  sunlit  bills  to  care  for  his  sheep,  he  breathed 
a  prayer  a  thanksgiving  for  the  happy  fortune 
that  had  come  upon  him.  Moses  wanted  to  be 
free  of  trouble,  to  do  a  good  job  where  he  was, 
and  to  be  a  good  husband  and  father. 

In  other  words,  Moses  was  like  most  of  us. 
He  never  planned  to  make  headlines,  he  cer- 
tainly didn't  want  to  "get  involved,"  he  simply 
wanted  to  follow  with  thanksgiving  the  path 
on  which  God  had  placed  him.  But  we  all  know 
what  happened.  On  a  quiet  day  in  the  hills, 
Moses  saw  what  looked  like  a  bush  on  fire,  and 
he  turned  aside  to  get  a  closer  look. 

May  of  us  can  recall  times  in  our  lives  when 
life-changing  events  occurred  as  suddenly  and 
innocently  for  us  as  they  did  for  Moses.  Often, 
just  when  we  think  we've  "got  it  made,"  some- 
thing happens  to  alter  all  our  present  plans.  Is 
this  God?  Is  this  the  way  God  speaks?  The 
prods  that  we  receive  from  God  may  not  be  as 
completely  life-changing  as  for  Moses,  but  they 
are  significant  and  we  should  listen  for  them. 

We  remember  in  the  story  of  Moses  how  he 
argued  with  God  about  whether  God  had  cho- 


sen the  right  man.  At  last  Moses  ran  out  of 
arguments,  and  he  simply  said,  "O  my  Lord, 
please  send  someone  else."  (Exodus  4: 13)  Moses 
was  one  of  the  first  of  a  long  line  that  extends 
to  this  day  of  people  who  give  a  negative 
answer  to  the  challenging  job  God  has  for 
them! 

Saul  was  an  educated,  sophisticated  Roman 
citizen  who  had  carefully  planned  his  life.  He 
had  spent  years  preparing  for  scholarly  par- 
ticipation in  religious  and  intellectual  circles, 
and  had  disciplined  himself  to  take  a  high 
position  among  his  countrymen.  After  many 
hours  of  study  and  preparation,  he  had  his  life 
well  planned.  However,  after  a  dramatic  con- 
version (Acts  9),  Saul,  afterwards  called  Paul, 
turned  his  whole  life  around  to  follow  the 
leading  of  Jesus. 

In  his  letters,  Paul  describes  the  anguished 
turmoil  which  came  to  his  life  after  this  inter- 
ruption by  God  -  imprisonments,  stonings, 
"countless  floggings,"  and  often  near  death." 
(II  Cor.  23-27).  But  Paul  had  gained  more  than 
the  hardships  of  following  Christ.  He  had  come 
in  direct  contact  with  the  person  of  God  through 
Jesus  Christ.  God  completely  interrupted  his 
life,  and  turned  it  completely  in  another  way 
he  had  never  planned.  But,  because  he  gave 
himself  up  unreservedly  to  answering  God 
affirmatively,  he  had  the  exhilarating  experi- 
ence of  knowing  the  love  and  blessed  assur- 
ance of  salvation  brought  by  the  presence  of 
Jesus  in  his  life.  "I  considered  that  the  suffer- 
ings of  the  present  time  are  not  worth  compar- 
ing with  the  glory  about  to  be  revealed  to 
us. ...If  God  is  for  us,  who  is  against  us?  He  who 
did  not  withhold  his  own  Son,  but  gave  him  up 
for  all  of  us,  will  he  not  with  him  also  give  us 
everything  else.?"  (Romans  8:18-38) 

To  whom  does  God  speak?  In  most  instances 
the  person  has  in  some  way  been  prepared. 
Preparation  can  come  as  one  is  exposed  to  the 
word  of  God  from  childhood.  The  serious  or 
even  indifferent  child  who  grows  up  hearing 
stories  of  God's  love  may  never  seem  to  teacher 
or  parents  at  all  interested.  However,  when 
God  is  ready,  the  teaching  that  seemed  so 
useless  will  make  a  difference.  With  very  little 
imagination,  we  can  see  a  six-year  old  Peter 
dodging  work  in  the  synagogue,  or  a  small 
Thomas  looking  very  bored  with  the  lesson  of 
the  day. 

Preparation  may  also  come  from  experi- 
ence. An  extremely  good  or  bad  life  experience 
may  prepare  one  to  consciousness  of  God's 
leading  as  one  asks  the  question  why  and  looks 
for  the  answer. 

Also,  a  way  of  life  may  incline  persons  to 
thoughtful  recognition  of  God's  presence  in 
their  lives.  The  disciples  spent  hours  alone  in 
boats;  Moses  likewise  spent  many  of  his  days 
in  quiet  meadows  and  hills.  Such  circum- 
stances nourish  a  listening  spirit.  In  our  day  of 
noise  and  distractions,  people  need  to  seek  for 
themselves  and  their  children  times  of  quiet 
when  both  body  and  mind  can  be  stilled.  The 
pleasure  of  thoughtful  quiet  has  been  lost  for 
many  of  our  children. 

Although  stories  of  completely  changed  lives 
are  striking  and  dramatic,  most  people  recog- 
nize the  voice  of  God  about  much  smaller 
things.  When  we  completely  give  our  lives  to 
God  in  faithful  belief  and  dependence,  God 
becomes  the  directing  force  in  hundreds  of 
moments  of  our  otherwise  ordinary  lives.  The 
urge  to  give  time  to  visit  the  sick,  help  the 
homeless,  or  serve  in  our  church  may  be  the 
way  God  speaks  to  us.  The  call  to  be  forgiving 
or  merciful,  to  say  kind  words  when  it  would  be 
easier  not  to,  the  impulse  to  bring  someone  to 
church,  or  to  read  the  Bible,  or  to  pray,  the 
desire  to  stop  some  destructive  activity  which 
could  turn  your  life  around,  the  sudden  solu- 
tion to  a  problem — these  are  some  ways  that 
God  speaks  to  us  today  as  he  has  spoken  in  the 
past  to  generations  before  us. 

Our  minds  and  hearts  call  us  to  a  relation- 
ship with  God.  When  we  turn  in  thought  and 
prayer  to  God,  we  must  not  only  speak,  but 
also  listen  as  God  gives  direction  for  the  mo- 
ments of  our  lives. 

This  is  the  final  Bible  study  help  by  Eugenia 
Phillips,  a  member  of  the  Sinking  Spring 
Church  in  Abingdon,  Va.  Starting  with  the 
July /August  issue,  the  Rev.  Carol  T.  Bender  of 
Charlotte,  N.C.,  will  be  writing  the  helps. 


Paul  Rader 


Appalachian  ministry  calls  coordinator 

The  Rev.  Paul  Philip  Rader  has  been  called  as  the  next  coordi- 
nator for  the  Coalition  for  Appalachian  Min- 
istry. Rader  is  currently  serving  the  Enslow 
Park  Presbyterian  Church  in  Huntington, 
WVa.  A  native  of  Appalachia,  Paul  has  an 
active  interest  in  the  culture  and  people  of 
the  region. 

Rader  is  a  graduate  of  Pikeville  College, 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Richmond 
and  Columbia  Theological  Seminary  where 
he  received  his  Doctor  of  Ministry  degree.  He 
and  his  wife  Linda  have  three  children.  He 
begins  his  duties  Aug.  1  working  out  of  the 
Knoxville  area. 

The  current  coordinator,  Frank  Hare  has  served  many  years 
and  a  celebration  of  his  service  will  be  held  in  September. 

Maryland  scientist  returns 
to  space 

Samuel  T.  Durrance,  51,  a  member  of  the 
Havenwood  Church  in  Lutherville,  Md.,  and 
a  principal  research  scientist  in  the  Center 
for  Astrophysical  Sciences  at  Johns  Hopkins 
University,  returned  to  space  in  February 
aboard  the  space  shuttle  Endeavor. 
Durrance's  first  mission  occurred  in  Decem- 
ber of  1990  aboard  the  space  shuttle  Colum- 
bia. He  is  a  renowned  expert  in  the  field  of 
highly  advanced  telescopes. 

Montreal  appoints  interim  leader 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— Montreat  resident  W.  Kirk  Allen,  Jr.  has 
been  appointed  interim  executive  director  of  the  Montreat 
Conference  Center.  He  takes  over  for  H.William  Peterson,  who 
resigned  in  March  after  serving  for  the  past  ten  years. 

In  a  professional  association  with  Montreat  for  more  than  40 
years,  Allen  has  been  elected  to  three  separate  tenures  on  the 
Board  of  Trustees  and  served  as  chair.  He  and  his  wife,  Dorothy, 
retired  to  Montreat  in  1983. 


Last  call  for  PW  gathering 

Grace  Munro  Roy,  publicity  chair  for  the  Presbyterian  Women 
of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic,  notes  that  this  is  the  "last  call" 
for  the  1995  Summer  Gathering. 

The  June  8-11  conference  at  Massanetta  Springs  near 
Harrisonburg,  Va.,  carries  the  theme  Glimpses  of  Home:  Bibli- 
cal Images  of  the  Realm  of  God.  Former  PC(USA)  news  man- 
ager and  mission  interpreter  Marj  Carpenter  will  be  the  key- 
note speaker.  Isabel  Rogers,  professor  at  the  Presbyterian 
School  of  Christian  Education  and  former  PC(USA)  moderator, 
will  lead  the  Bible  study. 

Diane  Hutchins  of  Burke,  Va.,  is  the  Summer  Gathering 
director.  For  more  information,  call  your  church  or  presbytery 
Presbyterian  Women's  moderator. 


Massanetta  Springs 

Conference  Center  for  the  Svnod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic.  PC(USA) 

72nd  Annual  Bible  Conference 
and  Church  Music  Workshop 

July  30— August  4,  1995 


Bible  Study  Leader 

William  J.  Carl 
Pastor,  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  Dallas,  Texas 

Topic 

What's  Love  Got 
to  Do  with  It? 


Speakers  and  Leaders — Linda  McKinish  Bridges,  Ernest 
T.  Campbell,  Robert  L.  Hock,  Deborah  McKinley,  Samuel 
DeWitt  Proctor,  Jacqueline  T.  Rucker,  Jerold  D.  Shetler 
and  Louis  Weeks. 

Music  Workshop  Leaders^ohn  Guthmiller  (adult  choir) , 
John  Fast  (Organ),  Lucy  J.  Ding  (children's  choir),  Nancy 
Cappel  (handbells),  and  John  M.  Irvine  Jr.  (worship  leader). 

For  information  write  to: 
Massanetta  Springs,  P.O.  Box  1286,  Harrisonburg.  VA  22801 
Phone  (703)  434-3829 


l'»gc  3,  Mid-Atlantic  Presb3rter 


GA  moderator  candidates 

The  nominated  candidates  for  moderator  of  the  207th  General  Assembly  are,  from 
left,  the  Rev.  Richard  J.  Milford  of  Gross  He,  Mich.;  the  Rev.  Thomas  A.  Erickson  of 
Scottsdale,  Ariz.;  and  Marj  Carpenter  of  Big  Spring,  Texas.  The  moderator's  election 
will  highlight  business  on  July  16  at  the  meeting  in  Cincinnati.  The  outgoing 
moderator  is  the  Rev.  Robert  Bohl  of  Fort  Worth,  Texas. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


Assembly  to  focus  on  internal  matters 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— After  sev- 
eral years  that  have  featured 
spirited  debates  on  highly 
charged  social  issues — such  as 
abortion  and  human  sexual- 
ity— the  207th  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  seems  poised  to  de- 
vote the  bulk  of  its  attention  to 
the  denomination's  infrastruc- 
ture. 

Included  in  the  700  items  of 
business  on  which  the  574 
elected  commissioners  will  be 
asked  to  vote  are: 

•  A  major  revision  of  the 
Rules  of  Discipline,  the  consti- 
tutional policies  and  proce- 
dures that  determine  how  dis- 
putes, instances  of  disorder 
and  allegations  of  wrongdoing 
are  adjudicated  in  the  church 
courts.  A  key  new  element  of 
the  rules  encourages  the  use 
of  mediation  and/or  concilia- 
tion as  an  alternative  to  for- 
mal judicial  processes; 

•  A  new  "call  system"  for 
matching  church  profession- 
als seeking  jobs  with  congre- 
gations and  other  employing 
church  agencies  seeking  pas- 
tors and  staff  members.  The 
new  system,  replacing  one  that 
has  been  in  use  since  1972,  is 
designed  to  reduce  the  amount 
of  time  it  takes  to  fill  vacant 
positions,  simplify  the  paper- 
work required  to  fill  positions, 
and  encourage  career  devel- 


opment of  church  professions; 

•  A  recommendation  that 
administrative  fees  be  de- 
ducted from  all  designated 
gifts  to  the  denomination's 
mission  budget.  Currently,  ad- 
ministrative costs  of  handling 
all  contributions  are  absorbed 
by  the  unrestricted  portion  of 
the  General  Assembly  budget, 
a  portion  that  is  shrinking; 

•  A  series  of  constitutional 
amendments  that  will  enable 
the  denomination  to  imple- 
ment its  participation  in  the 
Church  of  Christ  Uniting 
(COCU)  "covenant  commun- 
ion." The  amendments  would 
create  the  offices  of  "represen- 
tative bishop"  and  "represen- 
tative elder"  to  facilitate  Pres- 
byterian cooperation  with 
other  COCU  churches  that 
have  bishops  and  don't  have 
ordained  elders.  If  approved 
by  the  assembly,  the  amend- 
ments go  to  the  presb5rteries 
for  their  vote.  A  majority  of 
them  must  also  vote  to  ap- 
prove the  amendments  in  or- 
der for  the  changes  to  become 
part  of  the  "Book  of  Order;" 

•  Creation  of  a  subsidiary 
corporation  that  will  sell  cer- 
tificates of  deposit  to  Presby- 
terians, the  proceeds  from 
which  will  be  used  to  fund  a 
greatly  expanded  program  of 
new  church  development  and 
church  redevelopment.  Simi- 
lar programs  in  other  denomi- 
nations have  generated  as 
much  as  half  a  billion  dollars 


Scottish  fiddlers  to  perform 

The  Fochabers  Fiddlers  from  Scotland  will  perform  Tues- 
day, June  27  at  Tuckahoe  Church  in  Richmond,  Va.  The 
peformance  starts  at  7 :30  p.m.  Now  in  its  15th  year,  this 
group  of  about  24  young  people  ages  11  to  18  has  close  ties 
to  the  Church  of  Scotland. 

In  addition  to  Tuckahoe  Church,  they  will  perform  at 
five  other  Virginia  churches:  Westminster  in  Waynesboro, 
Tinkling  Spring  in  Fishersville,  Olivet  and  Third  churches 
in  Staunton,  Covington  Church  in  Roanoke,  and  Manassas 
Church. 

While  in  Staunton  the  fiddlers  will  also  perform  during 
that  city's  June  24  Scottish  Festival  in  Gypsy  Hill  Park. 
^         ":  iour  information  contact  Ted  Grudzinski  in 
:  703)885-8159. 


for  such  causes; 

•  Election  of  a  committee  to 
conduct  a  quadrennial  review 
of  the  work  of  the  General 
Assembly  Council  (GAC),  the 
68-member  elected  body  that 
oversees  the  programmatic 
work  of  the  denomination  be- 
tween General  Assembly  meet- 
ings; and 

•  Election  of  a  search  com- 
mittee to  find  a  successor  to 
General  Assembly  stated  clerk 
James  Andrews,  whose  third 
and  final  four-year  term  con- 
cludes next  year.  A  new  stated 
clerk  will  be  elected  at  next 
year's  assembly. 

Despite  the  heavy  concen- 
tration of  internal  rnatters, 
commissioners  will  have  a 
number  of  mission  program 
and  social  concerns  to  consider. 

A  major  policy  paper  on  the 
theology  of  Christian  vocation 
and  issues  of  work  in  the  U.S. 
will  be  back  before  this  Gen- 
eral Assembly  after  being  re- 
ferred back  for  more  work  by 
last  year's  assembly. 

Following  on  the  heels  of 
the  successful  "A  Year  with 
Africa"  mission  emphasis,  the 
GAC  is  recommending  that  the 
next  geographical  focus — 
starting  in  1997 — be  on  Latin 
America. 

Revitalization  of  U.S.  ur- 
ban areas  and  the  role  of  the 
church  in  inner  cities  is  the 
subject  of  a  special  report,  "Ur- 
ban Strategy  to  the  Year  2005." 
The  report  calls  for  a  vast  net- 
work of  information  sharing, 
linkage  with  other  community- 
based  and  religious  organiza- 
tions and  stepped-up  urban 
ministry  training  for  pastors 
and  lay  leaders. 

The  assembly  will  also  be 
asked  to  approve  "Call  to  Heal- 
ing and  Wholeness,"  a  special 
report  that  suggests  ways  to 
implement  recent  health-care 
policy  statements  adopted  by 
previous  general  assemblies. 
The  paper  recommends  desig- 
nating the  first  week  of  each 
April  as  "Health  Awareness 
Week"  in  the  church.  The 
PC(USA)  has  long  advocated 
universal  access  to  health  care 
for  all  U.S.  citizens. 


Presbyterians  to  sponsor 
UN  seminar  on  refugees 

The  changing  nature  of  the  world's  refugee  problem  and  the 
urgent  need  for  new  solutions  will  be  examined  in  a  seminar 
sponsored  by  the  Presbyterian  Peacemaking  Program  and 
Presbyterian  World  Service  Nov.  8-10  in  New  York.  The  semi- 
nar, entitled  "The  State  of  the  World's  Refugees,"  will  be  held 
at  the  United  Nations  Building,  according  to  the  Rev.  Richard 
L.  ICillmer,  coordinator  of  theJ*resbyterian  Peacemaking  Pro- 
gram. 

Conference  participants  will  explore  the  complex  causes  that 
He  at  the  root  of  refugee  flows,  including  conflict,  massive 
human  rights  abuses  and  long-simmering  social,  political, 
economic  and  environmental  tensions.  The  seminar  will  also 
address  the  roles  of  the  United  Nations  and  nongovernmental 
organizations,  including  the  religious  community,  in  respond- 
ing to  the  current  refugee  crisis. 

Schools  to  receive  computers 

To  PC  or  not  to  PC  won't  be  the  question  for  students  at  eight 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  racial  ethnic  schools  and  colleges 
following  a  donation  of  160  surplus  computers  from  the  Corpo- 
rate and  Administrative  Services  (CAS)  office  here.  After  CAS 
began  upgrading  computers  at  the  Presbyterian  Center  in 
February,  lots  of  empty  boxes  filled  the  hallways.  Higher 
Education  Program  Team  staffers  in  the  Churchwide  Partner 
ships  Progam  Area  of  the  National  Ministries  Division  (NMD) 
collected  the  boxes  and  used  them  to  ship  the  previously  used 
computers  to  their  new  homes. 

Racial  ethnic  schools  and  colleges  related  to  the  General 
Assembly  are  Barber-Scotia  College  in  Concord,  N.C. ;  Charles 
Cook  Theological  School  in  Tempe,  Ariz.;  Knoxville  College  in 
Knoxville,  Tenn.;  Mary  Holmes  College  in  West  Point,  Miss.; 
Menaul  School  in  Albuquerque,  N.M.;  Presbyterian  Pan  Ameri- 
can School  in  Kingsville,  Texas;  Sheldon  Jackson  College  in 
Sitka,  Alaska;  and  Stillman  College  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

SDOP  celebrates  25th  anniversary 

CHICAGO — More  than  250  people  gathered  here  to  celebrate 
25  years  of  partnerships  with  poor  and  oppressed  people 
worldwide  during  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Self-De- 
velopment of  People  Committee  (SDOP)  Anniversary  Convoca- 
tion "Journey  to  Justice"  April  21-23. 

Organized  following  the  181st  General  Assembly  (1969)  of 
the  former  United  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.S.A.,  SDOP  is 
a  ministry  that  works  to  empower  poor,  oppressed  and  disad- 
vantaged people  who  are  seeking  to  change  the  structures  that 
perpetuate  poverty,  oppression  and  injustice. 

"[SDOP]  is  a  wonderful  movement  in  the  life  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  and  its  partners  throughout  the  world,"  said  the 
Rev.  Fredric  T.  Walls,  SDOP's  coordinator.  | 

Kuhn  was  Gray  Panther  founder 

Maggie  Kuhn,  89,  who  "celebrated"  her  forced  retirement  from 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.S.A.  (UPC(USA))  in 
1970  by  founding  the  Gray  Panthers,  died  April  22  at  her  home 
in  Philadelphia.  Kuhn  had  worked  in  the  UPC(USA)  national 
offices,  mostly  in  Philadelphia,  for  25  years  until  she  ran  up 
against  the  church's  mandatory  retirement  age  of  65. 

"They  gave  me  a  sewing  machine,"  she  once  recalled,  "but  I 
never  opened  it.  I  was  too  busy." 

Instead,  Kuhn  formed  the  organization  that  now  numbers 
40,000  members  in  32  states.  The  Gray  Panthers'  primary 
cause  is  fighting  age  discrimination,  but  it  has  addressed  a 
variety  of  other  social  justice  issues  over  the  years.  The 
organization's  credo  states  that  it  will  advocate  for  "fundamen- 
tal social  change  that  will  eliminate  injustice,  discrimination 
and  oppression  in  our  present  society."  Maggie  Kuhn  leaves  no  | 
immediate  survivors.  J 

PSCE  trustee  M.  Bland  Dudley  dies 

Funeral  services  were  held  May  5  at  Christ  Church  in  Irvington 
Va.  for  the  Rev.  M.  Bland  Dudley,  66,  a  retirement  planning ' 
consultant  for  the  Board  of  Pensions.  Dudley  died  in  his  sleei 
May  2  at  his  home  in  Tappahannock,  Va. 

Dudley  and  his  wife.  Penny,  had  been  conducting  retirement 
planning  seminars  for  the  board  since  1991.  In  addition,  he  was 
a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  School  of 
Christian  Education  and  had  been  serving  as  stated  supply 
pastor  of  Wesley  Memorial  Church  in  Weems,  Va.,  and  at 
Milden  Church  in  Sharps,  Va. 

In  addition  to  his  wife,  Dudley  is  survived  by  his  son.  Cartel, 
and  daughter,  Jane.  | 

Anti-immigrant  backlash  fought 

Concerned  about  the  growing  backlash  against  immigrant 
and  refugees  in  the  United  States,  the  Presbyterian  Worl 
Service  Advisory  Committee  has  earmarked  $20,000  to  hel 
fight  anti-immigration  ballot  measures. 

The  money,  from  the  One  Great  Hour  of  Sharing  offering 
will  be  provided  as  grants  to  church  coalitions  working  against 
anti-immigration  initiatives  in  their  communities  rr  states 
Individual  grants  will  range  from  $2,000  to  $3,00ij.  "Wiore 
information  is  available  from  Presbyterian  World  Service,  po 
Witherspoon  St.,  Louisville,  KY  40202;  phone  (502)  569-5«L'i 


New  Hope  News-page  12 

«dK8CFFZ********5-0IGlT  27514 
)f  00548651 »  MHO    17  17 

UIMIV    OF    l\l    CAROLINA  LIBRARY 
hlORTH    CAROLINA  COLLECTION 
ivlILSON    LIBRARY  CB 

CHAPEL     HILL  27  514-3890 

For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


July/August  1995 


Vol.  LXI,  Number  6 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Rose  to  convene 
financial  review  panel 


A  five-member  panel  has  been 
appointed  to  review  the  finan- 
cial and  management  practices 
of  the  synod  office  and  issue  a 
report  by  the  end  of  the  year. 

The  group  will  be  convened 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ben  Lacy  Rose, 
moderator  of  the  1971  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.)  and  a  re- 
tired professor  from  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  Vir- 
ginia who  resides  in  the  Pres- 
bytery of  the  James. 

Other  members  of  the  panel 
are  the  Rev.  Jerry  L.  Cannon, 
pastor  of  C.  N.  Jenkins  Church 
in  Charlotte,  N.C.,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  committee  on  minis- 
try of  Charlotte  Presbytery; 
Elder  Warren  B.  Davis,  re- 
tired chief  economist  for  Gulf 
Oil  Co.  and  a  member  of  the 
administrative  commission  of 
New  Hope  Presbytery;  Elder 
Jill  Fri,  business  administra- 
tor of  Georgetown  (D.C.) 
Church  and  president  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  National 
Capital  Presbytery;  and  the 
Hon.  C.  Yvonne  Holt-Stone,  a 
federal  court  judge  who  re- 
sides in  Baltimore  Presbytery. 

Voting  to  create  the  panel 
on  June  24,  the  Synod  Council 
asked  for  five  "impartial  Pres- 
byterians" for  the  group  which 
will  prepare  a  preliminary  re- 
port by  Aug.  21,  and  have  a 
final  report  by  Dec.  31. 

"These  persons  were  se- 
lected to  provide  a  balance  of 
racial  ethnic  representation, 
church  experience  and  service, 
skills,  and  geographic  distri- 
bution throughout  the  synod," 


said  Council  Chair  June  Bucy. 

The  panel  includes  two  Af- 
rican Americans,  two  minis- 
ters, three  elders,  three  men 
and  two  women. 

The  review  is  the  latest  step 
in  a  process  that  started  last 
December  with  allegations 
made  to  the  synod's  trustees. 
The  trustees  ordered  an  inde- 
pendent compliance  audit. 

The  synod's  finance  and 
personnel  committees  followed 
up  with  their  own  reports  on 
the  matter,  including  some 
policy  and  procedural  changes 
in  office  operations.  Also,  the 
annual  full  audit  of  the  synod's 
financial  records  for  1994  re- 
vealed no  abnormalities,  ac- 
cording to  Comptroller  Jack 
Wheeler. 

The  internal  reviews  and 
audit  report  were  accepted  by 
the  council  during  its  May 
meeting.  The  council  then  ap- 
pointed four  of  its  members, 
led  by  Bucy,  to  meet  with  synod 
office  staft',  trustees  and  pres- 
bj^ery  executives.  That  group 
reported  back  to  the  council 
during  its  June  23-24  meet- 
ing. 

The  decision  to  appoint  the 
new  five-member  panel  came 
after  the  four  council  mem- 
bers reported  back  to  the  coun- 
cil. 

Also  during  its  June  meet- 
ing, the  council  voted  to  have 
its  Administration  Committee 
review  matters  related  to  per- 
sonnel policies  and  concerns, 
as  well  as  record-keeping.  The 

continued  on  page  3 


Banbury-Hamm  called 
to  First  Church,  Richmond 


The  Rev.  Rosalind  Banbury- 
Hamm,  former  associate  ex- 
ecutive with  the  SjTiod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic,  has  been  called 
as  associate  pastor  for  adult 
ministries  at  First  Church  of 
Richmond,  Va. 

Banbury-Hamm  will  be  in- 
stalled dur- 
ing a  ser- 
vice at  10 
a.m.  Sun- 
day, Aug. 
27,  at  the 
church  lo- 
cated at 
4602  Gary 
Street  Rd. 
First 
Church  of 
Richmond  has  more  than  1,900 
members.  The  Rev.  Jack 
Sadler  is  senior  pastor  and 
head  of  staff. 

From  January  1990  to 
March  1995  Banbury-Hamm 
served  the  synod,  overseeing 
the  areas  of  campus  ministry, 
institutions  (care  agencies  and 
colleges),  education  (confer- 
•^nce  centers),  ecumenical  con- 


cerns, youth  ministry,  and  jus- 
tice issues,  among  others. 

The  position  of  associate  for 
synod  ministries  was  termi- 
nated by  action  of  the  Synod 
Assembly  as  part  of  restruc- 
turing. 

Banbury-Hamm  holds  a 
doctor  of  ministry  degree  from 
Union  Theological  Seminary 
in  Virginia  and  a  bachelor's 
degree  in  literature  from  St. 
Andrews  Presbyterian  Col- 
lege. 

Prior  to  being  called  to  the 
synod  staff,  she  was  interim 
associate  for  Christian  educa- 
tion at  First  Church  in 
Roanoke,  Va.  Earlier  positions 
included  serving  churches  in 
southwest  Virginia  and  as 
teaching  at  Virginia  Western 
Community  College. 

She  is  a  former  moderator 
of  Fincastle  (now  Peaks)  Pres- 
bytery and  chaired  the 
presb5d;ery's  hunger  task  force. 

Her  husband,  Richard,  is 
on  the  library  staff  at  Union 
Theological  Seminary.  They 
have  a  son,  Ben. 


.        ,  r        .  I  i  Photo  by  John  Sniffen 

Applause  for  the  new  moderator 

Outgoing  General  Assembly  Moderator  Robert  Bohl  (left)  and  General  Assembly 
Stated  Clerk  James  Andrews  (center)  applaud  the  new  moderator,  Marj  Carpenter, 
after  her  first-ballot  election  by  the  207th  General  Assembly  in  Cincinnati.  For 
detailed  converage  of  the  Assembly,  see  the  special  insert  inside  this  issue. 


Synod  to  celebrate  mission 


The  209th  Synod  Assembly, 
scheduled  for  for  Oct.  12-14,  is 
being  planned  as  a  celebration 
of  mission. 

Marj  Carpenter,  moderator 
of  the  207th  General  Assem- 
bly, has  been  invited  to  ad- 
dress the  synod  meeting. 

A  tireless  mission  advocate. 
Carpenter  speaks  frequently 
to  church  gatherings  and  has 
logged  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  miles  while  visiting  the 
denomination's  far-flung  mis- 
sion efforts. 

Also  invited  to  the  synod 
meeting  are  representatives  of 
the  ministry  divisions  of  the 
PC(USA):  Congregational, 
National,  and  Worldwide. 

Betty  McGinnis,  moderator 
of  the  208th  Synod  Assembly 
and  chair  of  the  planning  sub- 
committee for  the  upcoming 
meeting,  said  the  assembly  will 
be  used  to  announce  mission 
opportunities  overseas  and  in 


the  presbyteries. 

Through  these  mission  op- 
portunities "people  can  know 
one  another  and  build  God's 
kingdom  with  one  another  in 
an  exciting  way,"  said 
McGinnis.  "There's  no  better 
way  to  talk  with  one  another 
than  to  do  mission." 

Synod  Executive  Carroll 
Jenkins  said  the  assembly 
should  be  an  opportunity  for 
the  synod's  new  mission  com- 
mittees to  hold  their  initial 
meetings.  Those  committes  are 
Campus  Ministries,  Evange- 
lism, Justice/Mercy,  Partner- 
ship Ministries,  and  Racial 
Ethnic  Ministries. 

There  will  be  approximately 
72  presbytery  commissioners 
to  this  meeting,  the  first  since 
the  synod  was  restructured 
last  January. 

Also  invited  will  be  the  22- 
member  Synod  Council,  five 
ecumenical  delegates,  the 


Offering  raises  $14,629 


The  synod-wide  emergency 
offering  for  Barber-Scotia 
College  had  raised  $14,629 
for  the  Concord,  N.C.,  school 
as  of  late  July. 

While  the  synod  set  Feb. 
19  as  the  day  to  take  the 
offering,  some  churches 
scheduled  later  offering 
dates.  Some  of  the  funds 
have  come  directly  from 
presbyteries. 

In  June  1994  the  Synod 
Assembly  (208th)  approved 
the  offering  after  hearing 
Acting  President  Mabel 
Parker  McLean  describe  the 
ongoing  financial  crisis  at 
the  college. 

One  of  two  historically 
black  colleges  owned  and 


operated  by  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.),  Bar- 
ber-Scotia College  dates 
back  to  1867  and  the  found- 
ing of  Scotia  Seminary  in 
Concord  for  young  African- 
American  women. 

The  school's  supporters 
say  it  provides  a  unique  op- 
portunity for  many  students 
who  are  the  first  genera- 
tion in  their  families  to  at- 
tend college.  i 

Financial  problems  have  j 
led  to  a  downsizing  of  staff  i 
and  faculty,  and  a  lack  of  j 
funds  for  complete  upkeep 
of  the  campus.  Several  older 
buildings  sit  vacant  for  lack 
of  money  for  necessary  reno- 
vation. 


synod's  professional  staff,  and 
representatives  from  the  mis- 
sion committees  and  partner- 
ship entities.  Each  presbytery 
will  also  send  one  youth  advi- 
sory delegate. 

As  of  Aug.  1  a  meeting  loca- 
tion had  not  been  finalized. 
The  synod  will  notify  churches 
of  the  location  and  event  sched- 
ule after  the  Aug.  25-26  Synod 
Council  meeting. 


Christian  Vocation 
Sunday  is  Sept.  3 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
will  help  mark  the  concept  of 
Christian  vocation  by  observ- 
ing Christian  Vocation  Sun- 
day on  Sept.  3. 

"Churches  use  this  Sunday 
to  emphasize  the  connection 
between  work,  life  and  faith," 
said  Dr.  Elbert  Patton,  direc- 
tor of  the  synod's  Career  and 
Personal  Counseling  Service. 

In  past  years  CPCS  has  pre- 
pared and  mailed  a  packet  of 
suggestions  to  each  church  in 
the  synod  on  how  to  observe 
this  day.  For  1995,  however, 
CPCS  mailed  a  letter  to  the 
churches  in  May  asking  that 
they  help  assess  this  effort  by 
returning  an  enclosed  card. 
On  the  card  the  churches  were 
also  asked  to  indicate  their 
desire  to  receive  the  Vocation 
Sunday  packet.  These  packets 
are  still  available  through 
CPCS  for  churches  which  de- 
sire them. 

Sjmod's  counseling  service 
operates  on  a  basic  premise 
that  each  individual  is  called 
to  serve  God  through  every 
area  of  life.  The  purpose  of 
observing  Christi;:  r  ^' 
Sunday  is  to  help 

continues  7 


Page  2,  Mi  J -Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1995 


Covenants  are  at  the  very  heart  of  the  church 


By  BETTY  McGINNIS 

"I  will  be  your  God.  You  shall  be  my 
people"  (Gen.  17:7-8;  Jer.  31:33).  God's 
covenant,  first  given  to  Abraham  and 
Sarah,  is  a  promise  to  his  people  for- 
ever. As  God's  people,  what  a  wonder- 
ful relationship  with  God  we  have  been 
blessed  with  in  this  covenant!  What  a 
gracious  and  loving  God! 

The  Bible  is  filled  with  promises  to 
us.  Even  a  book,  The  Bible  Promise 
Book,  has  been  compiled.  "Verily,  verily 
I  say  unto  you,  he  that  believeth  in  me 
hath  everlasting  life"  (John  6:47).  "Wait 
on  the  Lord:  be  of  good  courage,  and  He 
shall  strengthen  thine  heart:  wait,  I 
say,  on  the  Lord"  (Romans  8:28). 

Christians  have  been  given  the  ulti- 
mate— promises  of  grace,  guidance, 
help  in  troubles,  hope,  joy,  loneliness, 
eternal  life,  and  practically  a  promise 
on  every  part  of  our  life. 

In  marriage,  husband  and  vidfe  make 
a  covenant — a  promise  between  two 
people  who  make  a  great  commitment 
to  one  another.  A  child  is  baptized.  The 
parents  make  a  promise  "to  know,  love 


and  serve  the  child  as  a  chosen  dis- 
ciple." The  congregation  promises  "to 
tell  the  child  the  good  news  of  the 
gospel,  to  help  the  child  know  all  that 
Christ  commands  and  to  strengthen 
the  family  ties  with  the  household  of 
God."  At  the  very  "beginning"  of  family 
life  we  covenant,  we  promise — prom- 
ises between  husband  and  wife;  prom- 
ises between  parents  and  congrega- 
tion and  with  God. 

When  working  together  within  the 
church  groups  form  covenants.  This  is 
a  positive  way  to  live  and  work  to- 
gether. A  church  group  going  on  a 
mission  of  the  church  of  committees 
within  the  church  often  develop  cov- 
enants. This  creates  a  focus  for  work- 
ing and  living  together. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  new  Synod 
Council  last  May,  a  covenant  was 
formed  between  its  members:  To  trust 
the  Holy  Spirit;  listen  for  the  still, 
small  voice;  believe  in  the  guidance  of 
the  Scripture;  work  together  with  deep 
commitment  and  authenticity;  com- 
municate with  honesty  and  openness; 
respect  one  another  as  brothers  and 


Commentary 


sisters  in  Christ;  follow  the  peacemak- 
ing guidelines  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly in  dealing  with  conflict;  focus  on 
the  mission  statement  of  the  Synod; 
honor  the  history  of  the  Synod,  but  not 
be  tied  to  it;  be  accountable  for  all 
assignments;  and  build  links  among 
presbyteries. 

Council  hopes 
that  this  will  create 
an  atmosphere  of 
building  through- 
out the  Synod.  The 
Synod  /Council 
needs  your  prayers 
and  support  as  they 
strive  to  uphold 
their  covenant  with 
one  another  and  for 
YOU,  the  members 
of  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic. 

As  we  continue  to  uphold  covenants, 
the  covenant  with  Abraham  and  Sa- 
rah and  all  generations  becomes  more 
alive  to  Christians  through  the  life, 
death  and  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ. 
"I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life;  he 
that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were 
dead,  yet  shall  he  live:  And  whosoever 
liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never 
die.  Believest  thou  this?"  (John  11:25- 
26).  We  are  the  body  of  Christ.  "I  am 
the  vine,  ye  are  the  branches:  He  that 
abideth  in  me,  and  I  in  him,  the  same 
bringeth  forth  much  fruit:  for  without 


Let  us  build,  not  tear  down! 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

One  of  the  rich  gifts  bestowed  on  me  is 
being  the  custodian  of  the  papers  of  my 
late  grandfather.  Dr.  G.  Campbell 
Morgan.  I  have  worked  both  with  the 
Campbell  Morgan  Memorial  Library 
at  Westminster  Chapel,  London,  and 
our  own  Department  of  History  at 
Montreat  to  make  sure  his  legacy  is 
preserved. 

Although  a  generation  has  arisen 
who  never  heard  of  him,  every  once  in 
a  while  someone  surfaces  who  asks 
about  his  life  and  ministry  of  the  Word. 
Last  week  a  doctoral  candidate  at 
Fuller  Seminary  wrote  for  informa- 
tion about  the  1927  John  Murdoch 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 
Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
(USPS  604-120  /  ISSN  1071-345X) 
Is  produced  and  published  monthly 
(except  February,  August  and 
December) 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
3218  Chambcrlayne  Ave., 
Richmond,  VA  23227. 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  is  mailed 
free  to  members  of  PC(USA) 
churches  within  the  synod. 

POSTMASTER 

Please  send  address  changes  to 
MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026. 

Second-Class  Postage  Rates  Paid  at 
Richmond,  Virginia,  and 
additional  post  offices. 

Vol.  LXI 
July/August  1995 
' '35  circulation 
o9,563 


Maclnnis  controversy  at  the  Bible  In- 
stitute of  Los  Angeles.  Although 
Maclnnis  was  "true  as  steel  to  the 
Evangelical  Faith,"  some  of  the  ex- 
treme Fundamentalists  demanded  his 
resignation  from  the  institute. 

Morgan  stood  by  his  fried,  in  whose 
integrity  he  believed.  Although  the 
board's  decision  favored  Maclnnis,  he 
was  sacrificed  for  the  good  of  the  insti- 
tution. Morgan  resigned  in  protest, 
and  returned  to  work  on  independent 
lines. 

In  a  1923  letter,  at  the  height  of  the 
Fundamentalist-Modernist  contro- 
versy, Morgan  stated: 

/  have  constant  sorrow  in  my  heart 
over  the  bitter  theological  controver- 
sies which  characterize  the  hour;  and 
the  saddest  thing  is  the  spirit  of 
them.  However  ...my  work  is  wholly 
constructive,  and  I  believe  that  this  is 
the  only  kind  that  is  really  of  value. 

One  of  Morgan's  favorite  texts  was 
from  Nehemiah,  the  sixth  chapter. 
Nehemiah,  a  man  of  action,  was  deeply 
concerned  over  the  plight  of  his  be- 
loved Jerusalem,  whose  walls  were  in 
ruins.  His  indomitable  energy  and 
shrewd  unmasking  of  hostile  plots 


Legalism?  Yes! 

From  reading  my  letter  to  the  editor  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  (Jan./ 
Feb.  1995),  Mr.  Linker  concluded  that 
my  views  were  "antinomian."  Not  so! 
The  moral  law  remains  forever;  but  we 
are  called  into  a  new  relationship  with 
it.  How,  then  are  Christians  required 
to  relate  to  the  moral  code? 

First,  it  is  a  set  of  criteria  that  we 
may  use  to  test  the  quality  of  the  moral 
content  of  our  lives,  to  determine, 
whether  or  not  we  sin.  Then,  too,  the 
code  enumerates  the  criteria  by  which 
our  lives  will  be  judged.  So,  the  ques- 
tion then  becomes,  "How  are  we  to  lead 
lives  that  exhibit  behaviors  that  are  in 


Correction 

In  the  photo  on  page  1  of  the  May 
issue,  parish  nurse  Betsy  Jamerson  is 
checking  the  Rev.  Henry  Mahler's 
pulse,  not  his  blood  pressure. 


brought  new  life  to  the  community  of 
faith.  He  not  only  rebuilt  the  walls,  he 
rebuilt  the  vigor  and  faith  of  the  people 
of  God. 

When  confronted  by  the  plot  of 
Sanballat,  Gesham 
and  Tobiah  to  do  him 
in,  he  replied  in  re- 
sounding words:  "I 
am  doing  a  great 
work  and  I  cannot 
come  down.  Why 
should  the  work  stop 
while  I  leave  it  and 
come  down  to  you?" 
(Nehemiah  6:3).  His 
mission  was  to  build, 
not  destroy;  encour- 
age, not  criticize;  so 
he  refused  to  have  any  dealings  with 
those  who  would  thwart  the  work  of  God. 

This  are  distressing  times  for  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  At- 
tempts at  reconciliation  between  the 
Presbyterian  Lay  Committee  and  the 
denomination's  leaders  have  been  fu- 
tile. What  troubled  my  grandfather  70 
years  ago,  troubles  me.  "The  bitter, 
vitriolic  spirit  of  those  who  believe 
they  alone  are  right." 


agreement  with  the  moral  code?"  The 
Jews  thought  that  the  way  was  to 
legalistically  obey  the  code  for  justifi- 
cation and  for  sanctification  ....  Jesus 
and  Paul  said  "Not  so!"  What  is  re- 
quired is  that  we  love  God  and  that  we 
act  toward  our  neighbor  in  love,  which 
can  be  done  only  with  the  guidance  of 
the  Holy  Spirit. 

In  the  Christian  scriptures,  particu- 
larly in  the  letters  of  Paul,  we  read 
again  and  again  that  Christians  are 
not  required  to  legalistically  obey  the 
moral  code.  We  read  that,  "you  are  not 
under  law  but  under  grace,"  "dis- 
charged from  the  law,"  "slaves  not 
under  the  old  written  code,"  "Christ 
has  set  us  free,"  "Christ  is  the  end  of 
the  law,"  "not  subject  to  the  law,"  "when 
there  is  a  change  in  priesthood  there  is 
necessarily  a  change  in  law"  ...  These 
and  many  other  statements  make  it 
abundantly  clear  that  the  legalistic 
and  ineffective  obedience  to  the  moral 
code  of  the  Jews  is  not  required  of 
Christians.  We  are  required  to  live 


me  ye  can  do  nothing"  (John  15:1-5). 

With  covenant  comes  a  commitment 
and  a  gigantic  responsibility.  We,  in 
the  church,  must  covenant  to  build  the 
church,  to  work  toward  the  high  call- 
ing of  God.  The  challenge  lies  before 
each  of  us  within  the  church  of  Jesus 
Christ:  Covenants.  Commitment.  Re- 
sponsibility. 

Note:  As  synod  moderator,  I  want  to 
thank  you  for  your  responses,  sugges- 
tions, openness,  and  deep  caring  for 
the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic.  Please 
continue  to  share.  Just  a  few  com- 
ments that  have  been  made  by  you  to 
me: 

•  "The  connectional  church  has  bro- 
ken down.  The  Synod  is  a  great  place 
to  rebuild  it." 

•  "I  am  very  concerned  about  the  al- 
legations; however,  I  want  to  be  support- 
ive and  help.  Let's  keep  the  Synod  mov- 
ing and  not  allow  this  to  paralyze  us." 

•  "Compassion  is  so  needed  among 
the  members  of  our  church." 

•  "Remind  all  ministers  to  minister 
to  one  another,  especially  in  times  of 
sickness.  My  husband  was  always  so 
interested,  yet  very  few  ministers  came 
to  be  with  him  while  he  was  dying." 

I  am  always  excited  about  the  deep 
caring  and  passion  that  you  have  for  the 
church.  You  may  contact  me,  Betty 
McGinnis,  at  1234  Tamarack  Trail, 
Arnold,  MD  21012;  phone  (410)  647-7494. 


I  have  always  cherished  the  story 
from  Seville,  Spain,  where  a  cathedral 
had  been  destroyed  in  the  civil  wars. 
The  builders  met  to  discuss  plans  for 
rebuilding  the  cathedral,  and  talked 
about  restoring  it  to  its  former  glory. 
One  builder  with  vision  stood  on  his 
feet,  and  said,  "Let  us  so  rebuild  this 
cathedral  that  succeeding  generations 
will  think  us  mad  to  have  dreamt  such 
a  dream." 

There  is  a  great  quotation  which 
John  MacLeod,  former  synod  execu- 
tive, helped  me  discover.  It  was  writ- 
ten by  Richard  Baxter  in  the  17th 
century: 

In  necessary  things,  unity; 
in  doubtful  things,  liberty; 
in  all  things,  charity. 

If  this  word  was  heeded,  we  would 
all  be  building  the  Kingdom  of  God  in 
Presbyterianism. 

Parish  associate  for  older  adult  minis- 
tries at  First  Church,  Morganton,  N.C., 
Dr.  Richard  L.  Morgan  is  the  author  of 
numerous  articles  and  books.  His  third 
book  on  aging  as  a  spiritual  journey,  "Au- 
tumn Wisdom,"  will  be  published  in  Octo- 
ber by  Upper  Room  Books. 


lives  of  loving  God  and  neighbor.  ... 

Those  who  teach  and  preach  that 
Christians  must  obey  the  moral  code 
for  either  justification  or  sanctifica- 
tion are  counseling  people  to  act  in  the 
old  superseded,  and  ineffective  way  of 
the  Jews.  They  do,  indeed,  teach  legal- 
ism! ... 

Jack  Prince 
Bloomery,  W.Va. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  editing 
for  style,  clarity,  and  length.  Ad- 
dress letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1995  Fa^\j 


Musings  while  wandering  through  Britain 


By  JAN  McGILLIARD 

It  started  with  a  coupon  for  free  air 
fare  to  Europe.  For  a  number  of  rea- 
sons, my  travel  buddy  from  California 
had  to  stay  at  home. 

Family  members  were  tied  up  with 
teaching,  working,  and  looking  at  col- 
leges. Should  I  leave  them  all  behind 
and  go  anyway,  or  forego  the  use  of  a 
free  ticket,  60,000  miles  of  hard-earned 
frequent  flyer  miles?  It  was  a  tough 
decision,  but  ...  here  are  a  few  reflec- 
tions from  my  journey,  full  of  sur- 
prises. 

Inge  Hofmeister,  a  Presbyterian 
from  Baltimore,  shared  seat  space  and 
her  story  of  growing  up  in  East  Ger- 
many during  the  Communist  takeover. 
One  of  four  girls,  her  father  suggested 
she  escape  to  the  West-a  dangerous 
venture,  but  one  that  led  to  safety  and 
ultimate  immigration  to  the  U.S.  Her 
story  stays  with  me  still,  and  I've  asked 
her  to  write  it  down  for  you. 

The  Rev.  Norman  Bowman,  a  lively 
83-year-old  retired  minister,  planned 
trips  to  the  islands  Arran  and  Mull, 
complete  with  sunshine.  Visits  to  his 
sisters,  Jean,  85,  and  Nanny  Mae,  90, 
fascinated  me~to  see  their  common 
family  traits,  their  wit  and  wisdom 


Synod  Council 
initiates  review 
process 

continued  from  page  1 

committee,  chaired  by  the  Rev. 
Robert  Curry,  will  also  receive 
information  regarding  the  per- 
sonal concerns  of  staff"  mem- 
bers and  others  heard  by  the 
four-member  committee, 
which  was  dismissed. 

The  Personnel  Committee 
will  review  and  define  the 
search,  remuneration,  employ- 
ment and  termination  process 
for  all  staff  and  distinguish 
between  exempt  and  non-ex- 
empt positions. 

Budgets  for  1996 

The  council  approved 
changes  in  the  proposed  gov- 
ernance and  mission  budgets 
for  1996,  which  will  be  re- 
viewed again  at  the  Aug.  25- 
26  meeting  of  Council  before 
going  to  the  Sjnnod  Assembly 
in  October. 

Finance  Committee  Chair 
Fred  Ward  noted  that  many 
mission  budget  areas  which 
have  been  reduced  in  1995 
would  be  either  back  at  1994 
levels  or  at  least  increased  in 
1996.  The  1995  reductions 
were  mainly  due  to  a  reduc- 
tion in  revenue  from  some 
presbyteries  and  one-time 
costs  associated  with  staff"  re- 
duction. 

Specifically,  the  council  ap- 
proved a  motion  designed  to 
maintain  publication  of  nine 
issues  per  year  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  Presbyterian,  the 
synod  newspaper.  One  issue 
(September)  was  cut  from  1995 
as  part  of  the  across-the-board 
mission  budget  cuts  made  by 
the  Council  in  May. 

In  other  business,  the  coun- 
cil accepted  with  regrets  the 
resignation  of  Jan  Schneider, 
council  member  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  the  James.  The  Nomi- 
nating Committee  will  propose 
a  replacement  at  the  next  coun- 
cil meeting. 

The  Synod  Council  is  sched- 
uled to  meet  Aug.  25-26  at  the 
Holiday  Inn  -Central  in  Rich- 
mond. 


about  the  world  around  them,  and  to 
witness  their  success  at  living  inde- 
pendently despite  multiple  infirmities. 

Jean  described  to  us  a  long  holiday 
weekend  spent  alone,  knowing  that 
everyone  in  her  support  network  was 
out  of  town~her  stepdaughter,  neigh- 
bor, home  helper,  and  handyman.  They 
provided  a  lifeline  and  sense  of  secu- 
rity just  by  being  nearby.  There  are 
many  degrees  of  frailty  which  change 
daily  and  sometimes  hourly. 

My  primary  activity  was  a  week  of 
hiking  in  northwest  Wales  with  seven 
others  from  around  the  world.  My 
daughter  calls  it  "foo  foo  hiking"~hik- 
ing  with  only  a  light  pack,  having  a  hot 
shower  and  meal  at  a  country  hotel  at 


the  end  of  the  day.  Hiking  10  to  14 
miles  a  day  offered  moments  of  conver- 
sation, insight  about  the  land  we  were 
hiking  through,  local  customs  and  his- 
torical sites,  and  most  importantly, 
time  alone  with  our  own  thoughts. 

I  felt  emotions  too  difficult  to  de- 
scribe as  we  hiked  up  "The  Corpse 
Way,"  a  stone-walled  pathway  leading 
to  a  remote  12th  century  church  and 
graveyard  that  is  still  used  on  occa- 
sion. The  Holy  Spirit  was  everywhere, 
and  my  dad,  who  died  in  April,  was 
with  me,  too.  I  was  satisfied  this  was 
the  right  time  and  place  to  be. 

A  hiking  couple  in  their  60's  told  me 
of  their  decision  to  change  their  lifestyle 
(which  had  included  no  travel)  to  have 
more  time  for  mission  work,  working 
part  time,  and  traveling  for  pleasure. 
Ralph  sold  his  law  practice,  took  a 
course  in  church  business  administra- 
tion at  Union  Seminary,  and  re-estab- 
lished residence  half-way  across  the 
country. 

I  was  impressed.  When  I  wondered 
out  loud  about  the  possibility  of  hiking 
again  next  year,  our  leader  shared 
that  while  he  had  planned  to  hike  the 
Appalachian  Trail  upon  retirement, 
he  did  it  two  years  later  instead-and  it 
changed  his  life.  He  confirmed  my  be- 


lief in  taking  time,  making  adjust- 
ments in  schedule  and  budget  to  make 
things  happen  throughout  the  lifespan. 

My  last  few  days  were  spent  visiting 
a  penpal  family  last  seen  22  years  ago. 
I  came  home  with  little  voice  left,  heart 
and  head  full  of  memories,  renewed 
relationships,  and  peaceful  feelings  of 
restoration  to  my  soul.  I  highly  recom- 
mend Joyce  Rupp's  book  entitled  Pray- 
ing Our  Goodbyes,  and  as  a  compan- 
ion, a  blank  journal. 

Jan  McGilliard  is  the  synod's  asso- 
ciate for  older  adult  ministries. 


Thanks 

To  all  who  participated  in  and 
contributed  to  the  Mother's  Day 
Offering  taken  in  May,  our  heart- 
felt thanks.  Recipients  of  the  of- 
fering are:  the  synod's  ministries 
with  older  adults,  Sunnyside 
Presbyterian  Retirement  Com- 
munity, King's  Grant,  The  Pres- 
byterian Homes,  Inc.  (High  Point 
Home,  Glenaire  and  Scotia  Vil- 
lage), and  Westminster  Presby- 
terian Homes,  Inc. 


"My  Charitafil 
Gift  Annuity  Is 
Building  More 
Than  My  Own 
Income." 

I  was  looking  for  a  way  to  increase 
my  moDthfy  income.  But  I  also 
wanted  to  support  my  church's 
missioato  build  and  repair  hotnes. 
Then  jay  pastor  told  me  about  a  way 
to  do  both  —  by  gi\'ing  to  the  Church 


P^kc     /  !.iG- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1995 

Taylor  addresses  PSCE  graduates 


RICHMOND— Dr.  John 
Randolph  Taylor,  former 
PC(USA)  moderator  and  re- 
tired president  of  San  Fran- 
cisco Theological  Seminary, 
was  guest  speaker  for  com- 
mencement exercises  May  28 
at  the  Presbjd;erian  School  of 
Christian  Education.  During 
the  graduation  ceremony  53 
students  received  degrees:  five 
received  doctor  of  education 
degrees,  one  an  education  spe- 
cialist degree  and  47  received 
master  arts  degrees. 

Taylor  told  the  graduates 
that  Christian  education  "has 
everything  to  do  with  nurture 
and  everything  to  do  with  ser- 
vice. ...  I  pray  for  you  because 
I  think  in  many  ways  you  are 
the  highest  hope  of  the  de- 
nomination." 

Students  from  Texas  took 
awards  presented  during  the 
ceremony.  The  Trustees'  Con- 
tinuing Education  Award  was 
presented  to  Ronald  Blake 
Motley  of  Nacogdoches.  The 


Patrick  H.  and  Miriam  P. 
Carmichael  Fellowship  went 
to  Ann  Elizabeth  Ferguson  of 
Wichita  Falls. 

Dr.  Sara  P.  Little,  visiting 
professor  of  Christian  educa- 
tion, was  recognized  on  the 
occasion  of  her  "retirement." 
Little  has  been  associated  with 
PSCE  almost  continuously 
since  1951.  Since  1992  she  has 
coordinated  and  taught  in  the 
school's  doctor  of  education 
program. 

PSCE  President  Wayne 
Boulton  announced  three  new 
faculty  appointments. 

Dr.  James  A.  Brashler 
became  dean  of  faculty  on  July 
1.  He  came  to  PSCE  from  Bal- 
timore where  he  was  dean  of 
the  Ecumenical  Institute  at 
St.  Mary's  Seminary. 

Evelyn  Lenora  Parker 
becomes  assistant  professor  of 
Christian  education  and  youth 
ministry  effective  Sept.  1.  Her 
appointment  is  the  school's 
first  full-time  permanent  pro- 


fessorship in  youth  ministry. 
Parker  plans  to  complete  her 
doctorate  at  Garrett  Evangeli- 
cal Theological  Seminary  and 
Northwestern  University  in 
December. 

Craig  C.  Stein  has  been 
appointed  assistant  professor 
of  theology  at  PSCE  effective 
Sept.  1.  Stein,  who  holds  Th.M. 
and  M.Div.  degrees  from 
Princeton  Theological  Semi- 
nary, will  complete  his  doctor- 
ate this  month  at  Emory  Uni- 
versity. 

New  trustees  named 

In  July,  PSCE  announced 
the  following  additions  to  its 
board  of  trustees:  the  Rev. 
William  E.  Alexander  of  Or- 
lando, Fla.;  the  Rev.  Sun  Bai 
Kim  of  Louisville,  Ky.;  and 
Grace  Yeuell  of  Richmond. 

Yeuell  is  entering  PCSE's 
doctoral  program  in  Septem- 
ber. She  was  interim  director 
of  Christian  education  at 
Richmond's  Second  Church. 


Campus  Ministry  Corner 

Starting  a  campus  ministry 


By  PAMELA  L.  DANIEL 

The  Advisory  Committee  for 
the  Presbyterian  Campus  Min- 
istry at  the  University  of  North 
Carolina-Asheville  held  its 
first  meeting  on  March  4, 1993. 
The  purpose  was  to  discuss  a 
bold  new  venture — a  strong, 
full-time,  Presbj^erian  pres- 
ence at  a  state  school. 

To  many  people,  this  en- 
deavor seemed  to  be  an  over- 
whelming task  and  an  unob- 
tainable dream.  There  was  no 
Presbyterian  ministry  on  cam- 
pus in  1993.  There  was  noth- 
ing in  1993  except  faith,  the 
determination  of  a  small  group 
of  Presbyterian  faculty,  staff, 


Health  care  advocate 
receives  award 

ALEXANDRIA,  Va.— Anne 
Wilson,  an  international 
health  care  advocate  and  edu- 
cator, received  the  Emmett 
Cocke  Social  Justice  Award  on 
May  7.  The  award  is  presented 
annually  by  United  College 
Ministries  in  Northern  Vir- 
ginia, one  of  the  campus  min- 
istries supported  in  part 
through  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic. 


and  students  at  the  Univer- 
sity, and  the  prayers  and  sup- 
port of  some  concerned  minis- 
ters and  elders  from  the 
Asheville  community. 

It  was  enough.  This  deter- 
mined group,  under  the  guid- 
ance of  the  chair  of  Western 
North  Carolina  Campus  Min- 
istry Committee  and  a  profes- 
sor at  UNCA,  Dr.  John 
Stevens,  proceeded  to  make 
their  dream  a  reality. 

Their  first  step  was  to  as- 
sess the  needs  at  UNCA  and 
then  to  meet  with  others  in- 
volved in  campus  ministry  in 
our  synod  in  order  to  deter- 
mine how  to  best  meet  those 
needs.  The  committee  deter- 
mined that  in  order  to  have  a 
successful  ministry  there 
needed  to  be  some  very  strong 
ties  to  local  congregations  and 
strong  support  within  the  uni- 
versity. 

The  committee  did  have 
strong  support  within  the  uni- 
versity system,  so  with  the  help 
of  Robert  Moore,  organizing 
director,  the  group  focused  on 
establishing  ties  to  the  local 
congregations.  The  committee 
recruited  volunteers  from  area 
churches  who  would  serve  as 
representatives  of  the  minis- 
try to  their  local  congregations 
and  established  covenant  re- 


lationships with  these 
churches. 

The  Covenant  Agreement 
between  the  congregations  and 
the  UNCA  Presbyterian  Cam- 
pus Ministry  Board  contains 
three  major  sections. 

In  Part  I,  the  agreement 
clarifies  the  mission  of  the 
ministry,  the  context  in  which 
this  ministry  will  take  place  at 
UNCA,  and  how  the  govern- 
ing system  of  the  board  will  be 
established. 

Part  II  states  the  articles  of 
agreement.  In  the  Covenant 
the  UNCA  Campus  Ministry 
Board  agrees:  to  develop  and 
maintain  the  program,  to  de- 
velop and  maintain  partner- 
ships with  the  congregations 
and  presbytery,  to  facilitate 
interaction  with  the  larger 
Christian  community,  to  keep 
the  congregations  and  presby- 
tery informed,  to  determine 
and  oversee  staffing  needs,  and 
to  organize  the  funding  for  the 
ministry.  The  congregations 
then  agree:  to  provide  oppor- 
tunities for  students,  faculty 
and  staff  to  participate  in  the 
life  of  the  congregation,  to  pray 
for  the  ministry,  to  provide  a 
representative  to  participate 
in  the  ministry,  and  to  con- 
tribute financial  support. 

In  Part  III,  the  enactment 
section  contains  areas  for  the 
signatures  of  the  moderator 
and  clerk  of  the  congregation 
and  for  the  UNCA  board. 

At  present  there  are  about 
20  churches  in  a  covenant  re- 
lationship with  the  UNCA 
Campus  Ministry  Board.  The 
total  financial  pledge  in  sup- 
port of  this  venture  for  1994 
was  about  $20,000  from  local 
churches  and  $7,500  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Western  North 
Carolina. 

Considering  the  generosity 
of  the  pledges  for  1994  and  the 
promise  of  continued  support 
in  1995,  the  board  and  the 
presb5d;ery  officially  called  a 
full-time  campus  minister  to 
serve  at  UNCA  for  the  1994-95 
school  year.  The  dream  be- 
came a  reality. 

Pamela  L.  Daniel  is  cam- 
pus minister  at  UNC- 
Asheville. 


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Campus  Notes 


Vann  joins  Union  Seminary  faculty 

RICHMOND — Jane  Rogers  Vann,  former  associate  executive  for 
education  with  the  Synod  of  the  Northeast,  has  been  called  as  an 
assistant  professor  of  Christian  education  at  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Virginia.  An  ordained  Presbyterian  elder,  she  holds  an 
Ed.D.  degree  from  Teachers  College  at  Columbia  University.  Her 
dissertation  title  was  "Presbyterian  Worship  in  a  Time  of  Transition: 
From  Modern  to  Post-modern."  Prior  to  joining  the  Synod  of  the 
Northeast  staff  in  1994,  Van  served  as  a  director  of  Christian 
education  for  First  Church  in  Bloomburg,  Pa.,  and  as  a  lay  associate 
for  First  Church  in  Oshkosh,  Wis. 

Union  Seminary  has  also  announced  that: 

William  P.  Brown  has  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  associate 
professor  of  Old  Testament.  Brown  joined  the  seminary  faculty  in 
1991  and  is  an  ordained  Presbyterian  minister;  David  Green,  a 
master  of  divinity  student  from  San  Antonio,  Texas,  has  been  elected 
student  government  association  president  for  1995-96;  and  Dusty 
Kenyon  Fiedler,  co-pastor  of  Clemmons  (N.C.)  Church,  has  been 
elected  president  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  seminary's  alumni/ 
ae  association.  She  succeeds  William  P.  Wood,  senior  pastor  of  First 
Church  of  Charlotte,  N.C. 

Three  from  synod  receive  awards 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— Three  graduates  of  Louisville  Presbyterian  Theo- 
logical Seminary  from  the  Synod  of  Mid-Atlantic  received  awards 
during  the  seminary's  commencement  exercises  on  May  21. 

Gerald  Lee  Hinson-Hasty,  who  received  a  master  of  divinity 
degree,  was  awarded  the  John  W.  Meister  Award  in  Pastoral  Minis- 
try. He  has  been  a  member  of  First  Church  of  Monroe,  N.C,  and  the 
Radford  (Va.)  Church. 

Eunice  Toms  McGarrahan,  who  received  a  master  of  divinity 
degree,  was  awarded  the  Alumni/ae  Award.  She  is  from  National 
Church  in  Washington,  D.C. 

The  Rev.  Amy  Ruth  Schacht,  a  1993  graduate,  received  an  Olof 
Anderson  Fellowship  for  Excellence  in  Pastoral  Ministry.  Schacht  is 
associate  pastor  of  Harundale  Church  in  Glen  Burnie,  Md. 

The  Rev.  William  H.  Hopper  Jr.  was  one  of  four  distinguished 
alumni/ae  honored  during  the  commencement  exercises.  Hopper  was 
executive  presbyter  of  Baltimore  Presbytery  from  1972  to  1976,  and 
also  served  as  a  Bible  teacher  in  North  Carolina.  He  retired  in  1991 
as  associate  director  for  mission  personnel  in  the  Global  Mission  Unit 
of  the  PC(USA). 

St.  Andrews  announces  gifts 

LAURINBURG,  N.C— Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  Mason  of  Southern 
Pines  and  their  daughter,  Fran  Mason  Irvin,  have  established  a  $1 
million  trust  that  includes  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College.  The 
school  will  receive  $400,000  from  the  trust,  which  takes  effect  after 
the  death  of  Mrs.  Irvin.  The  trust  will  also  benefit  the  Friends  of  the 
Southern  Pines  Library  and  the  Friends  of  Weymouth,  a  cultural 
center  in  Southern  Pines.  Prior  to  his  retirement,  Mr.  Mason  was 
editor  of  the  Virginian-Pilot  in  Norfolk,  Va. 

St.  Andrews  has  also  announced  a  $10,000  grant  from  the  Kathleen 
Price  and  Joseph  M.  Bryan  Family  Foundation  of  Greensboro.  The 
Funds  will  be  used  to  purchase  diagnostic  and  remedial  equipment 
and  software  for  the  college's  ASSIST  Program,  which  serves  stu- 
dents with  reading  disabilities  or  visual  impairments. 

Queens  renames  program 

CHARLOTTE,  N.C— The  Queens  College  Board  of  Trustees  has 
renamed  New  College — the  undergraduate  evening/weekend  pro- 
gram for  working  adults — as  the  Pauline  Lewis  Hayworth  College  in 
honor  of  the  1950  alumna  and  current  trustee  who  recently  commit- 
ted $2  million  to  Queens.  The  name  change  was  effective  July  1. 
Founded  in  1979,  the  program  offers  evening  and  weekend  classes 
leading  to  undergraduate  degrees  in  nine  majors.  Approximately  570 
students  are  currently  enrolled. 

Huffine  is  interim  vice  president 

RALEIGH,  N.C— David  M.  Huffine  was  appointed  interim  vice 
president  of  institutional  advancement  at  Peace  College  effective 
July  1.  Prior  to  that  he  was  director  of  foundation  relations  at  North 
Carolina  State  University.  He  has  more  than  eight  years  of  profes- 
sional fund-raising  experience  for  higher  education  and  11  years  of 
nonprofit  management. 

Peace  College  has  also  announced  the  following  recent  gifts:  an 
unrestricted  gift  of  $196,000  from  the  estate  of  the  late  Margaret 
Rankin  Beam  of  Gastonia;  $50,000  in  stock  from  Stuart  Weatherspoon 
Upchurch  (class  of  1930)  of  Raleigh;  stock  valued  at  more  than 
$10,200  by  Dr.  Annie  Louise  Wilkerson  of  Raleigh;  $10,000  from  a 
$50,000  pledge  by  Lewis  M.  and  Annabelle  Fetterman  of  Clinton, 
N.C;  and  $5,000  for  scholarships  from  the  estate  of  the  late  Betty 
Vaiden  Wright  Williams,  class  of  1931. 

Course  to  provide  defense  of  faith 

BRISTOL,  Tenn. — Christian  Apologetics,  a  new  course  to  be  offered 
at  King  College,  will  provide  students  with  a  defense  of  the  Christian 
faith  in  today's  society.  King  College  Chaplain  Errol  G.  Rohr  designed 
the  course.  "My  goals  ...  are  to  introduce  students  to  the  best 
philosophical  and  scientific  reasons  for  belief  in  God,  and  have  them 
come  away  better  able  to  articulate  why  they  are  Christians,"  he  said. 
Christian  Apologetics  will  be  officially  offered  as  part  of  the  fall  1995 
curriculum,  but  some  students  took  the  class  during  the  summer. 

Bible  teaching  grant  awarded 

MONTREAT,  N.C— Montreat-Anderson  College  will  receive  a  $10,000 
grant  from  the  PC(USA)'s  Council  on  Higher  Education  to  enhance 
Bible  teaching  at  the  college.  The  money  will  be  used  to  provide  a 
major  upgrade  of  the  college's  computer  technology. 


Union  Theolcmal  Seminaiy 

^  IN  VIRGINIA  ^ 


Union  Graduates  Are  in  Demand 


Placement  Rate  Is  Nearly  100% 


Union  Seminary  has  a  placement  record  even  the 
most  modest  Presbyterian  would  say  is  outstanding. 
According  to  Kurtis  Hess,  director  of  the  seminary's 
Office  of  Field  Education  and  Placement  (OFEP),  it's 
nearly  100  percent. 

Dr.  Hess,  who  with  his  staff  is  closely  involved  in 
the  call  process,  began  keeping  Union's  placement 
statistics  nine  years  ago.  He  says  the  only  reason  that 
the  record  isn't  perfect  is  because  each  year  there  are  a 
few  students  whose  search  for  a  permanent  position  is 
affected  by  special  circumstances. 

He  explains  that  challenges  for  placement  often 
arise  around  family  concerns.  "A  husband  and  wife 
may  desire  to  serve  as  a  'clergy  couple,'  or  a  couple 
may  find  it  impractical  for  one  of  them  already 
established  in  a  career  to  change  jobs.  Somefimes 
school-age  children  or  aging  parents  are  factors  to  be 
considered  in  accepting  a  call."  The  desire  to  serve  in  a 
highly  specialized  type  of  ministry  may  also  require  a 
longer  search,  according  to  Dr.  Hess. 

Traditionally,  the  majority  of  Union  graduates  who 
complete  the  Master  of  Divinity  program  serve  in 
pastoral  positions  in  churches.  But  ministry  takes  many 
forms.  Union  alumni  and  alumnae  also  serve  in  a  wide 
variety  of  other  contexts  such  as  world-wide  missions, 
campus  ministries,  and  chaplaincy  programs  in 
healthcare  organizations  and  prisons.  Others  have 
continued  programs  of  study  to  earn  advanced  degrees 
and  now  teach  or  serve  as  administrators  in  seminaries, 
colleges,  and  universities. 

Kurtis  Hess  says  that  Union's  Master  of  Divinity 
program  prepares  men  and  women  to  serve  any  church. 
"In  any  graduating  class,"  he  says,  "among  those 
seeking  a  parish  setting,  about  25  percent  receive  calls 
as  associate  pastors  to  very  large  congregations. 
Seventy-five  percent  go  directly  into  solo  pastorates.  Of 
this  group,  some  are  called  to  very  small  churches — 
new  and  growing  or  old  and  struggling.  And  some  are 


called  to  lead  congregations  of  200  to  300  people, 
considered  large  by  today's  standards." 

Regardless  of  a  graduate's  circumstances,  however, 
the  staff  of  OFEP  provides  extended  support  so  that 
each  one  does  find  the  right  place  to  serve  in  ministry. 
And  for  Union  graduates  the  "right  places"  now  are  in 
every  state  and  in  numerous  foreign  countries. 
"Wherever  there  are  opportunities  for  ministry,  there  are 
Union  graduates,"  Dr.  Hess  says.  "They  are  sought  after 
and  are  welcomed  in  service  to  the  church." 


»  Sledge  (center  left)  and  Joseph  B.  Martin  with  their 
parents  at  1995  commencement.  James  Sledge  became  pastor  of 
Western  Boulevard  Presbyterian  Church,  Raleigh,  North 
Carolina,  in  mid-July.  The  church's  former  pastor,  the  late 
Edgar  D.  Byers,  is  a  graduate  of  Union  Seminary,  the  class  of 
1956.  On  July  5,  Joe  Martin  became  associate  pastor  for  youth 
and  community  ministries  at  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
Knoxville,  Tennessee,  where  G.  Carswell  Hughs  (Th.M.  '62)  is 
pastor.  James  Sledge  was  a  member  of  Sharon  Presbyterian 
Church,  Charlotte,  where  John  L.  Alexander  (M.Div.  '67)  is 
pastor.  Joe  B.  Martin  was  a  member  of  Covenant  church  in 
Charlotte.  John  B.  Rogers  (B.D.'67,  Th.M. '68,  D.Min.'J?)  is  the 
current  pastor. 


Seminary  librarian 
John  B.  Trotti  (right) 
has  played  a  critical 
role  in  developing 
architectural  plans 
for  Union's  new 
library. 

To  keep  the  seminary  community  and  friends  of  the  institution  informed 
about  progress,  Dr.  Trotti  and  President  Louis  Weeks  (left)  receive  frequent 
updates  during  on-site  meetings  with  project  superintendent  Tony  Marks 
(center)  of  Turner  Construction.  Opening  of  the  new  library  is  expected  in 
fall  of  1996. 


■:;ill»lj»]:l:VJd=^HJI»T.'t.1Jl.lc^llJ:;»]:^dd:fcI«!JIIJI[«]JfcjSlrf«II.W 


"Vital  Signs:  Mainstream  ProlesUinlism  s  Past  and  Prospects " 
was  the  title  of  a  series  oj  lectures  presented  during  the  1995 
Interpreting  the  Faith  Conjerence  by  the  seminary  s president, 
Louis  B.  Weeks.  Dr.  Weeks,  a  church  historian,  is  the  author  of 
numerous  publications  and  is  an  editor  of  the  seven-volume 
series  The  Presbyterian  Presence:  The  Twentieth-Century 
Experience. 

Interpreting  the  Faith  is 
the  Pastor's  Vacation  Bible 
School 

Vacation  Bible  School  is  still  a  summertime 
tradition  in  many  churches  across  the  country.  It's  a 
tradition  at  Union  Seminary,  too,  but,  at  the  seminary, 
it's  the  pastors  and  not  the  children  who  attend  special 
classes  and  activities  offered  each  summer  through  the 
Interpreting  the  Faith  conference. 

Focusing  on  Bible  and  theology,  the  seminary's 
Office  of  Professional  Development  brings  to  the 
Richmond  campus  nationally  and  internationally 
acclaimed  theologians  and  preachers  who  give  pastors 
their  own  version  of  Vacation  Bible  School.  This  year, 
57  men  and  women  from  churches  across  the  county 
came  to  Richmond,  and,  while  it  may  not  have  seemed 
like  a  vacation,  it  was  a  schedule  packed  with 
enrichment.  Lecture  topics  for  this  year's  program 
included  New  Testament,  Old  Testament,  evangelism, 
and  the  American  Protestant  experience.  Daily  activities 
include,  in  addition  to  the  lectures,  a  sermon  and 
structured  seminars  which  allow  participants  to  engage 
in  informal  discussions  \\  ith  lecturers  and  preachers. 

"f  found  Arnold 
Lovell's  seminar  on 
evangelism  ve,y 
helpful.  I  plan  to  use  it 

John  Speight  (M.Div. 
-3>.  He  is  pastor  of 

■cod  Presbyterian 


■This  is  a  lime  for  me 
to  'rejuice'  myself,  ' 
said  Lynne  Manilla 
(M.Div.  931  who 
attended  a  week  of  the 
summer  conference. 
Particularly 
interesting  to  her,  she 
said,  were  lectures 
and  discussions  on  the 
future  of  the  church. 
■■This  is  a  concern  for 
me  and  for  my 
congregation  .  .  .  I  will 
share  what  Fve 
learned  with  them. " 
She  is  pastor  of 
Calvary  Presbyterian 
Church.  Swan 
Quarter.  North 
Carolina;  and 
Plymouth  Presbyterian 
Church,  Plymouth, 
North  Carolina. 


Fsigii  t,  .-^kS -Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1995 


MEMORIALS 


West  to  address 
African  American 
church  conference 

Noted  author  and  philosopher 
Dr.  Cornell  West,  professor  of 
religion  and  African  Ameri- 
can studies  at  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, will  be  one  of  the  fea- 
tured speakers  for  the  fifth 
annual  African  American 
Clergy  Laity  Conference. 

The  conference,  co-spon- 
sored by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic,  will  be  held  Oct.  30- 
Nov.  2  at  the  Interdenoiiiina- 
tional  Theological  Center  in 
Atlanta. 

Other  featured  speakers 
will  include  Dr.  Delores  Will- 
iams, associate  professor  at 
Union  Theological  Seminary 
in  New  York;  Dr.  James 
Forman,  president  of  the  Un- 
employment and  Poverty  Ac- 
tion Committee;  and  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Johnny  Youngblood,  pas- 
tor of  St.  Paul ,  Community 
Baptist  Church,  Bronx,  N.Y. 

Conference  planners  expect 
participants  to  be  able  to: 

•  Develop  theological  vi- 
sions for  their  congregations 
and  communities; 

•  Develop  social  and  eco- 
nomic visions  for  their  congre- 
gations and  communities; 

•  Explore  creative  models 
for  church  ministry; 

•  Develop  new  community 
development  skills; 

•  Learn  how  to  motivate 
their  churches  and  communi- 
ties to  change; 

•  Discover  ways  to  break 
through  old  models  and 
mindsets; 

•  Strengthen  relationships 
between  laity  and  clergy;  and 

•  Examine  their  current 
models  of  ministry  and  design 
new  church-based  community 
ministry  models. 

The  conference  starts  with 
registration  at  8:30  a.m.  Mon- 
day, Oct.  30  and  concludes  with 
worship  at  11  a.m.  Thursday. 

Registration  is  $155  for 
clergy  and  laity  and  $80  for 
seminary  students. 

For  information,  contact  the 
Rev.  Warren  Lesane  at  the 
synod  office,  P.O.  Box  27026, 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026; 
phone  (804)  342-0016. 

Other  conference  sponsors 
include  the  synods  of  Living 
Waters,  Mid-America,  North- 
east, the  Sun,  and  the  Trinity, 
and  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  Office  of  Racial  Min- 
istries. 


At  the  General  Assembly 

The  Rev.  David  Huffoian,  commissioner  from  New  Hope 
Presbytery,  rises  to  speak  to  the  Assembly  Committee 
on  Theological  Issues  and  Institutions,  on  which  he 
served  at  the  207th  General  Assembly  in  Cincinnati. 
Hufhnan  is  pastor  of  Trinity  Church  in  Raleigh,  N.C. 


Burnett  joins  synod  staff 
as  bookkeeper 


Stacey  S.  Burnett  joined  the 
sjTiod  staff  on  June  19  as  book- 
keeper, a  new  position  created 
by  the  Synod  Council  in  May. 

Ms.  Burnett  came  to  the 
synod  from  the  Virginia  Com- 
monwealth Department  of 
Health  where  she  was  em- 
ployed 6-1/2  years. 

She  holds  an  associates  de- 
gree in  business  management 
and  has  studied  computer  sci- 
ence and  hotel/restaurant 
management.  She  is  a  certi- 
fied cardiac  technician  and  has 
served  for  8-1/2  years  as  a  vol- 
unteer rescue  worker. 

Ms.  Burnett,  her  husband, 
Chris,  and  their  5-1/2-year-old 
daughter,  Lynn,  live  in 
Sandston,  Va. 


The  Synod  Council's  May 
action  also  created  a  secre- 
tarial position  that  had  not 
been  filled  as  of  Aug.  1. 

While  the  position  of  secre- 
tary/receptionist was  termi- 
nated by  Synod  Council  in 
May,  the  staff"  member  serv- 
ing in  that  position,  Edith 
Goodman,  remains  employed 
while  on  medical  leave,  accord- 
ing to  Synod  Executive  Carroll 
Jenkins. 

The  downsized  synod  staff 
will  have  nine  full-time  posi- 
tions and  one  part-time  posi- 
tion. Prior  to  restructuring, 
the  synod  staff  had  12  full- 
time  and  one  part-time  posi- 
tions. 


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Mail  to:  1  King's  Way  Road,  Martinsville,  VA  24112-6610 

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Agsten  was  pastor  in  three  states 

RALEIGH— Memorial  services  were  held  March  6  at  Hudson  Memo- 
rial Church  here  for  the  Rev.  Edward  James  Agsten,  87.  The  former 
associate  pastor  of  the  Hudson  Memorial  Church  (1968-74)  and 
pastor  of  West  Raleigh  Church  (1945-57)  and  Durham  Northgate 
Church  (1959-68)  died  March  3  in  Kinston. 

A  graduate  of  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  and 
Hampden-Sydney  College,  Agsten  started  in  1934  as  a  home  missions 
pastor  in  Scott  County,  Va.  Thereafter  he  served  pastorates  in 
Virginia,  West  Virginia  and  North  Carolina  until  his  retirement  in 
1974.  He  organized  and  taught,  until  the  week  before  his  death  an 
adult  Sunday  school  class  at  First  Church  of  Kinston. 

Agsten  is  survived  by  a  son.  Dr.  Joseph  Agsten  of  Kinston-  a 
daughter,  Mrs.  Jane  Agsten  Long  of  Greensboro;  13  grandchildren 
and  one  great-grandchild. 

Artis  served  the  Synod  of  the  South 

WILSON,  N.C— A  memorial  service  was  held  May  5  at  Calvary 
Church  here  for  Mildred  C.  Artis,  73,  former  associate  for  educational 
planning  and  support  for  the  Synod  of  the  South  which  was  headquar- 
tered in  Atlanta.  She  died  May  1  in  Wilson. 

A  native  of  Wilson  County,  N.C,  she  was  reared  there  and 
educated  in  its  public  schools.  She  was  a  graduate  of  both  Barber 
Scotia  College  and  Johnson  C.  Smith  University. 

After  graduation,  she  served  in  the  Presbyterian  Wartime  Service 
Unit,  working  with  three  churches  in  Charleston,  S.C,  area.  There 
followed  a  career  in  Christian  education,  serving  churches  and  other 
Presbyterian  organizations,  which  lead  to  her  position  with  the 
Synod  of  the  South  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  The 
synod  was  merged  with  others  to  form  the  Synod  of  South  Atlantic 
PC(USA)  in  1988. 

Brown  worked  for  pre-schoo!  education 

RICHMOND— A  memorial  service  was  held  July  10  at  Ginter  Park 
Church  for  Sarah  Hill  Brown,  84,  wife  of  Aubrey  N.  Brown  Jr.,  who 
was  editor  of  the  Presbyterian  Outlook  from  1943  to  1978.  Mrs  Brown 
died  July  3. 

The  daughter  of  a  Presbyterian  minister,  she  graduated  from 
Agnes  Scott  College  in  Georgia  and  pursued  postgraduate  work  at  the 
Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education.  She  led  a  study  of  day 
care  centers  in  Richmond  and  later  taught  pre-school  children  and 
their  teachers.  Mrs.  Brown  was  the  leading  force  in  organizing  the 
Ginter  Park  Churches'  Preschool  Centers. 

In  honor  of  her  achievements,  PSCE  established  the  annual  Sarah 
Hill  Brown  Early  Childhood  Education  Award  several  years  ago.  It  is 
presented  to  the  Presbyterian  church  whose  program  is  considered 
noteworthy.  Mrs.  Brown  is  survived  by  her  husband,  eight  children, 
15  grandchildren,  and  a  brother,  Thomas  E.  Hill  of  Chapell  Hill,  N.C. 

Lawrence  was  former  executive 

DAVIDSON,  N.C— Funeral  services  were  held  May  26  at  the  Davidson 
College  Church  for  Dr.  John  Cecil  Lawrence,  87,  former  executive 
secretary  of  Mecklenburg  Presbytery  from  1957  to  1973.  He  died  May 
23  at  Presbyterian  Hospital  in  Charlotte. 

A  native  of  Apex,  N.C.,  Lawrence  served  as  associate  minister  at 
Charlotte's  Myers  Park  Church  and  at  North  Avenue  Church  in 
Atlanta.  He  also  served  as  pastor  for  several  churches  in  south  Wake 
County,  N.C,  and  at  St.  Paul's  Church  in  Charlotte.  During  the  last 
five  years  of  his  leadership  in  Mecklenburg  Presbytery  he  also  served 
as  stated  clerk. 

He  was  a  graduate  of  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia, 
where  he  received  both  a  master's  in  theology  and  a  bachelor  of 
divinity,  and  Davidson  College. 

Lawrence  is  survived  by  his  wife,  Marjorie;  a  son,  Patrick  Lawrence 
of  Concord,  N.C;  daughters,  Mrs.  Marion  Thomas  of  Monroe,  N.C, 
and  Mrs.  Claudia  Reid  of  Charlotte;  six  grandchildren  and  two  great 
grandchildren. 

White  was  former  synod  moderator 

ALEXANDRIA,  Va.— Cleta  R.  White,  who  served  as  moderator  of  the 
Synod  of  Piedmont  in  1978,  died  May  27.  An  elder  at  Bush  Hill 
Church,  she  also  served  on  synod  committees  involved  with  hunger 
and  mission  interpretation,  was  a  trustee  for  Barber-Scotia  College, 
and  was  moderator  of  Presbyterian  Women  at  the  synod  and  presby- 
tery levels. 

At  the  General  Assembly  level,  Mrs.  White  served  as  a  commis- 
sioner, and  as  a  member  of  the  Program  Agency,  Mission  Council  and 
Nominating  Committee.  Her  work  for  National  Capital  Presbytery 
earned  her  a  distinguished  service  award  in  1981.  At  Bush  Hill 
Church  she  was  a  church  school  teacher  and  a  delegate  to  the  Council 
of  Churches  of  Greater  Washington. 

She  is  survived  by  her  husband,  Robert  M.  White;  a  son,  Robert  Jr. ; 
two  daughters,  Andrea  Jeffries  and  Christine  McMillian;  and  four 
grandchildren. 


Older  adult  ministry  video  available 

The  new  older  adult  ministry  video,  Aging  Me  ...  Aging 
You  ...  The  Journey  of  a  Lifetime,  is  available  by  contact- 
ing Jan  McGillard,  associate  for  older  adult  ministries,  at 
305  Country  Club  Dr.  SE,  Blacksburg,  VA  24060;  phone/ 
fax  (540)  552-0948. 

Cost  is  $10  plus  shipping  ($2.50).  Make  checks  out  to 
"Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic.  We  have  just  50  videos  left  at 
this  low  price.  The  video  was  produced  by  the  General 
Assembly  Office  of  Older  Adult  Ministry  with  funds  from 
the  Bicentennial  Fund. 


Wrap-up 


General 
Assembly 


News 


Series  of  1 995 
Number  6 
July  22,  1995 


OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


Jubilee  celebrates  Korean  reunification 


Moderators  of  Presbyterian  denominations  in  South  Korea  and  the  president  of  the  Korean  Christian  Federation  of  North  Korea  raise  a  cross 
of  reconciliation  as  the  General  Assembly  prays  for  the  peaceful  reunification  of  Korea. 


A  cross  of  reconciliation  and  reunifi- 
cation of  Korea  was  constructed  amidst 
worship  on  the  floor  of  the  207th 
General  Assembly  by  Christians  sepa- 
rated in  North  and  South  Korea  by 
action  of  the  international  powers  50 
years  ago. 

The  Korean  Jubilee  Celebration 
included  50  representatives  from  both 
North  and  South  Korea  and  three  mod- 
erators from  Christian  communions 
there,  as  well  as  representatives  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 

"Korea  is  the  only  country  still  divid- 
ed. And  this  is  the  year,  in  the  Hebrew 
view,  the  year  of  Jubilee  ..."  the  Rev.  Ya 
Sup  Bae,  moderator  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  Republic  of  South 
Korea,  told  the  Office  of  the  General 
Assembly  Newsroom.  "Closed  doors  are 
opening.  Bent  ones  are  getting 
straightened.  Knots  are  being  untied. 

"This  is  the  year  we  can  celebrate 
with  those  of  the  same  faith  ...  [and] 
pray  together.  Since  we  have  the  same 


ancestors,  we  are  hoping  we  can  be 
one,"  Bae  said. 

Bae  stood  on  the  dais  with  the  Rev. 
Ki  Soo  Kim,  moderator  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  [South]  Korea, 
and  theRev.  Yung  Sup  Kang,  president 
of  the  ecumenical  Korean  Christian 
Federation  and  a  North  Korean,  for  a 
service  of  song,  prayer  and  symbolic 
actions. 

Director  of  Worldwide  Ministries  the 
Rev.  Cliff  Kirkpatrick  told  the  Assembly 
this  denomination  made  a  commit- 
ment to  Korean  reconciliation  in  1983 
when  the  Presbyterian  Church  here 
began  its  own  process  of  reunion. 

To  frequent  applause,  the  three 
Korean  moderators  attested  to  their 
churches'  commitment  to  peaceful 
unification,  expressed  by  Kang  by  say- 
ing: "Seventeen  million  Korean  people 
of  North  and  South  [Korea],  earnestly 
hope  for  the  peaceful  reunification  of 
our  divided  Icind." 

The  Rev.  Syngman  Rhee,  who  fled 


North  Korea  as  a  refugee  years  ago  and 
who  is  associate  director  for  ecumeni- 
cal partnerships  with  the  Worldwide 
Ministries  Division,  introduced  the 
litany  for  making  a  cross  by  stressing 
that  only  150  miles  separate  the  divid- 
ed nation's  two  capitals  —  and  at  least 
10  million  families. 

Using  scripture  from  Ezekiel  37 
describing  the  symbolic  union  of  Israel 
and  Judah  by  the  prophet's  joining  of 
sticks,  the  moderators  assembled  a 
cross  with  wood  from  Baekdu  Mountain 
in  North  Korea  and  from  Hanla  Moun- 
tain in  South  Korea.  The  liturgist  read: 
"[The  sticks  were]  560  miles  far  away 
from  each  other.  And  they  flew  13,000 
miles  to  be  here  tonight. 

"0,  Lord,  we  now  make  them  one, 
obeying  your  command." 

The  cross  was  tied  with  prayer  rib- 
bons and  held  high  by  Kang  and  Bae. 

Former  moderator  the  Rev.  Robert  W. 

See  Jubilee,  page  5 


Reconciliation: 
^Repent  and  forgive' 

Calling  for  all  Presbyterians  to 
repent  and  forgive,  the  207th  General 
Assembly  responded  to  the  latest  dis- 
agreement between  leaders  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  and  the 
Presbyterian  Lay  Committee. 

By  a  517-to-20  vote,  the  Assembly  on 
July  20  approved  a  report  that  in  part 
calls  "all  Presbyterians  to  repentance 
and  forgiveness,  and  rebuke[s]  all  divi- 
sive people  and  groups  in  our  church." 

The  report  also  calls  for  full  discus- 
sion of  issues  which  divide 
Presbyterians,  better  communication 
between  congregations  and  denomina- 
tional leaders,  and  more  regional 
opportunities  for  discussion  of  theolog- 
ical issues. 

The  assembly  committee's  report 
shelved  recommendations  from  the 
Special  Committee  on  Reconciliation 
with  the  Presbyterian  Lay  Committee 
(PLC).  Those  recommendations  includ- 
ed a  request  that  the  General  Assembly 
call  upon  the  PLC  to  "cease  and  desist 
from  its  destructive  activities  which 
undermine  the  work  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  {U.S.A.)." 

The  committee  instead  chose  to  use 
a  scripture  from  2  Corinthians  as  one 
of  their  guiding  principles:  it  reads  in 
part "...  in  Christ  God  was  reconciling 
the  world  to  himself,  not  counting 
their  trespasses  against  them,  and 
entrusting  the  message  of  reconcilia- 
tion to  us." 

Four  attempts  were  made  to  amend 
the  report,  but  only  one  was  approved. 
The  Rev.  Mary  Swierenga,  a  commis- 
sioner from  National  Capital  Presbytery 
and  member  of  the  assembly  commit- 
tee, moved  that  the  code  of  ethics  of 
the  Evangelical  Press  Association  be 
appended  to  the  report. 

Including  the  code  of  ethics  in  the 
report  would  give  the  General 
Assembly  and  all  church  members  "full 
and  public  knowledge"  of  the  guide- 
lines by  which  the  "Presbyterian 
Layman"  had  agreed  to  abide,  she  said. 

The  amendment  echoed  a  request 
made  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Bohl,  modera- 
tor of  the  206th  General  Assembly  and 
convener  of  the  Special  Committee  on 
Reconciliation  with  the  Presbyterian 
Lay  Committee.  Speaking  during  the 
committee's  presentation  because  he 
had  to  leave  to  attend  a  memorial  ser- 
vice, he  told  the  commissioners  that 
the  main  issue  before  the  body  was 
"civility." 

See  Forgive,  page  9 


PAGE  2 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAY,  JULY  22,  1995 


Assembly  sends  COCU  back  to  committee 


The  207th  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  voted  to 
send  a  troubling  set  of  Book  of  Order 
amendments  on  COCU  (Consultation 
on  Church  Union)  back  to  committee 
for  reconsideration  and  refinement. 

The  action  sends  the  report  of  the 
Special  Committee  on  COCU  back  to 
the  Special  Committee  with  a  long  list 
of  comments  hammered  out  by  the 
Assembly  Committee  on  Catholicity. 
The  vote  was  406  for,  116  against,  with 
one  abstaining. 

The  Assembly  also  approved  recom- 
mending that  the  PC  (USA)  Office  of 
Theology  and  Worship  prepare  a  study 
guide  of  the  two  COCU  documents. 
The  COCU  Consensus  and  Churches  in 
Covenant  Communion,  "identifying 
salient  issues  and  evaluating  the  terms 
of  participation  in  COCU  from  the  per- 
spective of  Reformed  theology  and 
polity."  This  was  approved  as  a 
response  to  Commissioner's  Resolution 
95-18  which  would  have  established  a 
special  committee  to  do  the  study. 

The  action  does  not  request  that  the 
two  COCU  documents  be  sent  again  to 
churches.  The  Assembly  asked  the 
COCU  Special  Committee  to  report  back 
to  the  208th  General  Assembly  (1996). 


The  Assembly  rejected  a  minority 
report  that  would  have  sidetracked  the 
PC(USA)'s  entering  into  covenant  com- 
munion with  the  other  COCU  denomi- 
nations. 

The  minority  report,  which  was 
brought  to  the  Assembly  floor  by  John 
Furman,  a  minister  commissioner 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Los  Ranchos, 
would  have  directed  the  Special 
Committee  on  COCU  to  "communicate 
to  the  other  COCU  denominations  that 
the  PC(USA)  is  not  able  to  enter  into 
covenant  communion  according  to  the 
form  of  the  COCU  proposal"  presented 
to  this  Assembly. 

The  minority  report  also  would  have 
permitted  PC  (USA)  ministers  and  min- 
isters of  the  denominations  with  which 
the  PC(USA)  is  in  correspondence, 
including  the  COCU  churches,  to  "co- 
celebrate  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper"  in  each  other's  churches.  The 
minority  report  was  rejected  by  a  vote 
of  213  for  and  305  against. 

In  its  approval  of  the  report  of  the 
Catholicity  Committee,  the  Assembly 
expressed  thanks  to  the  Special  com- 
mittee on  COCU  and  the  Stated  Clerk 
for  their  positive  work  and  affirmed  the 
committee's  direction  though  they  dis- 


agreed with  details. 

In  the  comments,  the  Assembly 
expressed  concern: 

•  with  the  office  of  bishop  and  the 
title  of  bishop; 

•  with  the  parity  of  the  representa- 
tive elder; 

•  that  the  representative  bishop  and 
representative  elder  might  be  empow- 
ered with  non-COCU  roles  in  presbytery; 

•  that  under  the  two  COCU  docu- 
ments, no  isolated  ordinations  would 
be  allowed  by  any  denomination  after 
COCU  is  enacted; 

•  that  the  COCU  amendments  to  the 
Book  of  Order  are  receiving  their  defin- 
itions and  interpretations  from  the  two 
COCU  documents,  the  authority  of 
which  is  unclear. 

The  approved  report  requests  that 
the  COCU  committee  "seek  alternate 
means  of  participation,  such  as  the 
election  of  Representative  Minister  of 
Word  and  Sacrament  along  with 
Representative  Elder,  without  creating 
an  additional  office"  within  the 
PC(USA). 

The  report  suggests  other  titles  for 
bishop,  including  "Ministers  of 
Oversight"  (to  include  Minister  of 
Word  and  Sacrament  and  an  Elder), 


and  "Representative  Minister"  and 
"Representative  Elder."  If  the  title  of 
bishop  is  retained,  the  report  requests 
that  it  be  consistently  stated  through- 
out as  "Representative  Bishop." 

The  question  was  raised  whether  the 
office  of  bishop  is  needed  for  COCU  to 
go  forward,  and  the  report  wants  it  to 
be  clear  that  no  hierarchy  of  bishops 
should  be  created. 

On  the  parity  of  elders,  the  report 
suggests  that  elders  be  included  in  the 
mutual  recognition  and  reconciliation 
of  ministries  along  with  ministers;  that 
the  office  of  Representative  Elder  be  set 
apart  with  prayer  (Book  of  Order  W- 
4.4001),  and  that  the  Representative 
Elder  be  invited  to  make  comment  as 
the  Representative  Bishop  would  (Book 
of  Order  W-4.4003). 

Robert  Martin,  the  minister  commis- 
sioner who  chaired  the  Catholicity 
Committee,  said  that  he  was  satisfied 
with  the  report  though  he  would  have 
preferred  that  the  denomination  take 
more  positive  action  toward  entering 
covenant  communion. 

Dan  Hamby,  general  secretary  of 
COCU,  said  he  was  pleased.  'Tou  never 
hurt  a  thing  by  studying  it,"  he  said. 
Bill  Lancaster 


Assembly  establishes  investment  and  loan  program 


A  major  boost  for  new  church  devel- 
opment and  church  redevelopment 
came  when  the  207th  General 
Assembly  approved  a  recommendation 
from  the  Evangelism  Committee  to 
take  necessary  steps  to  form  a  new  cor- 
poration to  be  known  as  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  Investment  and  Loan 
Program,  Inc. 

By  a  vote  of  481  (95  percent)  to  19 
with  4  abstentions,  the  Assembly 
began  the  process  on  Wednesday,  July 
29,  to  enter  "A  Gateway  to  Mission," 
which  is  the  theme  of  the  new  pro- 
gram. Prior  to  the  vote,  a  slide  presen- 
tation with  comments  by  officials  of 
the  Presby-terian  Foundation  and  rep- 
resentatives of  the  General  Assembly 
Council  traced  the  history  of  the  pro- 
posal and  projected  a  business  plan  for 
the  immediate  beginning  of  the  pro- 
gram. Incorpor-ation  in  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania  was  set  for  the 
close  of  business  on  July  31, 1995. 
Financial  details  were  available  to 
commissioners  and  a  question/  answer 
session  was  planned  to  precede  the 
vote. 

The  initiative  toward  the  new  invest- 
ment and  loan  program  came  from  a 
special  committee  of  the  Presbyterian 
Foundation  in  1994.  The  Foundation 
agreed  to  pursue  the  potential  they  saw 
for  accessing  hundreds  of  millions  of 
dollars  to  support  church  development 
and  redevelopment,  which  is  a  mission 
priority  of  the  denomination.  The 
General  Assembly  Council  endorsed 
the  Foundation's  efforts  at  its  October 
1994  meeting  and  a  team  was  appointed 
to  work  on  the  proposal  and  bring  a 
presentation  to  the  207th  General 
Assembly.  Their  intensive  work  culmi- 
nated in  approval  by  the  General 


Assembly  Council  just  prior  to  the 
meeting  of  the  207th  Assembly,  when 
an  enthusiastic  endorsement  by  the 
Assembly's  Committee  on  Evangelism 
led  to  final  approval  by  the  Assembly. 

Biblical  and  theological  rationale  for 
the  investment  and  loan  program 
states  that  it  demonstrates  the  mission 
of  Christ's  church;  strengthens  congre- 
gations in  their  ministries;  involves  a 
partnership  among  all  governing  bod- 
ies; and  establishes  a  concrete  way  for 
investors  to  participate  in  the  mission 
of  the  church. 

The  corporation  will  report  to  the 
General  Assembly  through  the  General 
Assembly  Council  and  will  work 
through  the  Council's  Corporate  and 
Administrative  Services  and  the 
National  Ministries  Division  and  its 
associate  director  for  Evangelism  and 
Church  Development. 

Six  persons,  who  were  previously 
elected  by  the  General  Assembly 
Council,  were  confirmed  as  the  initial 
board  of  directors  for  the  new  corpora- 
tion .  They  are  Duane  Black,  Michael 
Harreld,  Sandra  Hawley,  Richard 
Lohrer,  Alvin  Puryear  and  Anne  Stelle. 
They  are  eligible  for  nomination  to  the 
permanent  board. 

A  line  of  credit  up  to  $227,367  from 
the  Church  Loan  Fund  is  to  be  extend- 
ed to  the  corporation  in  1995  with  addi- 
tional line  of  credit  source  options  for 
future  years  being  presented  for  action 
at  the  September  1995  meeting  of  the 
General  Assembly  Council. 

The  financial  plan  was  presented 
with  two  scenarios  for  a  financially 
self-sustaining  program.  One  calls  for 
$500  million  by  the  year  2000  and  the 
other  calls  for  $250  million  by  the  year 
2000. 


Orientation  and  training  were 
planned  for  volunteers,  committees 
and  employees  in  synods  and  presby- 
teries who  will  have  responsibilities 
related  to  the  work  of  the  corporation. 
Partnership  with  middle  governing 
bodies  is  to  be  emphasized.  The  con- 
cept is  not  new  among  major  denomi- 
nations in  this  country,  and  four  syn- 
ods with  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  already  have  such  programs. 

Presbyterian  Foundation  President 


Larry  Carr  emphasized  the  significance 
of  the  program  for  Presbyterian  in- 
vestors who  want  to  participate  directly 
in  the  mission  of  the  church  through 
new  church  development.  John  H. 
Houdeshel,  a  member  of  the  Assembly's 
Evangelism  Committee  who  is  a  retired 
minister,  told  the  committee,  "I  am 
thrilled  with  the  possibilities  of  this 
kind  of  investment.  It  doesn't  need  a  lot 
of  marketing." 
Jane  Mines 


Evangelism  efforts  to  include  urban 
strategies  and  media  emphasis 


A  report  with  recommendations  on 
urban  strategy  to  the  year  2005  with 
an  emphasis  on  person-centered 
evangelism  in  the  diverse  and  chang- 
ing cultures  of  our  cities  was 
approved  July  19  by  the  207th 
General  Assembly.  Building  on  the 
work  of  the  Urban  Strategy  Task 
Force  established  in  1991,  plans  now 
call  for  knowing  and  loving  our 
neighbors  in  the  21st  century. 

The  Assembly's  Evangelism 
Committee  recommended  and  the 
Assembly  approved  the  recommenda- 
tions of  the  Task  Force  on  Church 
Membership  Growth  which  continues 
the  emphasis  on  the  Commitment  to 
Evangelism  to  the  end  that  at  least  50 
percent  of  the  sessions  and  at  least  50 
percent  of  the  presbyteries  sign  the 
commitment  by  the  year  2000.  The 
Evangelism  and  Church  Development 
program  area  of  the  National 
Ministries  Division  will  work  closely 
with  synods  and  presbyteries  to  inter- 


pret the  national  strategy  for  church 
growth  and  to  train  people  in  the 
effective  use  of  the  strategy.  It  is 
hoped  that  by  the  year  2000  at  least 
100  new  churches  and  100  church 
redevelopments  will  be  located  using 
the  national  strategy. 

Since  media  provides  an  extremely 
effective  way  to  reach  the 
unchurched,  the  emphasis  on  the  use 
of  media  as  an  instrument  of  evange- 
lism will  be  expanded  so  that  a  com- 
prehensive media  plan  for  evangelism 
will  be  in  place  with  pilots  tested  by 
the  year  2000. 

With  its  votes  for  the  committee 
report,  the  Assembly  agreed  that  all 
forms  of  media — sprint,  audio  and 
visual — ^will  be  designed  to  carry  a 
message  of  care  for  and  interest  in 
the  many  people  who  are  unchurched 
or  not  actively  involved  in  a  church's 
life. 

Jane  Mines 


SATURDAY,  JULY  22,  1995 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


PAGE  3 


Marj  Carpenter  is  elected  moderator  on  first  ballot 


and  well  in  the  world.  I 
won't  hear  anything  else... 
And  I  love  you 
Presbyterians — most  of 
you!" 

She  told  those  assem- 
bled, "We  can  do  a  lot 
together  in  this  church  if 
we  remember  missions 
and  forget  to  quarrel." 

She  said  some  had 
thought  that  at  68  she  was 
too  old  to  serve  as  moder- 
ator, but  she  quoted 
Robert  Frost.  "The  woods 
are  lovely,  dark  and  deep, 
but  I  have  promises  to 
keep,  and  miles  to  go 
before  I  sleep." 

She  brought  the  house 
down  again  in  response  to 
a  floor  question  about 
COCU  (Church  of  Christ 
Uniting).  Marj  said  that  18 
years  ago  at  her  first 
meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly,  COCU  was 
before  the  Assembly.  "I 
know  how  much  time  has 
An  elated  Marj  Carpenter  greets  the  207th  General  Assembly   been  invested  in  COCU," 


after  her  first-ballot  election  as  moderator. 

Marj  Carpenter,  a  popular,  earthy, 
interpreter  for  world  missions,  was 
elected  moderator  of  the  207th  General 
Assembly  on  the  first  ballot  on  Sunday, 
July  16.  The  vote  was  315  for  Marj 
Carpenter,  152  for  Tom  Erickson,  and 
70  for  Richard  Milford.  The  youth  advi- 
sory delegates  and  theological  semi- 
nary advisory  delegates  also  voted  in 
favor  of  Marj  by  a  comfortable  margin. 
Upon  being  elected,  she  first  introduced 
her  children,  daughters  Catherine  and 
Carolyn,  and  son  Jim  Bob. 

With  her  natural  and  flowing  sense 
of  humor,  Marj  continually  brought 
down  the  house  with  laughter  during 
the  speeches,  questions  and  answers. 
Addressing  the  Assembly  upon  her 
election,  she  said,  "The  church  is  alive 


she  said.  "I'm  not  worried 
about  bishops.  We  already 
have  some  folks  who  think  they're 
bishops!  But  I  don't  want  to  throw  out 
all  the  time  spent  on  COCU." 

In  regard  to  the  procedure  for  voting 
on  COCU,  whether  by  a  simple  majori- 
ty or  by  the  more  difficult  two-thirds 
majority  and  a  subsequent  General 
Assembly,  Marj  said,  "I  kinda  lean 
toward  the  big  one.  I  want  us  to 
approve  it  big  time  if  we  are  going  to 
approve  it.  I'm  for  some  kind  of 
union. ..so  we're  not  confusing  every- 
body... but  not  one  big  denomination... 
I'm  a  Presbyterian  and  proud  of  it,  and 
I  don't  want  to  be  just  like  some  of 
those  other  folks  and  I  know  they  don't 
want  to  be  like  me!" 

She  was  nominated  by  William  F. 
Henning  who  was  her  pastor  in  Big 


Spring,  Texas,  when  she  received  a  call 
to  become  news  and  information  direc- 
tor of  the  former  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.)  in  Atlanta.  Henning  said  Marj  is 
probably  known  personally  by  more 
Presbyterians,  probably  has  spoken  at 
more  Presbyterian  churches,  and  cer- 
tainly has  visited  more  mission  fields 
than  anyone  else  in  the  PC(USA). 

Marj  was  endorsed  by  Tres  Rios 
Presbytery  where  she  is  an  elder  in 
First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Big 
Spring. 

In  her  speech,  she  told  commission- 
ers it  is  time  to  get  back  to  the  basics. 
"I  think  God  still  has  a  plan,"  she  said. 
"As  many  of  you  already  know,  I  am 
painfully,  sinfully  proud  of  being  a 
Presbyterian.  I  am  proud  of  being  part 
of  this  wonderful,  diverse,  intelligent, 
educated,  concerned  and  loving 
Christian  family  that  we  call 
Presbyterian." 

The  Presbyterian  Church  all  over  the 
country  is  concerned  about  mission, 


she  said.  "The  one  thing  that  holds  us 
together  is  mission...  I  want  to 
strengthen  world  mission,  evangelism, 
church  development,  minority  educa- 
tion and  youth  work.  And  I  pray  that 
we  cease  and  desist  from  ripping  the 
church  apart  with  single  issues. 

"I  pray  God  will  help  us  to  settle  dis- 
agreements without  being  so  disagree- 
able." 

"That's  why  I  want  to  be  your  moder- 
ator," she  said.  "I  want  to  keep  on  talk- 
ing about  mission,  mission,  mission  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

On  evangelism,  Marj  said  "we  better 
take  a  lesson  from  the  Presbyterians 
who  do  it  the  best,  the  Koreans.  They 
do  it  one  on  one.  They  won't  worry 
about  seminars  and  study  groups  and 
brochures.  They  talk  to  their  neigh- 
bors, and  they  get  them  to  church. 
Boy,  if  we  could  just  do  that.  If  every 
Presbyterian  could  bring  in  one  per- 
son, we  would  double  the  church." 
Bill  Lancaster 


Newly  elected  General  Assembly  Moderator  Marj  Carpenter  is  joined  by  her  three  children: 
(left  to  right)  Carolyn,  Catherine,  and  Jim  Bob. 


Carpenter  names  Henning  vice  moderator 


Moderator  Marj  Carpenter  named 
the  Rev.  William  F.  Henning,  Jr.  vice 
moderator  of  the  207th  General 
Assembly.  Upon  announcing  her 
choice.  Moderator  Carpenter  declared: 
"Bill  Henning  is  the  reason  I'm  work- 
ing for  the  church.  He  talked  me  into 
going  for  the  interview.  I  thought  it 
was  hilarious.  He  has  encouraged  me 
to  write  a  book — he's  my  friend." 

Henning  is  the  executive  presbyter  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Arkansas.  The 
Columbus,  Miss.,  native  began  his  min- 
istry in  the  National  Park  Service  orga- 
nizing a  church  in  the  Yellowstone 
National  Park  and  directing  the  sum- 
mer ministry  there.  Ordained  in  Texas, 
he  has  served  churches  in  Beaumont, 
Fort  Worth,  Sweetwater,  and  Big 
Spring.  In  the  early  seventies.  Vice 
Moderator  Henning  served  as  treasurer 
and  principal  business  officer  for  the 


The  Rev.  William  Henning  Jr,.  who  nominated  Marj  Carpenter  for  moderator,  has  been 
named  to  serve  the  207th  General  Assembly  as  vice  moderator. 


Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States. 

In  1976,  he  became  the  pastor  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Big 
Spring,  Texas.  It  was  on  his  first 
Sunday  in  the  Big  Spring  church  that 
his  long-term  friendship  with 
Moderator  Carpenter  began.  Following 
eight  years  in  the  pastorate,  he  became 
the  executive  of  Arkansas  Presbytery. 
Emett  H.  Barfield 


Moderator  Marj  Carpenter  offered 
a  gracious  invitation  to  the  Rev. 
Thomas  A.  Erickson  and  the  Rev. 
Richard  J.  Milford,  her  election 
opponents,  to  take  a  turn  in  the 
moderator's  chair.  Both  men 
accepted  the  invitation. 


PAGE  4 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAY,  JULY  22,  1995 


COMMENTARY 


Mission,  yes; 
Squabbling,  no 


Decision  on  new  call  system 
put  off  for  two  years 


This  is  the  Assembly  at  which  the 
Presbyterians  in  a  divided  Korea  Were 
more  united  than  those  in  the  United 
States. 

What  was  the  Cincinnati  Assembly 
about?  Trust,  community,  reconciliation, 
and  mission.  These  aspirations  were 
more  visible  in  their  absence  than  in 
their  accomplishment,  but  were  none- 
theless threads  that  ran  throughout. 

Moderator  Marj  was  elected  on  the 
wave  of  a  backlash.  Reimagining  was 
behind  us  (ho!),  Albuquerque's  debate 
on  who's  ordained  is  a  year  of¥  (hah!); 
this  was  the  year  in  which  Cincinnati's 
tepid  chili  (sorry!)  was  supposed  to  be  . 
the  spiciest  thing  in  town.  It  sure  wasn't 
the  General  Assembly.  She  offered  com- 
missioners what  they  could  not  resist, 
and  desired  above  all:  peace.  This  was  no 
ordinary  banana  before  us,  but  a  Silver 
Princess  gliding  in  the  Golden  Chariot  of 
her  captivating  stories;  before  that  chari- 
ot's power  two  other  decent  and  very 
capable  candidates  received  the  quick 
fate  of  twin  snowballs  in  an  Ohio  July. 

As  the  week  bore  on,  the  Assembly 
bore  out  that  it  could  agree  on  aU  three 
planks  in  Marj's  platform  but  little  else: 
"Mission,  mission,  and  mission."  We 
were  a  community  unified  around  a 
slogan  of  mission,  still  in  search  of  a 
mission  of  mission. 

The  Stated  Clerk  raised  another 
aspect  of  the  community  question  in 
his  annual  gloom-report  about  the 
results  of  our  ever-louder  pleas  for 
"Evangelism!"  Once  again,  member- 
ship decline;  once  again,  the  largest 
decline  since  Reunion.  In  a  valiant 
effort  to  avoid  being  targeted  as  the 
sole  person  responsible  for  this  decline, 
Clerk  Andrews  suggested  a  novel  sce- 
nario... that  the  cause  of  the  decline 
was  not  internal,  within 
Presbyterianism,  but  larger  than  we: 
systemic,  endemic,  widespread,  the  loss 
of  community  in  American  life.  Since 
we  share  this  membership  trend  with 
many  other  volunteer  organizations, 
perhaps  we  need  to  attend  to  our  com- 
monality with  the  PTA  and  the  Rotary 
Club,  instead  of  trying  to  blame  each 


other  for  what's  happening  to  all  of  us. 

At  no  time  in  the  Assembly  were 
issues  of  trust  and  community  more 
audible  than  in  the  report  of  the  Polity 
Committee,  making  positive  noises 
about  quite  major  proposals  originat- 
ing in  the  Genevan  organization  and 
tunneled  through  Western  Colorado 
Presbytery.  The  Commissioners  agreed 
in  a  rush  that  brushed  aside  all  efforts 
to  modify:  five  to  one,  they  voted  for  a 
proposal  that  had  been  dismissed  with- 
out a  hearing  in  committee  at  the  1993 
Assembly.  "One  presbytery,  one  vote  on 
national  committees,"  has  an  allure  to 
it,  hard  to  oppose.  The  plan  would  cost 
a  lot?  It  would  involve  Yet  Another 
Restructure?  It  is  full  of  uncertainties? 
No  matter,  no  matter:  it  promises  an 
end  to  squabbling,  a  return  to  Trust. 

In  the  committee  surely  named  by 
God  the  Satirist  as  "Reconciliation," 
the  highpoint  was  plumbed.  Two  hours 
behind,  driven  by  a  moderator  whose 
pony  whip  was  beginning  to  show 
beneath  her  good  humor,  the  Assembly 
took  slightly  under  an  hour  to  fend  off 
any  amendment  adding  substance  or 
inviting  disagreement  and  adopted  the 
committee's  seven  bland  recommenda- 
tions. "No  squabbling,  now!" 

What  Assembly  207  enjoyed  most 
was  the  party  on  Wednesday  night, 
with  fifty  hosts  and  hostesses  who  had 
flown  half  the  globe  to  minister  to  us. 
Commissioners,  visitors,  staff  enjoyed 
the  sight  as  well  as  the  vision:  colorful 
rainbow  stoles,  waving  vivid  fans,  well- 
beloved  music  sung  grandly.  Then 
there  was  the  stunning  simplicity  of 
two  sticks  from  separate  mountains, 
each  half  a  nation  from  the  other:  a 
cross  from  North  and  South,  bound 
together  with  red  and  blue  in  testimo- 
ny to  spiritual  unity  now,  in  pledge  of 
national  unity  to  come.  We  enjoyed 
the  Korean  party  all  the  more  because 
we  felt  so  acutely  within  ourselves  the 
absence  of  what  their  smiles  conveyed. 
In  Cincinnati  the  struggle  for  the 
shape  of  the  Great  New  Church  was 
postponed  but  not  forestalled. 
Houston  Hodges 


Faced  with  a  severe  time  crunch  and 
a  host  of  questions  about  the  proposed 
new  call  system,  the  207th  General 
Assembly  deferred  a  vote  on  final 
approval  of  the  system  to  the  1997 
General  Assembly.  The  vote  to  refer 
was  313-195. 

The  Assembly's  Committee  on 
Church  Orders  and  Denominational 
Programs  had  recommended  approval, 
but  included  with  its  recommendation 
six  concerns  it  wanted  addressed  before 
the  system  is  implemented.  A  minority 
report  from  six  members  of  the  com- 
mittee asked  for  a  one-year  delay 
before  a  final  vote. 

Had  it  been  approved  by  this 
Assembly,  the  new  system  for  matching 
church  professionals  seeking  jobs  with 
churches  and  church  agencies  seeking 
pastors  and  staff  members  would  have 
been  operational  by  January  1997. 

Instead,  the  implementation  team 
for  the  new  system  will  continue  to 
refine  the  system  through  field  testing 
that  currently  involves  more  than  100 
presbyteries. 

The  system  is  designed  to  simplify 
and  shorten  the  time  it  takes  to  fill  a 
vacancy  when  one  occurs.  The  system 
also  incorporates  intentional  processes 
for  personal  assessment  and  profes- 
sional deveopment  of  ministers  and 
other  church  professionals.  It  focuses 
on  leadership  skills  and  styles  as  the 
key  element  of  successful  matching  of 
employers  and  staff. 

Concerns  raised  throughout  the 
Assembly  centered  around  the  role  of 
spiritual  and  theological  gifts  in  addi- 
tion to  leadership  gifts,  the  effective- 
ness of  the  various  tests  used  to  mea- 
sure leadership  skills  and  needs,  and 
questions  of  protecting  the  confiden- 
tiality of  those  who  participate  in  the 
system. 

In  other  business  from  its 
Committee  on  Church  Orders  and 
Denominational  Programs,  the 
Assembly: 

•  instructed  the  General  Assembly 
Council  and  its  National  Ministries 


Division  to  redouble  their  efforts  to 
address  the  pastoral  needs  of  small  and 
racial  ethnic  churches.  The  action  was 
a  response  to  several  overtures  seeking 
expanded  rights  and  responsibilities  for 
commissioned  lay  preachers.  A  task 
force  that  has  been  conducting  a  com- 
prehensive study  of  the  role  of  lay 
preachers  in  the  church  is  scheduled  to 
report  to  next  year's  Assembly.  The 
Assembly  also  approved  an  overture 
from  South  Louisiana  Presbytery 
changing  the  name  of  the  office  to 
"commissioned  lay  pastor."  The  pro- 
posal, an  amendment  to  the  "Book  of 
Order,"  now  goes  to  the  presbyteries 
for  ratification. 

•  approved  an  overture  from  San 
Francisco  Presbytery  that  requires  can- 
didates for  the  ministry  to  pass  the  five 
ordination  examinations  before  they 
can  circulate  their  Personal 
Information  Forms  (PIFs)  for  perma- 
nent calls.  Currently,  candidates  need 
only  complete  two  years  of  seminary 
and  their  annual  consultation  with 
their  presbytery's  Committee  on 
Preparation  for  Ministry.  Policies  for 
when  candidates  may  circulate  their 
PIFs  varies  from  presbytery  to  pres- 
bytery. Proponents  of  the  overture,  a 
constitutional  amendment  that  must 
go  the  presbyteries  for  ratification, 
argued  that  it  "levels  the  playing  field" 
for  all  candidates. 

•  approved  and  sent  to  the  presbyter- 
ies a  proposed  constitutional  amend- 
ment that  would  allow  congregations 
to  organize  a  pastor  nominating  com- 
mittee "after  the  presbytery  has  set  an 
irrevocable  date  when  the  pulpit  of  the 
church  is  to  be  declared  vacant." 
Currently,  the  organizing  of  a  pastor 
nominating  committee  is  not  permit- 
ted until  the  pulpit  is  vacant.  Propo- 
nents of  the  measure  argued  that  it 
would  speed  up  the  search  process  for  a 
new  pastor.  Opponents  countered  that 
it  would  create  too  great  a  possibility 
for  a  departing  pastor  to  influence  the 
selection  of  a  successor. 

Jerry  Van  Marter 


Campbell  confirmed 
as  McCormIck 
president 

The  207th  General  Assembly  con- 
firmed Cynthia  M.  Campbell  as  the 
ninth  president  of  McCormick 
Theological  Seminary,  July  19. 

Campbell  came  to  McCormick  from 
her  previous  post  as  pastor  and  head  of 
staff  at  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Salina,  Kan.  Prior  to  that  she  served  on 
the  faculty  of  Austin  Presbyterian 
Theological  Seminary,  where  she  direct- 
ed the  doctor  of  ministry  program. 

Campbell  has  also  served  on  the 
General  Assembly  Council  and  as  mod- 
erator of  the  Congregational  Ministries 
Division  Committee. 

John  Sniffen 


THE  NEWS 

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Reporters:  Hal  Bray,  Sue  Castle,  Jane  Hines,  Willian: 
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SATURDAY,  jULY  22,  1995 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


PAGE  5 


Assembly  upholds  church  Affirmative  Action  policy 


Following  on  the  heels  of  President 
Clinton's  endorsement  of  federal  affir- 
mative action  programs  July  19,  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  upheld  its  own  anti- 
employment  discrimination  policy 
Thursday  through  the  adoption  of 
Overture  95-55. 

The  overture  calls  for  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  to  reaf- 
firm its  commitment  to  affirmative 
action  as  a  method  to  achieve  equal 
employment  opportunity,  and  urge  leg- 
islators, other  governing  bodies  and 
individuals  to  advocate  this  position. 

Daniel  Levert,  an  Assembly  commis- 
sioner from  the  Western  Reserve 
Presbytery,  proposed  the  adoption  of  an 
amendment  commending  Clinton  for 
his  decision.  The  commissioners 
agreed  to  accept  the  amendment. 

The  Advisory  Committee  on  Social 
Witness  Policy,  the  Advocacy 
Committee  for  Women's  Concerns  and 
the  Advocacy  Committee  for  Racial 
Justice  Concerns  recommended  adop- 
tion of  the  overture  to  the  Assembly 
Committee  on  Christian  Vocation, 


which,  following  minor  amendments, 
unanimously  approved  the  overture  by 
a  vote  of  46-0. 

"The  amendments  were  added  to 
strengthen  the  overture,"  said  the  Rev. 
Andrea  Pfaff,  moderator  of  the 
Assembly  Committee  on  Christian 
Vocation  from  Lexington,  Va. 

Affirmative  action  is  a  term  that 
broadly  includes  any  measure,  beyond 
simple  termination  of  a  discriminatory 
practice,  that  is  adopted  to  correct  or 
compensate  for  past  and  present  dis- 
crimination and  to  prevent  discrimina- 
tion from  recurring  in  the  future. 

In  practice,  affirmative  action  pro- 
grams give  various  types  of  preferences 
in  employment  and  other  areas  to  mem- 
bers of  historically  excluded  groups — 
women  of  all  races  and  ethnicities,  and 
men  who  are  members  of  racial  ethnic 
minorities. 

But,  while  supporting  affirmative 
action,  Clinton  has  ordered  the  heads  of 
federal  departments  and  agencies  to 
evaluate  all  affirmative  action  programs. 

Any  program  "must  be  eliminated  or 
reformed"  if  it  creates  a  quota,  creates 


preferences  for  unqualified  individuals, 
creates  reverse  discrimination  or  con- 
tinues even  after  its  equal  opportunity 
purposes  have  been  achieved. 

Critics  of  affirmation  action  warn  of 
"reverse  discrimination,"  claiming  that 
white  males  have  been  denied  jobs  or 
other  benefits  because  of  preferences 
given  to  less-qualified  women  or 
minorities. 

Affirmative  action  supporters — 
including  many  top  business  leaders — 
assert  that  the  programs  benefit  not 
only  individuals,  but  also  businesses, 
the  workforce  and  the  nation. 

Elenora  Giddings-Ivory,  director  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
Washington  office,  said  while  the 
debate  is  sure  to  intensify  in  Washing- 
ton, D.C.,  and  nationally,  pressure  must 
be  kept  on  elected  officials  if  affirmative 
action  programs  are  to  continue. 

"This  is  not  the  time  to  dismantle  an 
instrument  that  is  at  the  core  of  the 
struggle  to  keep  a  vibrant,  inclusive 
and  just  society,"  Giddings-Ivory  said. 
Julian  Shipp 


Churches  urged  to 
Study  Central  America 

In  a  series  of  swift  actions  within  a 
short  Global  Partnerships  Committee 
report,  the  Assembly  voted  July  19  to: 

•  extend  its  celebration  of  the  "Year 
With  Africa"  until  1996  and  to  request 
the  federal  government  not  to  reduce 
its  food  and  medical  aid  to  that  conti- 
nent, while  it  works  with  African  peo- 
ples toward  self-sufficiency; 

•  designate  1996  as  the  non-geo- 
graphic "Year  With  Latin  Americans," 
inclusive  of  Latin  people  living  within 
the  United  States; 

•  commend  to  congregations  study 
materials  on  Central  America  and  to 
urge  local  churches  to  learn  more 
about  mission  there;  and 

Moderator  Marj  Carpenter  asked  del- 
egates supportive  of  a  recommendation 
reaffirming  the  work  of  Self- 
Development  of  People  (SDOP),  the 
church's  worldwide  ministry  to  poor 
and  disadvantaged  people,  to  stand  and 
applaud.  The  committee  recommended 
that  all  congregations  join  in  the  cele- 
bration of  25  years  of  SDOP's  ministry. 
Alexa  Smith 


Assembly  approves 
Christian  vocation  report 


Stressing  the  theme  of  "Confronting  Injustice,"  Presbyterian  Women  presented  Women 
of  Faith  (WOF)  Awards,  and  one  special  award  to  (left  to  right)  Diana  SooHoo  Lim  of 
San  Jose,  CA;  Glenda  Briscoe  Hope  of  San  Francisco,  CA;  and  Virginia  Klinzing  Miller  of 
Mishawaka,  IN  .  The  special  award  was  presented  to  Brigalia  Ntombemhlope  Bam,  gen- 
eral secretary  of  the  South  African  Council  of  Churches. 


After  seven  years,  extensive  editing, 
and  numerous  minor  amendments,  a 
major  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
policy  paper  from  the  Assembly 
Committee  on  Christian  Vocation  was 
approved  Thursday.  July  20,  by  the 
General  Assembly. 

"God's  Work  In  Our  Hands: 
Employment,  Community,  and 
Christian  Vocation,"  will  be  used  as  a 
basis  for  decision  in  the  development 
of  guidelines,  policies,  programs,  and 
procedures  for  General  Assembly  enti- 
ties and  for  advocacy  by  appropriate 
government  entities  at  all  levels. 

The  paper  was  developed  by  the 
Advisory  Committee  on  Social  Witness 
Policy  (ACSWP)  beginning  in  1988  fol- 
lowing consultation  with  Presbyterians 
at  all  levels  of  the  church,  including 
commissioners  of  the  206th  General 
Assembly  (1994),  which  referred  the 
paper  back  to  ACSWP  for  refinement 
and  revision. 

Commissioners  at  last  year's 
Assembly  argued  the  paper  was  too 
complex  and  too  pro-labor  for  adoption. 

Bob  Doxey,  a  Presbyterian  elder, 
entrepreneur  and  small-business 
owner  from  Chagrin  Falls,  Ohio,  was 
appointed  in  1994  to  work  with  ACSWP 
as  it  considered  and  revised  the  paper. 
Doxey  said  the  document  represents  a 
contemporary  commitment  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  to  a  faith- 
ful doctrine  of  Christian  vocation. 

"It  is  an  attempt  to  make  a  witness 
for  the  church  in  society  as  to  what 
God  has  to  say  [in  places  of  employ- 
ment or  through  volunteer  labor]." 
Doxey  said.  "It  was  made  by  church 
people  for  church  people  under  the 
approach  that  church  people  would 
implement  it." 

Earlier  this  week.  Christian  Vocation 


committee  members  fine-tuned  the 
document  through  numerous  minor 
amendments.  However,  six  people  on 
the  46-member  committee  took  an 
additional  step  of  drafting  a  two-sec- 
tion, four-page  minority  report  to 
accompany  the  main  document. 

However,  the  Assembly  commission- 
ers voted  not  to  let  the  minority  report 
replace  the  main  report  and  a  motion 
to  defer  the  second  half  of  the  minority 
report  was  approved. 

"The  majority  report  is  more  com- 
prehensive and  adequate  in  terms  of 
reformed  policy  and  tradition,"  argued 
the  Rev.  Donna  Elia,  an  Assembly  com- 
missioner from  Albany  Presbytery. 

According  to  Jules  Anderson,  a 
Presbyterian  elder  from  Charleston, 
S.C.,  the  intent  of  the  subcommittee 
which  created  the  minority  report  was 
not  to  alter  the  gist  of  the  document, 
but  represent  it  in  "a  slightly  different 
theological  perspective." 

"We  did  not  get  together  to  destroy 
[the  work  of  the  committee]  but  to 
look  at  it  in  a  little  different  spiritual 
vein,"  said  Anderson,  one  of  the 
authors  of  the  minority  report. 

"We  engaged  in  this  [minority 
report]  process  because  of  a  similar 
process  that  occurred  with  the  paper 
last  year,"  said  the  Rev.  Arthur  Chartier 
from  Oakdale,  Pa.  "And  we  were  seek- 
ing clarification  so  that  there  would 
not  be  any  confusion  this  year." 

But  the  Rev.  Andrea  Pfaff,  moderator 
of  the  Assembly  Committee  on 
Christian  Vocation,  said  she  was 
pleased  with  the  work  of  her  commit- 
tee and  ACSWP  members. 

"We  debated  openly  and  with  respect 
with  one  another  and  there  was  no  ran- 
cor towards  anyone,"  Pfaff  said. 
Julian  Shipp 


Jubilee  (continued  from  page  1) 

Bohl  presented  each  moderator  with 
replicas  of  the  merged  crosses  of  the 
three  Presbyterian  denominations  which 
are  worn  by  PC(USA)  moderators. 

In  a  series  of  presentations,  repre- 
sentatives delivered  gifts  both  to  the 
PC  (USA)  and  to  the  moderator. 

•  The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Korea 
(PCK)  presented  commissioners  with 
prayer  stoles  and  fans,  as  well  as  deliv- 
ering a  $50,000  check  for  the  chapel 
now  under  construction  in  the 
Presbyterian  Center.  The  PCK  General 
Assembly  has  given  a  total  of  $100,000 
for  chapel  completion. 

•  The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
Republic  of  South  Korea  presented  a 
plaque  commemorating  the  Jubilee 
year  and  gave  Carpenter  a  wall  hanging 
of  Psalm  23  hand-done  by  Bae. 

•  The  Korean  Christian  Federation 
gave  Carpenter  a  framed  picture  of 


Baekdu  Mountain. 

Carpenter  told  the  Assembly,  "Over 
150  years  ago,  our  Presbyterian  mis- 
sionaries went  to  Korea  and  taught ... 
worship  is  central  to  the  church  ...  And 
now  [Korean  Christians]  come  back  to 
remind  us  this  is  true." 

Oak  In  Kim,  current  moderator  of 
the  one-million-member  Presbyterian 
Women  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Korea,  told  the  Office  of  the  General 
Assembly  Newsroom  the  urgency  now 
surrounding  reunification  is  out  of 
care  for  those  who  remember  the  occu- 
pation, but  who  are  aging. 

"These  people  are  old  now,"  said 
Kim,  citing  the  50  years  gone  by  since 
the  occupation  and  the  fact  that  some 
have  died.  "A  lot  of  people  say,  'When  I 
am  buried,  face  me  toward  the  north, 
so  I  will  face  my  family 

"And  if  reunification  occurs,  they 
want  to  be  reburied  with  their  families." 
Alexa  Smith 


PAGE  6 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAY,  jULY  22,  1995 


Cod's  good  gifts  were  theme  of  weekday  worship 


With  Psalm  92  as  a  theme,  steward- 
ship of  God's  good  gifts  was  developed 
as  an  overall  theme  for  weekday  wor- 
ship services.  Specific  attention  was 
given  to  mission  partnership  with  the 
Year  with  Africa,  the  Korean  Jubilee, 
the  lifting  up  of  urban  ministries  and 
the  celebration  of  youth.  Stewardship 
was  considered  in  the  seasons  of  the 
liturgical  year. 

Monday  celebrated  the  gift  of  the 
Messiah;  Tuesday,  the  baptism  of  the 
Lord;  Wednesday,  unity  in  Christ; 
Thursday,  the  gift  of  new  life  in  the  res- 
urrection; and  Friday,  the  empowering 
Spirit  of  Pentecost. 

Thousands  sent  forth 
to  serve 

Joining  the  largest  number  of  mis- 
sion personnel  ever  assembled  in  the 
history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),  an  estimated  9,000  members 
of  Cincinnati  area  churches.  General 
Assembly  commissioners  and  visitors 
gathered  at  the  Riverfront  Colisuem  on 
Sunday  morning,  July  16,  1995.  All  of 
them  were  sent  forth  to  serve  tRe 
Kingdom  of  God. 

Everything  in  this  great  "Celebration 
of  Faith"  could  be  seen  and  heard  as  a 
call  to  service  for  everyone  in  the 
crowd  who  had  eyes  to  see  and  ears  to 
hear.  As  they  sang  "I'm  Gonna  Live  So 
God  Can  Use  Me,"  "This  Little  Light  of 
Mine,"  "Here  1  Am,  Lord,"  "Lift  High 


The  Rev.  Robert  Bohl 


the  Cross,"  and  "Let  Us  Talents  and 
Tongues  Employ,"  this  group  of 
Presbyterians  gave  voice  to  a  sense  of 
dedication. 

Moderator  Robert  Bohl's  sermon, 
"Keeping  Our  Eyes  Focused  on  Jesus," 
gave  direction  and  meaning  to  life  in 
the  church.  Bohl  described  what  can 
happen  if  we  focus  on  ourselves  and 
our  own  imaginary  power  instead  of 
keeping  our  eyes  on  Jesus. 

"We  have  grown  comfortable  with 
our  failures  and  formed  little  groups 
and  relied  on  our  own  resources  until 
we  have  surrounded  ourselves  with 
storms  and  problems,"  he  said. 
"Instead  of  love  we  have  tried  isolation, 
criticism,  attacks  and  withholding 


money,"  he  claimed. 

"For  the  love  of  God,  can  we  not  now 
at  this  Assembly  try  love,  just  once?" 
he  asked.  "Tomorrow  is  vibrantly  alive 
with  possibilities,"  he  promised.  "Being 
a  Christian  is  to  know  Jesus  as  person- 
al Lord  and  Savior,  constantly  keeping 
our  eyes  focused  on  Him,"  he  conclud- 
ed, speaking  to  everyone  in  the  huge 
coliseum,  as  individuals  and  as  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 

Inspiring  examples  of  service  were 
abundantly  present:  The  recognition  of 
former  moderators  of  the  denomina- 
tion, who  received  replicas  of  the  mod- 
eratorial  crosses  from  Bohl;  the  pres- 
ence of  representatives  of  retiring  mis- 
sionaries and  the  commissioning  of 
464  mission  personnel  being  sent  to  35 
nations  around  the  world;  the  acknowl- 
edgement of  56  global  partners  who 
were  in  this  country  this  year  through 
the  Mission  to  USA  Program. 

As  Vice  Moderator  J.  Jerome  Cooper 
led  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  the  service  came  together  to 
focus  on  the  reason  for  it  all:  the  love 
of  Christ  in  our  midst. 

The  English  translation  of  the  offer- 
tory hymn  could  have  been  the  theme 
for  the  coming  week  as  commissioners 
began  their  deliberations:  "Let  your 
heart  of  hearts  take  you  down  the  road. 
Everybody's  got  a  seed  to  sow." 
Jane  Mines 

Worshipers  treated 
to  Christmas  in  July 
experience 

Those  at  the  Monday,  July  17, 
General  Assembly  worship  probably 
thought  they  were  observing  Christ- 


mas in  July  with  all  the  poinsettias, 
holiday  songs  and  even  a  Nativity  scene 
that  decorated  the  pulpit. 

Truth  is,  members  of  the  Committee 
on  Local  Arrangements  (COLA)  were 
simply  keeping  Psalm  92  in  mind  as 
they  illustrated  the  stewardship  of 
God's  gifts  as  the  overall  theme  of  this 
week's  worship  services. 

Participants  heard  the  harmonious 
peal  of  bells  from  a  handbell  choir  and 
couldn't  help  but  observe  a  gigantic 
painting  of  the  guiding  star  of  Bethle- 
hem mounted  high  above  the  podium. 


The  Rev.  Duane  Holm 


Under  the  direction  of  Anna 
Bonham-White,  of  Lakeside  Presbyter- 
ian Church  in  Cincinnati,  they  also 
sang  several  traditional  Christmas  car- 
ols and  hymns  including  "What  Child 
is  This?,"  "We  Three  Kings  of  Orient 
Are,"  and  "0  Come  All  Ye  Faithful." 


According  to  COLA's  Worship 
Committee,  God's  gifts  were  for  both 
the  people  of  Israel  as  well  as  strangers 
from  the  east,  for  the  church  as  well  as 
for  the  world.  And  the  gift  of  the 
Messiah  was  for  all  people. 

These  sentiments  were  echoed 
through  the  remarks  of  the  Rev.  Duane 
Holm,  director  of  the  Metropolitan 
Area  Religious  Coalition  of  Cincinnati, 
during  his  sermon.  Holm  made  the 
point  that  God  gave  people  the  gift  of 
diversity  through  different  races,  cul- 
tures, ethnic  backgrounds  and  nation- 
alities, but  united  all  through  Jesus 
Christ. 

"As  we  gather  as  the  General 
Assembly  here  in  Cincinnati,  we  recog- 
nize that  almost  all  of  us,  except  for  a 
few  local  Cincinnati  sheep  herders,  are 
foreigners  and  outsiders  from  other 
cities,  states,  and  nations,"  Holm  said. 
"But  as  we  see  each  other's  gifts,  we 
can  begin  to  recognize  the  givers." 

"General  Assembly  is  about  giving, 
receiving  and  exchanging  the  gifts  of 
God  with  each  other,"  he  said. 

During  worship,  Lia  Ferrell  of 
Kennedy  Heights  Presbyterian  Church 
served  as  organist.  Lynwood  Battle, 
also  of  Kennedy  Heights,  served  as 
cantor. 

Julian  Shipp 

Baptism  is  theme  of 
Tuesday  worship 

"People  of  the  water"  gathered  to 
worship  the  God  whose  love  flows 
through  the  waters  Tuesday  morning, 
July  18,  and  gave  voice  to  renewing 
their  own  baptisms  in  such  hymns  as 
"Baptized  in  the  Water"  and  "Jesu,  Jesu 
Fill  Us  with  Your  Love." 


SATURDAY,  JULY  22,  1995 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


PAGE  7 


Elizabeth  Gill,  trombonist,  accompanied  the  choir  and  congregation  for  the  singing  of 
"Come  Sing  Oh  Church  in  Joy"  during  Wednesday's  ecumenical  Worship  Service. 


The  Rev.  Sarah  Jo  Sarchet,  associate 
pastor  of  Mount  Washington  Church  in 
Cincinnati,  personalized  her  message 
with  well-worded  stories  from  her  own 
experiences,  showing  how  we  are  "set- 
up" by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  receive  our 
gifts  and  our  calls,  how  our  baptism 
continues  "in  process." 

As  the  service  concluded  with  renew- 
al of  baptismal  vows,  pitcher  bearers 
(Cincinnati  Presbytery  elders  Martha 


The  Rev.  Sarah  Jo  Sarchet 


Martin,  Ruth  Martin,  Minnie  Milton, 
Pat  Brown,  Jack  Plattner,  Jim 
Hartman,  with  the  Rev.  Glen  Rodgers 
and  the  Rev.  Clarence  Wallace)  tossed 
water  droplets  over  the  audience. 

The  Rev.  Wayne  Parrish,  Norwood 
Church,  was  liturgist;  Heather 
MacPhail,  Westwood  Church,  played 
the  organ;  and  from  Mount  Auburn 
Church  Judy  Lindblad's  Interpretive 
Movement  Ensemble  danced  to  music 
and  poetry. 

Midge  Mack 

1,900  attend 
ecumenical  service 

It  was  a  glorious  sound!  More  thein 
1,900  people  sang  together  "  in  bold 
accord,  come  celebrate  the  journey  and 
praise  the  Lord."  Then  they  heard  the 
Right  Rev.  Othal  H.  Lakey  ,  a  presiding 
bishop  in  the  Christian  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  preach  at  the  Wednes- 
day ecumenical  worship  service. 


Bishop  Othal  H.  Lakey 


He  told  his  listeners  that  God's  call 
often  comes  in  a  wilderness  setting  far 
from  the  centers  of  power  and  authori- 
ty and  he  reminded  them  that  there  is 
an  urgent  ecumenical  need  to  go  into 
the  wilderness  to  hear  God's  terms. 

Participants  in  the  service  included 
ecumenical  advisory  delegates  the  Rev. 
Hermenegildo  Garcia  of  the  National 
Evangelical  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Guatemala  who  read  the  Old  Testament 
scripture  in  Spanish,  the  Rev.  Sang 
Hak  Kim  representing  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Korea,  and  Betty  R. 
Stephens  of  the  Christian  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

Others  included  James  Andrews, 
Eugene  Turner  and  Clifton  Kirkpatrick, 
all  from  the  General  Assembly  staff; 
ElderBeth  McHenry,  COLA  chairper- 
son; and  the  choirs  of  three  area 
churches.  The  benediction  was  given 
by  Moderator  Marj  Carpenter. 

At  the  request  of  the  Rev.  Lakey,  the 
morning  offering  was  shared  by  the  P. 
Randolph  Shy  Memorial  Hospital,  a 
mission  of  the  Christian  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  Eket,  Nigeria,  and 
a  CME  Church  fund  to  help  alleviate 
the  devastation  created  by  the  1994 
floods  in  Albany,  Ga. 

Sue  Castle 

Youth  worship 
service  energizes 
commissioners 


Assembly  Commissioners,  tired  from 
five  days  of  late  night  committee  meet- 
ings and  a  long  plenary  session 


Cincinnati  Presbytery  youth  and  YADS 


Wednesday  night,  got  a  burst  of  energy 
at  the  youth-led  worship  service 
Thursday  morning,  July  20. 

Following  energizing  warm-up  exer- 
cises, the  young  people  led  worshipers 
through  a  resurrection  service  that 
included  light,  color,  music,  drama  and 
dance — and  no  bulletins. 

A  group  of  young  women  led  an 
Easter-oriented  dance  choreographed 
to  the  hymn,  "Lord  of  the  Dance." 

The  account  of  Jesus'  resurrection 
appearance  by  the  Sea  of  Tiberius 
(John  21:1-19)  was  the  main  scripture 
lesson.  The  young  people  then  enacted 
a  drama  showing  a  middle-class  family 
embracing  a  group  of  homeless  people 
with  material  and  spiritual  help. 


A  song  carried  home  the  point,  "Love 
can  build  a  bridge  between  your  heart 
and  mine.  Don't  you  think  it's  time; 
don't  you  think  it's  time?" 

The  service  was  led  by  youth  of 
Cincinnati  Presbytery  in  connection 
with  Youth  Advisory  Delegates.  Baskets 
were  available  afterwards  to  take  up 
donations  to  support  the  Presbyterian 
Youth  Connection. 

Bill  Lancaster 

Healing  language 
urgecT 

Pentecost  was  the  theme  of  the  final 
worship  service  of  the  207th  General 
Assembly,  as  the  Rev.  Brian  Jungshik 
Shin,  pastor  of  the  Korean  Presbyter- 
ian Church  of  Cincinnati  called  for  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  "blow  away  barriers  and 
make  us  all  bridge  builders." 

He  spoke  movingly  of  the  division  of 
Korea,  which  separated  10  million  fam- 
ilies in  1953,  and  of  efforts  to  reunite 
them.  He  reminded  worshipers  that 
the  Holy  Spirit  broke  the  barriers  of 
language,  so  that  everyone  heard  in 
his/her  own  language  on  the  day  of 
Pentecost.  He  urged  all  to  use  lan- 
guage which  heals  and  unites  rather 
than  divides. 

Hal  Bray 


The  Rev.  Brian  Shin 


Offerings 

Offerings  at  worship  services  were 
very  generous.  The  July  16th  commu- 
nion service  offering  was  $23,600.68.  It 
was  designated  to  the  Year  with  Africa 
program.  July  19th 's  ecumenical  wor- 
ship service  received  $3,457.50  which 
was  designated  half  to  P.  Randolph  Shy 
Memorial  Hospital,  Eket,  Nigeria  and 
half  to  Albany,  Ga.,  flood  relief  assis- 
tance. The  last  offering,  Thursday,  July 
20th,  was  designated  for  the 
Presbyterian  Youth  Connection. 

installation  Prayer  for  Marj 
Carpenter,  July  16,  1995 

by  Jerry  Van  Marter 

Great  God,  our  Creator,  Redeemer 
and  Sustainer: 

We  thank  you  for  giving  us  this 
moderator.  We  thank  you  that  your 
eyes  have  joined  the  eyes  of  Texas  in 
looking  favorably  down  upon  her. 
We  thank  you  for  the  love  she 
brings  to  this  church — for  its  Lord 
and  for  its  mission. 

We  thank  you  for  her  family — a 
source  of  great  strength  to  her — for 
Catherine,  Jim  Bob  and  Carolyn  and 
for  her  grandchildren. 

We  thank  you  for  the  legacy  of 
previous  moderators  who  have  pre- 
ceded Marj — for  those  here  today 
and  for  those  who  now  live  eternally 
with  you.  We  thank  you  for  Tom 
Erickson  and  Dick  Milford.  May  you 
continue  to  bless  and  enrich  their 
ministries,  for  there  are  no  losers 
among  those  who  love  and  seek  to 
serve  Jesus  Christ. 

Now  we  ask  that,  as  Marj  embarks 
upon  this  exhilarating  but  exhaust- 
ing labor  of  love,  you  will  grant  her 
health  and  strength  for  her  journey. 
And  as  she  is  energized  by  the  pres- 
ence of  your  Holy  Spirit  may  she 
also  be  encouraged  by  the  zeal  of 
her  brothers  and  sisters  in  Christ  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 
For  the  task  ahead  is  not  Marj's 
alone,  but  the  responsibility  of  all 
Presbyterians — to  love  and  serve 
Jesus  Christ  with  energy,  intelli- 
gence, imagination  and  love.  May  it 
be  so.  Amen. 


PAGES 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAYJULY  22,  1995 


Effort  to  stall 
euthanasia  study 
fails 

A  motion  to  refer'study  materials 
about  euthanasia  and  other  end-of-life 
issues  hack  to  the  Congregational 
Ministries  Division  was  defeated  July 
20th  by  the  207th  General  Assembly. 

The  Rev.  Paul  O'Gorek,  a  commis- 
sioner from  Shenandoah  Presbytery, 
moved  that  the  study  materials,  "In 
Life  and  in  Death  We  Belong  to  God: 
Euthanasia,  Assisted  Suicide  and  the 
End  of  Life  Issues,"  be  referred  back  for 
rewriting. 

Theological  Issues  and  Institutions 
Assembly  Committee  Chair  Nell  Wood- 
ward noted  that  the  study  was  not  a  "pol- 
icy statement"  for  the  denomination. 

The  study  materials  will  be  available 
from  the  Congregational  Ministries 
Division  in  January  1996.  Individuals 
and  study  groups  will  be  encouraged  to 
use  the  materials  and  make  written  / 
responses  to  the  division.  After  at  least 
two  years  of  study,  the  results  will  be 
reported  to  the  General  Assembly  and 
the  General  Assembly  Council. 

The  Assembly  rejected  two  commis- 
sioners' resolutions  which  would  have 
involved  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  in  property  issues  at  the 
Presbyterian  School  of  Christian 
Education  (PSCE)  in  Richmond,  Va. 
PSCE's  trustees  are  proposing  to  sell 
unused  or  under-used  property  as  a 
means  of  improving  the  school's  finan- 
cial situation. 

Woodward  said  that  issues  regarding 
the  school  and  its  future  were  best 
addressed  by  the  school's  trustees,  and 
not  the  General  Assembly. 

Also  during  the  Theological  Issues 
and  Institutions  report  the  Assembly 
approved  an  overture  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Utah  regarding  guidelines 
for  relations  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  with  the  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints. 

Other  items  coming  out  of  the  com- 
mittee's report  and  approved  by  the 
assembly  included: 

•  approval  of  Overture  94-45  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Hanmi  asking  for  the 
translation  of  the  Book  of  Common 
Worship  into  Korean  and  for  it  to  be 
published  as  funds  become  available; 

•  approval  of  new  trustees  elected  by 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  theologi- 
cal institutions  in  1994; 

•  approval  with  comment  Overture 
95-2  from  Shenandoah  Presbytery 
regarding  amending  the  Constitution 
for  consistent  language  regarding 
kneeling  and  standing; 

•  approval  with  comment  Overture 
95-9  from  the  Presbytery  of  Sheppards 
and  Lapsley  regarding  amending  the 
Constitution  to  specify  that  the  pastor 
of  the  church  is  in  charge  of  the  mar- 
riage service;  and; 

•  approval  of  Overture  95-39  from 
the  Presbytery  of  New  York  City, 
endorsing  the  annual  National 
Observance  of  Children's  Sabbaths  on 
the  third  weekend  of  October. 

John  Sniffen 


Assembly  rejects 
beginning  of  life  definition 


Assembly  commissioners  declined  an 
overture  stating  that  life  begins  at  con- 
ception and  a  commissioner's  resolu- 
tion calling  for  the  defunding  of  the 
Presbyterian  Health,  Education  and 
Welfare  Association  (PHEWA)  in  adopt- 
ing the  report  of  the  Commissioner 
Committee  on  National  and  Urban 
Issues. 

The  overture  (95-30  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Cincinnati)  asked  the 
Assembly  to  declare  that  life  begins 
when  a  human  sperm  unites  with  a 
human  ovum  and  fertilization  occurs. 

The  committee  recommended  disap- 
proval of  the  overture  on  the  grounds 
that  the  question  was  more  moral  and 
theological  rather  than  simply  scientif- 
ic. A  seven-member  minority  report 
was  ruled  out  of  order  by  the  Stated 
Clerk. 

After  lengthy  debate  the  overture  was 
defeated  318-194. 

The  Assembly  also  heatedly  debated  a 
commissioner's  resolution  asking  that 
funding,  office  space  and  staff  support 
be  ended  for  PHEWA.  The  Committee 
recommended  disapproval.  Proponents 
of  the  resolution  argued  that  PHEWA 
was  a  special  organization  related  to 
the  church  and  no  more  needed  fund- 
ing and  staff  than  any  other. 

PHEWA  director  Mark  Wendorf 
pointed  out  that  the  organization  was 
founded  by  action  of  the  General 
Assembly  in  1956,  and  that  its  ten  net- 
works were  not  advocacy  groups,  but 
groups  formed  in  response  to  General 
Assembly  initiatives  over  the  years. 
In  the  end,  commissioners  voted  to  dis- 
approve the  overture,  but  accepted  an 
amendment  instructing  the  General 
Assembly  Council  to  review  the  activi- 
ties of  PHEWA  since  the  204th  General 
Assembly  (1992),  monitor  ongoing 
activities  in  light  of  the  memo  of 
understanding  with  National  Ministries 
and  to  report  to  the  208th  GA. 

The  Assembly  also: 
•  urged  the  church  to  address  the 


issue  of  economic  justice  for  women  in 
1996; 

•  urged  maintaining  a  strong  visible 
commitment  to  civil  rights  and  racial 
justice,  including  directing  the 
Washington  Office  to  advocate  for  and 
monitor  legislation  and  public  policies 
that  protect  civil  rights  of  racial  ethnic 
people  and  women; 

•  affirmed  Corning,  Inc.  As  the  1995 
recipient  of  the  Mission  Responsibility 
Through  Investment  Corporate 
Achievement  award  for  its  commit- 
ment to  equal  employment  opportuni- 
ty and  workforce  diversity; 

•  called  for  support  of  legislation 
which  strengthens  the  Native 
American  and  Alaskan  extended  family 
structure; 

•  adopted  an  overture  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Eastern  Oklahoma  call- 
ing for  a  clear  statement  against  vio- 
lence and  threats  at  women's  health 
clinics,  encouraging  others  to  use  lan- 
guage and  images  responsibly  to  avoid 
encouraging  violence  or  appearing  to 
condone  it; 

•  called  for  prayer  and  action  to 
restore  peace  and  order  to  American 
cities; 

•  urged  production  of  GA  materials  in 
alternate  formats  for  the  visually  hand- 
icapped and  urged  seeking  foundation 
grants  to  fund  it; 

•  urged  an  increase  in  ministry  to 
younger  African-American  males  and 
an  affirmation  of  the  contributions  of 
African  American  males  to  the  church; 

•  stated  that  the  Christian  Coalition  is 
not  necessarily  representative  of  the 
positions  or  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),  and 

•  welcomed  the  expression  of  gratitude 
from  the  three  presbyteries  in  Okla- 
homa (Cimarron,  Indian  Nations  and 
Eastern  Oklahoma)  for  the  spiritual 
and  financial  support  of  the  church  fol- 
lowing the  tragic  April  19  bombing  in 
Oklahoma  City. 

Hal  Bray 


Health,  toxic  waste 
resolutions  okayed 

A  resolution  that  updates  General 
Assembly  policy  on  health  care  and 
health  care  policy  issues  was  over- 
whelmingly approved  by  the  207th 
General  Assembly  July  19. 

The  resolution,  developed  by  the 
Advisory  Committee  on  Social  Witness 
Policy  (ACSWP),  was  commended  to 
the  Assembly  by  its  Committee  on 
Environmental  and  Health  Issues. 

The  resolution,  "Call  to  Healing  and 
Wholeness,"  builds  upon  two  recent 
General  Assembly  policy  statements  — 
"Life  Abundant:  Values,  Choices  and 
Health  Care"  and  "Christian  Responsi- 
bility for  a  National  Medical  Plan" — 
and  calls  upon  the  church  at  all  levels 
to  renew  its  efforts  to  implement  them. 

Synods  and  presbyteries  are  charged 
to  provide  resources  and  support  to 
congregations  as  they  seek  to  address 
health  care  issues. 

The  General  Assembly  is  asked  to 
take  a  stronger  role  in  providing 
resources  and  staff  support  to  health 
care  initiatives  throughout  the  church. 
The  General  Assembly  Council  is  asked 
to  consider  "health,  healing  and  whole- 
ness" as  a  future  churchwide  mission 
initiative. 

Another  ACSWP  resolution,  "Hazard- 
ous Waste,  Race  and  the  Environment," 
advocates  the  development  of  public 
policies  "that  result  in  the  elimination 
of  the  disproportionate  risk  borne  by 
the  poor  and  people  of  color,  and  that 
encourages  industries  to  engage  in 
clean-up  activities." 

The  resolution  seeks  public  policy 
and  industrial  processes  that  reduce 
the  amount  of  toxic  waste  and  provide 
for  its  safe  storage  and  disposal. 

It  calls  upon  the  church  to  assist 
poor  and  minority  communities  in 
educational  and  advocacy  efforts  about 
the  effects  of  toxic  waste  dumping  in 
their  neighborhoods. 
Jerry  Van  Marter 
Sue  Castle 


Simplified  Rules  of  Discipline  sent 
to  presb3^eries  for  approval 


The  section  of  the  Book  of  Order 
called  the  Rules  of  Discipline  has 
been  made  more  user  friendly  by  the 
207th  General  Assembly,  subject  to 
approval  by  the  presbyteries. 

This  new  version  of  the  Rules  did 
not  come  into  being  overnight,  but  is 
the  result  of  a  careful  process  which 
began  with  a  recommendation 
approved  by  the  204th  General 
Assembly  (1992),  which  asked  for  a 
proposal  on  Disciplinary  Process  from 
the  Advisory  Committee  on  the 
Constitution  (ACC)  to  come  before 
the  207th  General  Assembly  this  year. 
All  overtures  proposing  amendments 
to  the  Book  of  Order  that  affect  disci- 
plinary process  were  also  to  be  held 
by  the  ACC  for  consideration  as  a 
whole  this  year.  While  the  present 


Rules,  which  became  a  part  of  the 
Constitution  vwth  reunion  in  1983, 
have  proven  to  be  basically  sound  in 
definition  and  application,  specific 
usage  over  the  past  ten  years  has  sur- 
faced the  need  to  correct,  clarify  or 
enhance  the  effectiveness  of  some 
aspects  of  the  judicial  process. 

The  work  of  the  Committee  to 
Review  Disciplinary  Process,  subse- 
quently constituted  by  the  Advisory 
Committee  on  the  Constitution, 
was  reviewed  by  the  Assembly 
Committee  on  Rules  of  Discipline 
before  coming  to  the  floor  of  the 
Assembly  on  July  19. 

With  careful  attention  to  the  rights 
of  both  accuser  and  accused,  and  con- 
sultation with  representatives  of  the 
Advisory  Committee  on  the 


Constitution,  the  Committee  on 
Social  Witness  Policy  and  the 
Advisory  Committee  on  Women's 
Concerns,  the  Assembly  Committee 
amended  the  report  slightly  in  regard 
to  time  and  age  limits  and  definitions 
of  abuse  and  misconduct,  which  were 
also  the  subject  of  questions  and 
amendments  when  the  report  came  to 
the  Assembly. 

Overtures  regarding  mediation 
efforts  were  addressed  in  the  report, 
which  was  approved  by  a  vote  of  471 
in  the  affirmative  (91  percent)  and  41 
in  the  negative,  with  three  absten- 
tions. Presbytery  votes  will  decide 
whether  the  new  Rules  will  go  into 
the  Book  of  Order. 

Jane  Mines 


SATURDAY,  JULY  12,  1995 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


PAGE  9 


Forgive  (continued  from  page  1) 

"Because  the  issue  is  civility,  we 
rejoice  that  future  issues  of  the 
[Presbyterian]  Layman  will  be  pub- 
lished in  accord  with  a  standard  that 
affirms  that  The  primary  function  of 
Christian  publications  is  to  advance  the 
work  and  witness  of  Jesus  Christ  in  the 
world,'  and  furthermore  that  Xhristian 
publications  should  be  honest  and 
courageous,  their  presentations  char- 
acterized by  sincerity,  truthfulness, 
accuracy  and  an  avoidance  of  distortion 
and  sensationalism'." 

The  approved  report  includes: 

•  Approval  and  endorsement  of  the 
PLC's  commitment  to  the 
"Determination  of  Boundaries  for  Its 
(The  Presbyterian  Lay 
Committee/Presbyterian  Layman) 
Work  Within  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),"  which  includes  the 
Evangelical  Press  Association's  Code  of 
Ethics,  "as  a  step  toward  God's  healing 
grace  and  forgiveness," 

•  A  call  for  "all  Presbyterians  to 
repentance  and  forgiveness,  and  rebuke 
all  divisive  people  and  groups  in  our 
church;" 

•  Directing  the  General  Assembly 
Council  to  make  it  a  matter  of  urgent 
priority  to  discuss  fully  issues  about 
which  Presbyterians  are  in  disagree- 
ment; 

•  Urging  the  Moderator  of  the  207th 
General  Assembly  (1995)  to  invite 
every  session  in  the  denomination  to 
communicate  with  the  General 
Assembly  Council  (GAC)  their  issues  of 
concern  in  the  life  of  the  church,  their 
hopes,  and  their  dreams  for  the  future 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
and  direct  the  GAC  to  report  an  assess- 
ment of  these  communications  to  the 


208th  General  Assembly  (1996); 

•  Urging  the  GAC,  through  its 
Congregational  Ministries  Division  and 
our  denominational  seminaries,  to 
make  it  a  matter  of  urgent  priority  to 
provide  ongoing  regional  opportunities 
to  discuss  matters  of  theology,  practi- 
cal faith,  and  spiritual  formation,  par- 
ticularly as  they  are  informed  by  the 
scriptures  and  the  "Book  of 
Confessions;" 

•  Thanking  the  Congregational 
Ministries  Division  and  others  for  their 
efforts  to  promote  theological  dialogue, 
and  strongly  recommending  the  con- 
tinuance of  these  efforts; 

•  Dismissing  the  Special  Committee 
on  Reconciliation  with  the 
Presbyterian  Lay  Committee  with 
appreciation  for  their  work. 

The  assembly  committee  concluded 
by  stating  that  its  report  was  "deliber- 
ately brief  and  obviously  non-punitive, 
and  intends  that  the  assembly  shall  not 
take  up  the  topic  again." 

Committee  vice  chair  Kathryn 
Johnson,  a  minister  commissioner 
from  Santa  Barbara  Presbytery,  told 
the  Assembly  that  the  committee  was 
handicapped  by  previous  General 
Assembly  actions. 

First,  the  206th  (1994)  General 
Assembly's  mandate  to  the  Special 
Committee  on  Reconciliation  was 
unclear,  she  said. 

Second,  the  203rd  (1991)  General 
Assembly  gave  up  jurisdiction  over 
independent  Presbyterian  groups  like 
the  PLC.  Thus,  the  General  Assembly 
does  not  have  any  oversight  or  right  of 
review  of  the  organization. 

The  51 -member  assembly  committee 
was  chaired  by  Richard  Malrnberg,  an 
elder  from  Northern  Kansas 
Presbytery.  He  noted  that  when  the 


committee  started  work  on  July  16,  he 
felt  that  their  assignment  might  be  "an 
impossible  task." 

Over  the  30-year  history  of  the 
Presbyterian  Lay  Committee  there 
have  been  numerous  conflicts  between 
church  leaders  and  the  PLC.  So  far, 
none  have  resulted  in  a  lasting  "recon- 
ciliation." 

The  Special  Committee  on 
Reconciliation  created  by  the  206th 
General  Assembly  met  four  times  with 
representatives  from  the  PLC  from 
November  1994  to  March  1995. 

Special  Committee  members  who 
spoke  before  the  assembly  committee 
said  PLC  representatives  wanted  to  dis- 
cuss theology  and  that  was  not  the 
committee's  purpose. 

A  PLC  presentation  to  the  committee 
said  that  the  PLC  was  not  the  problem 
in  the  church;  the  problem  is  a 
"chasm"  that  has  developed  between 
the  congregations  and  the  denomina- 
tional leadership,  according  to  the 
PLC. 

The  journalistic  integrity  of  the 
"Presbyterian  Layman"  was  the  subject 
of  much  of  a  two-hour  open  hearing 
before  the  assembly  committee  on  July 
17.  Many  individuals  rose  to  complain 
about  its  "mean  spirited"  attacks  on 
church  officials  and  alleged  inaccurate 
reports. 

A  smaller  number  gave  testimony  in 
favor  of  the  newspaper,  claiming  it  was 
their  best  source  of  news  about  the 
church.  They  decried  what  they  saw  as 
an  attempt  to  "muzzle"  the  Layman. 

Still  others,  while  not  defending  the 
Layman's  content,  pointed  out  there 
was  not  much  the  General  Assembly 
could  do  about  the  newspaper. 

John  Sniffen 


New  group  debuts 


PHOTO  BVJUDV  STEER 


In  a  take-off  on  Martin  Luther's  95 
Theses,  the  Voices  of  Sophia  made  their 
first  Assembly  appearance.  The  '95 
Illuminations  were  presented  outside 
plenary  auditorium  doors  following  the 
moderator's  election  on  Sunday.  July  16. 

Voices  of  Sophia  is  a  new  organiza- 
tion. It  is  independent  of  church  struc- 
ture, but  its  design  is  consistent  with 
the  Presbyterian  commitment  to 
women  and  the  reformed  tradition,  the 
inclusive  church,  and  all  justice  issues. 

Their  purpose  states  that  "Voices  of 
Sophia  is  a  community  of  women  and 
men  in  the  larger  community  of  the 
PC(USA)  being  reformed  by  God 
through  the  Spirit  of  the  living  Christ, 
and  working  toward  the  transformation 
of  the  church  into  a  discipleship  of 
equals." 


GA  voices  opposition  to  land  mines,  reaffirms  call  to  close  school 


Assembly  commissioners,  in  adopting 
the  report  of  the  Assernbly  Committee 
on  Peacemaking  and  International 
Justice,  voiced  opposition  to  the  con- 
tinuing manufacture  and  use  of  land 
mines  and  other  anti-personnel  devices, 
also  to  the  use  of  more  recently  devel- 
oped laser  weapons  used  to  blind. 

The  whole  report  was  passed  with  lit- 
tle discussion,  except  for  a  confusion 
within  the  committee  itself  on  the 
action  taken  on  an  overture  from  Flint 
River  Presbytery,  which  called  upon 
the  Assembly  to  rescind  a  1994  action 
calling  for  the  closing  of  the  School  of 
the  Americas  at  Fort  Benning,  Ga.  Fort 
Benning  is  located  near  Columbus,  Ga, 
which  is  also  the  location  of  the  pres- 
bytery office. 

The  amended  action  was  to  answer 
this  year's  overture  in  the  negative, 
send  a  pastoral  letter  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Flint  River,  reaffirm  the  action  of  the 
1994  Assembly,  recommit  the  action  to 
affected  entities  of  the  US  Government, 
and  respect  training  in  human  rights 
which  might  be  offered. 

Two  overtures  speaking  to  the  issue 
of  nuclear  weapons  were  amended  to 
emphasize  calling  for  the  continuation 
of  test  bans  and  the  affirmation  of  non- 
proliferation  treaties. 

Commissioners  urged  congregations 
to  continue  adopting  the  Commitment 


to  Peacemaking  and  recognized  pres- 
byteries in  which  50  percent  or  more 
of  the  churches  had  adopted  it.  New 
this  year  were  the  presbyteries  of 
Southern  New  England,  North  Central 
Iowa,  Grand  Canyon,  Santa  Fe,  Scioto 
Valley  and  Kiskiminetas. 

The  bulk  of  the  committee's  report 
dealt  with  situations  in  other  parts  of 
the  world,  including: 

•  endorsing  a  letter  entitled: 
Jerusalem:  City  of  Peace; 

•  reaffirming  a  commitment  to  work 
for  the  reunification  of  Korea; 

•  adopting  guidelines  for  church  part- 
nerships in  situations  of  conflict  and 
human  rights  abuse; 

•  rejecting  the  Indonesian  occupation 
of  East  Timor; 

•  encouraging  the  publication  and  use 
of  the  human  rights  update; 

•  asking  for  the  establishment  of  an 
international  fund  for  the  assistance  of 
land  mine  victims; 

•  urging  appropriate  governmental 
action  to  encourage  repeal  of  laws  in 
Islamic  Pakistan,  which  violate  the 
human  rights  of  minorities  there; 

•  voting  to  stand  in  solidarity  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Taiwan  and 
work  for  the  inclusion  of  that  nation  in 
the  United  Nations; 

•  reaffirming  a  policy  of  not  investing 
in  corporations  engaged  in  military 


related  production; 

•  affirming  support  for  continuing 
participation  in  the  United  Nations; 

•  calling  for  study  of  peacemaking 
issues  throughout  the  church; 

•  expressing  sorrow  for  the  killing  of 
the  Rev.  Manuel  Vasquez  in  Guatemala, 
as  well  as  directing  the  stated  clerk  to 
demand  a  full  investigation  from  the 
government  of  Guatemala,  and 
requesting  that  the  Presbyterian 
Foundation  establish  a  fund,  the  inter- 


est of  which  would  be  used  for  the  fam- 
ilies of  Presbyterian  clergy,  who  lose 
their  lives  for  their  faith; 

•  requesting  that  August  20  be  set 
aside  as  a  day  of  prayer  for  the  situa- 
tion in  Bosnia,  and  calling  upon  the 
Bosnian  Serbs  to  cease  attacks  on 
Muslims;  and, 

•  appealing  to  the  US  Government  to 
encourage  Israel  to  withdraw  troops 
from  Syria  and  Lebanon. 

Hal  Bray 


Moderator  Marj  Carpenter  and  Stated  Clerk  James  E.  Andrews  greet  Ecumenical 
Advisory  Delegates  Paulo  Rocha  (left)  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Brazil  and 
Mathias  Quintela  de  Souza  (center)  of  the  Independent  Presbyterian  Church  of  Brazil. 


PAGE  10 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAY,  JULY  22,  1995 


OVERTURES  TO  THE  207TH  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 


Overture  95-1:  On  Clarifying  Constitutional 
Bounds  of  Inclusiveness — From  the  Synod  of 
the  Northeast— REFERRED  TO  THE  208TH 
GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  (1996) 
Overture  95-2:  On  Amending.G-14.0209a,  G- 
14.0510b,  and  W-4.4003  for  Consistent 
Language  Regarding  Kneeling,  Standing — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Shenandoah. — 
APPROVED  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 
Overture  95-3:  On  Amending  G-1 1.0200 
Regarding  the  Requirements  for  Calling  a 
Special  Meeting  of  the  Presbytery — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Greater  Atlanta.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-4:  On  Beginning  the  Process  for 
Including  the  "Declaration  of  Faith"  in  the 
Book  of  Confessions — From  the  Presbytery  of 
South  Louisiana.— REFERRED  TO  THE  SPE- 
CL\L  COMMITTEE  TO  WRITE  A  NEW  PRES- 
BYTERIAN CATECHISM  W/COMMENT 
Overture  95-5:  On  Amending  D-6.0600b. 
Regarding  the  Timeline  for  Filing  a  Complaint 
Against  General  Assembly  Entities — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Memphis.— ANSWE^IED  BY 
ACTION  TAKEN  ON  21.018-.019 
Overture  95-6:  On  Amending  G-11.0404a 
Regarding  the  Procedure  for  Receiving 
Ministers  from  Other  Reformed  Churches — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Palisades. — 
APPROVED  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 
Overture  95-7:  On  Amending  G-14.0314a  to 
Insert  the  Word  "Ordiriarily"  Regarding  the 
Presbytery  of  Care  Examining  a  Candidate — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Fernando. — 
APPROVED 

Overture  95-8:  On  Marking  the  50th 
Anniversary  of  the  Bombing  of  Hiroshima  and 
Nagasaki  with  Silent  Prayer,  and  Working  for 
the  Elimination  of  Nuclear  Weapons.- From 
the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia— ANSWERED 
BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVT.  95-67 
Overture  95-9:  On  Amending  W-4.9002a  and 
W-4.9003  to  Specify  that  the  Pastor  of  the 
Church  is  the  Person  in  Charge  of  the 
Marriage  Service — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Sheppards  and  Lapsley.— APPROVED  ALTER- 
NATE RESOLUTION 

Overture  95-10:  On  Adding  New  Section  G- 
9.0301c  to  Permit  Governing  Bodies  and 
Committees  and  Commissions  of  Governing 
Bodies  Beyond  the  Session  to  Meet  Via  Audio 
or  Video  Teleconference — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Alaska.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-11:  On  Requesting  Presbyteries 
and  Congregations  to  Follow  Through  on  the 
Dialogue  on  Human  Sexuality  Called  for  by 
the  205th  General  Assembly  (1993)— From 
the  Presbytery  of  Heartland.— APPROVED  AS 
AMENDED 

Overture  95-12:  On  Declaring  Paragraph  14 
of  the  Policy  Statement  of  the  190th  General 
Assembly  (1978)  Regarding  Ordination  of 
Homosexual  Persons  an  Authoritative 
Interpretation  of  the  Constitution — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Heartland.— REFERRED  TO 
THE  208TH  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  (1996) 
Overture  95-13:  On  Amending  G-11.01031,  G- 
14.0314a,  G-14.0402a,  G-14.0404a  and  b,  and 
G-14.0405C  Regarding  Preparation  for  the 
Office  of  Minister  of  the  word  and 
Sacrament — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Arkansas.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-14:  On  Reaffirming  that  the 
Annual  Joy  Gift  Offering  Be  Devoted 
Exclusively  to  the  Benefit  of  Those  Retired 
Faithful  Servants  of  the  Kingdom — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Arkansas.— REFERRED  TO  THE 
CONGREGATIONAL  MINISTRIES  DIVISION'S 
SPECIAL  OFFERINGS  TASK  GROUP 
Overture  95-15:  On  Amending  G-1 1.0404c 
and  G-14.0513  to  Provide  for  Dual  Member- 
ship Status  of  Non-Presbyterian  Clergy  in 
Temporary  Pastoral  Relationships — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Whitewater  Valley.— APPROVED 
ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 
Overture  95-16:  On  Calling  for  the  General 
Assembly  to  Encourage  the  Board  of  Pensions 
to  Reverse  its  Policy  Including  "Medical 
Reimbursable"  in  Salary — From  the  Presby- 
tery of  Whitewater  Valley.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-17:  On  Amending  the  Proposed 
Rules  of  Discipline  to  Allow  the  Option  of 
Alternative  Dispute  Resolution  to  Sessions 
and  to  Permanent  Judicial  Commissions — 
From  the  Synod  of  the  Pacific— ITEM  2  OF 
OVERTURE  IS  ANSWERED  BY  ACTION 
TAKEN  ON  21.018-.019;  ITEMS  1,  3,  4  AND  5 
OF  OVERTURE  WERE  DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-18:  On  Asking  the  Board  of 
Pensions  to  Consider  Other  Means  Than 
Through  Vacancy  Dues  to  Fund  Medicare 
Supplement  Subscriptions — From  the  Presby- 
tery of  Coastal  Carolina.— DISAPPROVED 


Overture  95-19:  On  Using  All  of  the 
Christmas  Joy  Offering  for  Medical  Needs  of 
Retired  Ministers  and  Their  Families,  and  On 
Having  a  Special  Offering  Each  Fall  for 
Minority  Colleges — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Coastal  Carolina.— ANSWERED  BY  ACTION 
TAKEN  ON  OVT.  95-14 
Overture  95-20:  On  Amending  G-14.0513c 
Regarding  the  Succession  of  Interim  Associate 
Pastor  to  Associate  Pastor — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Carlisle.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-21:  On  World  Peace  and  Justice: 
United  Nations  Membership  for  Taiwan — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Riverside — 
ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  33.135 
Overture  95-22:  On  Amending  G-14.0516c  to 
Grant  Certified  Lay  Preachers  Authority  to 
Perform  Marriages — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Southeastern  Illinois— REFERRED  TO  GAC 
IN  CONSULTATION  WITH  THE  ACC  FOR 
RESPONSE  TO  208TH  GA 
Overture  95-23:  On  Amending  the  Book  of 
Order  to  Change  "Commissioned  Lay 
Preacher"  to  "Commissioned  Lay  Pastor" — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  South  Louisiana. — 
APPROVED 

Overture  95-24:  On  Amending  G-14.0502 
Regarding  When  the  Process  of  Election  of  a 
Pastor  May  Begin — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Des  Moines.— APPROVED 
Overture  95-25:  On  Amending  G-14.0404  and 
G-14.0314  to  Restore  the  Calling  Procedure 
to  What  it  Was  Prior  to  the  Recent  Change  in 
G-14.0404— From  the  Presbytery  of  Tres 
Rios. — Concurrence:  Presbytery  of  Grace — 
DISAPPROVED 

Overture  95-26:  On  Transferring  Merriam 
Grace  Church,  Merriam,  Kansas,  Heartland 
Presbytery,  Synod  of  Mid-America,  to  Midwest 
Hanmi  Presbytery,  Synod  of  Lincoln  Trails — 
From  the  Synod  of  Lincoln  Trails.— APPROVED 
Overture  95-27:  On  Instructing  That  No 
Administrative  Charge  be  Made  Against 
Special  Designated  Gifts,  Especially  Extra 
Commitment  Opportunities  (ECO)  Giving — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Holston. Concurrence: 
Presbytery  of  Abingdon— REFERRED  TO  THE 
GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  COUNCIL  W/COMMENT 
Overture  95-28:  On  Affirming  the  Church's 
Stance  on  Public  Education,  and  Declaring 
November  of  the  Next  Five  Years  as  Public 
Education  Month — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Eastern  Oklahoma.— APPROVED  ALTERNATE 
RESOLUTION 

Overture  95-29:  On  Speaking  Against 
Violence  at  Women's  Health  Clinics — From 
the  Presbytery  of  East-em  Oklahoma. — 
APPROVED  AS  AMENDED 
Overture  95-30:  On  Affirming  That  Human 
Life  Begins  at  Fertilization,  and  Including 
This  Statement  in  Policy  Statements 
Concerning  Problem  Pregnancies  and 
Abortion — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Cincinnati.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-31:  On  Amending  G-14.0309(d) 
To  Standardize  When  Personal  Information 
Forms  Can  Be  Circulated  by  Candidates — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Francisco. — 
APPROVED  AS  AMENDED 
Overture  95-32:  On  Amending  the  Book  of 
Order  to  Change  the  Title  "Minister  of  Word 
and  Sacrament"  to  "Teaching  Elder"  and  the 
Title  "Elder"  to  "Ruling  Elder"— From  the 
Presbytery  of  San  Francisco.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-33:  On  Amending  the  Proposed 
Rules  of  Discipline  to  Allow  the  Option  of 
Alternative  Forms  of  Resolution  to  Permanent 
Judicial  Commissions — From  the  Presbytery 
of  San  Francisco.— ANSWERED  BY  ACTION 
TAKEN  ON  OVT.  95-17 
Overture  95-34:  On  Requesting  the  208th 
General  Assembly  (1996)  Have  a  Native 
American  Focus,  and  Requesting  Appoint- 
ment of  a  Task  Force  to  Study  its  Mission  with 
Native  American  Tribes — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Grand  Canyon.— APPROVED  AS  AMEND- 
ED W/COMMENT 

Overture  95-35:  On  Amending  Standing  Rule 
B.5.c.(5)  to  Rescind  the  Recent  Amendment 
That  Overtures  Dealing  With  Similar  Issues 
Considered  by  Previous  Assemblies  Will  be 
Referred,  Declined,  or  No  Action  Taken — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Western  Colorado. — 
APPROVED 

Overture  95-36:  On  Issuing  a  Public  Call  for 
Prayer  in  Response  to  the  Increasing  Violence  in 
Our  Society — From  the  Presbytery  of  Denver. — 
APPROVED  ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 
Overture  95-37:  On  Calling  for  the  207th 
General  Assembly  (1995)  to  Reaffirm  the 
Commitment  to  Working  On  Issues  of  Racism 
at  National  and  Local  Levels — From  the 


Presbytery  of  New  Castle.— APPROVED 
Overture  95-38:  Concerning  Child  Care  at 
Presbytery  Gatherings — From  the  Presbytery 
of  New  York  City. — Concurrence:  Presbytery 
of  Santa  Fe— APPROVED 
Overture  95-39:  Concerning  National 
Observance  of  Children's  Sabbaths — From  the 
Presbytery  of  New  York  City.— Concurrence: 
Presbytery  of  Santa  Fe-  -APPROVED 
Overture  95-40:  Concerning  Church  Programs 
for  Non-Affiliated  Youth — From  the  Presbytery 
of  New  York  City.— APPROVED  AS  AMENDED 
Overture  95-41:  On  Making  PC(USA)  Materials 
Available  in  Alternate  Formats  for  the  Benefit 
of  Persons  With  Disabilities — From  the 
Presbytery  of  TVvin  Cities  Area.— ANSWERED 
BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVT.  95-46 
Overture  95-42:  On  the  Status  of  Jerusalem: 
Crisis  for  Christians,  Muslim,  and  Jews — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Fernando. — 
APPROVED  AS  AMENDED 
Overture  95-43:  On  Banning  Blinding  Laser 
Weapons — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Baltimore.— APPROVED  AS  AMENDED 
Overture  95-44:  On  Transferring  Christ  Memo- 
rial Presbyterian  Church,  Columbia,  Maryland, 
to  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Baltimore.  —APPROVED 
Overture  95-45:  On  Translating  the  Book  of 
Common  Worship  into  Korean — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Hanmi— APPROVED 
W/AMENDMENT 

Overture  95-46:  On  Ministry  Tools  and 
Services  for  Persons  With  Disabilities — From 

the  Presbytery  of  Northern  New  York.  

APPROVED  AS  AMENDED 
Overture  95-47:  On  Organ  Donations — From 
the  Presbytery  of  the  Cascades.— APPROVED 
Overture  95-48:  On  Calling  for  Repeal  of 
Overture  94-18  and  Voicing  Support  for  the 
School  of  the  Americas  So  Long  as  it  Fosters 
Peace,  Justice,  and  Human  Rights  for  the 
Nations  of  Latin  America — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Flint  River.— DISAPPROVED 
W/COMMENT 

Overture  95-49:  On  Amending  G-11.01031 
and  Various  Sections  of  G-14.0000  Regarding 
Allowing  Presbytery  of  Call  to  Conduct 
Ordinations — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Trinity.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-50:  On  Relations  With  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-Day  Saints — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Utah.— APPROVED 
ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 
Overture  95-51:  On  Strengthening/ 
Monitoring  Support  for  Taiwan  Called  for  by 
the  206th  General  Assembly  (1994),  and 
Reporting  to  the  208th  General  Assembly 
(1996)— From  the  Presbytery  of  the  Pacific— 
ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON  33.135 
Overture  95-52:  On  Supporting  Native 
American-Alaskan  Native  Families — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Alaska.— ANSWERED  BY 
ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVT.  95-59 
Overture  95-53:  On  Strengthening 
Relationships  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  With  "Dimensional"  and  "Pervasive" 
Church-Related  Colleges— From  the 
Presbytery  of  Miami.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-54:  On  Adopting  a  Commitment 
to  Help  Communities  Affected  by  Emplace- 
ment of  Disposal  Facilities — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Northumberland.— APPROVED 
Overture  95-55:  On  Reaffirming  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.SA)  Commitment  to 
Affirmative  Action — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Salem.— APPROVED  AS  AMENDED 
Overture  95-56:  On  Transferring  Grace 
Korean  Presbyterian  Church,  Merriam, 
Kansas,  Heartland  Presbytery,  Synod  of  Mid- 
America,  to  Midwest  Hanmi  Presbytery,  Synod 
of  Lincoln  Trails — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Heartland.  —APPROVED 
Overture  95-57:  On  Rejecting  Attempts  to 
Modify  the  Present  Practice  Regarding 
Designated  Giving  by  Imposing  a  Percentage 
Reduction  to  Cover  Administrative  Costs — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Andrew. — 
ANSWERED  BY  THE  ACTION  TAKEN  ON 
OVT.  95-27 

Overture  95-58:  On  Criteria  for  Just 
Peacemaking — From  the  Presbytery  of  de 
Cristo.— ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN  ON 
34.944-.946 

Overture  95-59:  On  Supporting  Native  Ameri- 
can-Alaskan Native  Families — From  the 
Synod  of  Alaska-Northwest— APPROVED  AS 
AMENDED 

Overture  95-60:  On  Speaking  Against 
Violence  Against  Staff,  Clients,  and  Facilities 
of  Women's  Health  Clinics — From  the 
Presbytery  of  San  Jose.— APPROVED 


Overture  95-61:  On  Permanently  Banning  U. 
S.  Production,  Sale,  and  Export  of  Land 
Mines — From  the  Presbytery  of  the  Twin 
Cities  Area.— ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN 
ON  34.957-.970  W/COMMENT 
Overture  95-62:  On  Requesting  the  Endorse- 
ment of  the  "Passages"  Radio  Program 
Produced  by  the  Presbyterian  Media  Mission 
(PMM)  as  an  Officially  Syndicated  Radio 
Program  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.) — From  the  Presbytery  of  Beaver- 
Butler.— APPROVED  W/COMMENT 
Overture  95-63:  On  Requesting  the  Study  of 
Political  Participation  in  the  Light  of 
Reformed  Theology — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Pittsburgh.— APPROVED  WITH  COMMENT 
Overture  95-64:  On  Marking  the  50th 
Anniversary  of  the  Bombing  of  Hiroshima  and 
Nagasaki  with  Silent  Prayer,  and  Working  for 
the  Elimination  of  Nuclear  Weapons — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Louisville.— ANSWERED  BY 
ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVT.  95-67 
Overture  95-65:  On  Directing  the  Board  of 
Pensions  to  Eliminate  Various  Allowances 
From  the  Definition  "Effective  Salary" — From 
the  Presbytery  of  the  James.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-66:  On  Issues  Surrounding 
National  Sovereignty  and  Criteria  for  Just- 
Peace — From  the  Presbytery  of  the  Western 
Reserve.— ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN 
ON  34.944-.946 

Overture  95-67:  On  the  Elimination  of 
Nuclear  Weapons — From  the  Presbytery  of 
the  Western  Reserve.— APPROVED  AS 
AMENDED 

Overture  95-68:  On  Writing  a  Code  of 
Professional  Ethics  Pertaining  to  Sexual 
Misconduct  by  Persons  in  Positions  of 
Religious  Leadership — From  the  Presbytery  of 
the  Western  Reserve.— ANSWERED  BY 
ALTERNATE  RESOLUTION 
Overture  95-69:  On  the  Board  of  Pension's 
New  Format  for  Determining  Pension  and 
Medical  Dues — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Giddings-Lovejoy.— DISAPPROVED 
Overture  95-70:  On  Supporting  the  National 
Hispanic  Presbyterian  Caucus  in  Ministering 
to  Hispanics,  and  on  Providing  the  Book  of 
Confessions  in  Spanish — From  the  Presbytery 
of  the  Pacific— APPROVED  AS  AMENDED 
Overture  95-71:  On  Transferring  Christ 
Memorial  Presbyterian  Church  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Natinal  Capital  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Baltimore — From  the  Presbytery  of 
National  Capital.— APPROVED 
Overture  95-72:  On  Designating  1996  as  the 
Year  With  Latin  Americans — From  the 
Presbytery  of  San  Juan.— ANSWERED  BY 
ACTION  TAKEN  ON  33.062 
Overture  95-73:  On  Directing  that  All 
Designated  Gifts  be  Expended  Entirely  as 
Directed  by  the  Donors,  Not  to  Be  Diminished 
by  Administrative  Costs,  and  On  Requesting  a 
Survey  of  the  Church  Regarding  Unrestricted 
and  Restricted  Giving — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Charleston-Atlantic— ANSWERED  BY 
ACTION  TAKEN  ON  OVT.  95-27 
Overture  95-74:  On  Selecting  a  Committee  to 
Bring  a  Plan  to  Ensure  that  Persons  Respon- 
sible for  Staff  Supervision,  Financial  Manage- 
ment, and  Policy  Decisions  are  Elected  by  the 
Presbyteries  from  Recommendations  by 
Sessions — From  the  Presbytery  of  Western 
Colorado.— REFERRED  TO  SPECIAL  COM- 
MITTEE FOR  REVIEW  OF  THE  GENERAL 
ASSEMBLY  COUNCIL  (GAC),  GAC  DIVI- 
SIONS, CORPORATIONS,  ADMINISTRATIVE 
SERVICES  AND  OTHER  GENERAL  ASSEM- 
BLY BODIES 

Overture  95-75:  On  Theological  and  Ethical 
Reflection  on  Genetic  Research  and 
Development — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Pittsburgh.— APPROVED  AS  AMENDED 
Overture  95-76:  On  Acknowledging  That  the 
Errors  of  Doctrine  Which  Occurred  at  the  Re- 
Imagining  Conference  Were  Contrary  to  the 
Constitution,  and  On  Investigating  Partici- 
pation by  Ordained  PC(USA)  Staff  and 
Officers — From  the  Presbytery  of  Tampa 
Bay.— UPON  THE  RECOMMENDATION  OF 
THE  BILLS  &  OVERTURES  COMMITTEE  THE 
ASSEMBLY  TOOK  NO  ACTION  ON  THIS  OVT. 
Overture  95-77:  On  Establishing  a  Panel  to 
Provide  Analysis  of  Federal  Legislation  That 
Will  Enable  the  Church  to  Provide  Advocacy 
for  the  Poor — From  the  Presbytery  of  North- 
east Georgia.— APPROVED  AS  AMENDED 
Overture  95-78:  On  Praying  for  Peace  in 
Jerusalem — From  the  Presbytery  of  Cayuga- 
Syracuse.— ANSWERED  BY  ACTION  TAKEN 
ON  OVT.  95-42 


SATURDAY,  jULY  22,  1995 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


PAGE  11 


Awards  presented  at  gala  celebration  dinner 


The  first  General  Assembly  awards 
and  celebration  dinner  opened  by  hon- 
oring the  religious  roots  of  the  United 
Nations'  now  50-year  quest  for  world 
peace  and  culminated  in  a  charge  for 
award-winners  and  guests  to  be  about 
"whatever  is  true,  whatever  is  honor- 
able, whatever  is  just,  whatever  is  pure." 

Five  categories  of  awards  were  pre- 
sented during  the  fest,  while  recogni- 
tion was  given  to  25  new  church  devel- 
opments and  to  the  25th  anniversary  of 
Self-Development  of  People  (SDOP),  a 
program  establishing  partnerships 
with  disadvantaged  communities 
worldwide. 

"Tonight's  event  will  make  you  proud 
to  be  a  Presbyterian,"  said  outgoing 
General  Assembly  Council  chair  the 
Rev.  Lori  Zang  Kozinski,  describing  the 
time  as  one  of  "joyful  renewal." 

Three  awards  were  associated  with 
the  "Year  With  Africa:" 

•  "Africa  Partners  Award,"  which  was 
accepted  by  Brigalia  Ntombemhlope 
Bam,  general  secretary  of  the  South 
African  Council  of  Churches,  on  behalf 
of  that  organization;  and 

•  "Friends  of  Africa  Awards,"  which 
went  to  the  Hon.  Harry  Johnston  II 
of  the  United  States  House  of 
Representatives,  19th  District  of 
Florida,  who  has  co-authored  more 
than  12  pieces  of  legislation  which 
have  had  an  impact  on  Africa  and 
who  helped  negotiate  the  ceasefire  in 
southern  Sudan;  and  the  Rev. 
James  H.  Costen,  president  of  the 
Interdenominational  Theological 
Center  in  Atlanta,  who  has  been  instru- 
mental in  drawing  more  than  75 
African  students  to  that  institution  and 
who  has  sought  full  certification  for 
African  seminaries. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Doak, 
Presbyterian  pastor  at  the  University  of 
California  in  Los  Angeles,  was  the 
recipient  of  the  "Higher  Education 
Award,"  which  is  given' annually  to  an 
individual  for  distinguished  service  in 
higher  education  on  behalf  of  the 
PC(U.S.A.). 

"Being  a  campus  pastor  has  not  iso- 
lated him  from  the  church  or  society," 


said  the  Rev.  Clyde  0.  Robinson,  asso- 
ciate for  Higher  Education  Ministries 
and  Students'  Ministries,  but  instead, 
involved  Doak  at  the  "core"  of  secular 
and  ecclesiastical  life. 

Western  Carolinians  for  Criminal 
Justice  were  recognized  with  the 
"Restorative  Justice  Award,"  which  was 
established  in  1991  to  recognize 
Presbyterian  contributions  to  service 
or  advocacy  ministries  within  the 
criminal  justice  system. 

Women  at  Risk  was  the  program 


A  peacemaking  award  is  presented  by  ViceModerator  William 
Henning  (center)  as  Presbyterian  Peacemaking  Program  head 
Richard  Killmer  looks  on. 


highlighted  during  the  presentation  for 
its  community-based  treatment  alter- 
natives for  women  charged  with  non- 
violent crimes.  Ellen  Clarke  of 
Asheville,  N.C.,  executive  director  and 
a  founder  of  the  organization,  accepted 
the  award  from  the  Rev.  Oscar 
Perdomo  of  Mattawa,  Wash.,  moderator 
of  the  Assembly's  National  &  Urban 
Issues  Committee. 

Six  presbyteries  were  awarded  the 
Peacemaking  Commitment  Awards  by 
Elder  William  Thompson  of  LaGrange 
Park,  111.,  moderator  of  the  Assembly 
Committee  on  Peacemaking  and 


International  Justice.  Presbyteries  in 
which  50  percent  of  congregations 
have  adopted  the  Commitment  to 
Peacemaking  are  eligible  for  this 
award. 

Recipients  were  the  presbyteries  of 
Grand  Canyon,  Kiskiminetas,  North 
Central  Iowa,  Santa  Fe,  Scioto  Valley, 
and  Southern  New  England. 

The  "Sam  and  Helen  R.  Walton  Fund 
Grants"  were  awarded  to  four  new 
churches  for  1995,  receiving  grants 
totaling  $120,000.  The  churches  are: 
First  Thai 

Presbyterian  Church, 
Covina,  Calif.;  the 
Sandia  Presbyterian 
Church, 

Albuquerque,  N.M.; 
Trinity  Ecumenical 
Parish,  Moneta,  Va.; 
and  Cristo  Para  Todas 
Las  Naciones  Iglesia 
Presbiteriana, 
Doraville,  Ga. 

The  Rev.  Frank 
Beattie,  associate 
director  of 
Evangelism  and 
Church  Development, 
recognized  25  new 
church  developments 
and  each  church  was 
highlighted  in  a  brief 
slide  show. 

New  churches  are: 
the  Korean 
Presbyterian  Church 
of  Central 
Washington,  Richland,  Wash.;  Church 
at  the  Center,  Seattle,  Wash.;  Parkwood 
Presbyterian  Church,  Jenison,  Mich.; 
Iglesia  Presbiteriana  Vida  Nueva, 
Chicago,  111.;  New  Covenant 
Community,  Normal,  111.;  New  Hope 
Presbyterian  Church,  Fishers,  Ind.; 
New  Summit  Presbyterian  Church, 
Lee's  Summit,  Mo.;  Sneads  Ferry 
Presbyterian  Church,  Sneads  Ferry, 
N.C.;  North  Carolina  Korean 
Presbyterian  Church,  Durham,  N.C.; 
Oak  Ridge  Presbyterian  Church,  Oak 
Ridge,  N.C.;  and  Sherando  Presbyterian 
Church,  Stephens  City,  Va. 


Also,  Fletcher  Presbyterian  Church, 
Newland,  N.C.;  Southminister 
Presbyerian  Church,  Gastonia,  N.C.; 
Friendship  Community  Church, 
Grenloch,  N.J.;  Korean  Carmichael 
Presbyterian  Church,  Carmichael, 
Calif.;  Rio  Crystal  Presbyterian  Church, 
Mayaguez,  Puerto  Rico;  Iglesia 
Presbiteriana  El  Buen  Vecino, 
Kissimmee,  Fla.;  Lowcountry 
Presbyterian  Church,  Bluffton,  S.C.; 
Macland  Presbyterian  Church,  Powder 
Springs,  Ga.;  Pace  Presbyterian 
Church,  Pace,  Fla.;  Blythewood 
Community  Presbyterian  Church, 
Blythewood,  S.C.;  Taiwanese 
Prebyterian  Church  in  South  Bay, 
Redondo  Beach,  Calif.;  Pasadena 
Mideast  Evangelical  Presbyterian 
Church,  Padadena,  Calif.;  Good 
Shepherd  Presbyterian  Church, 
Garland,  Texas;  and  Suh  Kwang 
Presbyterian  Church,  Philadelphia. 

St.  Paul  Epps  of  Windsor,  N.C.,  the 
first  director  of  SDOP,  closed  the  ban- 
quet by  acknowledging  that  organiza- 
tion's 25-year  commitment  to  self- 
development  in  disadvantaged  commu- 
nities. "This  is  not  a  do-for  ministry  ... 
[it  does]  not  throw  money  at  a  prob- 
lem," Epps  said,  explaining  funds  go  to 
projects  with  long-term  development 
potential.  Over  3,000  groups  world- 
wide have  been  recipients  of  the 
grants,  he  said. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Smylie  of  the 
Presbyterian  United  Nations'  Office 
narrated  the  opening  video  marking 
the  50th  anniversary  of  the  United 
Nations. 

On  the  plenary  floor,  three 
"Ecumenical  Service  Awards"  were  pre- 
sented by  the  Rev.  Sandy  Peirce  of 
Placerville,  Calif.,  chair  of  the  advisory 
committee  on  ecumenical  and  inter- 
faith  relations.  The  awards  —  granted 
for  Presbyterian  efforts  to  achieve 
Christian  unity  —  went  to:  the 
Session  of  Trinity  Presbyterian  Church 
in  New  York  City,  the  Presbytery  of 
Missouri  Union  and  the  Presbytery  of 
South  Dakota. 

Alexa  Smith 


Radical  proposal  to  restructure  General 
and  change  representation  is  referred  to 

bers  of  General  Assembly  entities  to  be 
elected  directly  by  presbyteries  from 
nominations  by  sessions.  Currently, 
national-level  committee  members  are 
elected  by  the  General  Assembly  upon 
nomination  by  the  General  Assembly 
Nominating  Committee.  Proponents 
of  the  measure  successfully  argued  that 
such  direct  representation  is  essential 
if  trust  is  to  be  rebuilt  in  the  denomi- 


An  overture  from  Western  Colorado 
Presbytery  that  would  radically 
restructure  the  General  Assembly 
offices  in  Louisville  and  dramatically 
alter  the  way  representatives  are  elect- 
ed to  national  entities  was  referred  to 
the  quadrennial  committee  on  review 
of  the  General  Assembly  Council  (GAC) 
July  19. 

The  Assembly's  Committee  on 
Church  Polity  had  recommended  that 
the  overture  be  referred  to  a  special 
committee  to  be  created  by  the  207th. 
Instead,  the  Assembly  referred  the 
overture  to  the  already  existing  review 
committee  that  evaluates  the  opera- 
tions of  the  GAC  every  four  years.  That 
committee,  to  be  elected  later  in  the 
Assembly,  is  slated  to  report  to  next 
year's  Assembly. 

The  overture  calls  for  elected  mem- 


nation. 

The  motion  to  refer,  made  by  moder- 
atorial  candidate  Richard  Milford  of 
Detroit  Presbytery,  included  an 
instruction  that  the  review  committee 
"develop  a  plan"  to  implement  the  new 
representational  formula.  An  amend- 
ment that  would  change  "develop  a 
plan"  to  "consider  the  issue"  was  easily 
defeated. 

The  overture  also  called  for  the  dis- 


Assembly  entities 
Review  Committee 

mantling  of  the  GAC  and  its  replace- 
ment with  four  semi-autonomous 
boards  that  would  oversee  the  program 
work  of  the  General  Assembly.  Mil- 
ford's  motion  to  refer  asked  the  review 
committee  to  "strongly  consider"  the 
restructuring  proposal  and  the 
Assembly  concurred. 

The  vote  to  refer  was  463  (84  per- 
cent) to  86  (16  percent). 

In  another  significant  move,  the 
Assembly  voted  384-161  to  propose  a 
constitutional  amendment  to  the  pres- 
byteries that  would  give  the  moderator 
of  Presbyterian  Women  a  vote  on  the 
GAC.  The  Polity  Committee  had  rec- 
ommended otherwise.  Currently,  the 
moderator  of  Presbyterian  Women  has 
voice  but  not  vote  on  the  Council. 
Jerry  Van  Marter 
Sue  Castle 


PHOTO  BY  JERRY  \ 

The  Rev.  Robert  Palisin  dramatizes  the 
importance  of  tent  making  ministries  by 
pitching  a  tent  in  the  exhibit  hall.  Tent- 
makers  serve  churches  while  earning 
their  income  from  secular  employment. 


PAGE  12 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAY,  JULY  22,  1995 


1996,1997  mission  budgets  approved 


With  no  discussion,  debate  or  dis- 
sent, the  207th  General  Assembly 
adopted  a  1996  General  Assembly  mis- 
sion budget  of  $1 10.8  million  just 
before  it  adjourned  July  21.  The  bud- 
get repesents  a  $3.6  million  increase 
over  1995. 

According  to  figures  released  by  the 
Corporate  and  Administrative  Services 
office,  the  trend  in  unified  (unrestrict- 
ed) giving  continues  to  decline  at  a  rate 
of  about  five  percent  a  year.  But  pro- 
jections also  showed  that  designated 
giving  to  General  Assembly  mission 
continues  to  increase  at  a  faster  clip 
than  the  decline  in  unified  giving. 

The  Assembly  also  approved  a  1997 
mission  budget  of  $10  million,  down 
slightly  from  1996. 

Also  upon  recommendation  of  its 
Mission  Priorities  and  Budgets 
Committee,  the  Assembly  concurred 
with  the  General  Assembly  Council's 
decision  to  pay  off  a  $3.4  million  com- 
mercial loan  incurred  for  start-up  costs 
of  the  Bicentennial  Fund. 

The  pay-off,  from  the  Presbyterian 


Mission  Program  Fund  (PMPF),  brings 
to  $6.7  million  the  total  of  Bicentennial 
Fund  start-up  costs  that  have  been 
written  off.  Earlier,  the  council  can- 
celed a  $3.3  million  internal  loan  from 
the  PMPF  to  the  Bicentennial  Fund. 

The  Assembly  encouraged  congrega- 
tions who  have  made  pledges  to  the 
campaign  to  follow  through  on  their 
pay  up.  Current  receipts  total  just 
under  $70  million.  The  original  cam- 
paign goal  was  $175  million  and  has 
been  revised  downward  several  times  to 
its  current  target  of  $110  million. 

In  other  priority  and  budget  busi- 
ness, the  Assembly  voted  to: 

•  recognize  "with  thanksgiving"  the 
contributions  of  Native  American 
Presbyterian  ministries  and  leaders  at 
next  year's  General  Assembly  in 
Albuquerque;  and, 

•  encourage  all  General  Assembly- 
related  entities  to  offer  "quality  child 
care"  for  all  church  gatherings,  using 
guidelines  prepared  by  the 
Presbyterian  Child  Advocacy  Network. 
Jerry  Van  Marter 


Assembly  approves 
3%  pension  apportionment 


Despite  flat  returns  in  1994  in  the 
Board  of  Pensions  investment  portfolio, 
commissioners  approved  a  3  percent 
"Experience  Apportionment"  for  pen- 
sion plan  members.  The  Assembly 
Committee  on  Pensions  and  Benefits, 
which  brought  the  recommendation, 
based  its  decision  on  actuarial  experi- 
ence, and  adequate  reserves  in  the  plan. 

The  committee  also  reported  that  the 
Health  Care  fund  balance  continues  to 
improve,  recovering  from  negative  bal- 
ances in  the  late  80s  and  early  90s. 

No  action  was  taken  on  four  1994 
referrals  dealing  with  free  medical  cov- 
erage for  retirees,  restoring  coordina- 
tion of  benefits,  providing  long-term 
care,  and  clergy  couples  dues. 


Commissioners  concurred  with  the 
committee's  recommendation  to  disap- 
prove Overtures  95-16,  18,  65  and  95. 
Three  of  these  deal  with  the  definition 
of  "effective  salary,"  the  fourth  with 
vacancy  dues.  Minor  wording  changes 
for  clarification  were  recommended  by 
the  Board  of  Pensions  and  were  also 
approved. 

The  Board  reports  favorable  experi- 
ence with  five  pilot  HMO's  and  two 
PPO  programs  (prescription  drugs  and 
affordable  medical  networks).  Further 
discussion  continues  with  other  pres- 
byteries about  expanding  HMO's  after 
the  1996  assembly. 
George  Mack 


Patricia  Niles,  stated  clerk  of  Los  Ranches  Presbytery,  receives  a  "Leadership  in 
Financial  Support  of  Mission"  certificate  from  G.A.  "Pat"  Goff,  the  General  Assembly's 
director  of  Corporate  and  Administrative  Services.  Other  presbyteries  receiving  certifi- 
cates were  Alaska,  National  Capital,  Northern  New  York,  Philadelphia,  North  Central 
Iowa  and  Pittsburgh. 


Stated  Clerk  can 
serve  unlimited 
number  of  terms 

The  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General 
Assembly  may  run  for  unlimited  four- 
yean  terms,  thanks  to  an  amendment  to 
the  standing  rules  approved  by  the 
207th  General  Assembly. 

Prior  to  the  amendment,  the  stated 
clerk  was  limited  to  three  four-year 
terms.  The  change  was  recommended 
by  the  Committee  on  the  Office  of  the 
General  Assembly  and  forwarded  to  the 
commissioners  by  a  30-5  vote  of  the 
Assembly  Committee  on  General 
Assembly  Procedures. 

An  attempt  from  the  floor  to  limit 
the  number  of  terms  was  defeated. 

The  Assembly  approved  an  overture 
from  the  Presbytery  of  the  Heartland 
asking  that  presbyteries  again  be 
advised  of  the  request  of  the  1993 
(205th)  General  Assembly  to  develop 
and  initiate  dialogues  on  human  sexu- 
ality before  the  1996  (208th)  General 
Assembly. 

Also  approved  was  an  overture  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Western  Colorado 
removing  restrictions  on  referrals  of 
business  to  assemblies  even  though 
similar  business  has  been  dealt  with  in 
the  two  previous  years. 

A  recommendation  to  transfer  fund- 
ing for  the  Council  of  Military  Chaplains 
to  the  mission  budget  was  turned  back 
in  favor  of  keeping  it  in  the  per  capita 
budget. 

The  Assembly  approved  per  capita 
apportionment  budgets  totaling  $12.6 
million  for  1995,  $12.9  million  for  1996, 
and  $13  million  for  1997  (these  figures 
will  be  adjusted  to  include  the  financial 
implications  of  action  approved  by  the 
207th  General  Assembly). 

Per  capita  apportionment  rates  (per 
active  member)  were  approved  as  fol- 
lows: $4.51  for  1996  and  $4.66  for 
1997. 

Midge  Mack  and  John  Sniffen 


Youth  delegation  cut 
to  fund  new  program 

Assembly  commissioners  endorsed 
the  new  Youth  Connection  program  and 
approved  a  related  change  that  cuts  the 
number  of  youth  advisory  delegates 
(YADs)  who  attend  the  Assembly  in  half. 

The  overture  calls  for  the  resulting 
per  capita  savings  to  help  fund  a 
Triennial  Youth  Assembly  (not  to  be 
confused  with  the  continuing  Purdue 
Youth  Triennium). 

The  overture  was  amended  to 
encourage  information  linkage 
between  YADs  who  attend  in  a  given 
year  and  a  presbytery  not  sending  a 
YAD  that  particular  year. 

The  Assembly  also  approved  over- 
tures seeking  guidelines  for  electronic 
media  partnerships;  calling  for  two 
presbyteries  to  develop  models  for  edu- 
cational programs  for  non-affiliated 
youth,  and  encouraging  dialogue  about 
and  support  for  public  education. 
Midge  Mack 


PHOTO  BY  JANE  MEAD 

John  Paul  Kozinski,  son  of  General  Assembly 
Council  chair,  Lori  Zang  Kozinski,  seemingly 
enjoyed  his  first  General  Assembly. 

Funding  plan 
sails  through 

A  Churchwide  Funding  plan, 
stripped  of  its  controversial  aspects  by 
the  General  Assembly  Council,  sailed 
through  the  General  Assembly 
Wednesday,  July  19. 

The  Rev.  William  Henning  presented 
the  plan  as  moderator  of  the  Assembly 
Committee  on  Stewardship. 

The  General  Assembly  Council  had 
dropped  from  the  plan  a  provision 
for  charging  some  administrative 
costs  against  restricted  as  well  as  unre- 
stricted gifts. 

The  funding  plan  still  allows  admin- 
istrative charges  to  be  made  against 
restricted  and  unrestricted  gifts  to 
Churchwide  Special  Offerings.  The 
administrative  charges  specifically 
would  apply  to  promoting  and  receiv- 
ing these  offerings. 

Two  overtures  (95-14  and  95-19) 
which  pertain  to  the  use  of  the 
Christmas  Joy  Offering,  were  referred 
to  the  Congregational  Ministries 
Division's  Special  Offerings  Task 
Group,  which  reports  to  the  208th 
General  Assembly.  Both  overtures  rec- 
ommend that  all  of  the  Christmas  Joy 
Offering  be  devoted  to  the  benefit  of 
retired  ministers  and  their  spouses. 

Three  overtures  (95-27,  95-57,  95- 
73)  were  referred  to  the  General 
Assembly  Council  with  comment.  The 
overtures  all  requested  that  no  admin- 
istrative charge  be  made  against  desig- 
nated gifts.  Overture  95-73  from 
Charleston-Atlantic  Presbytery  also 
requested  a  Presbyterian  Panel  survey 
on  the  subject  of  the  decline  in  unre- 
stricted giving. 

The  committee  suggested  that  the 
three  overtures  be  given  to  the  Work 
Group  on  Comprehensive  Strategy  for 
Mission  Funding  which  is  being  formed. 

Bill  Lancaster 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August 


Honorary  life  member 

Margaret  Carter  (left),  moderator  of  Presbyterian 
Women  in  the  synod,  presents  an  Honorary  Life 
Membership  pin  to  the  Rev.  Carol  T.  (Pinky)  Bender  of 
Charlotte  during  the  synod  women's  June  8-11  Summer 
Gathering  at  Massanetta  Springs.  More  than  550  women 
from  around  the  synod  attended  the  gathering.  The 
award  is  the  highest  given  by  Presbyterian  Women. 
Bender,  pastor  of  McQuay  Memorial  Church,  is  writing 
the  sjnaod  women's  1995-96  Bible  study  helps  which  start 
in  this  issue  (see  page  11). 


Six  from  synod  on  China  study  seminar 

Six  women  from  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  are  among  30  partici- 
pants in  a  travel  study  seminar  of  China  sponsored  by  the  Presb3rte- 
rian  Peacemaking  Program  and  Women's  Ministries  Program  Area. 

The  women  are  Katheryne  Goodman  of  Harrisonburg,  Va.;  Ann 
Held  Johnson  of  Potomac,  Md;  Helena  Lee  of  Wilmington,  N.C.; 
Jeannette  Rodenbough  of  Madison,  N.C.;  and  Susan  Steinberg  of 
Charlottesville,  Va.  Elenora  Giddings  Ivory,  head  of  the  PC(USA)'s 
Washington  Office,  will  also  participate. 

During  the  Aug.  28-Sept.  15  travel  seminar  they  will  attend  the 
Non-Governmental  Organizations  (NGO)  Forum,  a  parallel  event  to 
the  Fourth  World  Conference  on  Women  in  Beijing.  They  will  also 
travel  in  China,  speaking  with  women  and  men  in  the  Christian 
community  about  their  ministry  in  churches  and  ecumenical  bodies. 

Upon  their  return  home,  participants  will  share  their  experiences 
in  China  with  their  congregations,  presbyteries  and  synods.  The  30 
participants,  each  of  whom  is  responsible  for  her  own  funding,  were 
chosen  on  the  basis  of  their  active  involvement  in  the  life  of  the 
church,  its  peacemaking  efforts  and  women's  constituencies. 

Rappahannock  W-C  celebrates 

IRVINGTOJN,  Va.— ine  Kappahannock  Westminster-Canterbury 
"family"  of  more  than  350  resident,  trustees,  and  employees  and  their 
families  gathered  recently  to  celebrate  the  retirement  center's  10th 
anniversary  and  to  rededicate  its  mission  of  providing  excellence  in 
retirement  living. 

The  two-day  event  began  with  a  brief  Ceremony  of  Rededication. 
Campbell  Memorial  Church  and  the  synod-related  Westminster 
Presbyterian  Homes,  Inc.,  were  two  of  the  key  players  in  the  facility's 
start  in  1985. 

The  Rev.  William  S.  Morris,  pastor  of  Campbell  Memorial  Church, 
led  the  service  of  rededication.  The  Rev.  Thomas  R.  Coye,  pastor  of  St. 
Andrews  Church,  gave  the  benediction. 

Rappahannock  Westminster-Canterbury  plans  to  open  its  new  24- 
unit  Assisted  Living  Center  later  this  year.  It  will  include  an  adu 
day  care  facility,  a  meditation  chapel,  and  renovations  to  the  current 
health  center. 

Ripple  joines  High  Point  staff 

HIGH  POINT,  N.C.— Ann  B.  Ripple  has  been  appointed  director  of 
marketing  and  public  relations  of  the  Presbyterian  Home  of  High 
Point,  part  of  the  Presbyterian  Homes,  Inc.,  of  North  Carohna.  She 
is  graduate  of  High  Point  University  with  a  degree  in  business 
administration  and  has  worked  the  past  two  years  marketing  retire- 
ment communities  in  the  Triad. 

Home  &  Family  Services  names  staff 

LYNCHBURG,  Va.— The  Presbyterian  Home  and  Family  Services, 
Inc.,  made  two  staff  appointments  for  its  Children's  Division  effective 
June  5. 

Cordelia  A.  Hancock  was  named  division  director.  She  has  been 
with  PH&FS  as  director  of  child  and  family  services  since  November 
1991,  and  will  maintain  the  majority  of  her  previous  responsibilities 
while  assuming  overall  management  functions  for  the  division.  A 
Lynchburg  native,  Hancock  holds  a  master's  degree  in  counseling 
from  Lynchburg  College  and  is  a  nationally  certified  counselor. 

The  Rev.  Charles  W.  Ellis  of  Lynchburg  was  named  chaplain.  An 
ordained  minister  in  the  Christian  Chiu-ch  (Disciples  of  Christ)  he 
was  formerly  chaplain  at  the  Virginia  Baptist  Hospital.  Ellis  holds  a 
bachelor's  degree  from  Transylvania  University  and  attended  Lex- 
ington Theological  Seminary. 

The  Children's  Division  of  PH&FS  includes  the  Presbyterian 
Home,  which  serves  children  ages  four  to  15  from  dysfunctional 
families;  Exodus  House,  which  focuses  on  young  people  ages  16 
through  21  from  dysfunctional  families;  and  Genesis  House,  which 
provides  emergency  shelter  for  abused  and  neglected  children  ages 
two  through  18.  All  three  ministries  are  located  in  Ljmchburg. 


Nov.  10-12  at  Massanetta  Springs 

Building,  maintaining  &  repairing  ministries 
is  subject  of  youth  leadership  event 


"Youth  Garage:  To  Build, 
Maintain,  and  Repair  Your 
Youth  Ministry"  will  be  the 
theme  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic's  annual  youth  lead- 
ership training  event  to  be  held 
Nov.  10-12,  at  Massanetta 
Springs  Conference  Center 
near  Harrisonburg,  Va. 

The  annual  event  is  de- 
signed for  senior  high  youth 
who  are  leaders  and  adult  lead- 
ers who  work  with  youth.  The 
theme  is  based  on  1 
Corinthians  12. 

The  keynote  presenter  will 
be  Keith  Harris,  associate  pas- 
tor for  youth  and  congrega- 
tional development  at  the 
Chapel  Hill  Presbyterian 
Church  near  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Harris  has  been  doing  youth 
ministry  officially  and  unoffi- 
cially for  about  15  years. 

"He  loves  youth  ministry 
with  a  passion  and  believes 
that  the  Church  is  slowly  com- 
ing to  see  that  including  and 
supporting  young  people  in  the 
church  community  is  not  only 


vital  to  the  church  s  growth 
and  health,  but  to  the  world  s 
growth  and  health  as  well," 
says  Jamie  Hardin  of  synod's 
Youth  Council. 

Harris  is  well  known  within 
the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
from  his  work  with  the 
Massanetta  Springs  Middle 
School  conferences,  as  well  as 
frequent  appearances  at 
Montreat. 

The  event  will  start  at  6 
p.m.  Friday,  Nov.  10,  with  reg- 
istration. It  will  conclude  at 
noon  Sunday,  Nov.  12. 

Participants  will  be  able  to 
choose  between  one  extended 
(4°-hour)  workshop  or  three 
regular  (l°-hour)  workshops. 

Regular  Workshops 

•  Road  Trip — Planning 
Retreats 

•  Tune  Up — Building  and 
Maintaining  Youth 
Groups 

•  Drivers  Ed — Youth 
Empowerment 


•  Combustion — Group 
Dynamics 

•  Reading  the  Manual — 
Bible  Study  and  Leading 
Prayer 

•  Tools  of  the  Trade- 
Leadership  Philosophy 

•  Buckle  Up— Faith 
Development 

Extended  Workshops 

•  Pedal  To  The  Metal- 
Music  and  Recreation 

•  U.CRE8— Creative  Worship 

Cost 

The  cost  is  $95  per  person 
before  Sept.  18.  After  Sept.  18 
it  is  $110  per  person.  This  in- 
cludes registration,  room  and 
board.  Refunds  are  not  avail- 
able after  Sept.  18. 

For  more  information  con- 
tact Mark  Sandell,  pastor  of 
the  Williamsport  (Md.) 
Church,  at  (301)  223-8887. 
Brochures  will  be  available 
through  the  synod  office. 


Christian  Vocation  Sunday  is  Sept.  3 


continued  from  page  1 
understand  the  concept 
of  Christian  vocation  as  the 
call  to  serve  God  and  human- 
ity through  every  area  of  life; 

seek  the  will  of  God  in 
every  choice  of  work; 

understand  how  Chris- 
tians' work  and  working  rela- 
tionships witness  to  their  faith; 

deal  creatively  with  ca- 
reer change  or  retirement 
within  the  concept  of  Chris- 
tian vocation;  and 

be  aware  of  services  of- 
fered by  synod's  counseling 
centers  in  Laurinburg  and 
Charlotte,  N.C. 

The  Career  and  Personal 
Counseling  Service  offers  a 
comprehensive,  three-day  pro- 
gram that  focuses  on  all  as- 
pects of  one's  life  in  determin- 
ing the  vocational  call.  An  al- 
ternate two-day  program  fo- 
cuses more  strictly  on  career 
planning.  These  programs  are 
for  adults  and  college  students. 


PABC  releases 
'Friends  of  the 
Family'  TV  spots 

NASHVILLE— In  early  June  the 
Presbyterian  Appalachian 
Broadcasting  Council  released 
the  first  set  of  two  30-second 
television  spots  (in  a  series  of  12) 
which  make  up  the  "Friends  of 
the  Family"  campaign. 

The  public  service  an- 
nouncement campaign  has 
been  developed  to  address  the 
mounting  concerns  of  televi- 
sion audiences  and  some  of 
the  critical  issues  that  the  au- 
dience members  face,  accord- 
ing to  Christy  Wolfe-Mazeres, 
PABC  interim  director. 

Funding  for  the  campaign 
was  provided  to  PABC  through 
Bicentennial  Funds  given  by 
the  synods  of  Living  Waters, 
Mid-Atlantic,  and  the  Trinity. 

For  more  information,  con- 
tact PABC  at  P.O.  Box  40472, 
Nashville,  TN  37203;  phone 
(615)  298-4786. 


For  more  than  40  years, 
CPCS  has  offered  a  program 
for  high  school  youth  who  need 
to  know  about  possible  educa- 
tional and  occupational  choices 
and/or  who  may  need  assis- 
tance in  planning  for  post-high 
school  education  or  training. 
This  program  is  coordinated 
through  the  churches  of  the 
synod  or  students  may  chose 
to  come  on  an  individual  basis. 

Special  programs  for  church 
professionals  and  candidates 
for  the  ministry  are  also  of- 
fered. In  addition,  the 
Laurinburg  Center  serves  the 


career  and  personal  counsel- 
ing needs  of  St.  Andrews  Pres- 
byterian College  students,  fac- 
ulty and  staff. 

Information  relative  to 
Christian  Vocation  Sunday 
and  the  Career  and  Personal 
Counseling  Service  is  avail- 
able from  Glenda  Phillips  or 
Dr.  Patton  at  the  CPCS  center 
at  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian 
College,  Laurinburg,  NC 
28352,  phone  (910)  276-3162; 
or  from  Sue  Setzer  at  the  CPCS 
center  at  4108  Park  Rd.,  Suite 
200,  Charlotte,  NC  28209, 
phone  (704)  523-7751. 


Fifth  Annual  African  American 
Clergy  Laity  Conference 

ALIVE! 

A  Church  with  a  Vision 
for  its  Community 

Oct.  30-Nov.  2,  1995 

Interdenominational  Theological  Center 
Atlanta,  Ga. 

Plenary  Speakers 
Cornell  West  •  Delores  Williams 
James  Forman  •  Johnny  Youngblood 

increase  your  personal,  congregational  and 
community's  theological,  economic,  social  vision 
and  community  development  skills,  and  more 

Registration  fee 

$  1 55  for  clergy  and  laity  •  $80  for  seminarians 

For  Information 

Contact  the  Rev.  Warren  Lesane 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
P.O.  Box  27026,  Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 
Phone  (804)  342-0016  •  FAX  (804)  355-8535 


i  Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1995 


207th  General  Assembly  recognizes 
'Passages'  as  official  PC(USA)  radio  show 


CINCINNATI— The  207th 
General  Assembly  officially 
recognized  the  award- winning 
"Passages"  radio  show  as  aiv 
official  PC(USA)  production. 

This  official  recognition  by 
the  church  opens  up  new  pos- 
sibilities on  a  nationwide  scale 
that  previously  were  only 
available  in  the  Eastern  U.S., 
according  to  Gregg  Hartung, 
executive  director  of  Presby- 
terian Media  Mission  (PMM), 
which  began  the  radio  project. 

PMM,  which  is  based  in 
Pittsburgh,  originated  and  co- 
produces  "Passages"  with  the 
United  Methodist  Office  of 
Communications  in  Nashville. 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-At- 
lantic is  one  of  12  Presbs^e- 
rian  bodies  which  contribute 
to  the  support  of  PMM.  The 
S5mod's  share  comes  through 
the  communications  portion  of 
its  mission  budget. 

Hartung  said  PMM  will  be 
working  with  the  PC(USA) 
Office  of  Communications  on 
guidelines  for  what  an  en- 
dorsement of  a  particular  syn- 
dicated production  means  for 
Presb3rterians. 

"This  partnership  has  new 
possibilities  for  having  na- 
tional offices,  missions  with 
particular  gifts  and  skills,  and 
new  opportunities  for  local 


congregations  to  interface 
their  stories  and  ministries 
through  the  medium  of  radio," 
said  the  Rev.  John  Silbert, 
president  of  the  PMM  board  of 
directors. 

"Passages"  features  a  toll- 
free  phone  number  by  which 
listeners  may  contact  PMM. 
This  "places  us  in  touch  with 
those  moved  by  our  stories  of 
faith,"  said  Hartung.  "We  then 
contact  the  presbytery  or 
church  that  we  know  in  the 
area"  so  that  they  may  respond 
to  the  caller  if  help  is  needed. 

Last  November,  the  Na- 
tional Catholic  Association  for 
Broadcasters  and  Allied  Com- 
municators presented  a  cer- 
tificate of  merit  to  PMM  and 
the  United  Methodist  co-spon- 
sor for  "Passages." 

The  award  and  the  success- 
ful overture  to  the  General 
Assembly  grew  out  of  a  "Pas- 


sages" story  about  a  couple 
who  lost  their  two-and-a-half- 
year-old  son  in  a  tragic  acci- 
dent. Hartung  interviewed  the 
parents  who  told  how  their 
faith  and  support  from  their 
church  had  sustained  them 
through  the  tragedy. 

The  award-winning  pro- 
gram was  produced  by  the  Rev. 
Dennis  C.  Benson,  "Passages" 
executive  producer. 

"Passages"  is  heard  on  250 
radio  stations  nationwide,  the 
Armed  Forces  Overseas  Radio 
Systems  (320  stations),  and  the 
DX  Shortwave  Network  into 
16  foreign  countries.  This  net- 
work has  a  "reach"  of  over  20 
million  listeners  per  month, 
according  to  PMM. 

Presbyterian  MediaMission 
is  now  in  its  15th  year.  For 
more  information  phone  (800) 
772-7171. 


Foundation  seeks  to  honor  donors 


JEFFERSONVILLE,  Ind.— 
The  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  Foundation  has 
formed  the  Boudinot  Covenant 
Society  to  recognize  all  Pres- 
byterians who  have  made  a 
charitable  bequest  to  the 


Presbyterian  Older  Adult  Ministry  Network 
presents 

Growing  in  the 
i\bundant  Life 

A  conference  for  presbytery  and  synod  older  adult 
ministry  enablers  as  weU  as  clergy  and  lay  leaders 
responsible  for  developing  ministry 
with  older  persons 

Annual  Meeting 
and  Training  Conference 
Nov.  2-5,  1995 

Holiday  Inn  Downtown 
120  W.  Broadway,  Louisville,  KY  40202 
Phone  (502)  582-2241 

Leadership 

Dr  Jane  Thibault,  clinical  gerontologist,  assistant 
professor  of  family  and  community  medicine,  School 

of  Medicine,  University  of  Louisville.  Author  of  A 
Deepening  Love  Affair:  The  Gift  of  God  in  Later  Life. 

Dr.  E  Dizon  (Dick)  Junkin.  dean  of  the  Institute  for 
Christian  Formation  at  Stony  Point  Center  in  New 

York.  He  has  been  pastor,  seminary  professor, 
missionary  and  member  of  the  national  staff  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 

Dr.  Nancy  Ramsay,  professor  of  pastoral  theology, 
Louisville  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary 

Special  note 

from  synod  staff  person  Jan  McGilliard 

"This  is  an  excellent  conference  that  provides 
training  and  networking  for  persons  interested  in 

older  adult  ministry.  It  is  open  to  persons 
representing  local  congregations,  presbjrteries  and 
synods,  who  wish  to  be  involved  in  older  adult 
ministry." 

Membership  in  the  Presbyterian  Older  Adult 
Network  is  $25  per  year.  Membership  includes 
regular  mailings  about  older  adult  ministry  projects 
and  events,  the  quarterly  newsletter  Agenda  (also 
free  for  the  asking),  and  a  network  of  persons 
involved  in  issues  of  aging  and  the  church. 


church  in  their  will  or  other 
estate  plans. 

The  name  for  the  society  is 
derived  from  Elias  Boudinot 
who  established  the  first  per- 
manent fund  held  by  the  foun- 
dation through  his  bequest 
nearly  200  years  ago. 

The  society  serves  two  pri- 
mary goals: 

•  to  recognize  those  who 
have  made  a  commitment  to 
the  Presb5rterian  church  with 
plans  to  give  a  future  gift  to 
the  church  through  a  bequest; 

•  members  of  the  society 
will  serve  as  living  examples 
of  Christian  stewardship. 

According  to  the  foundation, 
more  than  75  percent  of  Pres- 
byterians prepare  wills.  How- 
ever, of  those  members,  only  a 
few  have  included  the  church 
or  one  of  its  missions  in  their 
will. 

To  become  a  member  of  the 
Boudinot  Covenant  Society  or 
learn  how  you  may  start  a 
chapter  in  your  congregation, 
call  the  foundation  at  (800) 
858-6127. 


Position  Available 

Chaplain,  Powhatan  Correctional 
Center,  part  time  25  hrs/wk.  Quali- 
fications: graduate  of  college  and 
accredited  theological  school;  or- 
dained protestant  clergy  with  at 
least  five  years  of  pastoral  minis- 
try; one  year  of  clinical  pastoral 
education  preferred.  Send  resume 
to  Cecil  E.  McFarland,  Executive 
Director,  Chaplain  Service,  2317 
Westwood  Ave.,  Room  103A,  Rich- 
mond, VA  23230. 

Need  funding  infornfiation 

First  Church  of  Franklin,  N.C., 
seeks  to  restore  its  1854  chapel, 
the  mountain  congregation's  origi- 
nal building.  Anyone  who  knows  of 
any  outside  sources  of  funding 
(such  as  foundation  grants)  for  such 
projects  is  asked  to  please  write  to 
the  committee  at  First  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  45  Church  St., 
Franklin,  NC  28734. 

PEW  CUSHIONS  = 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS   STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128.  LYNCHBURG.  VA  24502 

=  1-800-572-2283  = 


Korean  Presbyterian  Conference 


Scenes  from  the  synod  Korean  Presbyterian  Councirs 
1995  Mission  Conferences  and  Summer  Retreat  at  Mary 
Baldwin  College.  Above,  the  Rev.  Woong  Joe  Kang  of  the 
council  with  the  Rev.  Taak  Jin  Kim,  a  missionary  to 
Kazakhstan  who  reported  on  his  ministry.  Below,  council 
moderator,  the  Rev.  Su  Pong  Hwang  (left)  waits  while 
Chang  Mun  Hwang,  moderator  of  the  KPC's  Presbyterian 
Men,  gives  his  report.  (Photos  by  Warren  Lesane) 


Harvest  of  Hope  celebrates  10  years 


PAINTER,  Va.— The  Society 
of  St.  Andrew  celebrated  the 
10th  anniversary  of  its  Har- 
vest of  Hope  program  on  July 
14  at  the  Eastern  Shore  Agri- 
cultural Research  and  Exten- 
sion Center  here. 

Sixty  teenaged  participants 
gleaned  and  studied  together. 
They  came  from  Virginia,  New 
York  and  Georgia,  and  in- 
cluded Episcopalians,  Meth- 
odists and  Presbyterians. 

During  the  first  week-long 
work/study  retreat  ten  years 
ago,  45  participants  gleaned 
over  70,000  pounds  of  pota- 
toes. That  was  the  beginning 
of  Harvest  of  Hope. 

Built  around  the  ancient 
Biblical  practice  of  gleaning. 


the  Harvest  of  Hope  teaches 
participants  that  they  can  ac- 
tually make  a  difference  on 
behalf  of  the  hungry.  In  addi- 
tion to  harvesting  the  left-over 
fruits  or  vegetables,  partici- 
pants intensively  study  hun- 
ger issues. 

Since  1985,  almost  4,000 
teenagers  and  young  adults 
have  participated  in  Harvest 
of  Hope.  This  year  there  are  16 
Harvest  of  Hope  events  in  Vir- 
ginia, the  District  of  Colum- 
bia, Maryland,  North  Carolina 
and  four  other  states. 

For  more  information  on  the 
Harvest  of  Hope  or  other  hun- 
ger relief  ministries  of  the  So- 
ciety of  St.  Andrew,  phone 
(800)  333-4597. 


Faith  healing  in  Presbyterians  Today 


Faith  healing,  long  associated 
with  gullible  believers  and 
unscrupulous  evangelists,  is 
becoming  a  serious  issue,  ac- 
cording to  an  article  in  the 
September  issue  of  Presbyte- 
rians Today. 

An  interest  in  faith  healing 
is  "flowing  into  mainstream 
religious  thought  and  prac- 
tice," writes  the  Rev.  Henry  G. 
Brinton,  pastor  of  Calvary 
Church  in  Alexandria,  Va.  His 
article,  "Faith  Healing  Goes 
Mainstream,"  describes  how 
pastors,  church  members  and 


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PEWS  ♦  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 
CHURCH  LIGHTING 


CHURCH  FURNISHINGS,  INC. 

Monroe,  NC  281 11   1  -800-666-7331 


even  doctors  are  recognizing 
the  link  between  prayer  and 
healing. 

He  tells  about  churches  such 
as  National  Presbyterian  in 
Washington,  D.C. ,  where  regu- 
lar healing  services  include 
prayers  for  physical,  emotional 
and  spiritual  wholeness. 

Subscriptions  to  Presbyte- 
rians Today  may  be  ordered 
by  calling  (800)  524-2612.  Dis- 
counts are  available  to 
churches  ordering  one  of  sev- 
eral group  plans. 


tFIBERGL4.SS  STEEPLES  1 
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Box  51 8  /  Orange,  Texas  77630 
DIAL  TOLL  FREE  1-800-231-6035 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/Augii- 


A  good  laugh 


Some  of  the  550-plus  women  attending  the  synod-wide  Summer  Gathering  of 
Presbyterian  women  enjoy  a  light  moment  during  the  opening  evening  of  the  June 
8-11  event  at  Massanetta  Springs.  Mission  interpreter  Marj  Carpenter,  who  was 
elected  moderator  of  the  207th  General  Assembly  a  month  later,  was  keynote  speaker. 


Peacemaking  Program  publishes  new 
edition  of  'Doing  Peacemaking' 


By  JULIAN  SHIPP 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— The  Pres- 
byterian Peacemaking  Pro- 
gram has  published  a  second 
edition  of  "Doing  Peacemak- 
ing: Implementing  the  Com- 
mitment to  Peacemaking  in 
Your  Congregation." 

According  to  the  Rev.  Rich- 
ard L.  Killmer,  Presbyterian 
Peacemaking  Program  coor- 
dinator, this  resource  is  de- 
signed to  help  congregations 
implement  each  of  the  eight 
areas  of  the  "Commitment  to 
Peacemaking." 

These  areas  are  worship, 
prayer  and  Bible  study,  peace- 
making in  families  and  con- 
gregations, community  minis- 
tries, response  to  global  issues. 


global  security,  making  peace 
•with  the  earth  and  the  receipt 
of  the  Peacemaking  Offering. 

"Doing  Peacemaking"  in- 
cludes descriptions  of  re- 
sources and  other  assistance 
available  from  the  three  divi- 
sions of  the  General  Assembly 
Council:  the  Congregational 
Ministries  Division,  National 
Ministries  Division  and  World- 
wide Ministries  Division. 

"The  sessions  of  more  than 
4,400  congregations  (out  of  a 
total  of  11,416)  have  adopted 
the  Commitment  to  Peacemak- 
ing,"' Killmer  said.  "This  rep- 
resents 41  percent  of  all  Pres- 
byterian congregations." 

In  J uly ,  the  General  Assem- 
bly honored  six  presbyteries 
in  which  50  percent  or  more  of 
the    congregations  have 


Belk  Catechism  Awards 


The  following  young  Presb5^erians  have  received  certificates 
and  monetary  awards  for  reciting  the  Catechism  for  Young 
Children  or  the  Shorter  Catechism.  The  synod's  catechism 
fund,  established  by  the  late  W.H.  Belk,  provides  recognition  to 
boys  and  girls  age  15  and  younger  who  recite  either  catechism. 
The  most  recent  recipients  are  from: 
Bethesda  (Md.)  Church — ^Anne  Hall  and  Alison  Timm 
First  Church,  Burlington,  N.C. — Nancee  E.  Bingenheimer, 
Andrew  T.  Carrouth,  Garrett  L.  Davis,  Laura  B.  Dingeldein, 
Sara  L.  Ely,  Laura  K.  Hruslinski,  Amy  B.  Lassiter,  William  C. 
Lindley  Jr.,  Kathleen  W.  Mantz,  Collins  B.  McAdams,  Thomas 
D.  McGowen  III  and  Megan  K.  Monroe 

First  Church,  Charlotte,  iV.C— Margaret  S.  Barry,  Owen  T. 
Caldwell,  Matthew  A.  Daul,  Philip  W.  McCrory,  Anna  W. 
Meacham,  Sarah  E.  Mercer  and  Kathryn  G.  Wilson 

First  Church,  Fayetteville,  AT.  C— Sydney  E.  Darden  and 
Ann  M.  Treadwell 

First  Church,  Gastonia,  N.C. — Laura  E.  Fulton 
Ginter  Park  Church,  Richmond,  Va. — ^Anna  Ryan 
Guilford  Park  Church,  Greensboro,  N.C. — Jane  A.  Nelson 
Highland  Church,  Fayetteville,  N.C. — Anthony  R.  Cimaglia, 
Thomas  C.  Godwin,  William  F.  Haithcock,  Caroline  L.  Harper, 
Lindsay  S.  Harrell,  Bailey  B.  Jamieson,  Michelle  L.  Harris, 
Will  S.  Johnson,  Morgan  8.  Stevens,  Bradley  A.  Warren  and 
Robert  B.  Way 

Mallard  Creek  Church,  Charlotte,  N.C. — Brice  Dixon,  Luke 
Justus,  Ryan  Oehler,  John  Quattlebaum  and  Chandler  Tho- 
mas 

Raeford  (N.  C.)  Church — John  D'Annunzio,  Joey  D'Annunzio, 
Lacy  Desist,  Lee  Desist,  Matthew  Foster,  William  R.  McNeill, 
Mary  S.  Smith  and  Michael  Warren 

Steele  Creek  Church,  Charlotte,  N.C. — Forrest  C.  Freeman 
IV,  J  ames  P.  Freeman,  Mary  M.  McDowell,  Ashley  M.  McDowell 
and  Lane  J.  Byrum 


adopted  the  "Commitment" 
since  the  1994  Assembly. 

The  Presbyterian  Peace- 
making Offering  grew  by  3.3 
percent  in  1994  over  the  previ- 
ous year,  with  Presbyterians 
contributing  more  than  $1.5 
million  to  the  offering. 

"Doing  Peacemaking"  is 
available  from  Distribution 
Management  Services  for  $1. 
To  order,  call  (800)  524-2612 
and  specify  item  DMS  #259- 
91-905. 


Peace  announces 
new  trustees* 

Wouldn't  it  be  wonderful 
If  underneath  this  headline 
All  of  us  who  share  this 
earth 

Were  named  as  new  trustees 
for  Peace. 

What  would  you  do 

differently. 
What  would  you  do  the  same 
If  you  were  listed  here  ... 

by  name? 

copyright  1995 
by  Anne  Shotwell 

*  Ms.  Shotwell,  a  member  of  the 
Vienna  (Va.)  Church  wrote  this 
poem  based  on  a  headline  in  the 
Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  of 
April  1995.  The  new  trustees  were 
for  Peace  College  in  Raleigh,  N.C. 


AUTHORS  WANTED 

Leading  subsidy  book  publishers  seeks  manu- 
scripts of  all  types:  fiction,  non-fiction,  poetry, 
schiolarly,  juvenile  and  religious  works,  etc. 
New  authors  welcomed.  Send  for  free  32-page 
illustrated  booklet.  H-1 01 ,  Vantage  Press,  51 6 
W.  34th  St.,  New  York,  NY  10001 . 


FREE  ESTIMATES 


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^RT  &  STAINED  GLA^ 
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More  Campus  News 


UN  study  term  offered  again 

College  students  will  again  have  a  unique  opportunity  to 
examine  the  work  of  the  United  Nations  and  the  international 
community  in  New  York  City  during  the  Presbyterian  United 
Nations  Office  Fifth  Annual  Global  Studies  Term,  Jan.  4-20, 
1996.  According  to  the  Rev.  Richard  L.  Killmer,  Presbyterian 
Peacemaking  Program  coordinator,  participants  will  learn 
about  the  work  of  the  U.N.  in  such  areas  as  peacekeeping  and 
collective  security,  human  rights,  the  situation  of  women  and 
children  globally,  economic  development  and  the  role  of  the 
religious  community  and  nongovernmental  organizations  at 
the  United  Nations. 

For  more  information  and  an  application,  write  the  Presby- 
terian United  Nations  Office,  777  United  Nations  Plaza,  New 
York,  NY  10017. 

ITC  receives  book  restoration  gift 

ATLANTA— Interdenominational  Theological  Center  (ITC) 
recently  received  the  latest  (of  five)  installment  of  $11,750  from 
a  $58,750  gift  from  the  AT&T  Foundation  to  help  in  the 
restoration  of  rare  and  valuable  books.  The  first  installment 
was  used  to  restore  rare  books  related  to  the  black  experience, 
many  of  which  date  back  to  the  early  1800s. 

Darius  Swann  honored  by  seminary 

ATLANTA — Dr.  Darius  Leander  Swann  was  selected  by  Johnson 
C.  Smith  Seminary  as  its  Distinguished  Alumnus  of  the  year. 
Retired  from  teaching  missiology  and  world  religions  at  the 
Interdenominational  Theological  Center,  Swann  has  also  taught 
in  China,  India  and  Japan.  Swann's  commitment  to  human 
rights  and  justice  resulted  in  his  filing  suit  in  North  Carolina 
in  the  late  1960s  to  desegregate  the  school  system:  Swann  vs. 
Charlotte-Mecklenburg  Board  of  Education. 

St.  Andrews  honors  Lawson 

LAURINBURG,  N.C— St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  pre- 
sented its  1995  distinguished  alumni  award  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Jack  Newton  Lawson  during  alumni  weekend  in  April.  Lawson, 
a  Presbyterian  minister  who  pastors  Folkstone  United  Re- 
formed Church  in  Kent,  England,  is  a  native  of  Winston-Salem, 
N.C.  He  received  the  alumni  award  for  his  accomplishments  in 
scholarship  and  Christian  service. 

In  addition  to  his  pastoral  duties,  Lawson  works  with  an 
action  group  to  combat  homelessness.  While  serving  a  congre- 
gation in  Cincinnati  during  the  1980s,  he  worked  with  a  local 
physician  to  found  a  drug  and  alcohol  rehabilitation  program. 
He  has  also  served  as  a  jail  and  prison  chaplain. 

King  College  goes  on  the  Internet 

BRISTOL,  Tenn.— King  College  has  joined  with  three  other 
area  colleges  to  become  part  of  Internet,  the  global  computer 
network.  Eventually,  Internet  access  will  be  available  through 
Kangnet,  the  campus  network.  For  now,  the  four  colleges — 
King,  Emory  &  Henry,  Virginia  Interment  and  Milligan — will 
share  access  through  their  common  library  association,  Holston 
Academic  Libraries,  Inc. 


OUNTAIN  CHRISTMAS  TREES 


Quality  Fraser  Fir  Trees 

WHOLESALE  ONLY 

SCT  PROPERTIES  FARM  VISIT 

P.O.  BOX  30  RECOMMENDED 

GLENDALE  SPRINGS,  NC  28629-0030  PRIOR  TO 

PHONE  919-982-3507  ORDERING 

P.O.  BOX  37459  •  RALEIGH,  NC  27627  •  PHONE  919-851-4206 


Training  for  Interim  Pastors 

A  workshop  for  those  considering  Interim  Ministry 
and  those  currently  serving  who  desire  to  begin  training 

Sept.  13-14,  1995 

Holiday  Inn-Central,  Richmond,  Va. 

Registration  Fee:  $150* 
(Includes  the  cost  of  leadership,  the  required  textbook, 
other  materials,  continental  breakfast,  and  refreshments) 
*A  limited  number  of  scholarships  are  available 
for  members  of  the  Presbytery  of  the  James. 

Sponsored  by  the  Presbytery  of  the  James  in  cooperation 
with  the  Presbyteries  of  the  Peaks,  New  Hope,  Eastern 
Virginia,  and  Shenandoah,  and  the  National  Ministries 
Division  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

For  registration  information  contact 
the  Presbytery  of  the  James  office,  (804)  262-2074 


,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1995 


mm 


Presbyterian  Famly  Ministries 

This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


COUNCIL  ON  ACCREDITATION 
OF  SERVICES  FOR  FAMILIES 
AND  CHILDREN,  INC 


Graduates  praise  PAL  Program 


Three  residents  of  the  Prepa-  - 
ration  for  Adult  Living  (PAL) 
program  at  Barium  Springs 
graduated  from  High  School 
June  2,  1995. 

Jennifer  Carver  and  Bran- 
don Stafford  graduated  from 
South  Iredell  High  School,  and 
Lee  Beheler  graduated  from 
West  Iredell  High  School. 

All  three  stated  that  they 
probably  wouldn't  have  gradu- 
ated if  they  had  not  been  in  the 
PAL  program.  They  also  have 
exciting  plans  for  the  future. 

Now  that  he  has  graduated, 
Lee  Beheler  just  wants  to  "keep 
on  working." 

Lee  is  the  first  to  admit  that 
his  quick  temper  was  to  blame 
for  his  troubles  prior  to  living 
at  PAL. 

"I  certainly  wouldn't  have 
graduated  if  not  for  PAL,  and 
I  probably  would  be  in  jail  for 
assault  or  something,"  said 
Lee.  "But  I've  learned  a  lot 
about  depending  on  myself  and 
managing  my  temper.  I  think 
I'm  going  to  be  okay." 

Jennifer  plans  to  leave  the 
PAL  program  this  summer  to 
live  with  a  family  with  whom 
she  has  become  close  friends. 
Then  after  living  a  few  months 
with  her  mother,  she  wiU  get  a 
place  of  her  own  and  begin 
classes  at  Piedmont  Commu- 
nity College. 

She  wants  to  eventually 
transfer  to  the  University  of 
Virginia.  Her  main  interests 
of  study  include  child  care, 
culinary  arts  and  interior  de- 
sign. 

Teaches  maturity 

"The  staff  at  PAL  taught 
me  to  be  more  mature,  to  take 
responsibility  for  myself,"  said 
Jennifer.  "If  I  hadn't  come  here 
I  would  probably  be  on  drugs, 
pregnant  and  have  AIDs." 

Jennifer  had  dropped  out  of 
school  before  coming  to  PAL 
and  was  going  nowhere  fast. 

"Now  I  realize  if  I  work,  go 
to  school,  and  not  live  such  a 
reckless  life,  I  can  succeed  and 
have  the  kind  of  life  I  choose." 

Brandon  will  continue  liv- 
ing at  PAL  and  working  full- 


Standing  left  to  right  are  1995  graduates  Brandon 
Stafford,  Lee  Beheler  and  Jennifer  Carver.  Please  keep 
them  in  your  prayers  as  they  venture  out  into  the  world 
as  adults. 


time  until  the  Fall  of  1996 
when  he  plans  to  enter  Appa- 
lachian State  University.  He 
is  currently  thinking  about  a 
career  in  law  enforcement. 

Brandon  said  PAL  gave  him 
a  stable  environment  where 
he  could  stay  out  of  trouble 
and  learn  to  get  on  his  own 
feet  financially.  "The  most 
important  thing  I  learned  here 
was  to  have  confidence  in  my- 
self," said  Brandon.  "I'll  carry 
that  with  me  my  whole  life." 

Brandon  said  he  would 
probably  still  be  in  school  next 
year  trying  to  graduate  if  he 
had  not  come  to  PAL.  He  said 
he  was  pretty  much  respon- 
sible for  himself  before  he  came 
here  and  did  not  know  what  to 
do  or  how  to  handle  that  re- 
sponsibility. He  learned  how 
to  apply  himself  at  PAL. 

The  PAL  program  is  housed 
in  Howard  Cottage  at  the  Ado- 
lescent Center.  It  is  for  youth 
ages  16  to  20  who  have  less 
social,  emotional  and  academic 
problems  than  youth  in  the 
Adolescent  Center  program, 
and  whose  home  situations 
are  such  that  they  can't  re- 
turn there  to  live. 

Youth  living  in  the  program 
maintain  full-  or  part-time  jobs 


while  attending  school,  and 
learn  life  skills  such  as  cook- 
ing, keeping  a  checking  or  sav- 
ing s  account,  job  interview- 
ing skills,  and  much  more. 

They  can  also  apply  for 
scholarships  to  help  them  with 
their  higher  education. 

Lee,  Jennifer  and  Brandon 
are  very  happy  that  Barium 
Springs  Home  for  Children  is 
here  to  help  them.  So  are  we! 
But  the  gratitude  goes  to  our 
faithful  friends  and  support- 
ers, North  Carolina  Presbyte- 
rians, for  making  it  all  pos- 
sible. 


New  Gift 
Wish  List 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Address: 


My  gift  of  $  

I  wish  to:   Honor 


is  enclosed 
 Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  apphcable)  _ 


Survivor  to  notify:  . 
Address:   


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1.  Barium  Springs.  NC  280 JO 


*  16"  &  20"  Bicycles 

*  Sporting  Equipment: 

Sleeping  Bags 
Fishing  Rods  &  Reels 
Canoe(s) 

Small  John  Boats 
Tennis  Racquets  &  Balls 
Softballs  and  Gloves 
Out-Door  Games 

*  New  set  of  World  Books 

*  Manual  Tjrpewriters  (4) 

*  Toiletries 

*  Refrigerator 

*  Electric  Range 

*  Upholstered  couch/love  seat 

*  End  Table  Lamps  (3) 

*  Upholstered  arm  chairs  (2) 

*  Linens 

*  Towels 

*  Heavy  Duty  Dressers 

*  Tickets  To  Sporting  Events 
in  Charlotte,  Winston-Sa- 
lem, or  Hickory  area. 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  items  new 
items  for  the  children,  call  or 
write  to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, P.O.  Box  1,  Barium 
Springs,  NC,  28010;  phone 
(704)872-4157. 


Word  from  the  President 

Because 
You  Care! 


Jessica  came  to  Barium 
Springs  eight  months  ago. 
Among  the  concerns  that  we 
had  for  her  was  that  she  was  a 
ninth-grader  with  sixth  grade 
reading  and  math  skills.  We 
enrolled  her  in  our  on-campus 
school. 

At  the  end  of  the  academic 
year  her  educational  assess- 
ment tests  indicated  that  she 
was  back  on  grade  level.  In  the 
fall,  she  will  register  with  her 
class  as  a  tenth-grader.  We 
expect  great  things  from  her. 

Jessica's  hard  work,  the 
commitment  and  dedication  of 


Robert  W.  Stansell  Jr.,  President 


our  teachers,  small  classes, 
individual  attention  and  the 
constant  care  and  nurture  of 
our  cottage  staff  all  contrib- 
uted to  this  noteworthy 
achievement. 

Because  you  care  enough  to 
support  Barium  Springs, 
Jessica's  life  is  forever 
changed.  As  her  math  and 
reading  skills  improved,  we 
saw  remarkable  growth  in  her 
self-confidence  and  self-es- 
teem. Jessica  is  a  new  person. 
She  thanks  you  and  I  thank 
you. 


Watts  honored  for  25  years 


Mrs.  Gail  S.  Watts  recently 
celebrated  25  years  of  dedi- 
cated work  at  the  Home.  She 
was  presented  with  an  en- 
graved desk  clock  citing  her 
years  of  service. 

Beginning  as  a  secretary  for 
the  Social  Work  Department, 
Mrs.  Watts  became  Adminis- 
trative Assistant  in  1976  when 
the  Home  formed  the  Adoles- 
cent Center.  She  feels  her  job 
as  initial  intake  person  for  the 
program  is  very  rewarding 
because  it  enables  her  to  give 
hope  and  encouragement  to 
families  in  crisis. 


GaU  S.  Watts 


Cowfer  heads  church  relations 


Several  recent  actions  taken 
by  Barium  Springs  Home  for 
Children  result  in  clarifying 
the  focus  and  expanding  com- 
munications with  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

New  President  Robert 
Stansell  highly  values  the  rich 
heritage  Presbyterians  dem- 
onstrated by  organizing 
Barium  Springs  Home  for 
Children  104  years  ago.  Pres- 
byterians continue  supporting 
the  Home  in  many  ways  to- 
day. 

The  Rev.  William  J.  (Bill) 
Cowfer,  formerly  associate  for 
Financial  Resources,  has  been 
named  director  of  church  rela- 
tions. In  this  new  position  Bill 
will  be  able  to  more  effectively 
serve  the  children  in  the  care 
of  the  Home  by  expanding  ser- 
vices and  communications 
with  Presbyterian  churches 
and  individuals. 

Bill  will  develop  a  variety  of 
different  kinds  of  programs  for 
use  with  different  groups 
within  congregations.  He  and 
other  staff  are  available  to 
present  brief  informational 
programs  about  the  ministries 
provided  by  the  services  of  the 
Home. 


William  J.  Cowfer 


Free  program 
for  your  church 

Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children 
offers  informational 
programs,  family  nights, 
Sunday  schools, 
Presbyterian  Men,  mission 
programs,  worship 
services,  Presb3^erian 
Women,  youth  groups, 
mission  fairs,  &  other 
special  church  groups. 
Call  Bill  Cowfer  to  schedule 
(704)  872-4157 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps— Introduction  &  Lesson  1 

Glimpses  of  Home— Chapter  One 

By  THE  REV.  CAROL  T  BENDER 


Ah!  Such  a  comforting  title!  "Glimpses  of 
Home:  Biblical  Images  of  the  Realm  of 
God"  ...  Surely  the  title  evokes  a  soothing, 
calming,  peaceful  image  ...  the  kind  of 

image  that  calls  for  a  chair  in  which  to    Gather  reSOUrceS  early 


ing  studies.  If  the  Bible  moderator  of  the 
circle  could  gather  together  a  few  resources, 
this  would  be  a  good  time  to  display  them 
and  to  offer  them  to  the  persons  respon- 
sible for  leading  the  monthly  sessions. 


ggle  or  a  hammock  in  which  to  loll 
away  a  few  hours  or  a  cozy  niche  into 
which  one  can  retreat!  The  title  calls  for 
memories  to  flood  into  our  con- 
sciousness as  each  of  us  recalls 
"home"  and  what  that  means. 

As  you  begin  this  study,  please 
know  that  these  "helps"  are  in- 
tended to  enrich  both  the  indi- 
vidual who  embarks  on  "just  read- 
ing the  material"  as  well  as  the 
Bible  moderator  who  has  the  task 
of  "doing  the  lesson."  Both  can 
benefit  from  advance  preparation! 

One  good  way  to  begin  is  to 
think  about  questions  that  may 
"set  the  stage."  You  may  want  to 
make  up  your  own  or  use  the 
following:  If  you  had  to  choose  six 
photographs  of  yourself  to  tell 
your  "life  story,"  what  would  they  depict? 
How  would  you  go  about  clioosing  these 
particular  six  and  not  others?  What  is  the 
range  of  age  that  the  pictures  would  en- 
compass? 

After  thinking  along  those  lines  for  a 
while,  move  on  to  a  consideration  of  the 
word  that  captures  the  heart  of  the  title  of 
this  year's  Bible  study  as  you  ponder  this 
question:  When  you  hear  the  word  "home," 
what  images  flash  through  your  mind? 
Does  "home"  mean  where  you  were  "born 
and  raised?"  Or  where  you  were  the  hap- 
piest? Or  where  you  reside  now?  (You  will 
find  the  section  on  page  82  of  the  study 
book  under  "Suggestions  for  Leaders"  by 
Mary  Duckert  useful.  Robert  Frost's  poem, 
"Death  of  a  Hired  Man"  has  a  wonderful 
quote  about  home:  "...when  you  go  there, 
they  have  to  take  you  in.") 

If  your  first  meeting  is  an  organiza- 
tional or  business  meeting,  the  above 
material  may  be  enough  to  whet  the  appe- 
tites of  circle  participants  for  the  upcom- 


The  resource  list  on  page  79  of  the  study 
book  gives  an  excellent  "mix"  of  books,  but 
with  the  wide  range  of  suggested  materi- 
als, you  may  have  to  rely  on  your 
presbytery  resource  center,  your 
church  library  (or  your  willing 
pastor!)  to  obtain  some  of  the 
books.  One  that  is  very  helpful 
(and  well  worth  the  required  dig- 
ging) is  John  Bright's  The  King- 
dom of  God.  Glance  through  as 
many  of  the  books  on  the  re- 
source list  as  are  available  and 
jot  down  for  which  lesson  that 
resource  would  be  helpful. 

Many  of  the  books  used  for 
last  year's  study.  Who  is  the 
Christ?  As  Answered  in  the 
Epistles  by  R.  David  Kaylor,  will 
also  be  helpful  for  "Glimpses  of 
Home."  Look  for  the  sections  that  deal 
with  the  kingdom  of  God  or  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  or  the  realm/reign  of  God,  i.e. 
Levison  and  Levison,  Jesus  in  Global  Con- 
texts, pages  36-38;  Hellwig,  Jesus:  The 
Compassion  of  God,  pages  75-84,  the  chap- 
ter titled,  "The  Preaching  of  Jesus  and  the 
Reign  of  God;"  Kaylor's  Jesus  the  Prophet: 
His  Vision  of  the  Kingdom  on  Earth  and 
Moltmann's  The  Way  of  Jesus  Christ  are 
all  useful  additions  to  the  books  for  this 
specific  study. 

As  you  move  into  Lesson  One:  "Glimpses 
of  Promise,"  you  may  find  the  following 
questions  helpful  as  "discussion  starters." 
Select  the  ones  that  would  appeal  to  your 
group.  How  many  times  have  you  moved 
in  your  lifetime?  What  traumatic  inci- 
dents do  you  recall  from  your  most  diffi- 
cult move?  What  pleasant  memories  do 
you  remember  from  the  "best"  move?  How 
can  you  relate  one  of  your  moves  to  the 
journey  Abram  and  Sarai  were  by  God 
commanded  to  make?  What  hope  do  you 


find  in  Genesis  12:  1-9?  Have  any  of  your 
moves  brought  hope  into  an  otherwise 
hopeless  situation?  How? 

Consider  covenants 

Covenants  establish  new  relationships. 
The  typical  "covenant  formula"  that  we 
find  in  Scripture  conveys  the  message,  "I 
will  be  your  God  and  you  will  be  my 
people."  ( i.e.  Exodus  6:7;  Jeremiah  31:33) 
But  there  are  other  covenants  that  we 
make  whereby  one  party  pledges  to  do  one 
thing  and  another  promises  to  do  some- 
thing else.  Name  some  of  the  covenantal 
alliances  in  which  you  find  yourself  How 
do  these  covenants  enrich  or  guide  your 
Hfe?  (The  1986-87  Bible  study,  Remember 
and  Go  Forth  dealt  with  the  idea  of  cov- 
enant and  would  be  helpful.) 

In  Exodus  1:  1-12,  God  continues  the 
story  of  God's  people  by  setting  the  stage 
for  the  emergence  of  the  "big  name"  leader. 
See  if  you  can  name  the  five  women  with- 
out whose  actions  the  great  hero  Moses 
would  not  have  survived!  And  without 
Moses  to  lead  the  ragtag  bunch  of  He- 
brews into  the  wilderness  toward  the  prom- 
ised land,  the  watershed  event  of  God's 
covenant  people  would  have  been  a  story 
about  yet  another  group  of  oppressed  slaves 
held  captive  under  Pharaoh. 

But  God  DOES  call  Moses,  refutes  all 
his  excuses  and  sends  him  on  his  way  after 
inflicting  several  awesome  plagues  on  the 
Egyptians.  In  Moses'  call... and  objections 
...  we  see  the  reluctance  that  often  keeps 
us  from  saying  "Yes"  to  God.  To  what  has 
God  called  you  in  your  faith  journey?  What 
excuses,  if  any,  have  you  given  God  for  not 
responding  to  that  call?  How  do  your  ex- 
cuses compare  to  those  given  by  Moses  to 
God  in  Exodus  3:7-4:17? 

Valuable  lessons 

As  God's  people  wandered  around  in 
the  wilderness,  they  learned  valuable  les- 
sons about  being  in  a  covenantal  relation- 
ship with  a  powerful  God  who  provided  for 
their  needs  if  not  always  for  their  wants! 
When  were  you  most  recently  "wandering 
around  in  the  wilderness?"  How  did  God 
provide  for  you  during  that  time?  What 
valuable  lessons  did  you  learn  about  God 
and  about  yourself  during  this  "dry"  spell? 

Carlo  Carre tto  in  his  book  Why  O  Lord? 
The  Inner  Meaning  of  Suffering 
(Maryknoll,  NY:  Orbis  Books,  1986)  ties 


the  exodus  story  and  the  kingdom  of  God 
together  in  a  wonderful  chapter  entitled, 
"The  Kingdom  is  Real:  and  so  is  our  Exo- 
dus." Listen  to  this  quote:  "What  the  Gos- 
pel calls  the  kingdom  is  fact — realized  in 
us  a  little  at  a  time  in  all  the  beauty  of  its 
design,  the  marvel  of  its  structures,  the 
fertility  of  life  and  the  inexhaustible  lov- 
ing creativity  of  God. 

"The  kingdom  of  God  is  the  final  project 
of  the  Absolute,  the  end  of  creation,  the 
future  of  the  human  being,  the  answer  to 
people's  questions  and  the  revealing  of  all 
mysteries."  (page  35) 

Carretto  goes  on  to  say,  "All  life  in  an 
exodus  and  I  think  (again,  this  is  only  my 
personal  opinion)  that  this  exodus  does 
not  end  with  a  car  accident  or  a  sudden 
heart  attack  or  a  bullet  from  some  nasty 
little  thug. 

"No  way!  Our  exodus  is  much  longer 
than  the  time  spent  under  the  sun  here  on 
earth — much  longer."  (page  41) 

This  is  a  rich  resource  that  deserves  a 
more  complete  reading  than  these  few 
quotes  can  provide. 

Central  idea  of  Bible 

In  her  Bible  studies  for  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  Women's  gath- 
ering in  Massanetta  Springs  last  June, 
Dr.  Isabel  Wood  Rogers  reminded  us  that 
the  concept  of  the  kingdom  of  God  or  the 
realm  of  God,  as  our  study  book  calls  it,  is 
central  to  both  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments. In  the  Old  Testament  the  words 
"kingdom  of  God,"  or  any  likeness  of  those 
exact  words,  never  appear.  In  the  New 
Testament  Jesus  came  to  proclaim  the 
realm  of  God,  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  the 
kingdom  of  God  as  being  here,  near  or 
coming,  but  he  never  explained  exactly 
what  "all  this"  meant! 

We  are  launched  on  a  real  adventure  as 
we  begin  our  study  of  Eugenia  Gamble's 
refreshing  and  enlightening  study.  This 
will  not  be  one  that  lulls  us  as  we  snuggle 
in  our  chair  or  rock  in  our  hammock  or 
experience  silence  in  our  niche  of  retreat! 
This  is  a  study  in  which  each  of  us  will 
hopefully  emerge  with  an  idea  of  what  not 
only  the  central  issue  of  the  Bible  is,  but 
we  will  begin  to  see  why  the  topic  of  every 
sermon  Jesus  ever  preached  centered 
around  the  kingdom  of  God. 

The  Rev.  Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender  is  pastor  of 
McQuay  Memorial  Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C. 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps— Lesson  2,  October  1995 

Glimpses  of  Home — Chapter  Two 

By  THE  REV.  CAROL  T.  BENDER 


Feisty  ...  angry  ...  brokenhearted — those 
are  the  adjectives  Eugenia  Gamble,  au- 
thor of  this  year's  study  book.  Glimpses  of 
Home:  Biblical  Images  of  the  Realm  of  God, 
uses  to  describe  the  main  characters  in 
Chapter  Two,  "Glimpses  from  Prophecy." 

Elijah  is  the  feisty  prophet  ...  always 
challenging  the  prophets  of  Baal,  always 
declaring  that  his  God  is  the  only  God, 
always  going  against  great  odds  to  pro- 
claim God's  message. 

Amos  comes  across  as  the  angry  prophet 
of  doom,  and  indeed  his  message  strikes  at 
the  heart  of  contemporary  issues  like  greed 
(How  could  we  ever  forget  the  cows  of 
Bashan  in  4:1-2?),  insincere  worship  (See 
5:21-23  as  well  as  Question  #2,  page  19  of 
the  study  book)  and  oppression  (5:24,  per- 
haps the  most  famous  quote  from  Amos). 
When  he  speaks  of  the  Day  of  the  Lord,  he 
prophesies  darkness  and  famine  (8:9-12). 

Hosea  is  the  brokenhearted  prophet 
because  of  his  terrible  marriage  to  an 
adulterous  wife  who  abandons  him  and 
their  three  children.  His  book  chronicles 
many  of  the  sins  that  influence  and  tempt 
even  God's  people  today:  unfaithfulness 
(2:2-13),  no  knowledge  of  God  (4:1,6); 
swearing,  lying,  murder  and  stealing  (4:2). 

This  session  on  prophecy  will  be  like 
going  to  a  family  reunion . . .  seeing  folks  we 
haven't  seen  in  a  few  years!  Once  again  we 
see  Elijah  in  action  (I  Kings  21:17-24),  and 
we  re-visit  two  of  the  minor  prophets, 
Amos  and  Hosea,  whom  we  last  saw  in  our 
1984-85  study,  A  Contemporary  Message 
from  the  Past.  You  may  want  to  locate  this 
book  as  well  as  the  1988-89  study.  Crisis 
as  Opportunity. 

One  way  to  begin  the  session  would  be  to 
compare  Gamble's  statement  on  page  14 
with  the  "Preamble"  to  the  "Rules  of  Disci- 
pline" in  the  Book  of  Order  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.)  The  quote  from  the 
study  book  is  as  follows:  "In  biblical  usage, 
judgment  is  any  experience  that  brings  us 
up  short,  reveals  to  us  the  consequences  of 
faithlessness  and  points  us  toward  repen- 
tance. Judgment,  while  painful  and  calami- 
tous, is  usually  not  for  the  purpose  of  pun- 


ishment, but  for  restoration." 

Have  someone  read  (or  provide  copies 
for  each  person  of)  the  "Preamble."  Notice 
that  this  statement  uses  words  and  phrases 
like  "the  purpose  of  discipline  is  to  honor 
God,"  "church  discipline  is  for  building  up 
the  body  of  Christ,  not  for  destroying  it,  for 
redeeming,  not  for  punishing." 

With  both  of  these  statements  before 
the  group,  ask  what  similarities  or  differ- 
ences they  find  in  the  accounts.  How  do 
each  of  these  alter  our  popular  conception 
of  judgment  or  punishment?  In  what  ways 
do  these  quotes  reflect  the  idea,  "This 
hurts  me  more  than  it  hurts  you?" 

Tough  life 

What  a  tough  life  the  Old  Testament 
prophets  lived.  Prophesying  for  the  great 
Yahweh  was  more  than  just  a  "thankless" 
job;  it  often  was  downright  dangerous  to 
speak  God's  word.  Micaiah  (I  Kings  22:  8- 
28)  found  himself  in  the  position  of  proph- 
esjdng  a  message  that  Jehoshaphat  didn't 
want  to  hear!  The  king  inquired,  "Is  there 
no  other  prophet  of  the  Lord  here  of  whom 
we  may  inquire?"  People  didn't  want  to 
hear  that  divine  word  of  judgment  or 
correction.  They  acted  much  like  our  own 
daughter  who,  when  corrected  as  a  child, 
would  clamp  her  hands  over  her  ears  as 
she  declared,  "I  can't  hear  that!" 

The  circle  participants  may  want  to 
discuss  questions  like  the  following:  Who 
are  today's  prophets?  What  message  (or 
messages)  are  they  trying  to  convey?  How 
well  are  people  listening?  Give  examples 
of  a  messages  that  we  should  heed.  What 
difference  could  we  make  if  we  paid  atten- 
tion to  these  prophets? 

Caused  a  ruckus! 

What  a  ruckus  the  prophets  of  God 
caused  as  they  spoke  Yahweh's  message 
to  rebellious,  unrepentant  people!  Even 
introducing  their  proclamation  with  the 
words:  "Thus  says  the  Lord  ...  "  (cf.  Exodus 
4:22;  5:1;  8:1;  II  Kings  22:15;  Amos 
1:3,6,9,11,13),  the  people  often  missed  the 
concept  that  the  prophet  spoke  GOD'S 
words  and  not  his  or  her  own  ideas. 

Several  resources  for  a  study  of  proph- 


ets include  James  D.  Newsome,  Jr.,  The 
Hebrew  Prophets  (John  Knox  Press,  1984); 
Bernhard  Anderson,  Understanding  the 
Old  Testament  (fourth  edition,  Prentice- 
Hall,  1986— This  is  a  standard  college 
textbook  and  is  expensive  but  should  be 
readily  available  from  a  resource  center  or 
pastor);  and  Leonard  Swidler,  Biblical 
Affirmations  of  Woman  (Philadelphia: 
Westminster  Press,  1979). 

Newsome  begins  his  book  with  a  chapter 
on  "The  History  of  Prophecy  in  Israel  Be- 
fore Amos."  He  points  out  that  there  were 
prophetic  guilds  or  schools  of  prophets  at- 
tached to  worship  or  the  court  in  existence 
before  we  have  evidence  of  the  "writing" 
prophets  (also  known  as  the  classical/ca- 
nonical prophets  or  those  whose  books  have 
been  recorded  in  the  Bible).  He  then  deals 
vdth  the  prophetic  books  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment in  chronological  order,  beginning  with 
the  eighth  century  prophet  Amos. 

Anderson's  chapter  on  "Prophetic 
Troublers  of  Israel"  adds  a  working  defini- 
tion or  purpose  for  our  study  of  prophets: 
"The  purpose  of  God's  speaking  through  a 
prophet  was  not  to  communicate  informa- 
tion about  a  timetable  of  events  for  the 
distant  future  ...  the  prophets  often  made 
predictions,  in  the  conviction  that  Yahweh 
was  shaping  the  course  of  events  leading 
from  the  present  into  the  future.  But  these 
predictions,  some  of  which  came  true  and 
some  of  which  did  not,  had  reference  to  the 
immediate  future,  which  impinged  on  the 
present.  ...  The  prophets  were  primarily 
concerned  with  the  present.  Their  task 
was  to  communicate  God's  message  for 
now,  to  summon  the  people  to  respond 
today."  (page  249,  with  reference  to 
Abraham  J.  Herschel,  The  Prophets.) 

Women  prophets 

Swidler's  book  has  a  section  on  Women 
Prophets  (page  85f.)  in  which  he  gives 
summaries  of  the  daughters  who  proph- 
esy (Joel  2:28);  Miriam  (esp.  Numbers 
12:1-2);  Deborah  (Judges  4);  and  Huldah, 
possibly  the  most  significant  woman 
prophet  (I  Kings  22),  who  authenticated 
the  beginning  of  the  formation  of  the  canon. 
She  is  often  referred  to  as  the  founder  of 
biblical  studies. 

An  interesting  study  to  enrich  the  ses- 
sion on  "Glimpses  of  Prophecy"  would  be 
to  divide  into  four  groups  (if  the  gathering 
is  large  enough;  if  not,  work  with  the 


following  passages  with  the  entire  circle): 
(1)  Daughters  in  Joel  2:25-29;  (2)  Miriam 
in  Exodus  15:20-21;  Numbers  12:1-2; 
Micah  6:3-4;  (3)  Deborah  in  Judges  4:1-10; 
and  (4)  Huldah  in  I  Kings  22:11-20.  Put 
the  references  on  separate  cards  and  give 
one  to  each  group.  Let  them  deal  with 
questions  like:  How  did  these  particular 
women  "fit  into"  the  story  of  prophecy  in 
the  Old  Testament?  In  what  ways  do  these 
women  remind  you  of  world  leaders, 
friends,  acquaintances,  church  leaders  or 
family  members  today?  Who  speaks  as  a 
"prophet"  for  you?  (And  how  well  do  you 
listen?!) 

Modern  notions 

When  we  hear  tales  about  prophets, 
such  as  the  ones  we  have  studied  in  this 
session,  we  come  face-to-face  with  our  own 
notions  of  judgment  and  condemnation. 
Before  closing  the  meeting,  you  may  want 
to  discuss  questions  like:  By  what  criteria 
do  we  judge  people?  If  you  had  to  list  four 
character  traits  that  mean  the  most  to  you 
in  a  spouse  (or  child,  relative,  friend,  col- 
league, etc.),  what  would  they  be?  Why?  In 
what  ways  do  we  stereotype  people?  (To 
test  this  last  question,  ask  circle  members 
to  record  the  first  word  that  pops  into 
their  minds  when  they  hear  the  following 
words:  (1)  lazy;  (2)  hysterical;  (3)  narrow- 
minded;  (4)  biased;  (5)  domineering;  (6) 
pious — and  any  other  words  that  evoke 
prejudicial  evaluation. 

The  prophets  of  the  Old  Testament 
spoke  God's  word  to  recalcitrant  ...  and 
often  obnoxious  ...  people.  They  spoke  to 
people  who  thought  they  were  "right,"  who 
thought  that  when  the  Day  of  the  Lord 
came,  they  were  the  "good"  folks  and  would 
be  spared  God's  wrath  and  judgment.  God 
would  come  and  destroy  those  "others" 
who  were  not  like  the  Israelites.  But  God, 
through  the  prophets,  said  that  all  will 
stand  in  judgment  ...  even  the  covenant 
people  of  God. 

"All  three  prophets  remind  us  that  the 
realm  of  God  is  present  when  people  are 
subject  to  and  faithfully  bonded  to  God 
alone.  The  realm  of  God  is  present  when 
both  worship  and  ethical  behavior  reflect 
hearts  ruled  by  the  values  o':  '  ■ 
book,  page  21) 

Where  are  the  modern 
are  called  to  remind  us  oi 
things? 


Pagsi  12,  It>Jid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1995 


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North  Carolina  counties. 


Presbytery  Office:  2309  Sunset  Ave..  Roclq^  Mount,  NC  27804  •  Telephone  (919)  443-7090  •  FAX  (919)  443-5229 

'Growing  Together'  1 995  offers  36  workshops 


The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope  will  hold  its  annual  fall 
leadership  training  event,  "Growing  Together",  on 
Saturday,  Sept.  16,  at  the  First  Church  in  Wilson. 

The  event,  offering  36  workshops,  will  feature  Dr. 
Sara  Little,  professor  emerita  of  Christian  education 
at  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia,  as  key- 
note speaker. 

Registration  will  begin  at  9  a.m.  and  the  event  will 
conclude  at  3:15  p.m.  Registration  deadline  is  Sept.  9. 


Dr.  Sara  Little 


Morning  Courses 

AM  1  Glimpses  of  Home — Biblical 
Images  of  the  Reign  of  God — Sarah 
Bell-Lucas.  A  brief  overview  of  the  Presby- 
terian Women's  Bible  Study  for  1995-96. 
Geared  toward  circle  Bible  moderators  but 
open  to  members  of  all  Presbyterian 
Women's  organizations. 

AM  2  Growing  the  Church  through 
Small  Groups — Jim  Eller.  An  introduc- 
tion to  beginning  and  developing  a  small 
group  ministry  in  the  congregation.  Topics 
include:  the  Biblical  basis  for  small  groups; 
developing  a  plan  and  a  program;  finding, 
training  and  supporting  small  group  lead- 
ers; and  ways  to  involve  people. 

AM  3     Teaching  the  Elementary  Age 

Child — Leslie  McLeod.  First-time  teach- 
ers are  invited  to  discuss  this  age  group  in 
term  of  its  characteristics  and  appropri- 
ate programs  and  activities. 

AM  4  Enhancing  Your  Caregiving 
Skills— OR— What  to  do  Once  You  Get 
Inside  the  Door — Lynn  Stall.  The  fact 
that  we  want  to  say  and  to  the  "right"  thing 
when  responding  to  a  person  in  need  often 
prevents  us  from  responding  at  all.  This 
course  will  provide  help  and  encourage- 
ment for  lay  people  as  they  minister  to 
those  who  are  hurting. 

AM  5  Spirituality:  The  Life-Long 
Process  of  Being  Born  Anew — Jeannene 
Wiseman.  Definitions  will  be  offered  for 
spirituality,  discernment  and  wilderness 
as  they  relate  to  Christian  journey,  spiri- 
tual direction  or  companionship.  We  will 
experience  three  types  of  prayer  together: 


praying  with  saints,  praying  with  scrip- 
ture and  praying  with  ordinary  life  events. 
We  will  discuss  what  supports/hinders 
our  continuing  to  be  born  into  ever-in- 
creasing spiritual  maturity. 

AM  6  How  to  Study  and  Teach  the 
Bible  in  the  Church — David  Huffman 
An  examination  of  several  Bible  study 
methods  and  programs  currently  in  use 
throughout  the  church  that  will  help  people 
learn  how  to  study  the  Bible  in  personal 
and  family  devotions  and  how  to  teach  the 
Bible  in  Church  School,  confirmation 
classes,  adult  courses  and  other  groups. 

AM  7     Consider  the  Possibilities — Ed 

Powers.  The  Presbyterian  Church  is  and 
will  increasingly  become  a  church  of  older 
adults.  A  church  of  older  adults  has  excit- 
ing opportunities  for  programming  and 
ministry  that  are  not  available  to  a  church 
of  largely  younger  families. 

AM  8    Basic  Youth  Ministry  101— M- 

J  Junkin.  This  course  will  cover  basic  phi- 
losophy and  vision  for  Presbyterian  Youth 
Ministry  as  well  as  the  basic  elements 
needed  for  a  balanced  program. 

AM  9  "We  Believe  ...  The  Use  of 
Confessional  Statements  in  Worship — 

Glducia  Vasconcelos  Wilkey.  Do  our  con- 
fessional statements  help  shape  our  iden- 
tity? Do  creeds  and  confessions  live  enough 
and  are  they  current  enough  for  use  in 
today's  liturgical  life?  Can/should  we  use 
creeds  and  confessions  for  prayers  or  re- 
sponses in  worship?  How  about  singing 
the  creeds.  Come  and  be  surprised! 

AM  10  Creativity  and  Preaching — 

Lucy  Rose.  Explore  ways  of  using  one's 


Growing  Together  1995 — Registration 


"1 


Address 

City  

Telephone 
Church  _ 


Course  Preferences  (List  number  and  name;  class  size  is  limited.) 
AM  Course  (First  Choice) 


AM  Course  (Second  Choice) 


PM  Course  (First  Choice) 


PM  Course  (Second  Choice) 


Request  for  Child  Care  (Kindergarten  age  and  under  only) 
Number  of  Children   Ages 


*  Bring  a  bag  lunch  for  each  child.  Cost  per  child — $3.50  (Pay  with  registration) 

Registration  Fee:  $12  (Includes  a  box  lunch)       Deadline:  September  9, 1995 
Late  Fee:  $15  (No  confirmation  or  refunds  will  be  sent  after  deadline  date) 

If  vou  h.  "  e  special  physical  needs,  please  provide  information  with  your  registration  form. 

'  ion  and  check  payable  to: 
.  ther  1995,  Presbytery  of  New  Hope,  2309  Sunset  Ave.,  Rocky  Mount,  NC  27804 
■J  information,  contact  the  Presbytery:  Ph:  919-443-7090  Fax:919-443-5229 


imagination  in  preaching. 

AM  11  Committees  that  Work  Vf  ell- 
Jim  Rissmiller.  Why  use  committees?  How 
can  we  make  them  work?  How  can  we  plan 
a  year-long  agenda? 

AM  12  Hunger:  Crises  to  Opportu- 
nity— Sandy  Irving  and  Margaret  Malloy. 
A  bird's-eye  view  of  worldwide  hunger  cri- 
ses and  the  response  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  to  these  situations  at  home  and 


AM  13  Confessional  Blitz — Haywood 
Holder ness.  Overview  of  The  Book  of  Con- 
fessions on  what  Presbyterians  believe. 

AM  14  Christian  Education  in  the 
Small  Church — Marcia  Myers.  Take  this 
opportunity  to  understand  and  utilize  the 
special  nature  and  characteristics  of  small 
congregations  for  an  effective  Christian 
education  program.  Creative  ways  to  deal 
with  small  numbers,  erratic  attendance, 
tired  teachers  and  tight  budgets.  We  will 
look  primarily  at  churches  with  100  or 
fewer  people  in  worship. 

AM  15  Teaching  Youth  in  Sunday 
School — Jimmie  Hawkins.  They're  barely 
awake;  their  parents  made  them  come; 
the  doughnuts  aren't  working.  This  class 
will  help  you  enliven  your  Church  School 
youth  classes. 

AM  16  Resources  for  Adult  Study — 

Martha  Stevenson.  This  class  will  explore 
"cutting  edge"  topics  for  adult  Christian 
Education.  We  will  look  at  adult  education 
in  the  nineties  and  beyond,  the  "tried  and 
true,"  plus  new  ways  and  resources  for 
teaching  adults. 

AM  17  Terrific  Threes  and  Fantastic 
Fours — Pat  Lindsay.  This  session  will  in- 
clude practical  helps  for  Sunday  School 
teachers  including  stratum,  music,  finger 
plays,  and  art  ideas,  plus  characteristics 
of  preschoolers  and  how  they  learn. 

AM  18  Two  Methods  for  Congrega- 
tional Spiritual  Renewal — Bob  Walkup. 

(1)  Long-range  Planning:  learn  how  one 
congregation  enjoys  spiritual  renewal  by 
setting  clear  goals  for  the  future;  identify 
the  do's  and  don'ts  of  developing  a  vision. 

(2)  Discover  Your  Gifts — explore  and  evalu- 
ate a  variety  of  materials  that  help  the 
congregation  discover  their  gifts;  learn 
how  your  congregation  can  become  more 
active  and  joyful  by  placing  members  in 
ministry  areas  compatible  with  their  gifts. 


Afternoon  Courses 

PM  1  Glimpses  of  Home — Biblical 
Images  of  the  Reign  of  God — Sarah 
Bell-Lucas.  See  description  of  AM  1. 

PM  2  Advanced  Leadership  Train- 
ing— Jim  Rissmiller.  Being  a  leader  and 
doing  leadership — both  are  important.  How 
do  we  learn  to  help  others  discover  and  use 
their  gift  of  leadership? 

PM  3  Videos  are  for  Adults  Too!: 
How  to  Choose  and  Use  Videos  in 
Adult  Classes — Chuck  Legg  and  Pamela 
Mitchell-Legg.  Participants  will  consider 
reasons  for  using  videos  in  adult  Christian 
education,  a  variety  of  practical  ways  to 
use  videos  in  classes  and  how  to  evaluate 
and  select  videos. 

PM  4  Putting  it  All  Together— LesZic 
McLeod.  This  workshop  will  center  around 
ways  to  organize  and  administer  a  Church 
School  program.  Topics  will  include:  re- 
cruiting, job  descriptions,  curriculum  se- 
lection and  support  for  teachers. 


PM5  Spirituality:  The  Life-Long 
Process  of  Being  Born  Anew — Jeannene 
Wiseman.  See  description  of  AM5. 

PM  6  Helping  Families  Through 
Times  of  Crises— Z)o«je  DuBose-Blum. 
identify  and  address  various  issues  which 
tend  to  throw  the  family  into  crisis. 

PM  7    Older  Adults  as  Learners, 

Teachers  and  Servants— i^d  Powers. 
What  will  I  do  now  that  I  am  an  older 
adult?  Wisdom,  experience  and  long  life 
can  be  gifts  to  the  church  community. 

PM  8  Demonstration  Choir — Ex- 
ploring Levels  of  Choral  Singing— A/ 

Sturgis.  Choir  leaders  and  members  are 
invited  to  experience  a  creative  approach 
to  choral  rehearsal.  Explore  soul  (text  ex- 
pression), life  (rhythm)  and  beauty  (tone 
quality) — three  levels  of  singing  in  re- 
hearsal and  performance. 

PM9  Preaching  Narrative  Ser- 
mons— Lucy  Rose.  Explore  several  variet- 
ies of  narrative  sermons  from  story-ser- 
mons to  sermons  with  a  plot  structure. 

PMIO  AIM:  An  Involved  Member- 
ship— John  Meacham.  A  practical  course 
and  guide  for  starting  a  small  group  pro- 
gram for  your  entire  congregation  promot- 
ing spiritual  growth  and  human  enrich- 
ment through  elder-led  shepherd  groups. 

PM  11  The  Drama  of  Missions — Jean 
Ryburn.  Presenting  missionary  heroes  of 
past  and  present;  sharing  stories  of  mis- 
sion trips;  learning  ways  for  local  churches 
to  educate  children,  youth  and  adults  in 
global  mission.  Introduction  to  the  1996 
mission  materials  on  Eastern  Europe. 

PM12  Strengthening  the  Small 
Church — Marcia  Myers.  Strategies  and 
practical  how-to's  for  the  development  of 
ministry  in  smaller  congregations.  Build- 
ing on  small  church  assets  to  revitalize 
congregational  life  and  expand  the  out- 
reach of  your  ministry  for  Christ.  Enrich- 
ing worship,  broadening  the  care  network, 
evangelism  that  doesn't  hurt,  and  the  pos- 
sible mission.  We  will  look  primarily  at 
churches  with  100  people  or  less. 

PM  13  Book  of  Order  Blitz— //ayu;oo<i 
Holderness.  An  overview  of  The  Book  of 
Order  on  how  Presbyterians  act. 

PM  14  Conversation  with  Sara 
Little — Sara  Little.  Informal  talks  about 
new  directions  in  Christian  Education. 

PM  15  The  Church  in  Liturgy  and 
Song:  Improvisations  on  The  Book  of 
Common  Worship — Glducia  Vasconcelos 
Wilkey.  Set  prayers.  Set  Communion  Ser- 
vices. Set  responses.  Is  there  any  room  for 
BREATHING  LIFE  into  this  worship  re- 
source? Can  a  congregation  shape  its  wor- 
ship life  so  that  it  expresses  both  its  his- 
torical identity  and  its  own  sense  of  vision 
and  mission  at  the  local  level?  How?  Come 
and  find  out! 

PM  16  Icebreakers,  Games  and' 
Group  Building— Joe  Sayblack.  This  class 
is  a  repeat  of  the  best  of  the  past  two 
Growing  Together  workshops  AND  will 
have  a  new  attraction — light  folk  dancing 
as  a  mixer  for  intergenerational  events. 

PM17  The  United  Nations  at  50— 

Ronald  Sher  and  Julia  Henderson.  An  over- 
view of  activities  commemorating  the  50th 
anniversary  of  the  UN  and  recent  develop- 
ments in  peacekeeping,  human  rights  and 
humanitarian  activities. 

PM  18  "Where  Two  are  Three  [Youth] 
are  Gathered  ..." — Jimmie  Hawkins. 
Youth  ministry  with  a  smaller  group.  Ideas 
to  help  with  recruiting  volunteers,  budget- 
ing, programming. 


New  Hope  in  Mission-page  M2 

I      »BKBCFFZ********5-DIGIT    27  514 

UNIV    OF    N    CAROLINA  LIBRARY 
NORTH    CAROLINA  COLLECTION 
1a;ILSGN    LIBRARY    CB  3930 
CHAPEL    HILL    NC  27514-8890 

I    1. 11...  1. 1.!.  -  HI    II  .:  I    il       M.  I 

For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Vol.  LXI,  Number  7 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Aubrey  W.  Johns,  a  member  of  the  Massanetta  Springs  Finance  Committee,  and 
Massanetta  board  chair  Beth  P.  Smith  discuss  a  draft  of  the  proposed  master  plan. 

Massanetta  Springs 
announces  master  plan 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.— The 
Massanetta  Springs  Confer- 
ence Center  Board  of  Trustees 
will  consider  a  new  master  plan 
designed  to  take  the  center 
into  the  21st  century  when 
they  meet  here  Oct.  29-30. 

Executive  Director  Dave 
Hubler  said  the  essential  ele- 
ments of  the  plan  are: 

•  studjdng  the  present  con- 
dition of  all  buildings  and  de- 
termining which  need  to  be 
renovated,  which  need  to  be 
demolished  and  what  are  fu- 
ture construction  needs; 

•  deciding  where  future 
programs  and  functions  should 
take  place; 

•  deciding  what  are  the  rec- 
reational needs  for  the  future; 

•  establishing  how  to  pro- 
vide buffers  to  maintain  the 
rural,  idyllic  setting  that  is 
unique  to  Massa-netta; 

•  deciding  how  to  provide 
air-conditioned  and  heated 


space  for  year-round  use  of 
the  center;  and 

•  establishing  in  what  or- 
der things  should  be  done  and 
what  will  they  will  cost. 

Preliminary  cost  estimates 
and  a  project  time  line  will  be 
prepared  for  the  board  meet- 
ing, said  Hubler. 

The  master  plan  is  the  re- 
sult of  a  process  which  started 
on  June  7-8  when  approxi- 
mately 40  persons  met  with 
representatives  of  Marcellus, 
Wright,  Cox  and  Smith  Archi- 
tects. The  group — including 
staff,  trustees,  ministers, 
youth,  users  and  others — met 
two  more  times  with  the  ar- 
chitects. 

Participants  at  the  annual 
Bible  Conference  in  early  Au- 
gust also  were  able  to  study 
large-scale  maps  and  graphs 
which  outlined  possible  loca- 
tions for  lodging,  recreation, 
green  space,  food  service,  park- 


ing and  traffic  patterns. 

"While  many  had  questions, 
the  reception  v/as  overwhelm- 
ingly positive,"  said  Hubler. 
He  reported  that  comments 
included  "I'm  so  glad  to  see 
you  planning  for  the  future," 
"I  love  it  the  way  it  is  now,  but 
know  that  we  must  update  to 
remain  responsive  to  tomor- 
row's needs,"  and  "We  support 
Massanetta  and  are  delighted 
with  the  great  program  and 
enthusiasm  that  we  see." 

Massanetta  Springs  has 
been  a  Presbyterian  confer- 
ence center  since  1922.  The 
property  is  owned  by  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  and  man- 
aged by  a  staff  under  the  di- 
rection of  an  independent 
board  of  trustees.  Beth  Smith 
of  Bridgewater,  Va.,  is  the 
board  chairperson. 

More  details  will  be  an- 
nounced in  the  next  few 
months,  said  Hubler. 


Home  of  the  Highlands  starts 
work/study  course  in  free  enterprise 


A  resident  of  the  Presby- 
terian Children's  Home  of 
the  Highlands  feeds  a  calf 
as  part  of  the  work/study 
Highland  Cottage  Indus- 
tries program. 


WYTHEVILLE,  Va.— The 
Presb)rterian  Children's  Home 
of  the  Highlands  has  started  a 
new  work/study  enterprise 
called  Highlands  Cottage  In- 
dustries. 

The  program's  purpose  is  to 
teach  interested  residents  the 
American  free  enterprise  sys- 
tem so  they  can  "leam  while 
they  earn." 

Highland  Cottage  Indus- 
tries (HCI)  offers  learning  and 
earning  opportunities  for  the 
young  residents  during  their 
free  time.  It  teaches  the  value 
of  work,  vividly  explains  the 
relationship  between  manu- 
facturing and  sales,  builds  self- 
esteem,  and  whets  the  appe- 
tite to  apply  themselves  for 


greater  and  greater  returns 
on  investments  in  themselves, 
according  to  the  home's  execu- 
tive director,  John  Alexander. 

HCI  now  focuses  on  three 
areas:  flowers  and  plants  in 
the  home's  new  greenhouse, 
two  calves  in  the  calf  program, 
and  the  manufacture  and  sale 
of  Appalachian  mountain 
crafts. 

Presbyterian  Children's 
Home  of  the  Highlands  has 
been  serving  children  in  crisis 
since  1919.  "Today,  more  than 
ever,  the  home  is  alive  and 
well,  helping  children  find 
hope  and  purpose  for  the  fu- 
ture," said  Alexander. 

For  more  information  call 
Alexander  at  (540)  228-2861. 


National  Church 
celebrates  bicentennial 


WASHINGTON,  D.C.— The 
National  Presbyterian  Church 
is  commemorating  200  years 
of  worship — celebrating  a  rich 
heritage  evolving  through  four 
congregations  since  1795. 

A  special  service  of  thanks- 
giving is  scheduled  for  Oct.  29, 
Reformation  Sunday.  Denomi- 
nation officials,  former  clergy 
and  members  of  the  congrega- 
tion from  around  the  world 
have  been  invited  to  partici- 
pate. 

According  to  church 
records,  most  Presidents  of  the 
United  States  from  James 
Madison  to  Bill  Clinton  have 
attended  services  at  National 
Church  or  one  of  its  predeces- 
sor congregations.  Several 
Presidents  were  members — 
ranging  from  Andrew  Jack- 
son to  Dwight  D.  Eisenhower, 
who  was  baptized  at  National 
Church  shortly  after  taking 
office  in  1953. 

Other  distinguished  wor- 
shippers have  included  many 
Congressional  and  Adminis- 
tration leaders  and  Supreme 
Court  Justices,  as  well  as 
Queen  Elizabeth  and  other 
heads  of  state. 

The  National  Church  traces 
its  origin  to  1795  when  a  group 
of  Scottish  stone  masons  held 
services  in  a  carpenter's  shed 
on  the  grounds  of  the  White 
House,  then  under  construc- 
tion. Initially  known  as  St. 
Andrews  Presbyterian 


Church,  the  congregation  met 
over  the  next  few  years  in  sev- 
eral places,  including  a  school, 
a  Masonic  lodge,  and  the  Su- 
preme Court  chambers  in  the 
basement  of  the  unfinished 
Capitol. 

By  1812,  the  group  had  es- 
tablished First  Presbyterian 
Church,  erecting  a  brick  build- 
ing known  as  the  "Little  White 
Church  Under  the  Hill"  on  the 
Capitol  grounds  where  the 
Rayburn  House  Office  Build- 
ing now  stands. 

In  1827  the  congregation 
moved  into  a  larger  building 
on  4-1/2  Street  (now  John 
Marshall  Place),  which  stood 
until  1930.  That  year.  First 
Presbyterian  merged  with 
Covenant  Presbyterian 
Church,  founded  in  1883.  In 
1889  Covenant  had  completed 
an  imposing  Romanesque  re- 
vival stone  church  which  stood 
at  the  intersection  of  N  Street, 
18th  Street  and  Connecticut 
Avenue  N.W.  for  77  years. 

A  commission  to  explore  the 
possibility  of  a  national  church 
in  Washington  was  established 
in  1924,  and  in  1947  the  com- 
bined Covenant-First  Church 
(known  as  Church  of  the  Cov- 
enant) was  designated  "The 
National  Presbyterian 
Church." 

The  congregation  acquired 
the  former  Hillcrest  Children's 
Center  on  Nebraska  Avenue 
continued  on  page  3 


National  Church's  modem  facility  on  Nebraska  Avenue 


P  ige  2,  Mifi  Atlantic  Presbjrterian,  October  1995 

Pray  for  synod 


By  BETTY  McGINNIS 
Synod  Moderator 

What  do  you  believe  when  you  say:  "I 
beUeve  in  God  the  Father,  Almighty,  Maker 
of  heaven  and  earth"? 

The  Heidelberg  Catechism  responds 
with  the  following:  "That  the  eternal  Fa- 
ther of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  out  of 
nothing  created  heaven  and  earth  and 
everything  in  them,  who  still  upholds  and 
rules  them  by  his  eternal  counsel  and 
providence,  is  my  God  and  Father  because 
of  Christ  his  Son.  I  trust  him  so  much  that 
I  do  not  doubt  he  wall  provide  whatever  I 
need  for  body  and  soul  and  he  will  turn  to 
my  good  whatever  adversity  he  sends  me 
in  this  sad  world.  He  is  able  to  do  this 
because  he  is  almighty  God,  he  desires  to 
do  it  because  he  is  a  faithful  Father." 

The  Synod  Council  constantly  thanks 


God  for  the  ministries  working  through- 
out the  Synod — new  church  development, 
global  mission  exchanges,  partnership 
work,  older  adult  ministries,  mission  work 
in  presbyteries  and  churches,  and  the  great 
potential  that  is  still  out  there.  Yet  at  the 
same  time,  the  Council,  composed  of  people 
of  God  elected  from  each  of  the 
presbyteries,  works  though  many  struggles 
of  the  Synod — revenue  neutral  transfers, 
a  new  mission  design,  finding  the  definite 
ministry  of  the  Synod  with  and  for  ALL 
presbyteries,  the  allegations,  a  lack  of 
reunion  of  the  Presbj^erian  church,  each 
group  wanting  to  make  sure  its  voice  is 
heard  in  the  Synod,  and  stewardship  of 
money.  Silently,  we  pray  "let  thy  will  be 
done." 

Sitting  through  one  meeting  after  an- 
other, questions  fill  my  mind:  What  is  the 
meaning  of  this  in  light  of  centering  on 


Jesus  Christ?  Why  do  we  talk  so  much? 
Are  we  centering  our  thoughts  on  God? 
Are  we  constantly  listening  to  that  "still 
small  voice?"  Are  we  committed  and  disci- 
plined to  pray  for  guidance  and  then  open 
to  act  in  that  direction  no  matter  what  a 
leap  of  faith?  Are  we  building  the  church  of 
Christ  rather  than  allowing  elements 
within  to  rip  and  tear?  Are  we  serving 
Christ  or  our  own  egos?  Are  we  willing  to 
stop  and  PRAY  that  the  Synod  will  be  a 
vehicle  to  serve  God? 

Jesus  constantly  went  away  into  the 
quietness  alone  and  prayed.  We  must  per- 
severe to  pray  (Colossians  4:2).  With  God, 
we  must  build  upon  strengths  and  turn 
adversity  into  good  and  good  into  best.  We 
know  that  prayer  enables  this  to  happen. 
Again,  my  mind  returns  to  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism  to  question  116:  "Why  do  Chris- 
tians need  to  pray?  Because  prayer  is  the 
most  important  part  of  the  thankfulness 
God  requires  of  us.  And  also  because  God 
gives  his  grace  and  Holy  Spirit  only  to 
those  who  pray  continually  and  groan  in- 
wardly, asking  God  for  these  gifts  and 
thanking  him  for  them."  "Pray  without 
ceasing."  (I  Thessalonians  5:17) 

We  belong  to  God.  We  must  know  God 
in  our  heart  to  deal  with  our  church.  That 
means  giving  our  heart  to  God.  And  that 
means  prayer.  Through  prayer,  one  knows 
God.  Through  prayer,  we  will  know  God. 
"Be  still  and  know  that  I  am  God."  With 
prayer  as  a  central  part  of  our  very  being, 
we  will  put  life  into  our  Synod. 

Now  as  your  moderator,  I  ask  you  to 
commit  time  each  morning  to  PRAY  FOR 
THE  SYNOD  OF  THE  MID-ATLANTIC; 


to  thank  God  for  the  people,  the  churches, 
the  presbyteries  and  their  ministries  in 
our  Synod;  to  ask  God  for  guidance  in 
giving  life  to  the  new  Mission  Design;  to 
bring  about  renewal  and  reunion  within 
the  Synod;  and  to  guide  us  in  finding  the 
SjTiod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic's  true  witness 
to  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  And  then  to 
"Let  go  and  let  God." 

Thanks  for  those  of  you  who  continue  to 
write:  ^ 

Alan  Lowery  who  wrote  many  pages 
about  his  deep  belief  in  God  and  gave  me 
a  wonderful  study  guide  on  the  scripture 
which  I  shared  with  the  Synod  Council. 

Sue  McCann  who  wrote  about  the  good 
news  of  a  mission  project  for  the  homeless, 
seeds  being  sent  to  the  mission  work  in 
Malawi. 

Persons  concerned  about  the  allega- 
tions and  the  welfare  of  the  Synod. 

Jan  McGilliard  who  is  so  excited  about 
her  work  in  older  adult  ministries  and  her 
excitement  for  the  Synod  programs  in  that 

Junia  and  Tom  Horn,  who  are  serving 
as  volunteers  in  mission  from  the  Sjniod  in 
Alaska. 

The  presbyteries  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
going  to  Louisville  to  learn  and  become 
better  equipped  to  work  in  partnerships  in 
mission  with  the  overseas  churches. 

And  many  others!  We  thank  you! 

Your  letters  of  sharing  can  be  sent  to 
my  home:  Betty  McGinnis,  1234  Tama- 
rack Tr.,  Arnold,  MD  21012. 


Commentary 


Church  school  lessons  for  lifelong  learning 


By  JAN  McGILLIARD 

Associate  for  Older  Adult  Ministries 

Now  here's  something  to  ponder.  We  have 
beautiful  church  school  curricula  for  ages 
1-18.  It  arrives  in  boxes  and  tied  with  a 
bow.  Presbyterian  Women  consistently 
offer  thoughtful  Bible  studies  used  by 
groups  all  over  the  country.  There's  "Bible 
Discovery"  covering  birth  to  death,  along 
with  "Adult  Foundational  Curriculum," 
"Kerygma,"  and  "The  Bible  from  Scratch"! 

They  are  said  to  be  comprehensive  for 
adult  ages.  But  have  you  ever  wondered 
what  "adult"  includes?  It  includes  persons 
18  to  108,  approximately. 

If  your  adult  education  committee  would 
like  to  offer  a  curriculum  for  more  mature 
persons  but  doesn't  know  how  to  organize 
one,  there  is  help! 

A  good  place  to  begin  is  with  an  over- 
view, available  in  the  form  of  the  video 
"Aging  Me  ...  Aging  You:  The  Journey  of  a 
Lifetime,"  located  in  every  presbytery  re- 


source center.  Dr.  Albert  Dimmock  of 
Montreat,  N.C.,  has  assembled  a  handout 
that  features  several  models  for  approach- 
ing issues  of  aging.  It  is  available  by  writ- 
ing to  me  (Jan  McGilliard)  at  my  address 
below. 

In  June  1995,  a  second  video  entitled 
"Aging  Me  ...  Aging  You:  Exploring  the 
Issues"  was  sent  to  all  presbytery  resource 
centers  with  an  extensive  study  guide  that 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 
Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
(USPS  604-120  /  ISSN  1071-345X) 
Is  produced  and  published  monthly 
(except  February,  August  and 
December) 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
3218  Chamberlayne  Ave., 
Richmond,  VA  23227. 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  is  mailed 
free  to  members  of  PC(USA) 
churches  within  the  synod. 

POSTMASTER 

Please  send  address  changes  to 
MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026. 

Second-Class  Postage  Rates  Paid  at 
Richmond,  Virginia,  and 
additional  post  offices. 


July/August  1995  circulation 
168,078 


includes  the  following  topics:  Ageism,  Jus- 
tice, Caregiving,  Death  &  Dying,  and  Spiri- 
tuality &  Aging.  It  has  been  produced  in 
five  10-minute  segments,  excellent  for 
using  in  church  school  or  group  settings. 

The  newest  resource  is  a  five-session 
study  entitled  "Older  Adult  Ministry: 
Growing  in  the  Abundant  Life,"  based  on 
a  1992  General  Assembly  booklet  of  the 
same  title.  The  book  can  be  ordered  from 


Presbyterian  Publishing  House,  phone 
(800)  227-2872.  Ask  for  item  number 
042100.  The  cost  is  $4.95  plus  $2.50  for 
postage  and  handling. 

For  more  information  write  to  me,  Jan 
L.  McGilliard,  Associate  for  Older  Adult 
Ministries,  305  Country  Club  Dr.,  S.E., 
Blacksburg,  VA24060,  orphone/FAX(540) 
552-0948. 


A  letter  to  all  Presbyterians  from  Oklahoma  City 


Note:  The  following  letter  of  appreciation 
from  Carolyn  Stephens,  executive  presby- 
ter of  Indian  Nations  Presbytery  was  re- 
ceived by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 
with  a  request  that  it  be  shared  with  as 
many  Presbyterians  as  possible. — Jerry  L. 
Van  Marter,  PC(USA)  News  Service 

Dear  Sisters  and  Brothers  in  Christ, 

Living  in  Oklahoma  City,  Oklahoma, 
the  last  few  months  has  been  an  experi- 
ence filled  with  many  emotions  that  must 
be  shared  with  you.  So  many  of  you  have 
reached  out  to  us,  sharing  our  grief,  anger 
and  questions.  You  must  also  have  an 
opportunity  to  share  in  the  good  things 
that  have  happened  since  the  fateful  bomb- 
ing of  the  Alfred  P.  Murrah  Federal  Build- 
ing at  9:02  a.m.,  Wednesday,  April  19, 
1995. 

The  personal  stories  of  people  involved 
in  the  disaster  continue  to  be  told:  A  man 
had  lost  his  Social  Security  card  and  had 
made  an  appointment  in  the  Social  Secu- 
rity office  for  9  a.m.  on  the  never-to-be- 
forgotten  day.  But  in  the  mail  on  April  18 
he  received  a  copy  of  his  card  from  his 
mother,  who  lived  in  another  state.  She 
had  "happened  across"  the  card  a  few  days 
earlier — the  card  she  had  applied  for  and 
received  when  he  was  a  child.  He  didn't  go 
downtown  that  Wednesday  morning. 

People  have  stories  of  the  way  people 
reached  out  to  help:  A  man  (a  Presbyte- 
rian) from  a  small  town  in  western  Okla- 
homa, after  hearing  the  news,  got  in  his 
truck  and  drove  to  the  city.  He  was  a 
welder,  and  even  before  the  emergency 
rescue  teams  could  arrive,  he  had  begun  to 
build  the  metal  structures  to  give  support 
to  the  remaining  debris,  allowing  the  work- 
ers to  get  closer  to  the  victims.  No  one  told 
him  to  come,  no  one  told  him  what  to  do — 
he  just  acted  out  of  a  concern  for  his 
human  sisters  and  brothers,  doing  what 
he  knew  best  how  to  do. 

At  a  downtown  church  that  had  al- 
lowed the  Red  Cross  to  set  up  an  emer- 
gency blood  bank,  people  stood  in  line  for 
as  long  as  four  hours  to  give  their  blood  to 
help  the  injured.  One  woman  who  had 
stood  in  line  for  many  hours  was  told  she 
couldn't  donate  blood  because  she  had 


recently  had  surgery.  Still  determined  to 
help,  she  saw  a  vacuum  cleaner  and  began 
to  help  clean  the  floors  dirtied  by  the  feet 
of  the  people  giving  of  themselves  to  oth- 
ers in  need. 

These  are  only  three  of  thousands  of 
stories  about  people — people  in  pain,  grief 
and  anger,  and  those  who  reached  out  to 
help. 

The  help  wasn't  all  from  people  inside 
Oklahoma,  however,  and  that  is  the  pur- 
pose of  this  letter.  I  want  to  share  with  you 
some  of  what  you,  our  sisters  and  brothers 
in  the  faith,  have  done  in  response  to  the 
horrible  act  of  April  19. 

As  of  the  middle  of  August,  just  four 
months  later,  we  in  Indian  Nations  Pres- 
bytery have  received  letters,  cards,  songs, 
poems,  paintings,  drawings,  banners,  post- 
ers and,  most  important,  prayers.  These 
have  been  directed  to  families  of  children 
who  died,  to  survivors,  to  the  rescue  work- 
ers and  other  volunteers,  to  the  children  of 
the  city  (some  of  whom  still  are  haunted  by 
fear),  to  the  pastors,  chaplains  and  coun- 
selors who  laid  aside  their  own  pain  to 
help  others  deal  with  their  suffering. 

All  of  these  gifts  are  wonderful,  each 
in  its  own  way  helping  to  ease  the  burden 
of  grief  that  continues  to  hover  over  the 
city. 

The  financial  gifts  are  almost  beyond 
comprehension.  As  of  this  date,  approxi- 
mately $347,000  has  been  received  at  the 
General  Assembly  and  the  presbytery  to 
aid  our  response  to  victims  of  the  disaster. 
The  list  of  names  of  individuals,  congrega- 
tions and  presbyteries  who  have  sent  con- 
tributions is  more  than  31  pages  long, 
representing  nearly  every  state  in  the 
country.  It  is  very  heartwarming  and  al- 
most overwhelming.  Never  before  have  I 
had  the  opportunity  to  personally  witness 
such  a  generous  outpouring  of  Christian 
love  and  compassion. 

On  behalf  of  Indian  Nations  Presby- 
tery, I  offer  to  you  our  sincere  gratitude. 
Because  of  your  assistance,  we  will  be  able 
to  provide  ongoing  counseling.  We  are 
giving  assistance,  through  our  Presbyte- 
rian Urban  Mission,  to  families  and  indi- 
viduals who  were  previously  receiving  ser- 
vices from  agencies  that  are  no  longer  in 


operation  because  of  damages  sustained 
to  their  buildings.  P.U.M.  is  providing 
food  through  a  food  pantry,  meals  to  the 
hungry,  clothing  and  personal  items  to  the 
needy  at  a  rate  of  more  than  double  the 
usual  services  needed. 

We  are  one  of  the  primary  funding 
sources  for  the  Interfaith  Disaster  Recov- 
ery of  Greater  Oklahoma  City,  Inc.,  a 
cooperative  effort  of  17  different  faith 
groups  joined  to  provide  assistance  that  is 
not  available  from  any  of  the  governmen- 
tal or  other  agencies.  Their  work  includes 
managing  more  than  two  hundred  cases — 
and  their  caseload  continues  to  grow,  es- 
pecially since  FEMA  has  closed  its  opera- 
tion in  Oklahoma  City  and  people  are 
losing  patience  with  traditional  disaster 
agencies  or  do  not  meet  the  eligibility 
requirements  of  those  agencies. 

A  story  from  Interfaith:  They  were  very 
successful  in  restoring  a  sense  of  normal- 
ity to  the  life  of  the  young  Middle  Eastern 
man  who  was  detained  in  London  immedi- 
ately after  the  bombing  and  returned  to 
the  United  States.  This  man,  whose  lug- 
gage containing  all  of  his  clothing  was 
never  returned,  who  only  received  com- 
pensation for  his  plane  ticket  two  months 
after  his  trip  was  aborted,  and  who  be- 
came unemployed  as  a  consequence  of  the 
government  action,  was  not  considered  a 
continued  on  page  3 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and  length. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October 


Synod  announces  Stultz  scholarships 


The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
recently  approved  two  new  re- 
cipients of  Stultz  Scholar- 
ships and  renewed  scholar- 
ships for  two  past  recipients. 

The  new  recipients  are 
Sonya  Nicole  Sorge  and  Jen- 
nifer Sara  Wade,  both  students 
at  King  College  in  Bristol, 
Tenn. 

Past  recipients  whose  schol- 
arships were  renewed  are  Ben- 
jamin Wise  Kinnaman  of 
Davidson  College  in  Davidson, 
N.C.,  and  Laura  Lee  Short  of 
Presbyterian  College  in 
Clinton,  S.C. 

All  four  students  received 
scholarships  of  $1,000  for  the 
1995-96  academic  year. 

The  Stultz  Student  Schol- 
arship Fund  provides  finan- 


President  Harry  S  Truman  unveils  plaque  in  1947 
designating  Covenant-First  Presbyterian  Church  as  The 
National  Presbyterian  Church. 

National  Church  celebrates  bicentennial 


continued  from  page  1 
in  northwest  Washington  in 
1966.  Former  President  Eisen- 
hower laid  the  cornerstone  of 
the  present  sanctuary  in  1967, 
and  the  church  was  completed 
in  1969. 

For  many  years  the  church 
held  a  special  service  for  mem- 
bers of  Congress  and  govern- 
ment officials  at  the  beginning 
of  each  congressional  session. 
Five  pastors  of  the  church  have 
served  as  chaplains  of  the  U.S. 
Senate  and  three  as  chaplains 
of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives. 

National  Church  and  its 
predecessor  congregations 
have  a  long  tradition  of  minis- 
tries outside  the  church.  First 
Church  had  Sabbath  schools 
for  people  of  all  races  in  six 
locations  around  the  city,  to 
teach  reading  and  religious 
education.  In  1886  Covenant 
Church  opened  Peck  Memo- 
rial Chapel  in  Georgetown,  a 
mission  providing  industrial 
education  for  minorities  and 
disadvantaged  youth  for  many 
years. 

Among  overseas  efforts,  a 
tuberculosis  clinic  was  estab- 
lished in  Beirut,  Lebanon,  in 
1908.  The  church  also  had  a 
long-standing  mission  in 
China  until  the  Communist 
takeover. 

Today,  National  Church 
members  work  in  partnership 
with  Washington's  Third 
Street  Church  of  God,  helping 
serve  meals  to  the  homeless 
and  tutoring  inner-city  chil- 
dren. For  more  than  45  years, 
members  of  the  church's  Sun- 
day Evening  Club  have  made 
weekly  visits  to  help  various 
community  service  organiza- 
tions. Several  church  members 
take  part  in  short-term  over- 
seas mission  projects,  and  the 
congregation  supports  31  full- 
time  missionaries  worldwide. 

To  achieve  its  vision  as  a 
"ministry  of  grace,  passionate 
about  Christ's  mission  in  the 
world,"  the  church  offers  many 
programs  for  children,  youth 
and  adults,  and  has  a  strong 
neighborhood  parish  network. 

PEW  CUSHIONS 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.  BOX  4128.  LYNCHBURG,  VA  24502 

-  1-800-572-2283  = 


Dr.  M.  Craig  Barnes  has 
served  as  senior  pastor  of  Na- 
tional Church  since  1993,  lead- 
ing a  growing  congregation  of 
more  than  2,000  members  from 
throughout  the  Washington 
metropolitan  area,  as  well  as 


military  members  around  the 
world. 

National  Presbyterian 
Church  is  located  at  4101  Ne- 
braska Ave.,  NW.,  Washing- 
ton, DC  20016.  The  phone 
number  is  (202)  537-0800. 


cial  assistance  to  deserving 
high  school  students  who  wish 
to  further  their  education  at 
Presbyterian-related  colleges 
or  universities.  The  scholar- 
ships are  renewable  for  up  to 
three  years  on  the  recommen- 
dation of  the  college. 

Priority  is  given  to  finan- 
cially deserving  students. 


They  must  rank  within  the 
top  third  of  their  high  school 
class  and  be  active  members  of 
congregations  within  the 
synod. 

The  fund  was  created  with 
resources  provided  by  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  W.  Z.  Stultz,  long-time 
members  of  Myers  Park 
Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C. 


Oklahomans  thankful  for  support 


continued  from  page  2 
victim  by  many  of  the  agencies. 
At  the  young  man's  request,  In- 
terfaith  has  obtained  counseling 
for  his  family  that  is  knowledge- 
able and  sensitive  to  the  family's 
culture  and  religion.  He  and  his 
family  were  helped  to  obtain  fi- 
nancial, household  and  job  assis- 
tance to  an  extent  that  their 
family's  life  has  almost  returned 
to  a  degree  of  normality.  The  joy 
and  appreciation  that  this  man 
expressed  made  it  abundantly 
clear  that  the  work  of  Interfaith 
must  continue. 

At  the  207th  General  Assem- 
bly in  Cincinnati,  Moderator  Marj 
Carpenter  told  of  her  pride  in 
being  Presbyterian  and  her  pride 
in  the  mission  being  done  by  Pres- 


byterians throughout  the  world. 
For  us  in  Oklahoma,  your  desire 
to  be  in  mission  has  become  real 
and  alive  through  your  generos- 
ity. As  we  continue  to  try  to  re- 
cover from  the  disastrous  bomb- 
ing, our  hearts  that  were  once 
filled  with  grief,  despair,  frustra 
tion  and  anger  are  now  refilling 
with  gratitude  and  thanksgiving 
to  God  for  you,  our  Presbyterian 
family. 

May  you  know  God's  blessing 
in  your  lives  as  you  have  been 
instruments  of  God's  blessing  in 
our  lives. 

In  Christ's  Love, 

—Carolyn  B.  Stephens 
Executive  Presbyter  on  behalf 
of  Indian  Nations  Presbytery 


1995-96  Bible  Study 

Glimpses 
of  Home 

•^Biblical  Images  of  the  Realm  of  God 

by  Eugenia  A.  Gamble 

In  a  word,  it  is  refreshing. . .  .  Eugenia  Gamble's  approach  to  Scripture  . . . 
beauty  of  language  .  .  .  clarity  of  communication  ,  . . 

The  whole  Bible  is  the  workbook  for  this  study,  but  the  grist  of  the  lessons  is  the 
everyday  life  of  the  reader. 

Every  pastor  should  have  it  on  the  shelf  for  communicants  classes  and  adult 
study  groups  in  years  to  come. 

— Kay  Huggins,  Monday  Morning 

An  excellent  resource. 

— Donald  Macleod,  Monday  Morning 


Includes: 

•^  Guided  reflections 
•:•  Questions  for  discussion 
•>  Nine  expandable  lessons 
•:•  Suggestions  for  Leaders  by 
the  eminent  Christian 
educator,  Mary  Duckert 


Available: 

❖  English,  $3 

❖  Spanish,  $2 

❖  Korean,  $2 

❖  Braille,  free 

❖  Audiocassettes,  $7.50/set 


About  the  author: 

The  Reverend  Eugenia  A.  Gamble  was  the  keynote  speaker  for  the 
1994  Churchwide  Gathering.  She  is  a  columnist  for  HORIZONS 
magaiiine,  retreat  leader,  writer  of  devotional  material  and  the 
associate  executive  presbyter  for  mission  interpretation, 
Sheppards  and  Lapsley  Presbytery,  Birmingham,  Alabama. 

To  order: 

Call  800/487-4875 

Prices  include  postage/handling 
$12  min.  for  VISA  and  MasterCard 


>-aije  t,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1995 


w 


Volunteer  Emergency  Families  for 
Children  (VEFC)  of  Virginia  recruits, 

trains,  and  maintciins  volunteer  families  of  faith 
throughout  Virginia  who  provide  either  short- 
term  (one  to  21  days)  shelter  care  or  mentoring 
services  to  homeless,  abused,  neglected,  delin- 
quent, runaway,  and  at-risk  children  and  youth 
ages  birth  through  17.  There  are  20  Shelter  Care 
programs  serving  over  50  communities.  Five 
VEFC  PLUS  (Partners  in  Learning  and  Under- 
standing with  Students)  mentoring  programs 
match  volunteers  with  high-risk  students  for  at 
least  one  hour  a  week  during  the  school  year  in 
an  effort  to  improve  school  performance,  atten- 
dance, behavior,  and  self-esteem.  Two  Alterna- 
tives to  Detention  programs,  which  provide  men- 
tors and  shelter  care  to  juvenile  offenders,  keep 
young  people  out  of  trouble  and  inspire  them  to 
stay  in  school  and  become  focused  on  positive 
goals  and  lifestyles.  During  1994,  VEFC  programs 
reached  843  children  and  young  people,  more 
than  in  any  single  previous  year  of  VEFC's  16 
years  of  ministry. 

Since  1979,  VEFC,  guided  by  a  volunteer  board 
of  directors  with  strong  Presbyterian  representa- 
tion, has  ministered  to  9,000  individuals.  Its  na- 


Anne  B.  Earle  is  the  executive  director. 
Volunteer    Families    for  Children 

(VFC)  of  North  Carolina  offers  a  ministry 
that  allows  people  in  communities  throughout 
North  Carolina  to  care  for  children  in  crisis;  it 
gives  them  a  way  to  make  a  difference.  Since 
1989,  VFC  has  been  filling  the  gap  between  the 
immediate  need  for  out-of-home  placement  for 
the  child  and  the  longer-term  solutions  to  the 
child's  need.  It  provides  short-term  emergency 
and  respite  services  to  children  who  are  abused 
or  neglected,  homeless,  or  in  crisis  with  their 
families  or  caregivers. 

From  VFC  host  families  children  receive  security, 
time  away  from  crisis,  self-esteem,  and  an  opportu- 
nity to  experience  healthy  family  dynamics. 

VFC  offers  its  services  to  children  who  are  "fall- 
ing through  the  gaps"  without  regard  to  geo- 
graphic borders  or  bureaucratic  requirements.  It 
addresses  the  common-sense  needs  of  the  child 
and  his  or  her  situation  without  considering 
whether  the  child  is  "eligible"  or  the  service  is  le- 
gally "mandated."  It  has  the  important  ability  to 
give  children  support  at  the  time  they  need  it 

H.  Juanita  Clemmons  is  executive  director. 

The  Presbyterian  Children's  Home  of 

the  Highlands  in  Wytheville,  Virginia,  offers 
a  restorative  ministry  to  children  and  their  fami- 
lies from  the  Appalachian  region  of  Virginia. 
Served  are  children  ages  five  through  17.  The 
Emergency  Care  Program  furnishes  a  safe  haven 
for  boys  and  girls  whose  families  are  in  crisis; 
over  100  children  are  helped  by  this  program 
each  year.  The  Children's  Home  Program,  offered 
in  Webb  and  Gilmer  Cottages,  is  the  modern  resi- 
dential extended  care  ministry;  the  young  adults 
in  this  program  are  given  opportunities  to  learn 
successful  habits  within  a  Christian  atmosphere. 
The  family  services  ministry  strives  to  provide 
the  counselling  and  coordination  of  community 
resources  needed  to  help  at-risk  families  stay  to- 
gether and  begin  to  heal. 

Within  all  aspects  of  the  Home's  ministries, 
young  people  are  challenged  to  find  "hope  and 
purpose  for  the  future."  The  staff  endeavors  to 
teach  fundamental  values  and  to  encourage  the 
moral  development  required  to  become  a  pro- 
ductive citizen.  Because  most  of  the  young 
people  are  from  the  Appalachian  region,  special 
emphasis  is  placed  upon  pride  in  this  heritage. 
The  Home  promotes  the  educational  and  finan- 
cial success  of  these  young  people  through  its 
new  Highlands  Cottage  Industries  (HCI)  pro- 
gram. Through  youth-centered  business  ven- 
tures, HCI  teaches  business  and  living  skills  in 
real-life  situations. 

John  I.  Alexander  is  executive  director. 


elcominq 
the 

Children 


"Jesus  took  a  little  child  and  put  it  by  his  side  and  said, 
'whoever  welcomes  this  child  in  my  name  welcomes  me. '  " 
Luke  9:47-48a 


The  child  and  youth  care  agencies  of  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  minister  to  children  in  cri- 
sis, and  their  "welcome"  takes  many  forms  as 
you  will  see  when  you  read  this  page. 

With  your  Synod  Thanksgiving  Offering  you 
can  share  in  these  important  Christian  minis- 
tries, and  the  Synod  permits  each  church  and 
donor  giving  to  the  annual  Thanksgiving  Offer- 
ing to  name  the  ministry  they  wish  their  gift  to 
support.  Brochures  and  envelopes  for  the  offer- 
ing will  be  sent  in  October.  Checks  for  the  offer- 
ing should  be  made  payable  to:  Thanksgiving 
Offering,  Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic. 


Presbyterian  Hbme  &  Family  Services, 
Inc.  (Zuni  Presbyterian  Center,  Fredericksburg 
[Virginia]  Group  Home,  Waynesboro  [Virginia] 
Group  Home,  Presbyterian  Home,  Exodus  House, 
and  Genesis  House)  last  year  served  287  persons. 

The  Mental  Retardation  Division's  central  min- 
istry is  the  Zuni  Presbyterian  Center  at  Zuni,  Vir- 
ginia. The  Center  provides  residential  care  for  60 
persons  over  18  with  mental  retardation  while 
they  receive  life  skills  trairung  and  employment 
experience  in  the  community  under  the  guidance 
of  job  coaches.  These  men  and  women  are  pre- 
pared to  live  and  work  as  responsible  adults  in 
their  home  communities.  Fredericksburg  Group 
Home  and  Waynesboro  Group  Home,  each  of  which 
is  home  to  eight  mentally  retarded,  homeless  adults, 
represent  an  extension  of  the  Center's  ministry. 

The  Children's  Division  Ministries  are  located 
in  Lynchburg,  Virginia.  All  are  coeducational. 
Presbyterian  Home,  a  residential  program  for 
children  four  through  15  from  dysfunctional  fami- 
lies, serves  40  children  with  the  purpose  of  reunit- 
ing them  with  their  families.  Exodus  House  minis- 
ters to  20  young  people  between  the  ages  of  16 
and  21,  also  from  dysfunctional  families,  by 
readying  them  to  live  on  their  own.  It  has  an  ex- 
tensive training  component  and  an  advanced  edu- 
cation program.  Genesis  House  furnishes  short- 
term  (3D  to  60  days)  emergency  shelter  for  abused 
and  neglected  children  and  young  people  ages 
two  through  18.  This  24-hour  emergency  shelter 
ministry  serves  20. 

The  Reverend  E.  Peter  Geitner  is  president. 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children, 

Barium  Springs,  Nlorth  Carolina,  has  for  104  years 
been  meeting  the  needs  of  troubled  children  in 
North  Carolina  in  a  loving.  Christian  environ- 
ment. Its  restorative  ministry  is  offered  to  both  the 
children  and  their  families. 

Each  year  specialized  residential  services  are 
provided  by  Barium's  professional  staff  to  ap- 
proximately 150  children  and  young  people  ages 
nine  to  20.  They  receive  24-hour  group  care;  psy- 
chological and  psychiatric  services;  special  educa- 
tion; individual,  group,  and  family  counselling; 
and /or  preparation  for  adult  living  training  as  ap- 
propriate. About  170  additional  children  are  of- 
fered preschool  educational  training,  or,  if  they 
are  of  school  age,  part-time  before-and-after 
school  care  and  full-time  summer  care. 

There  are  long  waiting  lists  for  all  of  Barium's 
services,  and  the  level  of  dysfunction  of  the  chil- 
dren and  youth  referred  to  the  residential  centers 
continues  to  increase.  The  staff  is  also  in  demand 
to  provide  workshops,  seminars,  and  consultation, 
and  to  host  the  administrative  ana  program  staffs 
of  other  agencies  who  need  to  upgrade  their  ser- 
vices to  troubled  children  and  their  families. 

Robert  W.  Stansell,  Jr.,  is  president. 

Edmarc  Hospice  for  Children,  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia,  has  been  caring  for  seriously  and 
terminally  ill  children  since  1978.  Its  ministry  is 
two-fold.  It  provides  professional  care,  including 
skilled  nursing  visits  and  private  duty  nursing,  to 
very  sick  children  in  their  own  homes,  amid  fam- 
ily love  and  commotion,  and,  through  a  vast  array 
of  professional  supportive  services,  ministers  to 
the  families  of  these  children.  Siblings  are  offered 
one-on-or.e  counselling  by  professionals  and  are 
included  in  sibling  support  groups.  Two  social 
workers,  volunteers,  and  a  bereavement  coordi- 
nator work  together  to  develop  a  supportive 
system  of  care  for  all  who  are  affected  by  the  ill- 
ness of  the  child— parents,  brothers  ana  sisters, 
and  grandparents.  Edmarc  works  to  prevent  the 
family  breakdown  that  so  often  results  when  a 
child  dies. 

More  than  400  families  have  been  served  since 
Edmarc  was  founded  out  of  the  Suffolk  (Virginia) 
Presbyterian  Church.  Currently,  more  than  150 
families  are  receiving  customized  and  compre- 
hensive bereavement  care. 

Julie  Simpson  Sligh  is  the  executive  director  of 
this  ministry  which  serves  southeastern  Virginia. 


1995  THANKSGIVING  OFFERING 
SYNOD  OF  THE  MID-ATLANTIC 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1  h  , 

MISSION  1996 


'I  WANT  TO  KEEP 
ON  TALKING 
ABOUT  THE 
MISSION, 
MISSION, 
MISSION 
OF  OUR  LORD 
JESUS  CHRIST 

MARJ  CARPENTER,  MODERATOR, 
207TH  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 


Special  Mission  Section  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 


Pa^e  M2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1995 


The  Presbytery 
of  New  Hope  in  Mission 


The  Presbytery  of  New  Hope  works  in  partner- 
ship with  136  congregations  located  in  34  counties 
ranging  from  central  to  eastern  North  Carolina. 
With  33,500  communicants  as  of  December  1993, 
the  Presbytery  of  New  Hope  continues  to  be  one  of 
the  faster  growing  presbs^teries  in  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic. 

The  Presb5^ery,  in  partnership  with  New  Hope 
congregations,  works  through  committed  volun- 
teers serving  on  Presb}i;ery  committees  to  realize 
an  effective,  wholesome,  vital  Reformed  witness  in 
every  community  within  our  boundaries  and  in  all 
demographic  segments  of  our  population. 

The  Presbytery  consists  of  nine  ministry  units 
whose  purpose  is  to  resource  the  New  Hope  con- 
gregations, carry  out  Book  of  Order  requirements 
and  provide  administrative  support  for  the  imple- 
mentation of  presbytery  programs.  To  fund  this 
ministry  in  1996,  the  Presbytery  of  New  Hope  is 
asking  for  $1,520,000  which  includes  $482,600  for 
Synod  and  General  Assembly  causes  and  a  contin- 
gency in  the  amount  of  $13,000  for  additional 
support  to  campus  ministries.  This  budget  asking 
is  divided  as  follows: 


Administration 
&  Management 

•  Interpretation,  through 


$130,852 

media  (Mid-Atlan- 
tic Presbyterian  and  Sharing  New  Hope,  the 
presbytery's  newsletter),  of  the  partnership  in  mis- 
sion shared  by  Churches,  Synod  and  General  Assem- 
bly, lived  out  at  home  and  beyond 

•  Budget  development  and  financial  oversight  as  well 
as  office  administration  and  printing/production 
services,  to  maintain  an  efficient  and  effective  op- 
eration of  the  Presbytery 

•  Education  of  New  Hope  Presbyterians  about  Stew- 
ardship by  offering  opportunities  for  churches  to 
learn  more  about  this  Christian  responsibility 

Care  for  Cliurcli  Professionals  $24,842 

•  Provision  for  care,  guidance  and  oversight  of  forty 
inquirers  and  candidates  preparing  to  enter  the 
ordained  ministry  and/or  the  vocation  of  Christian 
Educator 

•  Motivation  for  all  church  professionals — lay  and 
clergy — through  challenging  continuing  education 
and  professional  development  events,  and  programs 
which  promote  coUegiality  among  these  persons 

•  Orientation  for  new  church  professionals  entering 
the  Presbytery,  particularly  those  with  less  than 
two  years  experience  in  church  service 

•  Assistance  in  the  development  of  support  groups 
among  church  professionals 

•  Planning  for  the  compensation  and  continued  care  of 
retired  church  professionals 

Committee  on  l\/linistry  $22,359 

•  Providing  a  vacancy  counselor  program  for  churches 
seeking  a  pastor.  The  search  process  is  further 
facilitated  through  the  semi-annual  "Face-to-Face" 
event  which  provides  a  forum  in  which  churches  can 
meet  with  pastors  that  are  actively  seeking  a  call 

•  Examination  of  candidates  for  ordination  and  of 
ministers  transferring  into  the  Presbjrtery 

•  Supervision  and  direction  for  visitation  with  ses- 
sions, practicing  ministers  and  retired  ministers  in 
the  Presbytery 

Congregational  Nurture  $41,200 

•  Development  of  program  materials  and  worship 
resources  for  distribution  to  churches  and  worship 
services  at  Presbytery  meetings 

•  Education  and  ministry  for  children,  youth,  adults, 
and  families;  and  special  populations  such  as  singles, 
the  aging  and  persons  with  various  abilities 


•  Congregational  revitalization  (programs  to  help  a 
church  renew  itself)  and  fellowship-building 

•  Management  of  a  large  Resource  Center  located  at 
the  Presbytery  Office  in  Rocky  Mount.  Churches 
throughout  the  Presbytery  check  out  resources  from 
the  Center  by  mail 

•  Support  of  Presbyterian  Men  and  men's  groups  in 
the  local  church,  particularly  through  leadership 
training 

•  Consultative  services  and  workshops  for  New  Hope 
churches  through  an  older  adult  council  and  through 
the  "Check  Out  An  Educator"  program 

•  Advocacy,  support,  and  resourcing  for  the  small 
churches  within  this  Presbytery 

•  Participation  in  Youth  Council  events,  including  the 
four  youth  retreats,  and  training  of  youth  advisors 

•  Coordination/implementation  of  the  annual  Grow- 
ing Together  training  event  for  officers,  teachers  and 
leaders... the  unit  works  strategically  through  Grow- 
ing Together  to  present  the  greatest  amount  of  aids 
and  resources  through  workshops  and  seminars 

Council  $382,782 

•  Providing  staff  resources  to  carry  out  the  work  of  the 
Presbj^ery 

•  Maintaining  adequate  property  and  liability  insur- 
ance coverage  for  the  Presbytery  (not  including 
camps) 

•  Providing  for  an  annual  review  of  the  Presbytery's 
financial  records  by  an  independent  auditing  firm 

Evangelism 

&ChurchDevelopnient  $216,519 

•  Identifying  new  and  varied  approaches  to  evange- 
lism within  the  Reformed  tradition,  particularly 
through  regional  events  to  equip  New  Hope  Presby- 
terians for  this  ministry 

•  Providing  seed  monies  for  the  establishment  and 
development  of  new  congregations 


Sign  on  10.5-acre 
tract  in  Gary 
which  will  be  the 
site  of  the 
Presbytery's 
newest  church 
developement 


Offering  financial  assistance  through  an  ongoing 
small  church  support  program,  ensuring  the  contin- 
ued ministry  of  several  New  Hope  congregations 
within  their  respective  communities 
Projecting  long-range  population  changes  and  other 
demographic  shifts  for  future  new  church  develop- 
ment opportunities 

Challenging  churches  which  have  new  opportunities 
for  growth  with  redevelopment  grants 


Outdoor  Ministries 


$145,215 


!  -iv;  ,iniio  '"Growing  Together"  leadership 
.r  ;rin.g  event  offers  more  than  35  courses. 


Camp  Albemarele,  located  outside  Morehead  City 
on  the  coastal  estuary  of  Bogue  Sound,  is  the 
Presbyter^s  coastal  outdoor  ministries  facility.  Camp 
Albemarle's  facilities  and  services  include: 

Camping  and  retreat  facilities  which  includes  six 
cabins  and  the  newly  constructed  McElmon  Lodge 
which  offers  seven  rooms  with  six  beds  per  room 
as  well  as  dining  and  meeting  facilities 
Promoting  a  summer  program  serving  over  600 
program  campers  each  summer 
Providing  year-round  use  for  numerous  campers 
and  retreat  groups 
Camp  New  Hope,  the  Presbytery's  camp  and  con- 
ference center,  is  located  on  165  acres  of  rolling  pine 
and  hardwoods  in  a  rural  area  of  Orange  County 
near  Chapel  Hill,  N.C.  The  camp,  jointly  owned  with 
Salem  Presbytery,  is  well  equipped  to  serve  groups 
on  a  year-round  basis  and  features: 

Recreational  outlets,  cabins,  guest  houses/semi- 
private  rooms,  and  a  modern  dining  hall  complete 
with  kitchen  staff 

Camp  experiences  for  persons  with  disabilities 
through  the  NC  Autism  Society  and  the  Muscular 
Dystrophy  Association 

Opportunities  for  Christian  fellowship  through  a 
summer  camping  program,  day  camps  and  Vaca- 
tion Bible  School 


Presbyterian  Point  is  located  on  the  shores  of  Ken- 
Lake  in  the  midst  of  250  acres  of  hardwoods,  pines, 
and  meadows,  which  provide  for  a  scenic  environ- 
ment as  well  as  an  ideal  plant  and  animal  habitat. 
Presbyterian  Point,  which  is  jointly  owned  with 
Salem  Presbytery,  offers: 

Year-round  lodging  and  meeting  facilities,  in- 
cluding four  lodges,  each  with  four  cabins  and  a 
kitchen  facility;  camp  dining  hall;  campsites  ad- 
joining Kerr  Lake 

Outdoor  progran^s  serving  over  600  summer  pro- 
gram campers 

Recreational  options  including  power  or  paddle 
boating,  canoe,  catamaran  and  sailboat  rental  for 
excursions  on  the  lake 

Year-round  camping  and  retreat  opportunities 
for  families  and  retreat  groups 


These  students  are  part  of  the  Duke  Campus 
Ministry.  New  Hope  Presbytery  has  more  students 
attending  college  within  its  bounds  than  any 
presbytery  within  the  Synod. 

Outreach  Ministries  $68,373 

•  Supporting  a  prison  ministry,  in  conjunction  with 
four  other  North  Carolina  presbyteries,  to  staff  the 
Raleigh  Correctional  Center  for  Women  with  a  full- 
time  chaplain,  bringing  Christ  into  the  lives  of  the 
inmates 

•  Empowering  campus  ministries  at  North  Carolina 
State  University,  Duke  University,  East  Carolina 
University,  University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel 
Hill,  and  North  Carolina  Central  University's  Ecu- 
menical Ministry 

•  Embracing  many  urban  outreach  programs  through 
funding  and  involvement  with  area  agencies  to  ad- 
dress the  social  outcries  toward  homelessness,  care 
for  battered  and  abused  persons,  foster  and  day  care 
for  children  at  risk  and  assistance  to  families  in 
crisis  situations 

•  Sponsoring  and  resourcing  peacemaking  workshops 
and  conferences  for  churches,  as  well  as  for  the 
Presbytery,  Synod  and  General  Assembly 

•  Education  of  New  Hope  Presbyterians  for  hunger 
awareness,  locally  and  internationally,  through  pro- 
grams of  study,  generation  and  distribution  of  mon- 
ies to  alleviate  hunger,  and  recommendations  to 
Presbytery  for  action  at  home  and  abroad 

•  Informing  New  Hope  Presbyterians  of  current  is- 
sues affecting  global  missions;  and  facilitating  itin- 
eration of  missionaries  and  international  persons 
among  the  churches 

Racial-Ethnic  Ministry  Unit  $4,526 

•  The  Celebration  of  Diversity,  a  one-day  event  high- 
lighting the  various  racial-ethnic  groups  in  New 
Hope  Presb3rtery  (African-American,  Native  Ameri- 
can, Hispanic-American,  Korean-American,  and 
European-American),  provides  a  forum  for  individu- 
als to  display  ways  in  which  their  origins  are  vital  to 
the  life  of  Christ's  body,  the  Church 

•  The  Rev.  Dr.  Martin  Luther  King,  Jr  Commemora- 
tive Service,  honoring  the  legendary  civil  rights 
leader;  the  service  emphasizes  themes  of  peace  and 
unity  through  corporate  worship  and  prayer  vigil, 
allowing  persons  to  pay  tribute  to  God  for  the  life  of 
Dr.  King 

•  An  African-American  training  component,  empow- 
ering clergy  and  laity  to  actively  participate  in  the 
life  and  work  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Hope 

•  A  racial-ethnic  youth  event,  enabling  interaction  of 
young  people  from  a  variety  of  life  and  faith  experi- 
ences; providing  them  with  an  opportunity  for  en- 
gaging each  other  in  Christian  growth  and  fellow- 
ship from  their  cultural  perspectives 

Women's  Ministry  Unit  $2,920 

•  Maintain  an  essential  link  with  the  Presbytery  to 
strengthen  the  work  and  leadership  of  women  within 
this  system 

•  Plan,  design  and  evaluate  programs  impacting 
women  of  color,  thereby  facilitating  their  full  par- 
ticipation in  the  life  of  the  Presbytery 

•  Promote  justice  for  women  of  all  ages,  races/ethnic 
origins,  and  physical  statures,  through  active  mea- 
sures toward  abolishing  discriminatory  practices 

•  Address  points  on  equitable  policies — as  a  support 
network — affecting  women  employed  in  church  vo- 
cations 


New  mission  structure  begins 
to  take  shape  in  tine  Mid-Atlantic 


Following  several  years  of  consultations  and 
discussion,  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  is 
emerging  with  a  new  mission  structure. 

It  calls  for  the  synod  to  be  active  in  five 
mission  areas:  Campus  Ministries,  Evange- 
lism, Justice  and  Mercy,  Partnership  Minis- 
tries and  Racial  Ethnic  Ministries. 

As  this  special  section  was  going  to  print, 
the  members  of  the  mission  committees  which 
will  oversee  these  areas  were  starting  to  meet 
and  plan  how  the  synod  will  implement  its 
work  under  the  new  structure. 

Members  of  the  five  mission  committees 
were  also  scheduled  to  meet  with  commission- 
ers to  the  1995  Synod  Assembly  in  October. 

A  time  of  transition 

The  1996  mission  budget  (above  right)  rep- 
resents a  transition  between  the  old  structure 
and  the  new. 

As  approved  by  the  1994  Synod  Assembly, 
the  new  structure  does  not  include  a  financial 
relationship  between  the  synod  and  Presbyte- 
rian colleges,  child  care  agencies,  and  older 
adult  agencies.  However,  until  a  method  can 
be  formulated  for  transferring  this  role  to 
presb5deries  or  groups  of  presbyteries,  the 
synod's  budget  will  continue  to  show  amounts 
for  these  institutions  and  agencies. 

Assembly,  Council  reduced  in  size 

To  reduce  costs,  the  Synod  Assembly  re- 
duced the  number  of  commissioners  to  future 
assemblies  and  the  size  of  the  Synod  Council. 


Under  present  membership,  the  Synod  As- 
sembly will  have  approximately  76  commis- 
sioners, ranging  from  four  to  10  per  presby- 
tery. 

The  Synod  Assembly  meets  once  per  year.  A 
previous  assembly  recommended  that  an  ev- 
ery-other-year  schedule  be  adopted,  but  a  fu- 
ture assembly  will  have  to  approve  that  change 
if  it  is  to  go  into  effect. 

The  Synod  Council  is  now  composed  of  22 
persons — one  from  each  of  the  13  presbyteries, 
the  chairpersons  of  the  five  mission  commit- 
tees, one  representative  from  the  finance  and 
administration  committees,  the  synod  mod- 
erator, and  the  vice  moderator. 

The  Synod  Council  has  five  scheduled  meet- 
ings per  year. 

Staffing  changes 

To  serve  the  new  structure  the  Synod  As- 
sembly approved  a  staffing  rationale  which 
reduced  the  synod  staff"  by  approximately  25 
percent. 

The  sj^od  staff"  will  be  led  by  an  executive/ 
stated  clerk/treasurer. 

Two  staffers  will  resource  the  mission  com- 
mittees. An  associate  executive  will  work  with 
racial  ethnic  ministries,  justice  and  mercy 
issues,  and  evangelism.  A  coordinator  will 
work  with  campus  ministries  and  the  partner- 
ship ministries. 

There  will  also  be  a  comptroller,  a  director 
of  communications,  and  four  support/techni- 
cal staff  persons. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1 ;  ;  ; 

Mission  &  Program  Budget-1996 


Care  Agencies 


$56,546 


Includes  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children,  Edmarc  Hospice 
for  Children,  the  Children's  Home  of  the  Highlands,  Presby- 
terian Homes,  Inc.,  of  North  Carolina,  Sunnyside  Presbj^e- 
rian  Home,  Presbyterian  Home  and  Family  Services  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  Volunteer  Emergency  Families  for  Children. 


Colleges 


$72,019 


Includes  financial  support  for  Barber-Scotia  College,  Johnson 
C.  Smith  University,  Lees-McRae  College,  St.  Andrews  Pres- 
byterian College,  and  Warren  Wilson  College. 

Global  and  Ecumenical  Ministries  $30,585 

Includes  Coalition  for  Appalachian  Ministry,  and  councils  of 
churches  in  North  Carolina,  Virginia  and  West  Virginia. 

Career  &  Personal  Counseling  Services  $156,126 

Offices  in  Laurinburg  and  Charlotte,  N.C. 

Conference  Centers  $48,000 

Includes  Chesapeake  Center  and  Massanetta  springs. 

Campus  Ministries  $364,443 

For  support  of  48  ministries  on  61  college  and  university 
campuses  throughout  the  synod. 


Justice  and  Mercy 


$45,263 


Includes  the  [Prison]  Chaplain  Service  of  Virginia,  the  Land 
Stewardship  Coimcil  of  N.C,  the  Virginia  Interfaith  Center 
for  Public  Policy,  the  [Prison]  Chaplain  Board  of  N.C.  and 
Justice  for  Women 


Partnership  Ministries 


$106,907 


Includes  fimding  for  Hunger  Action,  New  Church  Develop- 
ment, Peacemaking,  Youth  Ministries,  Older  Adult  Minis- 
tries, Presbyterian  Men  and  Presbyterian  Women 


Racial  Ethnic  Ministries 


$36,099 


Includes  Racial  Ethnic  Student  Ministry  Partnership,  Ko- 
rean American  Ministries,  African  American  Ministries,  Black 
Clergy  Recruiting,  African  American  Clergy  Conference,  Ra- 
cial Ethnic  Seminary  Scholarships,  Women  of  Color,  Black 
Caucus  and  Korean  Caucus 


Communication 


$196,349 


Under  the  direction  of  the  Administration  Committee,  in- 
cludes the  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  and  support  for  Presby- 
terian Media  Mission,  Presbyterian  Appalachian  Broadcast 
Council  and  Presbyterian  Electronic  Media  Mission 

Other  $283,564 

Includes  mission-related  staff"  salaries,  benefits  and  travel 


Contingency 


TOTAL 


$54,114 


$1,450,015 


Mission  Statement 


The  Sjmod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  is  an  intermediate  governing  body  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.).  It  affirms  that  Christ  is  Head  of  the  Church  and  that  all  power  in 
heaven  and  earth  is  given  to  Jesus  Christ  by  Almighty  God,  who  raised  Christ  from  the 
dead,  who  comes  to  dwell  in  believers  through  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  sends  God's  people 
into  the  world  to  carry  out  God's  mission.  This  mission  is  clearly  stated  in  the  "Great  Ends 
of  the  Church" — to  proclaim  the  gospel  for  the  salvation  of  humankind;  to  shelter, 
nurture,  and  give  spiritual  fellowship  to  the  children  of  God;  to  maintain  divine 
worship;  to  preserve  truth;  to  promote  social  righteousness;  and  to  exhibit 
the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  to  the  world. 

The  Synod  is  responsible  for  mission  and  ministry  within  the 
region  encompassing  Delaware,  the  District  of  Columbia,  Mary- 
land, North  Carolina,  Virginia,  and  a  section  of  West  Virginia.  We 
are  ofdifferent  racial  ethnic  groups,  ages,  sexes,  and  vocations  who 
have  various  abilities,  different  theological  positions  consistent 
with  the  Reformed  tradition,  and  different  marital  conditions 
(single,  married,  widowed  and  divorced).  In  this  diversity,  we 
seek  wholeness  to  achieve  the  "Great  Ends  of  the  Church." 

Through  this  diversity,  the  Holy  Spirit  enables  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  to  perform  its  mission  and  ministry  in 
partnership  with  the  General  Assembly  and  the  member 
presbyteries  of  the  Synod. 


Pege  M4,  Ivlid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1995 


The  Mission  of  the  General  Assembly 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 


Go  therefore  and  make  disciples 

of  all  nations  ...  And  remember, 

I  am  with  you  always, 

to  the  end  of  the  age. 

(Matt.  28:20) 

In  witnessing  to  all  people,  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  has  taken  the  healing  message  of  hope  to 
people  throughout  the  world. 

•  Churches  destroyed  by  the  California  earth- 
quake are  being  repaired. 

•  Pastors  and  medical  personnel  are  ministering 
to  refugees  from  Rwanda. 

•  Young  adult  volunteers  are  at  work  in  Argen- 
tina, the  Philippines,  the  United  Kingdom, 
Florida,  Alaska,  Los  Angeles,  and  Seattle. 

•  Peacemakers  are  working  for  reconciliation  in 
Northern  Ireland,  in  Bosnia,  and  in  many  other 
parts  of  the  world. 

•  Relief  funds  were  sent  to  Japan  following  the 
earthquake  that  devastated  Kobe-Osaka  and  in 
response  to  a  churchwide  emergency  alert,  con- 
gregations generously  contributed  to  the  re- 
building effort. 

•  Presb5^erians  participated  in  peace  conferences , 
retreats,  youth  conferences  and  more  than  1,000 
attended  the  meeting  of  the  Association  of  Pres- 
byterian Church  Educators. 

•  Regional  celebrations  of  evangelism  have  been 
held  and  assistance  given  for  new  church  devel- 
opment. 

•  Fifteen  Korean  congregations  were  added  to  the 
PC(USA)  last  year,  along  with  three  African- 
American,  four  Asian-American,  and  three  His- 
panic-American new  church  developments. 

•  Nearly  4,000  women  and  men  from  around  the 
world  participated  in  the  Presbyterian  Women's 
triennial  churchwide  gathering. 

•  A  churchwide  study  program.  Our  Living  Tra- 
dition: Exploring  the  Church's  Faith  and  Faith- 
fulness Through  a  Study  of  the  Basic  Docu- 
ments of  the  Presbsrterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  has 
been  launched. 

•  The  church's  curriculum,  P.R.E.M.,  which  in- 
cludes Celebrate  and  Bible  Discovery,  has  been 
revised  and  updated  for  congregations. 

Through  resources  such  as  the  Presbyterian  Plan- 
ning Calendar  and  the  Mission  Yearbook  for  Prayer 
and  Study,  and  periodicals  such  as  Presbyterians 
Today,  the  work  of  the  church  is  interpreted  and 
celebrated. 

Through  the  church's  special  offerings — One  Great 
Hour  of  Sharing,  Peacemaking,  Witness,  Christ- 
mas Joy — the  generosity  of  Presbj^erians  is  felt  by 
countless  individuals  in  places,  near  and  far. 

With  believers  in  every  time  and  place, 
we  rejoice  that  nothing  in  life  or  death 
can  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God 
in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

Brief  Statement  of  Faith— Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 


Facilitated  by  the  PC(USA),  80  mission  hospitals 
and  45  community  health  programs  in  43  coun- 
tries treat  illnesses  and  train  poor  people  to  pre- 
vent disease  and  care  for  themselves  and  their 
families,  like  this  Nepali  mother  and  child. 


The  General  Assembly 

The  work  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
continues  to  grow  stronger  through  the  efforts  of 
three  ministry  divisions — Congregational  Minis- 
tries, National  Ministries,  and  Worldwide  Minis- 
tries, along  with  Corporate  and  Administrative 
Services.  The  Office  of  Communication  in  the 
Office  of  the  Executive  Director  of  the  General 
Assembly  Council  unites  various  communication 
services  to  create  access  to  information  and  in- 
crease understanding  of  the  work  of  the  church. 


Congregational  Ministries 

To  equip  Presbyterians  for  their  ministry,  to  build 
up  the  body  of  Christ ... 

The  work  of  the  Congregational  Ministries  Divi- 
sion focuses  on  such  areas  as  worship;  spiritual 
formation;  Christian  education;  theological  edu- 
cation; stewardship;  media  services;  mission  in- 
terpretation and  promotion;  and  research. 


National  Ministries 


A  new  member  is  baptized  at  Hodges  Boulevard 
Church  in  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  a  new  congregation 
started  in  1990  with  assistance  from  the  General 
'  ^      '  '      '  rod  and  presbytery.  Membership  has 


To  proclaim  the  gospel,  to  promote  justice  for 
people  and  creation  ... 

The  National  Ministries  Division  serves  the  church 
through  programs  of  churchwide  partnership, 
evangelism  and  church  development,  racial  eth- 
nic ministries,  social  justice,  urban  ministry, 
women's  ministries,  the  Advisory  Committee  on 
Social  Witness  Policy,  and  the  Washington  Office. 


Worldwide  Ministries 

To  share  the  transforming  power  of  the  gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ  with  all  people  ... 
The  work  of  the  Worldwide  Ministries  Division 
encompasses  global  service  and  witness  that  in- 
cludes: Presbyterian  World  Service,  Self-Develop- 
ment of  People,  the  Presbyterian  Hunger  Pro- 
gram, international  evangelism  and  health,  glo- 
bal education  and  leadership  development,  and 
the  Jinishian  Memorial  Program.  This  division 
enables  the  PC(USA)  to  work  with  120  church 
partners  in  over  80  countries  and  to  be  present  in 
ecumenical  and  interfaith  arenas.  Through  its 
people  in  mutual  mission  programs  it  supports 
long-term  mission  workers,  volunteers  in  shared 
ministry,  and  global  awareness  and  involvement. 


Corporate  & 
Administrative  Services 

To  support  the  mission  of  the  church  ... 
The  work  of  Corporate  and  Administrative  Ser- 
vices (CAS)  provides  leadership  and  support  in 
many  areas  that  affect  the  life  of  the  denomina- 
tion. CAS's  broad  spectrum  of  responsibilities 
includes  legal  services,  risk  management,  bank- 
ing, accounting,  finance,  computer  systems,  hu- 
man resources,  internal  audit,  distribution  man- 
agement, and  property  services. 


Mission  Priorities 

Four  priority  goals  give  shape  and  direction  to  the 
mission  of  the  denomination.  These  goals  are: 
Evangelism — a  call  to  invite  all  people  to  repen- 
tance and  faith  in  Jesus  Christ; 
Justice — a  call  to  redress  wrongs  in  every  aspect 

of  life  and  the  whole  of  creation; 
Spiritual  Formation — a  call  to  study  and  reflect 
on  Holy  Scripture  and  to  pray  for  insight  and 
clarity;  and 

Partnership — a  call  to  forge  vital  partnerships 
with  one  another,  marked  by  mutual  respect, 
openness,  and  daily  repentance  and  forgive- 
ness. 

The  PC(USA)  seeks  to  strengthen  its  commitment 
to  bringing  new  members  into  the  family  of  Jesus 
Christ  at  home  and  around  the  world. 

Special  attention  is  focused  on  expanding  the 
church's  work  in  urban  areas  and  to  ministries 
with  persons  who  have  been  victimized  by  violence 
and  injustice. 

The  church  continues  its  emphasis  on  "A  Year 
with  Africa"  into  1996,  seeking  to  deepen  under- 
standing, strengthen  ties,  and  be  an  actual  pres- 
ence throughout  the  continent. 

A  new  Institute  for  Christian  Formation  is  now 
located  at  Stony  Point,  New  York.  This  is  one  part 
of  a  larger  effort  to  help  Presbjrterians  deepen 
their  understanding  of  God's  presence  in  their 
lives. 

Over  200  long-term  volunteers  are  sharing  in  the 
church's  ongoing  mission  at  home  and  abroad  and 
applications  for  volunteer  positions  are  dramati- 
cally increasing. 


General  Assembly  staff  in  Louisville  celebrate 
Maundy  Thursday 


GA  Mission  Program  1996 
$110,807,866 


Campus  Notes 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Octob 


It's  'Montreat  College'  again 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— Montreat-Anderson  College  officially  changed 
its  name  to  Montreat  College  on  Aug.  22  during  the  opening  convoca- 
tion for  the  1995-96  academic  year.  The  name  change  was  approved 
by  the  school's  trustees  last  April  following  a  year-long  study  as  part 
of  the  development  of  a  new  strategic  plan  for  the  college. 

The  new  name  is  actually  not  "new."  In  1934  the  college  depart- 
ment of  the  Montreat  Normal  School  was  renamed  Montreat  College. 
The  four-year  women's  school  was  restructured  in  1959  as  a  coeduca- 
tional junior  college  and  renamed  Montreat-Anderson  College  in 
honor  of  former  president  Dr.  Robert  C.  Anderson  and  his  wife.  The 
college  returned  to  baccalaureate  status  in  1985. 

"In  no  way  does  the  change  suggest  lessened  appreciation  of  the 
enormous  contributions  of  Dr.  Robert  C.  and  Sadie  G.  Anderson.  Our 
debt  to  them  cannot  be  measured,"  said  current  president  William 
Hurt.  "We  will  rename  our  largest  residence  hall,  now  known  as 
Montreat-Anderson  Hall,  as  Anderson  Hall  in  their  honor." 

Peace  receives  Jones'  bequest 

RALEIGH,  N.C. — Peace  College  recently  received  approximately 
$405,000  in  stocks  from  the  estate  of  Eari  T.  Jones,  a  Raleigh,  N.C. 
businessman  and  churchman  who  died  in  1992.  As  directed  by  Jones, 
approximately  $270,000  will  be  transferred  to  the  Virginia  W.  Jones 
Scholarship  Fund.  Jones  established  the  fund  in  1976  in  honor  of  his 
late  wife,  Virginia  W.  Jones.  The  remainder  of  the  stocks  will  be 
credited  to  the  Earl  T.  Jones  Service  Scholarship  Fund  for  salaries  of 
students  who  work  part-time  to  defray  college  expenses. 

Union  given  partnership  study  grant 

RICHMOND,  Va.— Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  has 
received  a  $15,000  Lilly  Endowment  grant  to  study  potential  partner- 
ships with  the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education.  Though 
the  two  institutions  now  offer  a  joint  academic  program,  Union 
president  Louis  B.  Weeks  says,  "We  are  responding  to  a  formal 
request  from  the  board  of  trustees  at  PSCE.  They  asked  us  to  engage 
consultants  to  help  find  viable  ways  to  establish  deeper  relationships 
between  our  institutions."  Consultants  commissioned  are:  C.  Ellis 
Nelson,  Laura  W.  Lewis  and  Anthony  Ruger.  The  consultants'  report 
will  be  presented  at  the  two  schools'  November  board  meetings. 

PSCE  staff,  faculty  changes  set 

RICHMOND — Estelle  Rountree  McCarthy,  associate  professor  of 
Christian  Education  at  the  Presb)rterian  School  of  Christian  Educa- 
tion, has  announced  she  will  retire  at  the  end  of  the  1995-96  academic 
year.  McCarthy,  a  member  of  the  faculty  since  1985,  was  named 
Educator  of  the  Year  in  1980  by  the  Association  of  Presbyterian 
Church  Educators. 

Lou  Johnson,  a  1992  graduate  of  the  PSCE,  is  the  school's  new 
director  of  alumni/ae  and  church  relations.  She  comes  to  PSCE  from 
Massanutten  Church  in  Penn  Laird,  Va.,  where  she  served  two  years 
as  director  of  Christian  education.  A  native  of  Robersonville,  N.C, 
Johnson  holds  a  bachelor's  degree  from  UNC-Chapel  Hill. 

Ray  Tanner  of  Jackson,  Tenn.,  has  been  named  to  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  School  of  Education.  Tanner  is  a  retired 
layman  who  was  chairman/director,  chief  executive  officer  of  the 
Jackson  National  Bank.  He  is  a  past  moderator  of  Memphis  Presby- 
tery. Tanner's  name  was  accidentally  left  out  of  a  list  of  four  new 
trustees  published  in  the  July/August  issue  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian. 


Conference 
ON  Ministry 

November  3  -  5,  1995 
February  23  -  25,  1996 


If  you  are  exploring  a 
call  into  the  ministry, 
Columbia  Theological 
Seminary  in  Decatur, 
Georgia,  invites  you  to  its 
Conferences  on  Ministry, 
November  3  -  5,  1995  and 
February  23  -  25,  1996. 
An  opportunity  for  you  to 
take  a  fresh  look  at  the 

Vocation  of  Ministry... 

Yourself... 

Columbia  Seminary... 

For  more  information 
call  404/687-4517. 


Alliance  salutes  academic  achievement, 
leadership  by  African  American  students 


By  STEPHEN  DARK 

BLACKSBURG,  Va.— Last 
May  18  over  300  youth  and 
community  leaders  in  south- 
central  Virginia  gathered  at 
Trinity  Baptist  Church  in 
Danville  to  honor  African 
American  students  who  have 
excelled  academically  and 
have  provided  outstanding 
leadership  among  their  peers 
at  area  high  schools  and 
Danville  Community  College. 
This  is  one  of  many  programs 
sponsored  by  a  unique  cam- 
pus ministry  called  Alliance 
for  Excellence. 

Alliance  for  Excellence  was 
created  in  1986  by  clergy  and 
educators  involved  with  Com- 
munity College  Ministries  who 
raised  concerns  about  educa- 
tional obstacles  for  African 
American  students.  It  was  de- 
signed to  increase  access  to 
educational  opportunities  for 
the  African  American  commu- 
nities of  south-central  Virginia 
by  creating  a  partnership  of 
local  colleges  with  African 


American  churches. 

The  partnership  is  based  on 
the  premise  that  the  Black 
church  provides  historic,  deci- 
sive leadership  in  the  commu- 
nity and  that  community  col- 
leges are  the  most  accessible 
and  affordable  avenues  for 
pursuing  higher  education. 
Ferrum  College  joined  the  con- 
sortium in  1991  to  accentuate 
transfer  opportunities  be- 
tween two-year  community 
colleges  and  four-year  bacca- 
laureate institutions. 

In  1986,  the  year  of  the 
program's  inception,  African 
American  participation  in  col- 
leges in  this  area  was  roughly 
half  of  that  of  the  majority 
white  population,  reflecting 
similar  statistics  from  around 
the  nation.  By  1991  though, 
enrollment  of  African  Ameri- 
cans at  the  four  participating 
community  colleges  had  in- 
creased by  57  percent,  com- 
pared to  a  national  increase  of 
only  four  percent.  Enrollment 
of  African  Americans  at  two 
community  colleges,  Danville 


and  Patrick  Henry,  more  than 
doubled  during  this  period. 

While  statistics  reflect  an 
increase  in  participation  in 
higher  education  in  the  area 
by  African  American  students, 
the  educational  and  economic 
gap  is  still  pronounced. 

Statistics  indicate  a  continu- 
ing need  for  new  and  innova- 
tive partnerships  in  the  com- 
munity. For  instance,  in  March 
of  1994  the  unemployment  rate 
among  African  Americans  was 
as  much  as  four  times  that  of 
the  majority  population  in  lo- 
calities such  as  Danville, 
Halifax  County,  Roanoke  and 
Lynch-burg,  and  per  capita  in- 
come for  African  Americans 
was  only  61  percent  of  that  of 
the  majority  population. 

For  more  information  about 
Alliance  for  Excellence,  con- 
tact Sandy  Saunders  in  Dan- 
ville at  (804)  797-2222,  Gloria 
Lindsay  in  Roanoke  at  (540) 
857-7583,  or  the  Rev.  Stephen 
Darr,  coordinator  of  Commu- 
nity College  Ministries  in 
Blacksburg,  at  (540)  953-3904. 


N.C.  Presbyterian  student  network  started 


Two  Davidson  College  stu- 
dents have  started  a  new  min- 
istry for  college  students  in 
North  Carolina. 

The  North  Carolina  Pres- 
bjrterian  Collegiate  Network 
(NCPCN)  is  reaching  out  to 
students  from  Asheville  to 
Wilmington  with  a  ministry  of 
"fellowship,  music,  study,  wor- 
ship and  a  chance  for  all  stu- 
dents to  connect  with  other 
Presbyterians,"  said  co- 
founder  Sarah  Terry. 

"Once  a  student  graduates 
from  high  school,  the  church 
places  them  in  the  'adult'  cat- 
egory," she  said.  "Yet,  there 
are  incredible  differences  be- 
tween the  needs  of  college  stu- 
dents, middle-aged  couples, 
singles  and  the  retired. 


t 


FIBERGLASS  STEEPLES  i 
CROSSES  -  BAPTISTRIES 
WATER  HEATERS 


"The  church  continues  to 
ignore  the  ripe  mission  field  of 
the  college  campus,"  contin- 
ued Terry.  "We  are  attempt- 
ing to  give  college  students  a 
place  in  the  church  to  call  their 
own." 

The  need  for  a  community 
and  sense  of  belonging  was 
echoed  by  Matt  Rich,  the  other 
co-founder.  "Even  at  Davidson, 
a  Presbyterian  school,  stu- 
dents like  ourselves  who  are 
dedicated  to  the  denomination 
are  a  minority.  NCPCN  gives 
us  the  chance  to  support  and 
relate  to  other  students  like  us 
across  the  state." 

The  networks  next  event 
will  be  a  weekend  retreat  Nov. 
10-12  at  Camp  Caraway  in 


AUTHORS  WANTED 

Leading  subsidy  book  publishers  seeks  manu- 
scripts of  all  types:  fiction,  non-fiction,  poetry, 
scfiolarly,  juvenile  and  religious  works,  etc. 
New  authors  welcomed.  Send  for  free  32-page 
illustrated  booklet.  H-101 ,  Vantage  Press,  516 
W.  34th  St.,  New  York,  NY  10001 . 


Asheboro,  N.C.  Rick  Hill,  cam- 
pus minister  at  James  Madi- 
son University  in  Harrison- 
burg, Va.,  will  present  the 
theme,  "Won't  You  Be  My 
Neighbor."  Planners  exepect 
75  students  to  attend  the  week- 
end event  which  will  focus  on 
community  and  connection. 

NCPCN's  first  day  retreat  last 
October  covered  the  theme 
"Uniquely  Presbyterians:  Called! 
Connected!  Committed!". 

For  more  information  about 
NCPCN,  contact  Sarah  Terry 
at  P.O.  Box  2736  or  Matt  Rich 
at  P.O.  Box  2583,  both  at 
Davidson,  NC  28036. 


REFINISHING 


At  Westminster-Canterbmy  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  retitement 
means  opportunity.  There 
is  no  better  time  or  place  to 
make  the  most  of  life.  Our 
residents  do  all  the  things 
they've  always  done  or  always 
wanted  to  do.  They  come 
and  go,  learn  and  explore, 
participate  and  enjoy  full, 
active  lifestyles  confident 
they  have  the  best  care  and 
services  available.  With  so  much 
going  on,  you  might  want 
to  consider  early  retirement. 


COLUMBIA 
THEOLOGICAL 
SEMINARY 


ofthe/^lucAidge 


(804)  980-9100 


 e  pledged  to  the  letter  and  spirit  of  U.S.  policy  for  the  achievement  of  equal  housing  opportunity  throughout  the  nation.  We  encourage  and 

advertising  and  marketing  program  in  which  diere  are  no  bamers  to  obtaining  housing  because  of  race,  color,  religion,  sex,  handicap,  familial  : 


^Jtgp  o,  iVi'd-Aviantic  Presb3rterian,  October  1995 


Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ONACC«0IWTK)N 
Of  SERVICES  FOR  FAMHJES 
ANOCHIIOREN.  INC 


Breaks  provide  fun;  family  time 


Intersession  occurs  foxir  times 
a  year  in  the  residential  pro- 
grams. It  is  a  period  between 
school  quarters  which  includes 
a  week  of  "Reteach";  a  week  of 
"Group  Building";  and  a  week 
of  "Extended  Family  Time." 

During  the  "Reteach"  week, 
students  who  have  come  into 
the  program  while  the  quarter 
was  in  session  have  a  chance 
to  catch  up  on  what  they 
missed.  Students  who  failed  a 
subject  have  a  chance  to  make 
up  for  it. 

"Group  Building"  week  is 
designed  to  enable  individual 
cottages  to  participate  in 
group-building  activities.  The 
cottage  staff  choose  the  activi- 
ties with  several  goals  in  mind. 
One  is  that  they  be  fun;  two, 
that  it  gives  the  youth  a  sense 
of  togetherness  or  camarade- 
rie; and  three,  that  it  gives 
youth  and  staff  a  chance  to  get 
to  know  each  other  better  out- 
side the  cottage  setting. 

The  final  week  of 
Intersession,  Extended  Fam- 
ily Time,  is  a  week  for  youth  to 
go  home,  or  to  foster  homes,  or 
to  the  homes  of  extended  fam- 
ily such  as  grandparents, 
aunts  or  uncles. 

This  week  at  "home"  gives 
"families"  a  chance  to  practice 
what  they  have  learned  while 
their  child  has  been  in  care. 
Cottage  staff  visit  the  "home" 
during  the  week  to  evaluate 
the  youth  and  the  family.  This 
week  gives  both  children  and 
family  an  insight  into  what 
things  will  be  like  if  and  when 


NEW  GIFT 
WISH  LIST 


•  16"  &  20"  bicycles 

•  Sporting  equipment: 
Sleeping  bags,  fishing  rods 
&  reels,  canoe(s);  small 
John  boats,  tennis 
racquets  &  balls,  softballs 
and  gloves,  and  outdoor 
games 

•  New  set  of  World  Books 

•  Manual  typewriters  (4) 

•  Toiletries 

•  Refrigerator 

•  Electric  range 

•  Upholstered  couch/love 
seat 

•  End  table  lamps  (3) 

•  Upholstered  arm  chairs  (2) 

•  Linens 

•  Towels 

•  Heavy  duty  dressers 

•  Tickets  to  sporting  events 
in  Charlotte,  Winston- 
Salem,  or  Hickory  area. 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President,  Financial  Re- 
sources, P.O.  Box  1,  Barium 
Springs,  NC.  28010;  phone 


Girls  from  Sullivan  Cottage  enjoyed  some  time  at  the 
beach  during  their  intersession. 


the  child  returns  home.  They 
have  time  to  see  which  situa- 
tions they  are  handling  right, 
and  which  might  still  need 
some  work. 

During  the  past 
Intersession  in  July,  Cottages 
used  the  "Group  Building" 
week  to  do  a  variety  of  activi- 
ties. 

At  the  Adolescent  Center, 
Sullivan  Cottage  girls  spent 
four  days  in  Long  Beach,  NC. 

"It  was  a  really  fun  get- 
away," said  Susan  Porter,  Resi- 
dential Coordinator  for  the 
cottage.  "We  cooked  all  our 
meals  and  went  to  a  fun-park. 
The  girls  had  a  great  time. 
Our  only  problem  was  a  flat 
tire  on  the  van  on  the  way 
home." 

Porter  said  the  girls  and 
staff  bonded  with  each  other 
on  the  trip. 

"If  the  staff  and  the  resi- 
dents can  learn  to  respect  each 
other  and  to  work  together, 
the  program  runs  smoother 
and  the  girls  get  more  out  of 
it,"  said  Porter.  "We  don't  try 
to  be  a  family  to  the  girls,  we 
try  to  be  role  models." 

Sanford  Cottage  spent  two 
nights  in  Cherokee,  NC.  The 
first  day  they  spent  fishing, 
and  the  second,  white-water 
rafting  on  the  Pigeon  River  in 
Tennessee. 

Sanford  Social  Worker 
Melanie  Rasnick  said  the  trip 
was  particularly  productive 
because  the  five  boys  who  went 
were  to  be  successfully  dis- 
charged soon  after  the  trip. 

"The  boys  stayed  in  one 
cabin  and  the  staff  in  another," 
said  Rasnick.  "It  gave  them 
some  time  to  spend  alone  to- 
gether, and  to  say  good-bye. 
We  were  all  happy  and  sad  at 
the  same  time  when  we  got 
back." 

Grannis  Cottage  boys  spent 
a  day  exploring  Discovery 
Place  in  Charlotte. 

Grannis  teacher  Lisa 
Duncan  said  the  boys  stuck 
together  and  were    very  re- 


sponsible about  following  the 
rules  and  returning  to  the  vans 
on  time. 

Goodman  Cottage  had  a 
good  day  at  Carowinds.  The 
girls  learned  a  hard  lesson  to- 
wards the  end  of  the  day  when 
two  of  them  tried  to  run  away. 
The  trip  had  to  be  cut  short 
and  the  other  girls  were  angry 
at  them  for  spoiling  the  fun. 

Goodman  staff  said  it  was  a 
hard,  but  good,  lesson  to  learn. 
So  all  in  all  they  still  counted 
the  day  successful. 

The  two  Pre-Adolescent 
Center  cottages.  Cannon  and 
Stultz,  also  took  trips  during 
the  Intersession. 

The  Stultz  boys  went  to 
Carowinds  where  they  banded 
together  with  the  staff  to  get 
enough  nerve  to  ride  the  Cy- 
clone. The  Cannon  boys  vis- 
ited the  Columbia  Zoo  in  South 
Carolina.  They  also  toured  the 
main  Fire  Station  in  Charlotte. 

Overall,  this  Intersession 
proved  to  be  fun  and  challeng- 
ing for  the  residents  of  the 
Home.  Though  the  trips  were 
fun,  most  felt  that  the  week  of 
"Extended  Family  Time"  was 
the  most  exciting.  They  were 
all  able  to  practice  the  new 
skills  they  had  learned  with 
their  parents,  foster  parents 
or  relatives. 

Most  found  their  hard  work 
in  the  program  was  paying  off, 
and  look  forward  to  going 
"home". 


Word  from  the  President 

It's  about 
Family 

Robert  W.  Stansell  Jr.,  President 


of  these  shared  experiences. 
Today,  as  healthy,  happy,  pro- 
ductive adults,  these  folks 
gather  each  year  to  celebrate 
their  lives  at  Barium  Springs. 

As  we  approach  the  21st 
century,  our  mission  has 
changed  to  meet  the  needs  of 
the  times.  Today  we  seek  to 
minister  to  children  and  fami- 
lies together  with  the  goal  of 
resolving  family  conflict  and 
crisis  so  that  the  child  can 
return  to  the  family  as  soon  as 
possible.  The  tradition  of  struc- 
tured discipline,  quality  edu- 
cation and  Christian  nurture 
remains  strong  at  Barium 
Springs. 

I  am  grateful  to  the  alumni 
for  sharing  their  homecoming 
with  me.  The  experience  con- 
firmed for  me  that  Barium 
Springs  is  about  "family."  It 
always  has  been. 


This  summer  I  had  the  unique 
and  wonderful  experience  of 
participating,  for  the  first  time, 
in  a  Barium  Springs  Home- 
coming. Alumni  from  the  class 
of  1928  forward,  from  as  far 
away  as  California,  gathered 
on  our  campus  to  celebrate 
their  Barium  Springs  heritage. 

From  the  small  groups  talk- 
ing and  laughing  together 
under  the  oaks  at  registration 
to  the  closing  business  meet- 
ing of  the  Alumni  Association, 
it  was  very  apparent  to  me 
that  this  homecoming  was 
about  "family." 

As  the  alumni  played  to- 
gether, ate  together  and  wor- 
shipped together,  I  witnessed 
a  family  bond  that  reminded 
me,  yet  again,  how  important 
our  families  are  to  us. 

For  much  of  our  history. 
Barium  Springs  provided  a 
home,  structured  discipline, 
quality  education  and  Chris- 
tian nurture  to  generations  of 
orphans  who  came  to  regard 
themselves  as  family  because 


Homecoming  enjoyed  by  all; 
Stansell  meets  alumni 

Once  again  Barium  Springs 
was  awash  with  Alumni  seek- 
ing familiar  faces  and  places. 
Some  350  Alumni  attended 
Homecoming  on  August  5th 
and  6th,  and  for  some  this  was 
their  first  glimpse  of  the 
Home's  new  president.  Skip 
Stansell. 

"I'm  so  delighted  with  the 
tradition  of  Homecoming,"  said 
Stansell.  "It  is  like  one  huge 
family  getting  together  and  re- 
living old  times  and  creating 
new  times.  Our  Alumni  have 
such  fond  memories,  it's  hard 
not  to  get  caught  up  in  their 
tales  of  the  past.  They  can 
make  you  laugh  and  cry,  some- 
times all  at  the  same  time." 

Reade  Baker,  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  Financial  Develop- 
ment, lives  in  the 
Superintendent's  House, 
which  was  built  for  Superin- 
tendent Joe  Johnston  in  1922. 
The  house  has  not  been  open 


Free  program  for  your  church 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children  offers 
informational  programs  for  family  nights, 
Sunday  schools,  Presbyterian  Men,  mission 
programs,  worship  services,  Presbyterian 
Women,  youth  groups,  mission  fairs,  and  other 
special  church  groups. 

Call  Bill  Cowfer  to  schedule 
(704)  872-4157 


Skip  Stansell,  far  left, 
talking  with  alumni  during 
Homecoming. 

to  the  public  for  many  years, 
so  the  Baker  family  had  an 
open  house  for  Alumni  during 
Homecoming. 

Some  of  the  Alumni  had 
never  been  in  the  two-story, 
15-room  house.  Others  shared 
memories,  both  tender  and 
funny,  with  the  Bakers. 

"Everyone  seemed  to  enjoy 
looking  around  and  we  loved 
hearing  the  stories  about  the 
house,"  said  Baker.  "We  plan 
to  so  this  again  in  the  years  to 
come." 

At  the  Alumni  meeting, 
Alumnus  Charles  Barrett  was 
chosen  as  the  new  President 
of  the  Alumni  Association.  He 
will  hold  this  office  for  two 
years. 


Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Octobt' 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps— Lesson  3,  November  1995 

Glimpses  of  Home— Chapter  Three 


By  THE  REV.  DR.  CAROL  T.  BENDER 

First  you  see  it — then  you  don't.. .like  an  image 
emerging  through  leafy  tree  limbs  as  they  sway 
back  and  forth,  back  and  forth... or  like  clouds 
ambling  through  a  clear  blue  sky  obstructing 
(then  revealing)  a  far  away  mountain  scene.  First 
you  see  it — then  you  don't. 

"Glimpses  of  Hope,"  Chapter  Three  in  Eugenia 
Gamble's  Glimpses  of  Home:  Biblical  Images  of 
the  Realm  of  God,  reminds  us  that  hope  for  the 
Israelite  may  have  followed  the  same  pattern: 
First  you  see  it — then  you  don't.  And  you  have  to 
be  quick  to  catch  the  glimpse! 

Arrogant  self-sufficiency 

(The  chapter  entitled,  "A  Remnant  Shall  Re- 
pent," in  John  Bright's  The  Kingdom  of  God  is 
especially  helpful  for  this  part  of  our  study.)  The 
kingdom  which  had  divided 
in  922  BCE  (Before  Common 
Era),  into  Israel  (the  North- 
ern Kingdom)  and  Judah  (the 
Southern  Kingdom)  now 
moved  into  the  eighth  cen- 
tury on  shaky  ground.  The 
time  of  prosperity  had  brought 
great  temptations.  The  sta- 
bility that  both  parts  of  the 
kingdom  enjoyed  not  only  wid- 
ened the  gap  between  the 
"haves"  and  the  "have  nots," 
but  also  brought  on  an  arro- 
gance of  self-sufficiency.  One 
of  the  prevailing  ideas  among 
the  people  was  that  greed  and  immorality  were 
acceptable  if  support  for  the  church  was  not 
diminished  but  maintained. 

As  your  circle  begins  this  third  study,  you  may 
want  to  ask  questions  like,  How  has  American's 
prosperity  brought  about  temptations?  What 
temptations  are  most  prevalent  in  your  commu- 
nity? In  your  church?  In  your  family?  Quoting  the 
above  statement,  in  what  ways  do  we  feel  "greed 
and  immorality  are  acceptable  if  we  continue  to 
support  the  church?"  How  do  we  act  during  the 
week  in  relationship  to  how  we  act  on  Sunday? 
What  similarities  or  differences  do  you  see  in  the 
Northern  and  Southern  kingdoms  and  America 
today? 

Northern  kingdom  ends 

Gamble  says  on  page  23  of  the  study  book: 
"The  end  of  the  eighth  century  BCE  brought  an 
end  to  the  Northern  Kingdom  of  Israel  at  the 
hands  of  the  AssjT-ians.  The  hope  of  the  promise 
rested  now  with  Judah.  But  Judah  was  not  free  of 
the  moral  decay  that  many  believed  had  led  to  the 
downfall  of  Israel.  The  difference,  if  any,  was  only 
of  degree.  Judah  needed  reform."  (Judah  didn't 
reform,  and  she,  too,  became  a  vassal,  or  captive, 
to  Assyria. 

As  the  group  hears  about  the  need  for  reform 
in  Judah,  you  may  want  to  discuss  what  KINDS 
of  reform  (or  reforms)  are  needed  TODAY  (1)  for 
the  church,  (2)  for  family  structures,  (3)  for  cities 
and  states,  (4)  for  our  nation  and  (5)  for  our 
world,  our  environment.  What  do  you  think  might 
happen  in  any  of  these  arenas  if  reform  is  NOT 
forthcoming? 

Picture  One,  or  the  first  "Glimpse  of  Hope," 
comes  in  Isaiah  9: 1-7.  This  passage  is  so  familiar 
that  we  might  think  we  already  know  all  about  it! 
Begin  the  discussion  on  this  section  by  asking  for 
a  definition  of  "sprig."  What  does  the  word  con- 
note? What  can  happen  to  a  sprig?  How  can  a 
sprig  be  preserved? 

As  one  or  more  volunteers  read  verses  one 
through  five  of  the  passage,  ask  participants  to 
jot  down  ideas  of  hope  that  surface  during  the 
reading  (i.e.  "there  will  be  no  gloom  for  those  who 
were  in  anguish;"  "seen  a  great  light;"  "increased 
its  joy")  How  do  these  words  or  phrases  bring 
hope  to  you  today?  What  does  the  phrase  "the 
dawn  of  a  new  day"  mean  to  you?  How  does  Isaiah 
describe  the  effects  of  seeing  "a  great  light?" 

Familiar  verses 

Continue  with  the  rest  of  the  passage  (verses 
six  and  seven),  the  more  familiar  part  of  the 
reference.  This  messianic  text  tells  of  a  new 
David  who  will  rule  over  a  new  Israel  and  that 
Israel  will  be  a  redeemed  Israel.  Speaking  of  this 
idea.  Bright  says,  "He  stands  before  us  as  no 
fierce  warrior,  but  as  a  little  child  establishedin 
his  rule  by  God's  power.  He  reigns  over  a  people 
transformed  through  their  obedience  to  the  di- 
vine Will.  It  is  God's  Kingdom  and  it  will  endure 
forever."  (page  92)  "The  messianic  hope  of  Israel 
was  thus  tied  firmly  to  the  line  of  David,  to 


Jerusalem  and  the  temple,  and  given  a  form 
which  it  would  never  lose."  (page  93)  Of  the  titles 
given  in  verse  six,  with  which  do  you  most  iden- 
tify Jesus  Christ?  Why?  How  does  verse  seven 
depict  the  realm  or  the  kingdom  of  God? 

As  the  group  moves  into  Picture  Two,  again 
have  volunteers  read  the  first  passage  from 
Jeremiah  6:  16-21.  Here  is  a  passage  from  the 
"weeping  prophet"  who  yearns  for  God's  people 
to  listen  to  God's  word. ..and  to  do  something 
about  coming  forth  in  repentance!  Choice  is  very 
clearly  offered  here:  Crossroads,  the  good  way, 
sentinels  for  protection. ..all  of  which  will  pro- 
vide the  very  comforting  "rest  for  your  souls." 
But  God's  people  deny  the  opportunity  to  choose 
what  is  good  through  repentance;  instead  they 
choose  to  once  again  ignore  God's  message  from 
this  prophet  and  continue  in  their  ways,  (i.e  "We 
will  not  walk  in  it."  "We  will  not  give  heed.") 

Make  choices 

God  says  unless  the  choice  for  good  is  made 
that  "I  am  going  to  bring  disaster  on  this  people." 
(verse  19)  Who  do  you  believe  are  the  prophets 
speaking  to  America  today?  (We  considered  a 
question  like  this  question  in  the  last  session, 
but  repeating  it  may  add  more  insights!)  In  what 
ways  is  their  message  similar  or  different  to 
God's  message  through  Jeremiah?  What  choices 
have  you  made  that  were  not  wise  ones?  And 
what,  if  anything,  did  you  learn  from  them? 

The  "Glimpse  of  Hope"  for  Jeremiah  appears 
in  31:  31-34,  the  New  Covenant  reference.  God 
says  to  the  house  of  Israel  and  the  house  of 
Judah,  "You've  blown  it!"  (That's  the  modern 
vernacular!)  "You  can't  seem  to  keep  the  cov- 
enant I  made  with  your  ancestors,  so  I'll  try 
again!  This  time,  instead  of  writing  the  covenant 
on  tablets,  I'm  going  to  write  the  covenant  on 
your  hearts.  That  way  the  covenant  will  be 
internalized... and  all  you  have  to  do  is  live  it 
out."  Once  more  the  divine  covenant  is  articu- 
lated as,  "I  will  be  their  God,  and  they  shall  be  my 
people." 

With  this  declaration  of  clarity,  God  now  gives 
God's  people  a  "bridge"  to  the  New  Testament 
covenant,  most  exquisitely  expressed  in  Jesus 
Christ.  Gamble  says,  "With  Jeremiah  we  begin 
to  see  that  the  relationship  between  God  and 
God's  elect  is  individual.  Jeremiah  shows  that, 
even  if  a  nation  is  destroyed  totally,  people  can 
meet  God  anjrwhere.  That  is,  they  can  if  they  are 
willing  to  have  the  covenant  carved  into  their 
very  hearts."  (page  26) 

Old  and  new  covenants 

Circle  participants  may  want  to  think  about 
ideas  like  the  following:  What  words  or  phrases 
would  you  use  to  describe  the  original  covenant 
made  by  God  through  Moses  on  Mount  Sinai? 
(See  Exodus  20:  1-7  to  brush  up  on  the  Ten 
Commandments.)  In  what  ways  is  the  Decalogue 
or  Ten  Commandments  different  from  the  pas- 
sage in  Jeremiah?  How  does  the  internal  work- 
ing of  the  God's  Spirit  differ  from  "lajang  down 
the  law  to  folks?" 

The  final  picture  for  this  session  centers 
around  Isaiah  40: 1-18,  a  message  of  comfort  and 
reconciliation.  Verses  three  through  five  echo 
the  preparatory  ministry  of  John  the  Baptist. 
The  "Glimpse  of  Hope"  focuses  on  the  fact  that 
"the  word  of  our  God  will  stand  forever."  (verse 
8b)  The  "Suffering  Servant"  passages  in  Isaiah 
are  found  in  42:  1-4;  49:  1-6;  50:  4-9;  and  52:12— 
53:12.  They  paint  a  graphic  picture  of  how  in- 
tensely the  servant  suffered  to  effect  reconcilia- 
tion. 

If  your  circle  is  large  enough,  divide  into  four 
(or  five  groups:  Isaiah  52:12 — 53:12  can  be  di- 
vided into  two  passages),  or  work  with  the  refer- 
ences together.  Pose  questions  like.  How  does 
the  servant  suffer?  How  do  people  suffer  today? 
What  causes  suffering  in  today's  world?  How  can 
suffering  bring  about  reconciliation?  What  signs 
of  hope  can  be  found  in  the  midst  of  suffering? 

As  a  way  to  wrap  up  this  lesson,  ask  each 
person  to  turn  to  page  85  in  the  study  book  and 
think  about  the  statement,  "Hope  for  each  of  us 
in  the  realm  of  God  is  not  wishful  thinking  but  a 
fact  of  life  as  the  people  of  God."  In  what  ways  is 
this  true  in  your  life?  In  the  lives  of  your  friends 
and  family?  In  the  life  of  your  church? 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender  is  pastor 
ofMcQuay  Memorial  Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C. 
This  series  of  articles  is  meant  to  be  used  as 
"helps"  with  the  Horizon's  magazine  Bible  study 
for  1995-96,  "Glimpses  of  Home:  Biblical  Images 
of  the  Realm  of  God."  Copies  of  the  Bible  Study 
may  be  ordered  by  phone  at  (800)  487-4875. 


PEWREFINISHING  ♦  CARPET 
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A  reliiaiiait  comiomi^  related  to  ibclMjytxma  and  Bpscapil 
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IZhc  pRC86yrcRiaji  ChuRch  (U.S.A.) 
And  its  "ChcotogicAt  Inscirurions 

pRcscnr 

'ChcofogicAC  CducAnon 


SAtuRdAy,  Ocro6cR  28.  1995 

9KX)  a^m.  ro  3:45  p.m. 
f  iRsr  pRcsftyrcRiAn  ChuRch 
ChARlocrc,  NoRth  CARolinA 

Are  yon  thinking  of  attending  a  P.C.(U.S.A.)  theological  institution? 

Are  you  sensing  a  call  to  a  church  vocation? 
Do  you  know  someone  who  is  considering  a  theological  education? 

Then  please  join  in  a  day  of  learning  about  Presbyterian  theological 
education  when  representatives  of  the  1 1  schools  will  be  in  Charlotte,  North 
Carolina.  Contact  Dan  Krebill  at  800-228^87  or  by  hitemet  at 
mccomiick_seininary.parti@pcusa.org  or  by  PresbyNet  at  MCCORMICK 
SEMINARY  for  a  brochure  and  information. 


-o- 


1  Vgc  S  IvLa  Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1995 

Caribbean  aid  changes  after 
second  hurricane  smacks  islands 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

Strategies  to  deliver  emer- 
gency aid  to  the  Caribbean 
were  being  revamped  at  press 
time  and  damage  estimates 
were  being  revised  after  Hur- 
ricane Marilyn  smacked  both 
Puerto  Rico  and  the  U.S.  Vir- 
gin Islands  and  headed  back 
out  to  sea. 

According  to  Bob  Arnold  of 
Church  World  Service  (CWS) 
in  New  York  City,  that  agency 
was  considering  asking  its 
mainline  constituents  for  an- 
other $100,000,  matching  an 
earlier  CWS  appeal  for  dam- 
age caused  by  Hurricane  Luis, 
which  leveled  an  estimated  70 
percent  of  the  housing  on 
Antigua  and  Barbuda. 

At  press  time,  Presbyterian 
World  Service  (PWS)  was  con- 
sidering upping  its  current 
$10,000  contribution  from  One 
Great  Hour  of  Sharing  funds; 
and  the  Rev.  Monrelle  Will- 
iams, new  general  secretary  of 
the  Caribbean  Conference  of 
Churches  (CCC)  in  Barbados, 
was  debating  whether  to  issue 
another  appeal  for  more  money 
because  of  Hurricane  Marilyn. 


"What  emergency  relief 
we're  getting  now  we  will  use 
as  best  we  can  to  help  the 
poorest  of  the  poor,"  Williams 
told  the  Presbyterian  News 
Service,  stressing  that  recov- 
ery on  the  islands  is  barely 
beginning. 

Arnold  said  early  reports 
indicate  about  80  percent  of 
the  housing  on  St.  Thomas  was 
demolished  and  more  than 
12,000  people  were  in  public 
shelters  in  Puerto  Rico. 

"We  have  asked  all  of  our 
congregations  to  collect  from 
parishioners  items  such  as 
clothing,  sheets,  blankets  and 
nonperishable  foodstuffs,"  said 
the  Rt.  Rev.  Cyril  Paul  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Trini- 
dad and  Tobago,  adding  that 
goods  were  to  be  dispersed  by 
the  St.  Vincent  DePaul  Soci- 
ety and  the  CCC. 

"Our  congregations  have 
been  asked  to  respond  in  a 
sacrificial  way,"  he  said.  "But 
it's  amazing.  In  times  of  dis- 
tress, sometimes  the  people 
who  respond  the  best  of  all  are 
the  very  needy." 

The  Rev.  Maitland  Evans  of 
the  United  Church  of  Jamaica 
and  the  Caymans  agreed  that 


giving  stresses  some  already 
poor  congregations  in  the  Car- 
ibbean. "But  whenever  things 
like  this  happen,"  he  said,  "the 
smallest  island  to  the  largest 
contributes." 

While  parts  of  Puerto  Rico 
were  hit  by  both  hurricanes, 
the  Rev.  Harry  del  Valle,  ex- 
ecutive of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)'s  Synod  of 
Puerto  Rico,  reports  that  no 
Presbyterian  churches  were 
damaged,  since  winds  and  rain 
blasted  the  island's  east  side 
and  Presbyterian  congrega- 
tions are  on  its  west  coast. 

Of  an  estimated  500  homes 
on  the  nearby  island  of 
Culebra,  del  Valle  said,  about 
350  are  thought  to  be  de- 
stroyed. 

Some  survivors  are  having 
to  clean  up  twice,  according  to 
Williams.  On  Antigua,  for  in- 
stance, where  the  CCC  is  bas- 
ing its  relief  operation,  some 
who  began  recovery  from  Luis 
are  beginning  all  over  again  in 
the  wake  of  Marilyn. 

Such  rapid  succession  of 
storms  is  unusual,  said  del 
Valle,  even  for  people  well  ac- 
quainted with  bracing  for 
tropical  winds  and  rain. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


Irish  Nobel  Peace  Prize  winner  preaches 
nonviolence  to  Peacemaking  Jubilee 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

HEMPSTEAD,  N.Y.— In  a  fi- 
ery address  to  the  Presbyte- 
rian Peacemaking  Jubilee  in 
August,  Northern  Ireland's 
Nobel  Peace  Prize  winner 
Mairead  Magmre  told  a  crowd 
of  1,600  here,  "Human  life  is 
sacred — God  gives  it  and  we 
have  no  right  to  take  it  away." 

Maguire,  founder  of  "Peace 
People,"  went  from  housewife 
to  international  peace  activist 
in  1976,  when  violence  in 
Northern  Ireland  claimed  the 
lives  of  her  sister's  three  chil- 
dren. They  were  struck  by  a 
car  that  when  out  of  control  on 
a  West  Belfast  street  after  its 
driver,  a  suspected  Irish  Re- 
publican Army  member,  was 
shot  by  a  British  soldier. 

"We  need  to  think  of  a  whole 
new  way,"  Maguire  said  of  her 
efforts,  "because  the  current 
road  surely  leads  to  destruc- 
tion. People  are  entitled  to 
their  politics,  but  not  to  take  a 
life  in  furtherance  of  those 
politics." 

Maguire  said  the  world 
should  look  to  Northern  Ire- 
land for  "clues"  to  the  new  way 
of  resolving  conflict  because 
"more  and  more  we  are  going 
to  be  faced  with  ethnic  con- 
flicts." The  situation  in  North- 
ern Ireland,  "proves  that 
armies  are  of  no  use  to  us, 
armies  will  not  solve  our  prob- 
lems." 

Instead  of  turning  to  politi- 
cal and  military  theorists, 
Maguire  said,  people  need  to 

1 xo  Jesus  Christ.  "Don't  go 


looking  in  dusty  books  written 
by  people  just  as  confused  as 
we  are,"  she  said.  "Don't  go  to 
books,  go  to  the  cross — the  ul- 
timate expression  of  nonvio- 
lence." 

A  commitment  to  nonvio- 
lence is  not  easy,  Maguire  con- 
tinued. "Don't  give  me  justice, 
give  me  mercy,  because  I  am  a 
sinner  and  tr3dng  to  live  non- 
violently  is  very,  very  hard. 
My  hope  lies  in  the  fact  that 
God  will  forgive  me." 

It  is  up  to  churches,  Maguire 
said,  "to  inspire  the  truth  that 
human  life  is  the  ultimate 
value.  Our  young  people  will 
become  cynics  and  the  cycle  of 
violence  will  continue  if  the 
churches  cannot  say  without 
qualification,  'War  is  wrong.'" 

And  individual  Christians 
play  the  key  role.  "The  chal- 
lenge is  enormous,  but  we  be- 
lieve we  can  do  it,"  Maguire 
said.  To  thundering  applause, 
she  continued,  "Moreover,  we 
believe  we  must  do  it,  for  our 
own  sake  and  for  all  others' — 
we  must  disarm  country  by 
country,  town  by  town,  street 
by  street,  house  by  house, 
heart  by  heart." 

In  other  events  during  the 
Presbjrterian  PeacemaMng  Ju- 
bilee participants: 

•  Paused  from  their  activi- 
ties on  Aug.  13  to  pray  and 
observe  a  moment  of  silence  in 
remembrance  of  the  atomic 
bombings  of  Hiroshima  and 
Nagasaki  50  years  ago; 

•  Created  two  banners  fea- 
turing participants'  hand 
prints — one  on  each  banner — 
to  give  to  the  Rev.  Syngman 


Rhee  as  he  prepared  to  depart 
for  North  and  South  Korea. 
The  banners  express  the  hope 
for  the  peaceful  reunification 
of  Korea; 

•  Heard  veteran  U.S.  diplo- 
mat Harold  Saunders  say  that 
it  is  the  Christian  duty  of  ev- 
ery Presbyterian  to  so  drama- 
tize the  denomination's  com- 
mitment to  peacemaking  so 
that  it  becomes  the  calling  not 
just  of  the  church,  but  of  the 
nation.  Saunders,  a  key  mem- 
ber of  the  U.S.  diplomatic  team 
that  brokered  the  Camp  David 
accords  which  brought  peace 
between  Israel  and  Egypt,  said 
the  changing  nature  of  inter- 
national relations  means  citi- 
zens and  nongovernmental  or- 
ganizations have  a  much  more 
crucial  role  to  play  in  solving 
international  conflicts; 

•  Constructed  a  "global 
neighborhood."  Hedda  Shara- 
pan,  associate  producer  of 
"Mister  Rogers'  Neighbor- 
hood," had  families  make  a  list 
of  the  buildings  needed  in  a 
peaceful  neighborhood.  Each 
family  group  chose  a  building 
to  construct. 

"I  think  the  real  point  was 
to  learn  how  to  work  together," 
said  10-year-old  Peter  of 
Tenafly,  N.J.;  and 

•  Were  reminded  by  the  Rev. 
Robert  F.  Smylie,  director  of 
the  Presbyterian  U.N.  Office, 
that  the  denomination  has  sup- 
ported the  United  Nations 
since  its  inception.  During  the 
first  50  years  of  the  U.N.,  Gen- 
eral Assemblies  have  issued 
some  200  statements  in  its  sup- 
port, Smylie  noted. 


GAC  appoints  task  force  to  study 
The  NEWS,  Monday  Morning 

The  General  Assembly  Council  (GAC)  has  approved  creation  of  a  task 
force  to  study  the  best  ways  to  communicate  news  and  information  of 
the  PC(USA)  to  its  leaders  and  members  in  light  of  dwindling 
denominational  resources.  The  GAC's  action  came  in  response  to  a 
recommendation  to  stop  publication  of  the  denomination's  newspa- 
per, The  NEWS  of  the  PCOJSA),  and  to  suspend  publication  of 
Monday  Morning,  a  magazine  for  pastors  and  other  church  leaders. 

The  original  proposals  reflected  a  changing  denominational  com- 
munication strategy  in  which  expanded  distribution  of  "News  Briefs" 
becomes  the  primary  way  to  reach  church  professionals  and  where  a 
reformatted  "Presbyterians  Todaj^  is  the  channel  to  lay  readers, 
according  to  Gary  Luhr,  associate  director  of  the  Office  of  Communi- 
cation, who  developed  the  recommendations. 

The  General  Assembly  Council  last  year  ordered  a  review  of  all 
denominational  publications — and  his  proposals  were  a  result  of  the 
beginning  of  that  process,  Luhr  said. 

"All  communication  cannot  come  out  of  this  office,"  Luhr  told  the 
Presbyterian  News  Service.  "It's  not  possible  physically,  economi- 
cally—any way  you  want  to  look  at  it."  With  the  decision  to  mail 
"News  Briefs"  into  every  church,  Luhr  said,  part  of  the  strategy  now 
is  to  rely  on  pastors  and  elders  to  circulate  it  among  parishioners. 

Luhr  said  there  is  still  interest  in  developing  an  every-household 
publication,  and  consideration  will  be  given  to  developing  a  resource 
just  for  elders — but  there  are  financial  and  staff  constraints  to  take 
into  account  in  expanding  the  denomination's  pubUcations. 

Record  crowd  packs  Triennium 

WEST  LAFAYETTE,  Ind.— Summer's  intense  heat  couldn't  stifle  the 
enthusiasm  of  nearly  6,000  young  Presbyterians  from  all  over  the 
United  States,  Canada  and  the  world  as  they  shared  their  common 
bond  through  Jesus  Christ  at  the  record-breaking  1995  Presbyterian 
Youth  Triennium  at  Purdue  University. 

According  to  officials,  5,901  youths  attended  the  July  25-30  event, 
the  most  in  Triennium  history.  Held  every  three  years,  the  Triennium 
is  designed  as  a  growth  experience  for  the  mind,  heart  and  soul  of 
Presbyterians  age  15-19  and  adult  advisors  in  every  presbytery.  The 
Triennium  is  co-sponsored  by  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Canada  and  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Churches. 

"What  keeps  me  coming  back  year  after  year  is  seeing  all  these 
people  representing  Christ's  body,"  said  Lisa  Stine,  a  Triennium 
design  team  member  from  Portland,  Ore.  (Cascades  Presbytery). 
"I've  never  seen  it  anywhere  else  in  my  life  represented  so  clearly." 

First  worship  held  in  center  chapel 

Over  150  staff  members  crowded  the  Presbjrterian  Center  chapel  for 
the  first  worship  service  August  14.  The  chapel  was  dedicated 
formally  on  Sept.  29  during  the  fall  General  Assembly  Council 
meeting  here. 

"Here  today,  we're  beginning  a  journey,"  the  Rev.  James  D.  Brown, 
executive  director,  said.  "...  Serving  the  Lord  with  all  humility  and 
tears,  testifying  to  the  good  news  of  God's  grace."  Brown  said  the 
chapel  itself  embodies  both  the  tears  and  the  celebrative  witness  Paul 
describes  in  Acts  20:  17-38,  and  went  on  to  describe  the  creativity  of 
the  architect  and  the  "stajdng  power"  of  community  gathered  to- 
gether to  share  the  gospel  story. 

Describing  the  chapel  as  "not  quite  finished,"  Brown  said  it  is 
reminiscent  of  the  "already,  but  not  yet,  quality  of  the  reign  of  God." 
Architect  David  Wilding  told  the  Presbyterian  News  Service  the 
chapel  is  "going  to  be  a  delightful  space  ...  prayerful,  dynamic,  all  the 
things  we  hoped  it  would  be." 

Border  ministry  seeks  staff,  volunteers 

The  Presbyterian  Border  Ministry  (PBM),  based  in  San  Antonio, 
Texas,  is  looking  for  two  staff  persons  and  any  number  of  volunteers 
for  its  cross-cultural  ministry  along  the  United  States-Mexico  border. 
The  staff  positions,  for  "mission  specialists,"  are  responsible  for 
program  administration,  mission  education,  interpretation  and  fund- 
raising. 

In  cooperation  with  the  National  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mexico, 
PBM's  goals  are  church  planting,  responding  to  the  needs  of 
marginalized  persons  on  both  sides  of  the  border  and  educating 
churches  in  both  countries  about  the  needs  of  people  along  the  border 
and  how  the  Mexican  and  U.S.  Presbyterian  denominations  are 
attempting  to  respond  to  those  needs. 

Interested  persons  should  have  some  cross-cultural  experience, 
some  skill  in  Spanish,  be  flexible  team  players,  have  a  college 
education  or  equivalent  life  experience,  have  planning  skills  and  be 
familiar  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  The  positions  are 
three-year  terms,  renewable  for  additional  terms. 

PBM  Coordinator  Jerry  Stacy  said  the  organization  is  willing  to 
provide  language  training.  More  information  is  available  by  calling 
Stacy  at  (210)  826-3296. 

Graham  joins  PC(USA)  staff 

The  Rev.  Mary  Graham  has  joined  the  staff  of  the  Congregational 
Ministries  Division  as  associate  for  evangelism  resource  develop- 
ment in  the  Christian  education  program  area.  Graham  came  to 
Louisville  from  Greenville,  N.C.,  where  she  was  campus  pastor  at 
East  Carolina  University  in  the  Presbytery  of  New  Hope. 

Schaefer  leaves  OGA  post 

The  Rev.  J.  Scott  Schaefer,  director  of  the  Department  of  Administra- 
tion and  Assembly  Services  for  the  Office  of  the  General  Assembly, 
has  accepted  the  position  of  chief  business  officer  at  San  Francisco 
Theological  Seminary.  He  will  complete  the  transition  to  full-time 
work  on  the  seminary  campus  by  the  end  of  October.  Schaefer  has 
served  on  the  national  staff  of  the  Presbjd;erian  Church  since  the 
denomination's  headquarters  moved  to  Louisville  in  1988. 

A  graduate  of  San  Francisco  Theological  Seminary  and  a  member 
of  San  Francisco  Presbytery,  Schaefer  began  his  church  work  in  the 
office  of  Destination  Louisville,  coordinating  the  move  of  denomina- 
tional offices  from  Atlanta  and  New  York  City  to  Louisville. 


3  endorsed  for  GA  moderator— see  page  9 

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For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlam 
Presbyterian 


November/December  1995 


Vol.  LXI,  Number  8 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Walkout  may  lead  to 
demise  of  controversial 
managment  review  panel 


Responding  to  charges  of  rac 
ist  behavior  against  Synod 
Executive  Carroll  Jenkins,  the 
executive  committee  of  the 
Synod  Council  voted  Nov.  2  to 
recommend  dismissal  of  the 
committee  the  council  created 
to  review  financial  and  man- 
agement practices  in  the 
S3Tiod's  office. 

The  recommendation  for 
dismissal  was  to  be  presented 
to  the  council  during  its  Nov. 
17-18  meeting  in  Richmond. 

The  five-member  review 
committee,  chaired  by  former 
PC(US)  moderator  Ben  Lacy 
Rose,  postponed  its  Nov.  10-11 
meeting  pending  the  action  of 
the  Synod  Council.  A  final  re- 
port from  the  review  commit- 
tee had  been  due  by  Dec.  31. 

Recommending  dismissal  of 
the  review  committee  was  the 


executive  committee's  reaction 
to  an  Oct.  14  walkout  by  all 
African  American  commission- 
ers during  the  209th  Synod 
Assembly. 

The  commissioners,  who 
were  joined  by  African  Ameri- 
can members  of  the  Synod 
Council,  said  they  were  pro- 
testing the  "ungodly  treatment 
of  Synod  Executive  Carroll 
Jenkins." 

Lawrence  Bethel,  chair  of 
the  synod's  Black  Caucus  and 
a  clergy  commissioner  from 
Eastern  Virginia  Presbytery, 
read  from  a  prepared  state- 
ment which  noted  the  African 
Americans  were  "deeply  dis- 
turbed" by  the  executive's 
treatment  and  "other  matters 
related  to  the  future  of  African 
Americans  in  the  Presb5d;erian 
continued  on  page  3 


South  African  antiapartheid  activist  Alan  Boesak  and  Synod  Executive  Carroll 
Jenkins  talk  with  a  guest  after  an  Oct.  12  communion  service  at  Three  Chopt  Church 
in  Richmond.  Boesak  preached  at  the  worship  service  which  was  part  of  the  Oct.  12- 
14  209th  S3mod  Assembly  held  at  the  church  and  the  Hyatt  Hotel.  GA  Moderator  Marj 
Carpenter  was  keynote  speaker  for  the  assembly  which  emphasized  mission. 


Action  will  cut  25  percent  from  1997  synod  budget 


Overshadowed  by  the  walk- 
out of  African  American  com- 
missioners to  the  209th  Synod 
Assembly  were  the  recommen- 
dations from  the  six  standing 
committees. 

All  recommendations  were 
adopted  by  the  assembly.  The 
Synod  Council  (scheduled  to 
meet  Nov.  17-18)  was  given 
responsibility  for  settling  fi- 
nancial questions  and  decid- 
ing any  conflicts  which  may 
arise  from  the  recommenda- 
tions. 

One  of  those  recommenda- 
tions will  reduce  the  synod's 
mission  budget  by  one  fourth 
in  1997. 

The  Standing  Committee  on 


Finance  recommended  that  all 
monies  for  colleges,  care  agen- 
cies (for  children  and  older 
adults)  conference  centers, 
counseling  services,  and  glo- 
bal and  ecumenical  ministries 
be  "deleted  from  Synod's  bud- 
get as  of  Jan.  1,  1997." 

These  mission  areas  total 
$363,276  (25  percent)  of  the 
$1.45  million  synod  mission 
budget  for  1996. 

The  standing  committee 
also  recommended  that  the 
presbyteries  be  "encouraged  to 
accept  responsibility  for  those 
portions  of  the  Synod's  Mis- 
sion Budget  by  an  orderly  'rev- 
enue neutral'  transfer  during 
1996  for  1997." 


If  presbyteries  choose  to 
make  a  revenue  neutral  shift 
during  1996,  the  synod's  pgr-- 
manent  finance  committals 
instructed  to  provide  for  such 
actions. 

Deletion  of  these  areas  from 
the  1997  budget  is  to  occur 
regardless  of  whether  the  13 
presb5rteries  agree  on  the  "rev- 
enue neutral"  concept. 

All  the  above  named  mis- 
sion areas  were  not  included 
in  the  new  mission  structure 
approved  last  January.  How- 
ever, funding  for  them  had 
remained  a  part  of  synod's 
mission  budget  pending  devel- 
opment of  a  plan  to  transfer 
that  responsibility  to  the 


presbyteries. 

Revenue  neutral  basically 
means  that  presbyteries  would 
contribute  the  same  amounts 
for  these  areas  as  they  now 
send  to  synod,  and  that  sup- 
port the  institutions  and  agen- 
cies would  remain  the  same. 

The  13  presbyteries'  coun- 
cils have  not  been  unanimous 
in  accepting  the  revenue  neu- 
tral concept. 

Fred  Ward,  chair  of  the 
synod's  permanent  finance 
committee,  told  the  assembly 
that  he  was  "...  in  total  agree- 
ment with  the  things  that  are 
there,  speaking  from  a  finan- 
cial standpoint." 

Other  recommendations 


coming  from  the  standing  com- 
mittees of  the  209th  Synod 
Assembly  include: 

Campus  Ministry 

The  Standing  Committee  on 
Campus  Ministry  recom- 
mended that  the  synod  develop 
a  new  method  of  funding  cam- 
pus ministries  within  the 
synod. 

The  synod  sends  $364,443 
to  48  ministries  on  61  college 
and  university  campuses.  Not- 
ing that  synod-based  support 
had  "declined  steadily"  in  re- 
cent years,  the  committee  ap- 
proved a  resolution  asking  for 

continued  on  page  3 


Christmas  Joy  Offering  benefits 
church  workers,  racial  ethnic  schools 


For  more  than  40  years  Pres- 
byterians have  given  gener- 
ously to  a  special  offering  dur- 
ing the  Christmas  season. 

This  year  marks  the  ninth 
year  that  contributions  to  the 
offering  will  provide  assistance 
to  those  who  have  faithfully 
served  the  church,  and  to  those 
whose  gifts  are  being  devel- 
oped at  racial  ethnic  schools 
founded  by  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Undesignated  receipts  from 
the  Christmas  Joy  Offering  are 
distributed  evenly  between  the 
Board  of  Pensions  and  the  ra- 
cial ethnic  schools  and  colleges 
in  covenant  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.). 

In  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic,  this  includes  Barber- 
Scotia  College  in  Concord, 
N.C.,  and  Johnson  C.  Smith 
University  in  Charlotte,  N.C. 


The  programs  offered  by  the 
Board  of  Pensions  offer  sup- 
port to  both  active  and  retired 
church  workers  and  their  de- 
pendents during  times  of  spe- 
cial needs. 

This  support  includes: 

•  income  supplements  for 
retirees  whose  incomes  fall 
below  a  basic  minimum; 

•  shared  grants  for  occa- 
sions when  an  emergency  or 
misfortune  occurs;  and 

•  nursing  home  care  assis- 
tance when  the  cost  of  nursing 
care  exceeds  the  ability  of  eli- 
gible members  to  pay. 

The  history  of  the  Christ- 
mas Joy  Offering  dates  back  to 
1952  when  the  former  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  U.S. 
(PCUS)  began  the  Joy  Gift 
Offering  to  supplement  inad- 
equate retirement  income  and 
supplemental  medical  insur- 


ance for  former  ministers,  mis- 
sionaries, and  church  workers 
and  their  spouses. 

In  the  former  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  U.S.A. 
(UPCUSA)  a  Christmas  offer- 
ing was  first  taken  in  1960. 
Funds  were  used  for  general 
mission  and  world  relief  In 
1964  the  name  was  changed  to 
the  "Christmas  Offering,"  with 
receipts  used  to  support  health 
and  welfare  concerns  related 
to  children.  The  offering  was 
changed  to  support  former  ser- 
vants of  the  church  living  on 
inadequate  pensions  in  1973 
and  minority  education  was 
added  in  1974. 

The  PCUS  and  UPCUSA 
offerings  were  merged  in  1987 
as  the  Christmas  Offering  Joy 
Gift. 

The  1994  Christmas  Joy  Of- 
fering received  $4.64  million. 


fa.  .        :.j-tUlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1995 


We  need  to  seize  this  precious  moment 


By  BETTY  McGINNIS 
Synod  Moderator 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  meet- 
ing in  Richmond  was  one  of  celebra- 
tion of  our  mission,  of  profound  wor- 
ship, of  prayer,  of  commitment  and 
hard  work  on  the  part  of  the  commis- 
sioners and  youth  advisory  delegates. 

Committees  worked  hard  on  the  new 
mission  design  which  is  in  place;  won- 
derful General  Assembly  staff  came  to 
resource  and  help  us  through  the  pro- 
cess— to  help  us  reconnect  the  connec- 
tional  church. 

The  theme,  "Walking  with  Afri- 
cans— ^A  Healing  Journey,"  was  built 
into  the  entire  Synod  meeting.  The 
S5Tiod  worship  was  built  upon  that 
wonderful  scripture,  I  Thessalonians 
5:16-18 — we  gather  to  praise  God  and 
worship;  we  pray  continuously;  and 
we  leave  with  thanksgiving  no  matter 
what  the  situation. 

Many  thanks  to  those  who  led  the 
many  parts  of  the  meeting  and  as- 
sisted in  planning  and  organizing! 

Yes,  each  person  left  that  meeting 
with  a  heavy  heart,  yet  a  challenge  is 
in  front  of  us  in  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  and  the  entire  denomination. 
Challenges  open  many  doors.  With 


these  doors  flung  wide  open,  let  us 
each,  wherever  we  are,  work  hard  to 
allow  reconciliation  and  unity  to  take 
place.  We  must  be  thankful  for  a  time 
when  there  is  an  opportunity  for  heal- 
ing and  reconciliation.  Let  all  of  us 
seize  these  precious  moments. 

Throughout  the  history  of  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  and  perhaps  the 
entire  denomination,  many  unan- 
swered questions,  many  concerns  hurts 
and  pains  have  been  left,  never  cared 
for,  and  never  taken  care  of  at  the  time 
in  which  they  occurred.  Deep  wounds 
have  never  healed  on  many  sides.  Per- 
haps you  know  wounds  that  continue 
to  boil  underneath  and  never  have 
opportunity  to  heal  before  another  scab 
forms — never  quite  healed. 

For  many  reasons,  a  variety  of  people 
have  been  hurt  in  different  ways.  At 
the  Synod  meeting,  this  was  clear. 

One  example,  our  African  Ameri- 
can brothers  and  sisters  felt  deeply 
hurt.  They  read  their  statement  and 
every  African  American  left  crjdng. 
Often,  we  become  so  in  tune  to  our 
personal  or  local  situation,  we  forget 
part  of  the  community  of  faith. 

I  have  asked  every  commissioner 
who  was  at  the  Synod  meeting  to  reach 
out  to  someone  of  another  race.  Touch 


Commentary 


that  person.  Share  the  history,  the 
hurts  and  pains.  Find  someone  to  dia- 
logue with  and  pray  together  on  a 
weekly  basis.  Work  toward  reconcilia- 
tion among  races. 

We  are  the  church  of  Jesus  Christ. 
We  must  focus  on  Christ  allowing  those 
deep  wounds  to  heal  constantly  build- 
ing the  body  of  Christ. 

Many  commissioners  signed  a  pa- 
per or  have  written  me  letters  offering 
to  help  in  any  way.  That  is  a  wonderful 
sign.  All  of  us  must  work  together  in 
the  church.  We  are  a  community  of 
faith.  When  one  or  more  parts  of  the 
body  are  not  well,  we  must  all  work 
together  to  build  that  part  of  the  body. 
What  does  that  mean  to  us? 

Some  are  afraid;  others  are  angry; 
others  want  to  push  specific  agendas; 
others  are  extremely  defensive  about 
their  work.  Jesus  told  us  to  get  rid  of 
bitterness,  rage  and  anger,  brawling 
and  slander  and  malice.  And  speak  the 
truth  in  love.  At  the  same  time,  be  kind 
and  compassionate  to  everyone,  lis- 
tening and  forgiving.  We  must  learn  to 
speak  with  one  another  and  respect 
one  another  and  build  the  trust. 

After  listening  to  many  individuals 
and  groups,  the  following  commissions 
will  be  put  into  place:  Reconcilia- 
tion, Communication  £uid  Mission 
Building  and  Sharing.  If  you  know 
someone  with  gifts  in  those  areas, 
please  call  me  immediately.  We  must 
seize  this  moment  and  build  unity 
in  the  church! 

In  this  moment,  do  each  of  us  con- 


stantly ask  ourselves  difficult  ques- 
tions? Do  we  as  Christians  need  to 
closely  examine  ourselves  and  direc- 
tion of  our  life  as  children  of  God?  Do 
we  need  to  go  away  to  search  for  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  guide  and  direct  us?  Has 
our  faith  become  a  leaky  vessel?  Are 
we  standing  in  others  way  so  that  the 
body  of  Christ  cannot  be  built?  Do  we 
even  need  to  take  time  from  our  present 
situation  in  the  church  so  that  we  can 
allow  Christ  to  mold,  remold  and  re- 
shape our  leaky  vessel?  Reshaping  our 
vessel  is  not  always  easy.  The  potter 
must  mold  and  shape  and  reshape. 
Everything  is  not  always  happy  or 
easy.  We  must  seize  the  moment  to 
empty  ourselves,  humble  ourselves, 
and  then  walk  with  Christ  and  with 
each  other. 

In  the  life  of  the  Synod  (and  perhaps 
in  your  own  personal  life),  we  must 
allow  the  wounds  to  be  cleansed  and 
heal.  We  must  constantly  work  toward 
reconciliation  no  matter  how  difficult. 
In  the  Ssnnod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic,  we 
must  seize  this  precious  moment! 

And  remember  the  story  of  King 
Jehosophat  as  the  people  of  Judah  and 
Jerusalem  were  going  against  Ammon 
and  Moab:  Do  not  be  afraid  or  discour- 
aged. Stand  firm  and  see  the  deliver- 
ance the  Lord  will  give  you.  And  fall 
down  to  worship  the  Lord.  Have  faith 
in  the  Lord  your  God  and  you  will  be 
upheld.  And  give  thanks  to  the  Lord 
for  His  love  endures  forever. 

Seize  this  precious  moment! 


Statement  of  African  American  coalition  to  209th  synod  meeting 


EDITOR'S  NOTE— The  following 
statement  is  printed  in  this  issue  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  by  action  of 
the  209th  Synod  Assembly. 

Statement  of  African  American 
Commissioners,  Council  Persons 
and  observers  to  the  209th  Synod 
Meeting  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic.  This  statement  is  pre- 
pared in  response  to  the  "Ungodly" 
treatment  of  Synod  Executive 
Carroll  Jenkins  and  the  concerns 
of  African  Americans  in  the  Synod. 

We  the  members  of  an  African  Amerir 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 
Meg  Burley,  Data  Base  Manager 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
(USPS  604-120  /  ISSN  1071-345X) 
Is  produced  and  published  monthly 
(except  February,  August  and 
December) 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
3218  Chamberlayne  Ave., 
Richmond,  VA  23227. 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  is  mailed 
free  to  members  of  PC(USAj 
churches  within  the  synod. 

POSTMASTER 

Please  send  address  changes  to 
MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026. 

Second-Class  Postage  Rates  Paid  at 
Richmond,  Virginia,  and 

additional  post  offices. 

Vol.  1^1 
Noveraber/Dtrcember  1995 
October  1995  circulation 
168,314^,  ^  ^^^^^^ 


can  coalition  of  commissioners,  coun- 
cil persons  and  observers  to  the  209th 
Synod  Assembly  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
are  deeply  disturbed  over  the  ungodly 
treatment  of  the  Synod  Executive  the 
Reverend  Dr.  Carroll  Jenkins  and  other 
matters  related  to  the  future  of  Afri- 
can Americans  in  the  Presbjrterian 
Church  (U.S.A.). 

We  have  chosen  to  employ  deliber- 
ate action  to  voice  our  concerns  recog- 
nizing that  we  may  be  misunderstood. 
However,  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus 
Christ  was  often  misunderstood,  but 
conviction  to  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ 
compels  us  to  stand  against  unrigh- 
teous behavior  that  offends  the  dignity 
of  any  group  or  person. 

Our  polity  instructs  us  that  "God 
alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and 
hath  left  it  free  from  the  doctrines  and 
commandments  of  men  (and  women) 
which  are  in  anything  contrary  to  his 
Word,  or  beside  it  in  matters  of  faith  or 
worship."  This  is  a  matter  of  faith  that 
is  directly  related  to  our  historical 
struggle  as  Christians  who  have  expe- 
rienced racism  in  America  and  in  this 
denomination. 

The  Synod  has  had  several  investi- 


gations regarding  Reverend  Jenkins 
related  to  financial  allegations.  There 
has  been  no  proven  evidence  of  wrong 
doing,  however  the  investigations  con- 
tinue. He  has  been  attacked  on  issues 
of  competence  and  Administrative 
credibility,  but  his  record  shows  out- 
standing service  to  the  church  as  a 
Synod  Executive  since  1981  and  an 
Administrator  since  1971. 

We  witnessed  on  Friday  evening  a 
developing  negative  response  toward 
the  Synod  Executive,  through  petty 
issues  continually  being  raised  on  the 
floor  of  the  assembly  attacking  his 
Administrative  competence.  If  we  re- 
main silent  to  these  attacks  we  may  be 
perceived  as  condoning  these  unjust 
actions. 

We  view  the  current  onslaught  of 
negative  reaction  to  his  leadership  in 
the  Synod  as  motivated  by  race  and  we 
are  seeking  the  open  repentance  of  the 
Synod.  Additionally,  we  are  asking 
that  the  reports  of  the  previous  com- 
mittees that  investigated  Reverend 
Jenkins  and  having  found  no  evidence 
of  misappropriation  of  funds,  be  up- 
held as  the  Synod's  position  on  the 
issue.  The  audit  that  was  conducted  by 


Rowles  and  Company  of  Maryland  in- 
dicated that  their  was  no  corruption  or 
mismanagement  on  the  part  of  the 
Synod  staff. 

We  must  admit  that  the  issues  sur- 
rounding Reverend  Jenkins  are  not 
the  only  issues  that  are  of  concern  for 
this  coalition.  We  are  disappointed  over 
the  posture  of  the  church  regarding 
racial  inclusiveness  which  spans  a  wide 
range  of  issues  within  the  bounds  of 
the  Synod  and  has  infested  the  spirit 
and  climate  of  the  total  church. 

We  are  charging  this  denomination 
with  racist  behavior  that  is  contrary  to 
the  Will  of  God  for  humankind  and 
directly  contradictory  to  the  affirma- 
tion of  human  dignity  for  all  God's 
children. 

We  are  calling  for  all  African  Ameri- 
cans in  this  assembly  today  and  other 
like-minded  Presbyterians  who  are 
S3rmpathetic  and  sensitive  to  the  injus- 
tice that  has  been  wrought  upon  Afri- 
can American  Presbyterians  in  this 
Synod  and  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  to  join  us  as  we  leave  this 
assembly  in  obedience  to  our  God  that 
calls  us  to  no  longer  participate  in  this 
abatement  to  the  Will  of  God. 


Council  was  trying  to  resolve  situations 


The  Council  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  is  painfully  aware  that  this 
synod  is  in  a  crisis  regarding  the  state- 
ment of  our  African  American  broth- 
ers and  sisters  on  the  floor  of  the  synod. 

We  are  grieved  that  our  efforts  to 
act  responsibly  have  brought  dissen- 
sion and  misunderstanding.  Since  May, 
the  Council  has  sought  to  respond  to 
the  trustees  of  the  Synod,  the  execu- 
tives and  councils  of  the  13  presbyteries 
within  our  bounds,  our  staff  and  our 
constituent  members.  Our  task  has 
not  been  easy. 

In  May  1995,  we  gathered  for  the 
first  time  as  a  new  council  charged 
with  the  responsibility  of  managing  a 
new  synod  structure  that  had  been 
designed  to  increase  effectiveness  and 
improve  stewardship.  We  were  imme- 
diately confronted  with  a  tangle  of 


concerns  that  have  absorbed  time  and 
energy.  We  have  heard  conflicting 
messages — often  from  hurting  people. 

In  sorting  out  the  issues  related  to 
allegations  of  mismanagement,  down- 
sizing staff,  strengthening  policies  for 
internal  control,  and  responding  ap- 
propriately to  media  coverage,  the 
council  has  attempted  to  be  fair  and 
trustworthy.  Each  action  has  been 
taken  with  care  and  caution  based 
upon  consideration  of  information  we 
were  given.  Each  council  member,  40 
percent  of  whom  are  racial  ethnic  per- 
sons, has  had  an  opportunity  to  par- 
ticipate in  every  decision.  Almost  all 
decisions  have  been  unanimous. 

Acting  upon  our  own  judgement  and 
the  advice  of  presbytery  councils  and 
executives,  we  appointed  a  blue-rib- 
bon committee  of  five  "impartial  Pres- 


byterians" to  review  the  financial  and 
management  practices  of  the  synod. 
These  persons  were  selected  to  pro- 
vide a  balance  of  racial  ethnic  repre- 
sentation (40  percent  Aftican  Ameri- 
can), church  experience  and  service, 
skills,  and  geographic  distribution 
throughout  the  synod.  Dr.  Ben  Lacy 
Rose  chairs  the  committee. 

The  goal — and  mandated  task — of 
the  Council  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  is  to  enable  the  Synod  to  carry 
out  its  functions.  In  doing  this  we  seek 
equity,  fairness  and  openness.  We  also 
pray  for,  and  will  continue  to  work  for, 
healing  and  unity  in  the  fellowship 
God  provides. 

— Executive  Committee 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
June  Bucy,  chair 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/Decembe.' 


Ruth  Ramsey  Cheney  with  the  Bowen  Award  for  1996 

Cheney  receives  Bowen  Award 


Ruth  Ramsey  Cheney  of  Cala- 
bash, N.C.,  received  the  an- 
nual Margaret  Bowen  Award 
for  Distinguished  Service  to 
Christian  Education  during 
the  209th  Synod  Assembly. 

A  native  of  Spartanburg, 
S.C.,  she  grew  up  in  Durham, 
N.C.  She  graduated  from  the 
Assembly  Training  School 
(now  PSCE)  in  1947. 

She  served  as  director  of 
Christian  education  (DCE)  for 
three  churches,  including 
Lafayette  Church  in  Norfolk, 
Va. 

Cheney  also  served  as  a 
DCE  for  the  Synod  of  North 
Carolina  and  Fayetteville 
Presbytery.  When  she  "re- 


tired" in  1984  she  was  associ- 
ate executive  for  church  de- 
velopment for  the  presbytery. 

She  has  taught  in  leader- 
ship schools  at  the  General 
Assembly,  synod  and  presby- 
tery levels. 

She  and  her  late  husband, 
John,  had  five  children.  Asked 
how  she  could  work  fuUtime 
while  raising  five  children,  she 
responded  "I  could  not  be  ef- 
fective without  them." 

St.  Andrews  Presbyterian 
College  in  Laurinburg,  N.C, 
makes  the  award  annually  in 
honor  of  the  work  of  the  late 
Ms.  Bowen,  who  was  a  Chris- 
tian educator  and  later  a  mem- 
ber of  the  college's  faculty. 


African  Americans  walk  out  of  assembly 


continued  from  page  1 
Church  (U.S.A.)." 

"There  has  been  no  proven 
evidence  of  wrongdoing;  how- 
ever, the  investigations  con- 
tinue. He  [Jenkins]  has  been 
attacked  on  issues  of  compe- 
tence and  administrative  cred- 
ibility, but  his  record  shows 
outstanding  service  to  the 
church  Bethel  read  from 
the  statement. 

"We  view  the  current  on- 
slaught of  negative  reaction  to 
his  leadership  in  the  synod  as 
motivated  by  race  and  we  are 
seeking  the  open  repentance 
of  the  synod."  The  statement 
asked  that  the  Synod  Assem- 
bly adopt  the  "reports  of  the 
previous  committees"  that 
"found  no  evidence  of  misap- 
propriation of  funds." 

The  allegations  in  question 
originated  last  December  from 
two  synod  staff  members,  Ad- 
ministrative Associate 
Marlene  Butler  and  Account- 
ing Associate  Diane  Capehart. 
Their  positions  were  termi- 
nated in  May  as  part  of  the 
restructuring. 

The  procedures  questioned 
by  their  allegations  also  in- 
clude former  Associate  Execu- 
tive for  Finance/Treasurer  Joe 
Pickard,  who  left  the  synod  for 
a  position  with  the  Medical 
Benevolence  Foundation  in 
September  1994. 

Internal  investigations 
started  with  the  synod's  trust- 
ees, who  brought  in  an  inde- 
pendent auditor  to  perform  a 
compliance  audit.  The  synod's 
finance  committee  responded 
to  the  allegations  with  its  own 


Assembly  committee  actions  accepted 


continued  from  page  1 
a  new  fu'nding  strategy  "with 
funding  coming  directly  from 
the  presbyteries  and  local 
churches,  according  to  an  ac- 
ceptable formula  agreed  upon 
by  the  presb5rteries." 

The  mission  structure  ap- 
proved last  January  divides 
the  campus  ministries  into 
three  geographic  "clusters" — 
Coastal,  Mountain  and  North- 
ern— in  an  effort  to  allow  for 
an  interchange  of  information 
within  the  three  regions. 

The  standing  committee  on 
campus  ministry  also  recom- 
mended that  the  issue  of  "clus- 
ters" be  referred  to  synod's 
permanent  campus  ministry 
committee.  The  commission- 
ers want  the  synod  to  review 
and  define  the  role  of  the  clus- 
ters £uid  how  they  will  be  sup- 
ported. 

The  cluster  concept,  estab- 
lished for  a  three-year  period, 
is  scheduled  for  review  by  the 
1997  assembly. 

Evangelism 

The  Standing  Committee  on 
Evangelism  took  the  existing 
functions  of  that  mission  area 
and  rewrote  them  in  a  four- 
part  list. 

The  first  priority  includes 
encouraging  the  establish- 
ment of  prayer  cells  through- 
out the  synod,  "equipped  to 
pray  for  the  peace,  purity  and 
unity  of  the  church." 

The  second  priority  is  main- 
taining regular  contact  be- 
tween members  of  the  synod's 
Evangelism  Committee  and 
presbytery  evangelism  com- 
mittees. 


The  third  priority  is  arrang- 
ing for  periodic  special  evan- 
gelism training  events  for  la- 
ity and  pastors.  For  1996,  the 
standing  committee  recom- 
mended that  the  sjTiod  (1)  pro- 
vide scholarships  to  the  Small 
Church  Celebration  II,  Aug. 
8-11,  at  Towson  State  Univer- 
sity and  (2)  plan  and  engage 
African  American  congrega- 
tions without  full-time  pastors 
in  a  two-stage  workshop. 

The  fourth  priority  is  devel- 
opment of  an  "ongoing,  con- 
temporary evangelism  multi- 
media communication  effort." 

The  standing  committee  on 
evangelism  asked  the  synod  to 
allocated  $12,000  for  these 
purposes  in  1996.  They  re- 
quested that  the  amount  come 
from  contingency  funds  in  the 
mission  budget. 

Justice  and  Mercy 

The  Standing  Committee  on 
Justice  and  Mercy  Ministries 
recommended  the  following 
changes  in  the  1996  mission 
budget:  reduce  Justice  for 
Women  from  $5,976  to  $5,026 
and  distribute  the  $900  be- 
tween four  agencies  which  had 
no  funding.  The  Land  Stew- 
ardship Council  of  North  Caro- 
lina will  receive  $500  and  $  150 
each  will  be  given  to  the  Vir- 
ginia Interfaith  Center  for 
Public  Policy,  the  Chaplain 
Service  of  the  Churches  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  the  Chaplain  Board 
of  North  Carolina. 

Members  of  the  standing 
committee  also  asked  that  all 
organizations  being  funded  by 
the  mission  budget  have  re- 
ports or  representatives  at  fu- 


ture meetings  of  the  standing 
committee. 

Partnership 
Ministries 

The  Standing  Committee  on 
Partnership  Ministries  recom- 
mended that  Presbyterian 
Women  and  Presbyterian  Men 
be  removed  from  this  mission 
area  and  that  the  two  organi- 
zations report  directly  to  the 
Synod  Council. 

Also,  the  committee  recom- 
mended that  Presbyterian 
Men,  Presbyterian  Women 
and  the  Synod  Youth  Council 
have  one  representative  each 
on  the  Synod  Council  with 
voice  and  vote. 

One  member  of  the  stand- 
ing committee,  Gary  B. 
Patterson  from  New  Castle 
Presbytery,  submitted  a  mi- 
nority report  against  giving 
these  three  groups  voice  and 
vote  on  the  Synod  Council. 

Racial  Ethnic 
Ministries 

The  Standing  Committee  on 
Racial  Ethnic  Ministries  made 
a  change  in  the  mission  state- 
ment for  this  area.  Instead  of 
"to  foster  and  to  have  an  un- 
derstanding of  racial  ethnic 
issues,"  the  statement  now 
reads  "to  eradicate  both  per- 
sonal and  systematic  racism." 

Another  change,  this  time 
in  the  functions  of  the  mission 
area,  is  from  "assisting  major- 
ity churches  in  transition  to  a 
more  inclusive  membership" 
to  "assisting  churches  to  be- 
come more  inclusive." 


findings,  which  were  accepted 
by  the  executive  committee  of 
the  Synod  Council.  That  coun- 
cil was  replaced  with  a  new 
one  in  May,  but  the  new  coun- 
cil accepted  the  report  from 
the  former  executive  commit- 
tee. 

After  four  members  of  coun- 
cil talked  with  employees, 
trustees  and  presbytery  execu- 
tives, the  council  voted  in  J une 
to  have  an  impartial  commit- 
tee review  the  synod's  finan- 
cial and  management  prac- 
tices. That  vote  was  unani- 
mous with  one  abstention. 

After  Bethel  finished  read- 
ing the  statement,  the  African 
American  Commissioners — 20 
or  about  one  third  of  those 
present — left  the  ballroom  at 
the  Hyatt  Hotel  in  Richmond. 

Jenkins,  and  at  least  10 
other  commissioners  and  coun- 
cil members  who  went  out  into 
the  lobby  to  meet  with  the 
protesters,  were  unsuccessful 
in  their  efforts  to  bring  them 
back  into  the  meeting. 

Synod  Moderator  Betty 
McGinnis  asked  those  remain- 
ing in  the  ballroom  to  pray. 
After  about  30  minutes  the 
meeting  resumed. 

While  some  commissioners 
held  that  no  further  business 
should  occur,  the  assembly  fi- 
nally voted  36-4  to  accept  the 
pending  reports  from  the  six 
standing  committees.  The 
Synod  Council  was  assigned 
to  clarify  any  problems  or  con- 
flicts that  may  result  as  the 
result  of  those  recommenda- 
tions, (see  separate  report  on 
page  1) 

The  assembly  also  went  on 
record  as  "respecting  and  hon- 
oring" the  African  Americans' 
statement  and  ordered  it 
printed  in  the  assembly  min- 
utes and  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian  (see  page  2). 

The  assembly  took  no  ac- 
tion regarding  the  review  com- 
mittee. 

Moderator  McGinnis  asked 
the  commissioners  to  pray 
daily  at  7  a.m.  for  the  synod. 


Since  the  assembly, 
McGinnis  has  announced  that 
she  will  appoint  three  com- 
missions: 

•  Reconciliation  Com- 
mission to  form  a  plan  for  the 
synod  to  look  at  the  past, 
present  and  future  and  help 
build  unity; 

•  Communications 
Commission  to  help  groups 
within  the  synod  to  communi- 
cate clearly  with  one  another; 

•  Mission  Building  and 
Sharing  Commission  to 
make  possible  mission  oppor- 
tunities for  church  members 
to  participate  through  the 
synod  and  internationally. 

Repercussions  of  the  assem- 
bly have  been  evident  in  at 
least  two  presbyteries. 

The  Presbytery  of  the 
James  said  its  council  will 
review  the  actions  of  two  of  its 
clergy  commissioners,  Jim 
Payne  and  Cheryl  Duke,  to 
determine  whether  they  be- 
haved in  a  racist  manner  dur- 
ing the  assembly. 

Payne,  who  is  also  a  synod 
trustee,  and  Duke,  a  former 
Synod  Council  member,  ques- 
tioned items  from  the  Synod 
Council  report. 

Payne's  motion  that  the  synod 
change  auditors  lost  when  Vice 
Moderator  J.  Miller  Liston  broke 
a  tie  by  voting  "no." 

Duke  failed  in  an  effort  to 
have  the  209th  Assembly  cre- 
ate a  standing  committee  to 
review  only  the  council  report. 
Another  commissioner's  mo- 
tion to  create  such  a  standing 
committee  for  future  synod 
assemblies  was  approved. 

Duke  also  questioned 
whether  some  documents  were 
missing  and  requested  that 
numerous  items  from  the  coun- 
cil report  be  pulled  for  later 
consideration. 

Also,  the  Presbytery  of  Sa- 
lem voted  Oct.  24  to  endorse 
the  African  American 
coalition's  statement  and 
called  for  the  dismissal  of  the 
committee  to  review  manage- 
ment and  financial  procedures. 


The  Ram  Baghat  African  Drummers  play  during  a 
worship  service  at  the  209th  Synod  Assembly.  The 
meeting  followed  the  theme  "Walking  with  Africaxis." 


Fa;^c  4,  MiJ-  Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1995 


Praise  Him  with  two  mule  shoes  and  prune  juice  bottles 


The  Presbyterian  Home  of  High  Point  Band  in  performance 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

The  Presbyterian  Home  of 
High  Point's  band  is  more  than 
a  concert,  it  is  an  experience. 

The  band  highUghted  our 
first  Older  Adult  program  at 
First  Church  of  Morganton, 
N.C.,  with  a  transforming  cel- 
ebration of  age.  Directed  by 
Jean  Montgomery,  this  group 
of  wizened  musicians  has  made 
most  of  their  own  instruments, 
often  from  objects  discarded 
on  the  campus. 

The  average  age  of  the  band 
members  is  83,  with  three 
women  in  their  90s,  and  Helen 
Smith,  its  oldest  member,  play- 
ing the  snare  drums  at  age  96! 
Master  of  Ceremonies  Tom 
Triol  commented  that  if  the 
ages  of  all  band  members  were 
added  together,  the  composite 
age  would  be  252  BC! 

Appropriately,  they  began 
their  medley  of  songs'  with 
"When  the  Saints  Go  March- 
ing In,"  followed  by  a  lively 
medley  of  football  fight  songs, 
railroad  songs,  and  other  ren- 
ditions. One  touching  moment 
occurred  when  they  were  play- 


ing "Jesus  Loves  Me,"  and  at 
that  precise  time  some  of  the 
children  from  the  Presbsrte- 
rian  Learning  Center  arrived 
on  the  scene! 

What  fascinated  their  audi- 
ence was  how  the  band  mem- 
bers had  made  their  own  in- 
struments, everything  from 
bells  from  an  old  organ,  gar- 
den trowels,  mule  shoes,  prune 
juice  bottles,  old  wash  tubs, 
and  discarded  tennis  rackets. 
It  was  a  perfect  example  of  the 
changing  nature  of  retirement, 
viz.  recycling  old,  often  dis- 
carded people  into  new  oppor- 
tunities for  the  music  of  life. 

Senior  Minister  Steve 
Eason  had  preached  a  sermon 
only  weeks  before  on  the 
"Power  of  Music,"  reminding 
the  congregation  that  Paul  and 
Silas  had  sung  hjrmns  at  mid- 
night while  in  prison.  Even 
though  many  of  these  gallant 
Christians  were  approaching 
the  midnight  of  their  lives,  they 
were  still  singing!  They  re- 
minded me  of  an  old  farmer 
who  met  a  tourist  who  asked 
him,  "Have  you  lived  here  all 
your  life?"  "No,"  he  replied. 


"not  yet." 

Despite  the  changing  im- 
age of  growing  older,  aging  is 
not  always  a  joyful  experience 
for  many  older  people.  Chronic 
illnesses,  multiple  losses  and 
relocation  to  strange  places 
makes  it  hard  to  sing  the  Lord's 
song. 

An  old  Scotsman  was  once 
asked  if  he  really  practiced 
what  he  sang  in  the  hsrmns  of 
the  church.  He  said  he  did.  His 


friend  jibed  him  by  asking, 
"What  about  the  third  verse  of 
"Take  My  Life,"  which  goes 
"Take  my  silver  and  my  gold, 
not  a  mite  would  I  withhold." 
"Ah,"  said  McGregor,  "I  hum 
that!"  It  is  not  easy  to  sing  the 
Lord's  song  in  the  strange  land 
of  old  age,  but  this  band  was 
an  exception.  They  reminded 
me  of  Tennyson's  words: 
"For  age  is  nothing  less 
Than  youth  itself,  though 


in  another  dress; 

And  as  the  evening  twilight 
fades  away. 

The  sky  is  filled  with  stars 
invisible  by  day." 

Associate  Minister  Donovan 
Drake  summed  up  the  occa- 
sion in  his  closing  prayer, 
"Praise  God  with  trumpet 
sound;  praise  Him  with  flute 
and  harp;  praise  Him  with 
timbrel  and  dance  ...  and  with 
prune  juice  bottles  and  mule 
shoes." 

If  you  want  to  bring  new 
energy  and  joy  to  your  church, 
invite  this  remarkable  band 
for  a  concert.  You  can  call  Kim- 
berly  Tauer,  director  of  social 
services  for  the  home,  at  (910) 
833-9111,  but  you'll  have  to 
wait  until  spring  of  1996. 
They're  booked  up  until  then! 


Synod  to  sponsor 
nnission  trip  to 
Czech  Republic 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
will  sponsor  a  mission  experi- 
ence with  the  Evangelical 
Church  of  the  Czech  Republic 
on  June  15-27,  1996. 

Up  to  25  persons  age  15  and 
older  from  the  synod  will: 

•  share  with  our  brothers 
and  sisters  in  Christ  in  East- 
ern Europe; 

•  gain  insights  into  the  mis- 
sion of  the  church  in  the  Czech 
Republic; 

•  work  with  the  Czech 
brethren  on  a  mission  project; 

•  worship  and  have  Bible 
study  together;  and 

•  enjoy  the  history  and 
sights  of  the  Czech  Republic 
and  neighboring  Slovakia. 

The  registration  deadline  is 
March  1. 

The  cost  will  be  approxi- 
mately $1,400  per  person  and 
includes  airfare,  room,  board, 
sights  and  materials.  A  first 
payment  of  $800  is  due  March 
1  and  the  remaining  $600  will 
be  due  May  1. 

To  apply  for  the  trip,  a  per- 
son needs  to  complete  an  ap- 
plication form,  obtain  two  rec- 
ommendations, attend  a  train- 
ing session  prior  to  departure, 
and  complete  all  reading  and 
forms. 

For  more  information  con- 
tact Betty  McGinnis  at  1234 
Tamarack  Tr.,  Arnold,  MD 
21012  or  phone  (410)  647-7494. 


For  sale 

Eighteen  solid  oal<  pews,  13- 
feet  long,  with  pew  cushions.  If 
interested  call  Barbecue  Pres- 
byterian Church  at  (919)  499- 
5211. 


A  Single  Gift  Can  Spread  Great  Joy 


iving  through  a  Charitable  Gift  Annuity  can  have 
far  reaching  effects.  And  even  a  small  gift  can 
make  a  big  difference  —  in  the  way  it  makes  you 
feel  and  in  the  support  it  provides  for  the  mission 
you  choose  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
or  a  cause  you  care  so  much  about.  ■  With  a 
Charitable  Gift  Annuity  through  the  Foundation, 
you  receive  a  guaranteed  income  for  life  and  may 
enjoy  certain  income  tax  benefits.  And  because 
you  designate  your  gift's  recipient,  you  know  it 
will  be  used  as  you  directed.  ■  To  learn  more 
about  the  joy  of  giving  through  a  Charitable  Gift 
Annuity,  call  us  toll-free. 


Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation 

1-800-289-0313 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/Decem! 


Union 


Seminaiy 

IN  VIRGINIA  ^ 


Union's  Newest 
Graduates  Serving 
Churches  in  Synod 

W/TH  GRADUATION  ONLY  FIVE  MONTHS  BEHIND  THEM,  12 

MEMBERS  Of  Union's  Class  of  1995  have  accepted  calls  to 

CONGREGATIONS  IN  THE  SyNOD  OF  THE  MiD-AtLANTIC.  NaMES  OF 
ALUMNI  AND  ALUMNAE,  THEIR  POSITIONS,  AND  CHURCHES  ARE  LISTED 

BELOW.  Additional  placements  will  be  announced  as  that 
information  is  made  available  to  the  seminary's  office  of 
Alumni/ae  and  Constituency  Relations. 

Mindy  Douglas  Adams,  Associate  Pastor 

First  Presbyterian  Church,  Wilson,  North  Carolina 

Amy  L.  Busse,  Associate  Pastor 

Rockville  Presbyterian  Church,  Rockville,  Maryland 

James  A  Evans  (Jim),  Pastor 

First  Presbyterian  Church,  Ahoskie,  North  Carolina 

William  A.  Green  (Bill),  Associate  Pastor 
Saxe  Gotha  Presbyterian  Church,  Lexington,  South 
Carolina 

Michael  J.  Hoyt  (Mike),  Pastor 

Loch  Willow  Presbyterian  Church,  Churchville,  Virginia 

Rufiis  Manfred  Johnston  IV 

Director  of  Christian  EducationA'outh 

Culpeper  Presbyterian  Church,  Culpeper;  Virginia 

Ruth*A.  Brouwer  Lenger,  Pastor 

Spencer  Presbyterian  Church,  Spencer,  North  Carolina 

Mitchell  L.  Miller  (Mitch),  Pastor 
Falling  Waters  Presbyterian  Church,  Hedgesville,  West 
Virginia 

Carol  S.  Sieverling,  Associate  Pastor 

Drist  Presbyterian  Church,  Rocky  Mount,  North  Carolina 

James  K.  Sledge,  Pastor 

Western  Boulevard  Presbyterian  Church,  Raleigh,  North 
Carolina 

Jonathan  T.  Van  Deventer  (Jon),  Pastor 
Westminster  Presbyterian  Church,  Whiteville,  North  • 
Carolina 


November  1995 


SEMINARY  RECEIVES 
$550,000  KRESGE 
CHALLENGE  GRANT 

Union  Seminar)  hasrecdvi-ii  .i  "^^-jU.uOn  vlulil^.•rl,l;^.■ 
granc  J^jBj  Ttic  Kifsjii-  f>oiind.«u)M  11)0  swiit  will  sui)- 
port  fijnd-rai,stng  efforts  d  m  ilu-  si.'inin.in's  SIl.OOD.iXX" 
library  construclton  project,  now  undtTw-.i\.  I'rujr  to  rf- 
qtiesting  assistance  froni  tlu-  toundriiion,  tiu'  M-:nn'n.iiy 
had  niis(.-ci  SCvh  million  tcnvard  coiistriKricm  .:<is|s.  '\o  rv- 
ceive  Kresge  fxinds,  tb-  ■^finin.in  inusi  mtx-i  a  ch.dk'ngi- 
goal  of  $3.9  million  by  tlif  end  of  iyy<i 

Announcing  llie  gi.iril.  I  ni'in  V'tnin,ir\-  I'ri-Mdent 
louis  B,  Weeks  .s;ii(J,  "riiis  is  .i  Mi;nifujm  omitiiniiion  to 
Lmion's  new  library.  Bui  it  iiitMiis  much  mf)ic  than  lliai 
A  challenge  grant  Irom  TTie  Kre^g^.■  1  ouncijlion  is  a  vote 
of  confidence  in  the  v/<ytk:'We%  feng  lit  r*:'  .u  Union 
now  and  the  work  we're  going  to  do  in.  'iu:  hiluie 

"At  the  same  time,"  Dr.  Weeks  added,  "The  Kresge 
Foundation  is  expressing  their  confidence  in  tiie  ptf  )ple 
whose  support  makes  it  possible  for  Unicai  to  provide 
first-rate  theological  education  for  the  Me  of  tiie  chsrcfa. 
The  foundation  recognizes  that  Union  is  sitting  lx-t:ausK 
it  has  now  and  has  always  had  -ii'  'ii;;  -Lippon  lixun  many 
people."  \'fflS§^^ 

'ilie  Kresge  Founcbition  is  an  independent, -private: 
foundation  created  by  the  persona!  gifts  of  Sel>astian  S,  ' 
Kresge,  Gnmts  from  the  foundiWion  are  made  to  institu- 
tions operating  in  the  areas  of  higher  education,  health 
and  long-term  care,  arts  and  humanities,  liuman  senices, 
.science  and  tfie  environment,  and  public  affairs.  Kresge- 
.supponed  projects  involve  construction  or  renovation  of 
tacilities  and  purclmse  of  major  capital  ec|iiipment  or  a^al 


Fall  Caravan  Visits  New 
Hope  Presbytery 


Union  Seminary's 
Fall  Caravan  journeyed 
to  the  western  part  of 
New  Hope  Presbytery, 
September  23-24.  Forty- 
three  churches  partici- 
pated in  the  event  which 
brought  seminary  stu- 
The  Reverend  Edwin  W.  Stock.  dents,  faculty,  and  ad- 
Jr.,  pastor  of  First  church,  ministrators  to  the  area 

Raleieh,  helped  oreanize  ^  ,  .  ,  , 

Union 's  Fall  Caravan.  The  preaching  and  teach- 

church  also  hosted  a  dinner  for  ing  in  the  local  congre- 
seminary  visitors  and  gallons.  The  Reverend 

participating  congregations. 


Tim  Bird;  Northgate,  Durham,  David  Tucker;  Oxford, 
Rick  Hildebrandt;  Providence,  Angier,  Janice  Farrish 
(contact);  First,  Raleigh,  Edwin  W.  Stock,  Jr.;  St 
Andrews,  Henderson,  Richard  Thomas;  St.  Barnabas,  Ra- 
leigh, Madeline  Peacock;  St.  Giles,  Raleigh,  Jim  White; 
Trinity,  Raleigh,  David  C.  Huffman;  Trinity  Avenue. 
Durham,  Kent  Clise;  Wake  Forest,  John  LaMotte;  West- 
ern Boulevard,  Raleigh,  James  Sledge;  Westminster,  Ra- 
leigh, Conway  Lanford;  Westminster,  Durham, 
Haywood  Holderness;  White  Memonal,  Raleigh, 
Arthur  Ross  ID;  White  Memorial,  Willow  Springs, 
Valerie  Rosenquist 


Edwin  W.  Stock,  Jr.^ 


Union  alumnus  and  pastor  of  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
helped  orchestrate  the  event,  which  included  a  Saturday 
night  dinner  hosted  by  First  church.  The  capacity  crowd 
was  addressed  by  Union  President  Louis  B.  Weeks. 

Among  the  pastors  of  participating  congregations, 
there  are  21  Union  graduates.  In  the  list  below,  church 
names  and  towns  appear  first,  followed  by  the  names  of 
pastors  or  contacts  for  the  Fall  Caravan.  Names  of 
Union  alumni  and  alumnae  appear  in  bold. 

Butner,  Dane  Vellenga;  Calvary,  Wilson,  Bennie 
Woodard  (contact);  Center  Ridge,  Kenly  and  Oak 
Grove,  Middlesex,  'William  Jarrett;  Covenant,  Durham, 
Mary  Milbourne  and  Boyd  Daniels;  Covenant,  Wendell, 
David  Kelly  (contact);  Davie  Street,  Raleigh,  Portia 
Turner  Williams;  Davis  Drive  (New  Church  Dev.),  Bar- 
bara Campbell-Davis  (contact);  DuRaleigh,  Raleigh, 
Daniel  M.  Woo;  Efland  &  Bethlehem,  Mebane,  Randy 
Wellford;  Englewood,  Rocky  Mount,  Charles  Coats; 
Ernest  Myatt,  Raleigh,  Graham  McChesney;  Fairview, 
Selma,  Bob  Inskeep;  Falkland,  Jean  Ganzel;  First 
Church,  Garner,  James  F.  Ferry;  First,  Goldsboro,  H. 
Edwin  Pickard;  Hudson  Memorial,  Raleigh,  Robert  E. 
Fields;  First,  Kinston,  Bob  Ratchford  and  Todd 
'Wright;  Kirk  of  Kildaire,  Cary,  Thomas  K.  Spence,  Jr.; 
Korean,  Goldsboro,  Shin  Kwang  Kang;  Little  River, 
Hurdle  Mills,  Guy  Miller  (contact);  Mebane  Memorial, 
Roxboro,  Kenneth  K.  Davis;  Milner  Memorial,  Raleigh, 
C.  Wylie  Smith;  New  Hope,  Chapel  Hill,  Harriett  Isbell; 
New  Hope,  Willow  Springs,  Tom  Westfall;  North  Caro- 
lina Korean,  Durham,  Young  Bai  Kwon;  North  Raleigh, 


The  Reverend  Daniel  Woo  ( right)  is  pastor  of  DuRaleigh 
church,  Raleigh,  where  Union  Ph.D.  student  Samuel  Shin  (left) 
preached  during  Fall  Caravan. 


Professor  fames  Smylie  preached  at  Trinity  Avenue  church, 
Durham.  With  Dr.  Smylie  are  Paula  Clise  (center),  whose 
husband,  the  Reverend  Kent  Clise,  is  pastor  of  the  church,  and 
fane  Rourk,  UTS  trustee  and  member  of  First  church,  Durham. 


Pastors'  Seminar  Looks  for  Ways  to  Help 
Churches  Grow 


A  continuing  education  program,  December  4-6, 
1995,  at  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia,  will 
help  pastors  look  for  ways  to  buck  the  trend  of 
declining  membership  in  their  churches.  "How  Mainline 
Churches  Can  Grow  in  Quality  and  Quantity"  will  be 
led  by  Edward  A.  White,  senior  consultant  with  the 
Alban  Institute. 

According  to  the  Reverend  White,  a  healthy 
congregation  can  adapt  structurally  to  growth  and 
successfully  attract  and  incorporate  new  members.  On 
the  other  hand,  a  congregation's  culture  can  block 
growth  and  vitality  and  can  lead  to  burnout  of  not  only 
the  pastor,  but  also  the  congregation's  lay  leadership. 

Edward  White  served  for  eight  years  as  a  parish 
pastor,  and  then  for  nearly  20  years  in  church  judicatory 
positions  in  Chicago  and  Washington,  D.C.  Since  1980, 
when  he  joined  the  Alban  Institute,  of  Bethesda, 
Maryland,  he  has  shared  his  expertise  in  areas  such  as 
strategic  planning,  team  building,  board  development, 
and  leadership  training  in  a  variety  of  settings. 


He  is  a  graduate  of  Wesleyan  University 
(Connecticut)  with  a  degree  in  history.  He  received  the 
Master  of  Divinity  degree  from  Union  Theological 
Seminary  (New  York),  and  the  Doctor  of  Ministry 
degree  from  McCormick  Theological  Seminary,  Chicago. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  National  Capital  Presbytery,  is 
past  president  of  both  the  Council  of  Churches  of 
Greater  Washington  and  the  Interfaith  Conference  of 
Metropolitan  Washington.  Currently  he  is  president  of 
the  Society  of  Advancement  of  Continuing  Education  for 
Ministry. 

Tuition  for  the  seminar  is  $135;  housing,  Sl6  per 
night,  double  occupancy;  or  $20  per  night,  private. 
Meals  are  pay  as  you  go,  $4.15  per  meal.  Payment  for 
tuition  and  housing  may  be  made  by  check  or  through 
MasterCard/ Visa.  To  register  or  receive  more 
information,  contact  Sandra  Petree  in  Union  Seminar) 's 
Office  of  Professional  Development  and  Doctor  of 
Ministry  Studies:  800.229.2990,  extension  301  (toll  free); 
804.278.4301  (local). 


PAID  FOR  BY  FRIENDS  AND  SUPPORTERS  OF  UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  IN  VIRGINIA 


;  6,      i  Atlantic  Presbj^terian,  November/December  1995 


Taber  to  lead  Western  N.C.  Presbytery 


MORGANTON,  N.C— The 
Rev.  J.  W.  (Bill)  Taber  was 
elected  executive  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Western  North  Caro- 
lina on  Oct.  17. 

Presbyters  gave  Taber,  the 
search  committee's  unanimous 
nominee,  a  standing  ovation 
when  his  name  was  announced 
during  the  meeting  at  First 
Church,  Cherryville.  He  has 


served  the  presbytery  as  an 
associate  executive  for  leader- 
ship development  since  August 
1990  and  added  the  duties  of 
stated  clerk  in  1994. 

A  graduate  of  Clemson  Uni- 
versity and  Columbia  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  Taber  is  also 
a  certified  Christian  educator. 
Prior  to  his  call  to  the  Western 
North  Carolina  staff,  he  had 


served  as  pastor  of  two  congre- 
gations, on  the  staff  of  Flint 
River  Presbytery,  and  as  a  con- 
sultant to  Foothills  Presbytery. 

The  Rev.  John  MacLeod 
served  as  interim  executive  of 
Western  North  Carolina  Pres- 
bytery following  the  Dec.  31, 
1994  resignation  of  Caroline 
Gourley  Grissette,  who  had 
been  executive  since  1989. 


CAM  installs  new  coordinator,  recognizes  Hare 


RIPLEY,  W.Va.— The  Coa- 
lition for  Appalachian  Minis- 
try (CAM)  governing  board 
installed  new  coordinator  Paul 
Rader  and  recognized  retiring 
coordinator  Frank  Hare  dur- 


ing its  Sept.  18-20  meeting 
here. 

Hare  served  as  coordinator 
for  10  years  until  his  retire- 
ment in  August. 

Rader  comes  to  CAM  from  a 


Announcing 

Presbyterian  Women 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
1996  Summer  Gatlnering 

June  13-16 
University  of  Riclnmond 
Richmond,  Va. 

'Encounter  with  Jesus: 
The  Gospel  of  Matthew' 

1996-97  Women's  Bible  Study 

Eugenia  Gamble,  Bible  Study  Leader 
Hazel  Fuhrmeister,  Keynote  Speaker 
Jeanne  E.  Bluford,  Music  Director 
Carolina  Hall,  Pianist 

Registration  Available  in  March 


pastorate  at  Enslow  Park  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Hunting- 
ton, W.Va. 

In  other  business,  the  CAM 
board  elected  the  following  of- 
ficers for  1996:  Chair  Carroll 
de  Forest  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America;  Vice  Chair 
Mary  Jane  Knapp  of  the 
PC(USA);  Secretary  Margaret 
Thiel  of  the  PC(USA);  and 
Treasurer  Tommy  Jobe  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

The  board  also  discussed 
plans  for  CAM's  1996  Spring 
Assembly,  "Unleashing  the 
Power  of  the  Laity,"  to  be  held 
April  16-17  at  Parchment  Val- 
ley in  Ripley,  W.Va. 

In  other  business,  the  board: 

•  approved  a  1996  budget 
of  $129,000; 

•  gave  preliminary  ap- 
proval to  45  Commission  on 
Religion  in  Appalachia  proj  ects 
for  grants  from  the  Presbyte- 
rian Hunger  Program;  and 

•  approved  a  workshop 
outline  for  sharing  CAM's 
work  with  church  groups. 


Racial  Ethnic  Ministry  interns 

The  three  seminary  students  pictured  here  participated 
in  the  synod's  Racial  Ethnic  Student  Minstry  Partnership 
this  past  year.  From  left,  they  are  Jon  Gujrton  who 
served  Highland  Memorial  Church  in  Winchester,  Va.; 
Alyce  Kelly  who  served  the  Freedom  and  Allen  Temple 
churches  in  Cleveland,  N.C;  and  Juan  Guthrie,  who 
served  Cameron,  Mocks ville  Second  and  Mt.  Vernon 
Churches  in  Salem  Presbytery.  The  student  ministry 
partnership  provides  services  through  the  interns 
mainly  to  small,  vacant  racial  ethnic  churches  unable  to 
afford  full-time  ministerial  services.  For  more 
information,  contact  the  Rev.  Warren  Lesane  Jr.  at  the 
synod  ofHce,  phone  (804)  342-0016. 


Charlotte  church  proposing  New  Year's  youth  event 


Covenant  Church  in  Charlotte, 
N.C,  is  inviting  youth  groups 
from  churches  across  North 
Carolina  and  Virginia  to  be- 
come part  of  a  retreat/lock-in 
celebration  of  New  Year's  Eve. 

Covenant's  Youth  Connec- 
tion is  interested  in  hosting 
the  event  with  the  help  of  other 
interested  churches. 


When  they  saw 
that  the  star 
had  stopped, 
they  were .  . 


T 


The  evening  will  likely  con- 
sist of  afternoon  group  build- 
ing and  a  keynote;  a  big  New 
Year's  Eve  feast;  a  visit  to 
Charlotte's  own  First  Night; 
in-house,  youth-lead  enter- 
tainment; a  big  bash  at  mid- 
night; an  inspirational  and  cre- 
ative midnight  worship  ser- 
vice; late-night  crazy  activi- 
ties; and  a  big  New  Year's 
breakfast. 

The  proposed  terms  of  par- 
ticipation include: 

1.  At  least  one  adult  and 
one  youth  from  each  church 
group  to  participate  in  plan- 


ning the  event. 

2.  Approximately  $10-20 
dollars  per  youth  for  enter- 
tainment, meals,  supplies,  and 
leadership  expenses. 

3.  One  adult  leader  for  ev- 
ery seven  participating  youth 
in  a  church  group. 

To  find  out  more  about  par- 
ticipating in  this  new  and 
mutually  beneficial  event,  con- 
tact John  Mayes,  interim 
youth  ministries  director  at 
Covenant  Church  at  (704)  333- 
9071,  ext.204,  or  write  to  him 
at  1000  East  Morehead  St., 
Charlotte,  NC  28204. 


Matthew  2:10 

The  Magi  brought  gifts  to  the  Christ  child  in  celebration  of  his  birth. 

The  Christmas  Joy  Offering  gratefully  acknowledges  through  assistance  programs 
of  the  Board  of  Pensions  the  gifts  of  those  who  have  faithfully  served  the  church 
and 

celebrates  the  gifts  being  developed  by  students 
at  our  racial-ethnic  schools  and  colleges. 

Continue  the  tradition. 

Please  give  generously  to  the 
1995  Christmas  Joy  Offering. 

To  order  FREE  promotional  materials  call  PDS  at  (800)  524-2612. 
For  information  about  the  offering  call  (502)  569-5187. 


The  1996 

Sprunt  Lectures 

January  29-51,  1996 

"~|  p  in  Celebration  of  the  50th  Anniversary  of 

Interpretation 


^LECTURERS 

Leander  E.  Keck 

Winkley  Professor  of 

Biblical  neology,  Yale 

Divinity  School 
Lisa  Sowle  Cahill 

Professor  of  neology ; 

Boston  College 
Carl  E.  Braaten 

Professor  ()f  Systematic 

Theology,  Lutheran  School 

of  Theology 
Richard  A.  Lisclier 

Professor  of  Homtletics, 

Duke  University 


^  ALI)IV1NI/AE  SPEAKER 

Frances  Taylor  Gencli 
Associate  Prpjvssor  of 
Biblical  Studies,  Lutheran 
Theological  Seminary 
at  Geth'shiirg,  Pennsvlvama 

G  II  E  S  T  S    OF  HONOR 

Donald  G.  Miller,  Balmer 

Kelly,  James  L,  Mays,  Paul  J. 

Achtemeier,  Jack  E).  KingsbiiiT, 

T,  Hartley  HaU  IV 
^9  R  E  A  C  H  E  R 

Beverly  Zink-Sawyer 

Instructor  of  Preaching  and 
Worship,  Union  TI:eological 
Semman' m  Virginia 


Union  Theological  Seminary  i 

3401  Brook  Road.  Rtcbmoiid.  Mrgitiia 
800.229.2990  x228 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/Decembe 


Richard  Morgan's  newest  book 

is  a  guide  for  better  living  ...  and  dying 


Autumn  Wisdom:  A  Book  of 
Readings  by  Richard  L.  Mor- 
gan. Forward  by  Stephen 
Sapp.  1995.  Upper  Room 
Books,  (800)  972-0433. 

Review  by  John  D.  MacLeod  Jr. 

Generally,  devotional  books  do 
not  have  a  lot  of  appeal  for  me. 
This  definitely  is  an  exception. 
Too  many  seem  mush  and 
overly  sentimental.  That  is  not 
true  of  this  one,  which  deals  in 
a  straightforward  way  with  the 
most  serious  questions  of  life 
and  of  death. 

Too  often  (I  hope  I  am  not 
unfair)  devotional  meditations 
tend  to  be  trite,  full  of  plati- 
tudes, and  fairly  shallow. 
Again,  not  this  book.  It  deals 
with  the  stark  loneliness  of 
nursing  homes,  senile 
dementia,  and  even  assisted 
suicide. 

Unless  built  around  a  theme 
such  as  Advent  or  the  Passion, 
devotional  books  tend  to  be 
unfocused:  a  move  in  this  di- 
rection, another  move  in  that 
direction.  This  book  moves  re- 
lentlessly from  the  fact  of  a 
longer  life-span  to  the  ineluc- 
table finality  of  death. 

Have  I  said  enough  that  you 
will  definitely  not  want  a  book 
like  this?  If  so,  I  need  to  say 


more — because  this  is  a  book 
to  make  your  spirits  soar,  to 
enrich  your  life,  to  move  you 
deeply  and  at  the  same  time, 
to  entertain,  amuse,  delight 
and  educate  you! 

The  format  is  simple:  Scrip- 
ture, a  Reading,  a  Meditation, 
and  a  Prayer.  Fairly  standard 
you  may  say.  But  the  Read- 
ings are  drawn  from  an  in- 
credible variety  of  writers — 
ancient  and  modern,  known 
and  unknown.  Here  one  finds 
John  Donne,  a  first-rate  devo- 
tional writer  and  the  excep- 
tion to  all  my  objections  above. 
But  here  also  are  Maggie 
Kuhn,  John  David  Burton, 
Kurt  Vonnegut,  and  W.E.B. 
Dubois,  and  more  and  more. 

And  the  Scriptures  are  the 
choices  of  a  Biblical  scholar 
who  makes  connections  we 
never  thought  of  before — but 
which  we  instinctively  feel  are 
right  on  the  mark. 

The  Meditations  are  his  own 
thoughts,  but  with  frequent 
quotations  from  persons  who 
are  growing  older,  or  dealing 
with  persons  growing  old.  He 
draws  us  movingly  into  his 
own  personal  experiences  and 
cites  his  father  and  his  brother 
John,  and  yet  so  that  one  feels 
not  intrusive  but  invited  into 
the  inner  heart  of  the  family. 


The  Prayers  are  to  the  point 
without  wasted  words  or  much 
speaking. 

One  of  the  significant  fea- 
tures is  that  we  often  hear  the 
voices  of  older  persons  them- 
selves, their  own  obsei^ations, 
their  own  reactions.  Morgan's 
pastoral  care  and  love  and  sen- 
sitivity are  always  there;  yet 
he  is  constantly  surprising  us 
with  humorous  stories  and 
quick  quips. 

Would  should  read  this 
book? 

First,  persons  whose  steps 
have  begun  to  falter,  whose 
prognosis  is  poor,  whose  birth- 
days are  many. 

Second,  caregivers  in  hos- 
pitals, retirement  homes,  nurs- 
ing homes,  and  just  in  one's 
own  home. 

Third,  persons  whose  par- 
ents are  on  the  declining  side 
of  the  hill,  not  just  those  who 
are  daily  caregivers,  but  those 
who  need  to  understand  how 
it  looks  from  over  there. 

Fourth,  all  adult  persons 
who  are  going  to  die  ....  This 
book  will  help  you  live  better 
and  die  better.  It  is  hard  to  ask 
for  more. 

John  MacLeod's  latest  re- 
tirement venture  has  been  as 
interim  executive  of  Western 
North  Carolina  Presbytery 


Balloon  time 

Carlita  Hunter  of  Harrisburg,  N.C.,  leads  commissioners 
to  the  209th  Synod  Assembly  in  a  song  during  the  opening 
session  Oct.  12  at  Three  Chopt  Church  in  Richmond.  The 
balloons  were  part  of  an  earlier  exercise. 


Westminster-Canterbury  of  Richmond  celebrates  20th  anniversary 


RICHMOND— Westminster- 
Canterbiuy  of  Richmond  cel- 
ebrated its  20th  year  vrith  a 
festival  service  on  Oct.  21. 

The  religious  program  also 
marked  the  end  of  months  of 
construction  and  renovation. 

"Twenty  years  is  not  a  long 
history  in  most  fields,  but  in 
our  relatively  new  one,  20 
years  of  success  is  indeed  an 
achievement,"  said  West- 
minster-Canterbury Manage- 
ment Corporation  president, 
W.  Thomas  Cunningham  Jr. 

Dignitaries  representing 
the  facility's  Presbyterian  and 
Episcopal  roots  were  in  atten- 


dance. Among  the  former  were 
Dr.  Isabel  Rogers,  professor  at 
the  Presbyterian  School  of 
Christian  Education  and 
former  moderator  of  the 


The  General  Assembly  has 
established  Sunday,  Jan.  28, 
1996,  as  Presbyterian  Access 
Sunday  across  the  denomina- 
tion. 

Congregations  are  encour- 
aged to  celebrate  the  gifts  of 
people  with  disabilities  and  to 
challenge  the  church  to  be 


PC(USA);  Dr.  Louis  Weeks, 
president  of  Union  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  in  Virginia;  and 
J.  Edwin  Givens,  one  of  the 
corporation's  first  presidents. 


more  accessible. 

The  General  Assembly  calls 
on  all  Presbyterian  congrega- 
tions, ministries  and  govern- 
ing bodies  to  be  inclusive  and 
accessible  for  people  with  dis- 
abilities. 

Suggestions  for  observing 
the  day  include: 

•  a  worship  service  around 
the  theme  of  disabilities; 


The  Rev.  W.  Ray  Inscoe, 
Westminster-Canterbury's  di- 
rector of  pastoral  care,  offici- 
ated during  the  anniversary 
service. 


•  an  adult  study  on  dis- 
ability issues; 

•  an  audit  of  your  church's 
building  accessibility;  and 

•  a  Sunday  school  curricu- 
lum that  teaches  about  dis- 
abilities. 

For  more  information  con- 
tact the  Presb3^erian  Health 
Education  and  Welfare  Asso- 
ciation, phone  (502)  569-5800. 


A  Little-Known  Fact  About 
Westminster-Canterbury- 


...swingin^  is  allowed! 


Whether  you  want  to  swing 
a  club,  swim  o  lop,  sing  a  hymn 
or  practically  anything  else  that 
constitutes  an  activity  for  body, 
mind,  or  spirit,  you'll  find  it  at 
Westminster-Canterbury. 

You  will  also  find  on-site  assisted 
living  ,  nursing  care  and  a 
resident  clinic.  In  other  words, 
lifecare,  all  under  one  roof,  all 
located  right  on  the  spectacular 
Chesapeake  Bay. 

To  receive  our  comprehensive 
information  packet,  please 
mail  the  coupon  or  call  our 
admissions  counselor.  Sherry  O' 
Shell,  at  1  -804-496-1 148  or  1  -800- 
349-1722.  She'll  swing  into  action 
for  you. 


A  CONTINUING  CARE  RETIREMENT  COMMUNITY 
ON  THE  BEAUTIFUL  CHESAPEAKE  BAY 


Episc^Jal'Dioces 


Mail  To:  Sheny  O'Shell,  Admissbns  Counselor 

Westminster-Canterbury 

3100  Shore  Drive 

Virginia  Beach,  VA  23451 

Name  

Address  

City  State  ^    -  7  c  ^  

Phone -(  )  


Belk  Catechism  Awards 


The  following  young  Presbyterians  have  received  certificates 
and  monetary  awards  for  reciting  the  Catechism  for  Young 
Children  or  the  Shorter  Catechism.  The  synod's  catechism 
fund,  established  by  the  late  W.H.  Belk,  provides  recognition  to 
boys  and  girls  age  15  and  younger  who  recite  either  catechism. 

The  most  recent  recipients  are  from: 

Chadbourn  (N.C.)  Church — ^Adrienne  Ivey  and  Jena  Ivey 

First  Church,  Marion,  N.C. — Laura  Dark 

First  Church,  Raleigh,  N.C. — Jonathan  Covington,  Christo- 
pher Dionne,  Erin  Nicholson,  and  Julia  Thomas 

First  Church,  Whiteville,  N.C. — Jeffrey  Kindschuh,  Sarah 
Kindschuh,  Elizabeth  Lee,  Justine  Smith,  Janna  Neisler, 
Thurston  Pope,  and  Nathan  Sellars 

Graves  Memorial  Church,  Clinton,  N.C. — Bradford  Held 

Wallace  (N.C.)  Church— Betty  Jo  Tillman 


Life  Care  Retirement 


Ra^^l^^dck  ^festminster-Caiitiarbury 


P  Lancaster  Drive  *  Irvington,  Viiginia  22480  ♦  (804)  ^-4000 


C\I.L  TOLL  I  REE  H()0-792-1444 


Customized  Group  Tours  of  Interest 
to  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterians 

Celebrate  Holy  Week  in  Israel  and  Italy 

March  25-April5, 1996 
6  nights  in  tine  Holy  Land, 
and  4  nights  in  Rome,  Florence  and  Milan 
Hosted  by  Leighton  &  Edna  McKeithen 
and  Ernie  &  Connie  Johnson 


Reformation  History  and  Art 

July  26-August  8,  1996 
A  13-day  tour  of  Switzerland,  Germany,  Hungary 
&  the  Netherlands 
Sponsored  by  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia 
Hosted  by  Carl  and  Jean  Howie 


Scotland 

(June  &  August  Tours  Now  In  Planning  Stages) 


For  further  information  contact  Bruce  Fr/e 
at  1  (800)  672-6696 

Travel  Time,  Inc. 

1000  S.  Main  St.,  Laurinburg,  NC  28352- 


January  28  is  Presbyterian  Access  Sunday' 


Campus  Notes 


Ph-j?  o.  MiJ'Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1995 

PSCE  trustees  vote  to  sell 
property  to  Baptist  seminary 


RICHMOND— The  Presbyte- 
rian School  of  Christian 
Education's  trustees  approved 
Nov.  9  the  sale  of  property  to 
the  Baptist  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  Richmond. 

By  a  19  to  9  vote  the  trust- 
ees voted  to  sell  Watts  Hall  (a 
dormitory)  and  property 
stretching  eastward  to  Brook 
Road.  The  Baptist  seminary 
will  also  receive  one-half,  un- 
divided interest  in  Lingle  Hall, 
which  houses  food  services  and 
a  book  store. 

The  $1.9  million  purchase 
price  includes  $500,000  to  be 
committed  toward  approxi- 
mately $1  million  worth  of 
renovations  to  Lingle  Hall. 

Closing  would  occur  around 
July  1,  1996. 

Any  future  construction  on 
the  school's  campus  would 
have  to  pass  architectural  and 
zoning  restrictions. 

Baptist  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  Richmond  (BTSR)  has 
leased  some  of  PSCE's  facili- 
ties since  1989. 

The  BTSR  board  approved 
the  proposal  during  its  Oct. 
15-18  meeting. 


Supporters  of  the  proposed 
transaction  describe  the  deal 
as  a  "win-win"  situation  for 
both  PSCE  and  BTSR. 

"PSCE  gets  a  much  needed 
increase  in  our  small  endow- 
ment and  a  long-awaited,  sig- 
nificant decrease  in  our  main- 
tenance burden,"  said  T)r. 
Wayne  G.  Boulton,  PSCE 
president.  "This  in  turn  will 
allow  us  to  focus  on  our  true 
mission,  which  is  the  church, 
people  and  programs. 

"And  BTSR  gets  a  perma- 
nent home  in  an  ideal  loca- 
tion," Boulton  added. 

"Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary, PSCE  and  BTSR  can 
remain  neighbors  with  The 
School  of  Theology  at  Virginia 
Union  University  in  the  Rich- 
mond Theological  Consor- 
tium." 

"It  appears  to  me  to  be  a 
good  move,  a  wise  move,  a 
matter  of  stewardship,"  said 
Freda  A.  Gardner,  a  General 
Assembly  Council  member, 
PSCE  board  member  and 
alumna  from  Princeton,  N.J. 

Signers  of  a  statement  op- 
posing the  appeal  say  they 


want  the  Baptist  seminary  to 
receive  support  and  experience 
growth,  but  without  the  sale 
of  property.  They  say  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  is  at  a  point 
where  broadly  interpreted 
educational  ministry  is  very 
important  and  new  leadership 
strategies  are  needed  to  meet 
this  challenge. 

Their  statement,  which  ap- 
peared as  a  paid  advertise- 
ment in  the  Oct.  16  issue  of 
The  Presbyterian  Outlook 
stated,  "We  are  deeply  con- 
cerned for  the  future  prosper- 
ity and  effective  service  of  the 
Presb3rterian  School  of  Chris- 
tian Education.  We  believe 
that  you  share  this  concern. 
We  are  convinced  that  dispos- 
ing of  irreplaceable  land  and 
buildings  can  be  disastrous." 

Opponents  to  the  sale  said 
that  when  Presbyterians  were 
made  aware  of  PSCE's  situa- 
tion, they  would  respond  with 
adequate  financial  support. 

Information  for  this  article 
came  from  the  Presbyterian 
News  Service  and  the  Rich- 
mond Times-Dispatch. 


Campus  ministry  forum 


Campus  ministry  outreach  at  Virginia  State 


By  VICTORIA  J.  ADAMS 

My  phone  rang.  "Vickie,  I  know 
you're  otherwise  engaged  at 
this  time,  but  we  really  need 
you  here  at  the  center,  now! 
Mafumo  is  very  depressed, 
and,  well,  we  just  need  you 
here  to  support  us." 

This  call  for  support  came 
from  the  Interfaith  Campus 
Ministry  Center  early  one  af- 
ternoon leading  up  to  Labor 
Day  Weekend.  Mafumo,  a 
graduate  student  from  South 
Africa,  was  at  his  wits  end 
trying  to  cope  with  the  culture 
shock  and  adjustments  which 
it  required. 

I  dropped  what  I  was  doing 

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and  went  immediately  to  the 
center.  Mafumo  was  really 
stressed  out.  He  was  having 
bad  dreams  and  even  night- 
mares. We  decided  the  most 
appropriate  response  at  this 
point  was  to  listen.  By  doing 
so,  we  gathered  that:  1)  He 
was  convinced  that  something 
was  remiss  with  his  family 
back  in  South  Africa;  2)  He 
was  extremely  anxious  about 
some  physical  problems  he  was 
experiencing;  and  3)  He  was 
dreading  the  long  holiday 
weekend  in  a  strange  environ- 
ment with  no  constructive  en- 
gagement. 

Once  we  understood  the 
primary  causes  of  his  dis-ease, 
we  quickly  pulled  together  a 
support  team  of  clergy  per- 
sons (one  of  his  denomination). 


t 


FIBERGLASS  STEEPLES 
CROSSES  -  BAPTISTRIES 
WATER  HEATERS 


A 


LiniE  GIANT  MANUFAQURING  CO. 

Box  51 8  /  Orange,  Texas  77630 
DIAL  TOLL  FREE  1  -800-231  -6035 


Interfaith  Campus  Ministry 
Center  staff,  student  and  com- 
munity volunteers.  Between 
us  we  developed  a  strategy, 
with  his  participation,  to  get 
him  through  the  weekend  and 
to  remain  available  to  him  until 
his  problems,  both  real  and 
imagined,  were  resolved. 

This  is  an  example  of  ways 
in  which  we  minister  to  the 
campus  community  generally 
and  our  outreach  to  the  inter- 
national student  community 
(ISC)  in  particular.  The  grati- 
tude expressed  by  the  ISC  af- 
firms the  validity  of  our  effort 
to  minister  to  the  total  univer- 
sity and  provides  the  ministry 
with  continuing  opportunities 
to  be  in  service  and  model  our 
claim  as  God's  witnessing  com- 
munity within  the  university 
setting. 

For  more  information  about 
this  and  other  outreach  pro- 
grams, contact  Paula  Setzer- 
Storrs,  the  Rev.  James  Daniely 
or  Victoria  J.  Adams  at  (804) 
524-5214. 

The  Wesley -Westminster 
Campus  Ministry  at  Virginia 
State  University  is  one  of  42  in 
the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

FREE  ESTIMATES 


A&H 

^RT  &  STAINED  GLA^ 
COMPANY,  INC 


Davidson  ends  $158  million  drive 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.— Davidson  College  officially  concluded  its 
successful  "Campaign  for  Davidson"  Oct.  6  with  a  fall  convoca- 
tion highlighted  by  an  address  by  John  Brademas,  president 
emeritus  of  New  York  University  and  adviser  to  the  U.S. 
government  on  the  arts  and  education.  During  the  past  five 
years,  the  "Campaign  for  Davidson"  raised  $158  million  for  the 
Annual  Fund  to  support  teaching,  enhance  physical  facilities, 
strengthen  academic  resources  and  enrich  student  life.  Na- 
tional campaign  chair  Beverly  F.  Dolan,  former  CEO  of  Textron, 
declared  the  campaign  ended  and  reviewed  the  things  it  al- 
lowed the  college  to  achieve. 

Worth  elected  chair  of  trustees 

RALEIGH,  N.C.— Sherry  Cameron  Worth  of  Raleigh  was  elected 
Oct.  19  as  the  first  woman  to  be  chair  of  the  Peace  College  Board 
of  Trustees.  A  member  of  the  board  since  1989,  she  succeeds 
Stephen  P.  Zelnak  as  chair.  Carol  Williams  Bilbro  will  be  the 
board's  vice  chair.  Both  women  are  members  of  White  Memo- 
rial Church  in  Raleigh. 

St.  Andrews  gets  grant  for  riding 

LAURINBURG,  N.C.— A  $146,000  federal  grant  will  allow  St. 
Andrews  Presbyterian  College  to  estabhsh  a  first-of-its-kind 
therapeutic  riding  curriculum,  leading  to  a  four-year  degree  in 
the  subject.  The  Fund  for  the  Improvement  of  Postsecondary 
Education  (FIPSE)  awarded  the  three-year  grant  to  St.  Andrews 
an  J  the  North  American  Riding  for  the  Handicapped  Associa- 
tion (NARHA)  to  train  and  certify  instructors  in  the  growing 
field  of  using  horses  to  benefit  persons  with  disabilities. 

Minority  scholarships  to  Queens 

CHARLOTTE,  N.C.— The  Coca-Cola  Foundation  (Atlanta)  has 
committed  $20,000  to  Queens  College  to  fund  the  Coca-Cola 
Presidential  Minority  Scholarship  Program,  now  one  of  three 
Coca-Cola-  affiliated  scholarships  at  the  college.  The  grant  will 
provide  one  $10,000  scholarship  in  1996-97  and  another  in 
1997-98. 

Dale,  Prosser  join  Union  staff 

RICHMOND,  Va. — Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia 
has  announced  two  staff  appointments.  The  Rev.  James  W. 
Dale  has  been  appointed  as  the  new  director  of  admissions.  A 
Union  graduate.  Dale  received  a  doctor  of  ministry  degree 
there  in  1980,  a  master  of  sacred  theology  degree  from  Yale 
Divinity  School  and  studied  at  the  University  of  Paul  Valery  in 
Montpellier,  France.  For  the  past  eight  years,  he  has  been 
pastor  of  Springfield  Church  in  Sykesville,  Md. 

William  A.  Prosser  has  been  named  vice  president  for 
administration  and  treasurer  at  the  seminary.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  faculty  at  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  and  for 
the  past  four  years  has  served  as  the  school's  vice  president  for 
finance.  , 

Warren  Wilson  makes  honor  roll  ' 

ASHEVILLE,  N.C.— Warren  Wilson  College  has  been  elected 
to  the  1995  John  Templeton  Foundation  Honor  Roll  for  Char- 
acter Building  Colleges.  The  list  includes  124  colleges  and  was 
selected  by  college  staff  across  the  country.  Warren  Wilson 
reported  a  fall  enrollment  of  585  students,  the  highest  in  the 
college's  history.  The  student  body  includes  men  and  women 
from  46  states  and  20  countries. 

Montreat  College  hosts  conference 

MONTREAT,  N.C.— Dr.  Paul  T.  Eckels,  former  pastor  of  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Atlanta,  was  the  keynote  speaker  for 
the  Oct.  29-31  World  Missions  Conference,  cosponsored  by 
Montreat  College  and  Montreat  Presbyterian  Church. 

CTS  to  offer  spiritual  formation  week 

DECATUR,  Ga. — An  immersion  week  focusing  on  spirituality 
will  be  under  way  Feb.  11-16  at  Columbia  Theological  Semi- 
nary as  part  of  the  seminary's  new  three-year  program  in 
spiritual  formation.  For  information  phone  (404)  687-4557. 


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Three  endorsed  for  General  Assembly  moderator 


As  of  Nov.  1  there  were  three 
endorsed  candidates  for  mod- 
erator of  the  208th  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presb)rterian 
Church  (U.S.A.). 

They  are  the  Rev.  John 
McCormick  Buchanan,  pastor 
of  Fourth  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Chicago;  the  Rev.  John 
Clark  Poling,  pastor  of  First 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Las 
Cruces,  N.M.;  and  the  Rev. 
Norman  D.  Pott,  pastor  of  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  San 
Rafael,  Calif. 

The  Assembly  is  scheduled 
for  June  29- July  5  in  Albu- 
querque, N.M. 

John  Buchanan 

Buchanan  was  endorsed 
Oct.  10  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Chicago.  A  native  of  Altoona, 
Pa.,  Buchanan  served  as  a 
member  of  the  Special  Com- 
mittee on  Reconciliation  at  the 
207th  General  Assembly 
(1995)  in  Cincinnati.  He  also 
served  as  moderator  of  the 
Committee  on  GA  Council  Re- 
view at  the  206th  General  As- 


sembly ( 1994)  in  Wichita,  Kan. 
He  graduated  from  Franklin 
and  Marshall  College  in 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  and  received 
the  master  of  divinity  degree 
from  the  Divinity  School  of  the 
University  of  Chicago/The 
Chicago  Theological  Semi- 
nary. 

Buchanan  served  pastor- 
ates at  Dyer,  Ind.,  Lafayette, 
Ind.,  and  Columbus,  Ohio,  be- 
fore coming  to  Chicago.  The 
4,100-member  Fourth  Presby- 
terian Church  is  nearly  125 
years  old.  At  its  present  loca- 
tion since  1913,  the  church 
was  organized  following  the 
merger  of  two  Presbyterian 
congregations  in  1871. 

Buchanan  serves  on  the 
board  of  trustees  of  the  Board 
of  Pensions  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.)  and  is  on 
the  governing  board  of  the 
National  Council  of  Churches. 
He  is  a  member  of  Chicago 
Presbytery's  Committee  on 
Professional  Development  and 
moderates  the  presbytery's 
Bicentennial  Fund  Commit- 


tee. 

Stating  that  categories  like 
"moderate,"  "liberal"  and  "con- 
servative" are  of  limited  use- 
fulness, Buchanan  described 
himself  to  the  Presbyterian 
News  Service  as  "somewhere 
in  the  middle."  "I  think  I'm  in 
the  mainstream  of  Presbyteri- 
anism,  which  is  occasionally 
more  liberal  than  conserva- 
tive and  sometimes  more  con- 
servative than  liberal." 

John  Poling 

Poling  was  endorsed  Sept. 
30  by  Sierra  Blanca  Presby- 
tery. 

Poling  is  from  the  area 
where  he  now  serves,  having 
been  born  in  El  Paso,  Texas. 
He^ew  up  there  and  in  Phila- 
delphia and  Salem,  Ore.  A 
graduate  of  the  University  of 
Texas  at  El  Paso,  Poling  spent 
two  years  in  the  Peace  Corps 
in  Ecuador  prior  to  attending 
Princeton  Theological  Semi- 
nary. 

He  served  pastorates  in 
Duncanville  and  Arlington, 


Texas,  and  Downington,  Pa., 
before  coming  to  Las  Cruces. 
The  550-member  Las  Cruces 
church  is  112  years  old,  hav- 
ing been  started  as  an  His- 
panic mission  church  by  Santa 
Fe  Presbytery. 

Poling  has  served  on  both 
the  Synod  of  the  Southwest 
and  Sierra  Blanca  Presbytery 
budget  committees.  He  is  cur- 
rently on  the  presbytery's 
Committee  on  Ministry  and 
Mission  2000  Task  Force. 

He  describes  himself  as  a 
moderate.  "After  conversa- 
tions with  folks  in  the  middle, 
I  have  found  that  we're  always 
in  the  cross  fire,"  he  told  the 
Presbyterian  News  Service.  "If 
you  look  at  the  Presbyterian 
Church  theologically,  it's  a 
pretty  normal  bell  curve — I 
want  to  keep  the  bell  ringing 
without  being  too  distracted 
by  all  the  racket  from  the 
fringes." 

Norman  Pott 

Pott  was  endorsed  by  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  San 


Presbyterians  featured  in  Christmas  TV  special 


PCOJSA)  News  Service 

The  magic  and  wonder  of 
Christmas  will  be  revisited  this 
holiday  season  in  a  new  televi- 
sion special  sponsored  by  the 
Presbjdierian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
and  First  Presbyterian  Church 


of  Atlanta. 

The  program,  "Born  in  the 
Night,"  was  produced  for  the 
National  Council  of  Churches 
(NCC)  and  will  be  broadcast 
by  ABC  stations  on  Dec.  24  or 
25.  Videotapes  of  the  program 
will  also  be  available  from  Pres- 


b3^erian  Distribution  Service 
(PDS)  for  $19.95. 

According  to  an  NCC  pro- 
motional release,  the  show 
"promises  to  be  exciting  and 
different,  contemporary  and 
yet  also  traditional."  The 
show's  premise  is  that  in 


Applications  sought  for  GA  Stated  Clerk 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— Applica- 
tion forms  for  Stated  Clerk  of 
the  General  Assembly  will  be 
available  after  Oct.  23,  accord- 
ing to  the  Stated  Clerk  Re- 
view/Nomination Committee. 
Completed  applications  must 
be  postmarked  no  later  than 
Jan.  16,  1996. 

The  nine-member  Stated 
Clerk  Review/Nomination 
Committee  was  elected  by  this 
year's  General  Assembly.  Its 
task  is  to  conduct  the  end-of- 
term  review  for  the  incum- 
bent Stated  Clerk,  the  Rev. 
James  E.  Andrews,  and  to 
nominate  a  candidate  to  suc- 
ceed him  to  next  year's  Gen- 
eral Assembly  in  Albuquerque. 


Andrews,  having  served 
three  four-year  terms,  is  ineli- 
gible for  reelection. 

The  committee  is  composed 
of  three  persons  nominated  by 
the  Committee  on  the  Office  of 
the  General  Assembly 
(COGA),  one  person  nomi- 
nated by  the  General  Assem- 
bly Council  (GAC)  and  five 
persons  nominated  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  Nominating 
Committee.  Those  five  must 
include  one  stated  clerk  of  a 
presbytery  or  synod,  two  el- 
ders and  two  ministers  who 
have  been  commissioners  to  a 
General  Assembly. 

Committee  members  (and 
their  presbyterys)  are: 

•  from  COGA:  Brian  D. 
Ellison  (Olympia),  Robert  E. 
Adcock  (Grace)  and  the  Rev. 


Harriet  Nelson  (Redwoods); 

•  from  GAC :  The  Rev.  Sandy 
Peirce  (Sacramento) 

•  at-large:  The  Rev.  John 
Bartholomew  (St.  Augustine), 
the  Rev.  Bryant  George  (Na- 
tional Capital),  the  Rev. 
Patricia  Pabst  (Pueblo),  Emily 
Spicer  (Cincinnati),  and  Rich- 
ard Virkus  (Monmouth). 

Correspondence  should  be 
mailed  to  the  Stated  Clerk 
Review/Nomination  Commit- 
tee, 3521  Conata,  Duarte,  CA 
91010,  or  faxed  to  (818)  357- 
0207. 


today's  Atlanta  as  well  as  in 
the  Bethlehem  of  Jesus'  time 
life  goes  on  even  in  the  pres- 
ence of  such  events  as  the  birth 
of  the  Christ. 

"The  sights  and  sounds  of 
children  singing,  bells  ring- 
ing, candles  glowing,  glad  tid- 
ings proclaimed  will  be  woven 
together  with  scenes  of  the 
city  at  night,  the  world  of  joy 
and  sadness,  hope  and  de- 
spair," the  release  says. 
"People  everywhere  wait  for  a 
time  of  peace  and  justice." 

Singers  and  musicians  of 
First  Presbyterian  Church 
provide  the  musical  sound- 
track for  the  program,  which 
also  includes  Christmas  medi- 
tations by  its  pastor,  the  Rev. 
George  Wirth,  and  other  pas- 
tors and  members  of  the 
church.  The  city  of  Atlanta 
supplies  the  visual  backdrop 
for  "Born  in  the  Night." 

Videotapes  can  be  ordered 
by  calling  (800)  524-2612  and 
askingfor  PDS  #703 10-95-022. 


Statement  of  Ownership,  Management  and  Circulation 

(required  by  39  U.S.C.  3685) 

Date:  Oct.  3, 1995.  Publication  Title:  l^id-Atlantic  Presbyte- 
rian. Issue  Frequency:  Montiily,  except  February,  August 
and  December.  Nine  issues  annually.  Annual  subscription 
price:  none.  Location  of  lieadquarters  of  general  business 
offices  of  the  publisiier:  3218  Cliamberlayne  Ave.,  Rich- 
mond, VA  23227.  Publisher:  The  Rev.  Carroll  Jenkins,  P.O. 
Box  27026,  Richmond,  VA  23261  -7026.  Editor:  John  Sniffen, 
P.O.  Box  27026,  Richmond,  VA  23261-7026.  Owner:  Synod 
of  the  l\/lid-Atlantic  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  P.O. 
Box  27026,  Richmond,  VA  23261-7026.  Known  bond  hold- 
ers, mortgagees,  and  other  security  holders:  none. 

Extent  and  nature  of  circulation 
Total  number  copies  printed:  average  number  preceding  12 
months  177,557;  latest  issue  177,600.  Sales  through  deal- 
ers, etc.:  none.  MaW  subscriptions:  average  170,158;  latest 
issue  168,078.  Free  distribution:  average  2,548;  Iatest2,548. 
Total  distribution:  average  172,706;  latest  170,626.  Office 
use,  leftover,  etc.:  average  4,851 ;  latest  6,974.  Returns  from 
news  agents:  none.  Total  average  177,557;  latest  177,600. 
I  certify  that  the  statements  made  by  me  are  correct  and 
complete.  (Signed)  John  Sniffen,  Editor. 


Rafael,  Calif,  and  the  Presby- 
tery of  the  Redwoods. 

According  to  the  Rev.  Brian 
Tippen,  executive  of  Redwoods 
Presbytery,  Pott's  nomination 
was  supported  by  a  "very 
strong  majority."  Tippen  said 
Potts  is  known  as  a  compas- 
sionate leader  with  a  broad 
vision  of  the  church  who  sees 
the  need  to  continually  define 
mission  for  a  new  period.  "He 
knows  pastoral  ministry  ...  he 
knows  congregational  life  and 
the  challenges  there,"  Tippen 
told  the  news  service. 

Pott  earned  his  bachelor  of 
arts  in  Bible  from  Wheaton 
College.  In  his  senior  year,  he 
was  named  to  the  National 
Association  of  Intercollegiate 
Athletes  (NAIA)  All-America 
basketball  team  and  was  a 
sixth-round  draft  choice  of  the 
Philadelphia  76ers.  Pott  in- 
stead chose  to  enter  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary,  where 
he  earned  a  bachelor  of  divin- 
ity in  1957,  and  the  Ph.D.  was 
conferred  on  him  hy  the  Uni- 
versity of  Edinburgh  in  Scot- 
land three  years  later. 

Pott  has  also  served  several 
other  congregations  on  the 
West  Coast,  including  Central 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Eu- 
gene, Ore.;  Community  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Davis, 
Calif.;  and  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Berkeley.  He  was 
the  first  moderator  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  the  Cascades  in  1973. 

According  to  Pott,  the  basic 
issue  in  the  church  right  now 
is  "whether  we  are  going  to 
move  forward  or  stand  still. 

"I  feel  there's  a  lot  of  dis- 
couragement in  the  church 
because  of  diminishing  num- 
bers and  dollars.  But  I  tend  to 
see  the  church  as  being  led  by 
the  risen  Christ  ...  and  the 
basic  mood  of  the  church 
should  be  one  of  celebration," 
Pott  said,  insisting  that  Chris- 
tians must  simultaneously 
reckon  with  the  reality  that 
the  church  is  surrounded  by  a 
society  that  is  indifferent  or 
even  resistant  to  its  mission 
and  message.  "What  that 
means,"  he  said,  "is  that  the 
mission  of  the  church  is  not 
only  somewhere  across  the 
world  but  immediately  outside 
the  church  door." 


At  Wesmiinster-Canterbuiy  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  retirement 
means  opportunity.  There 
is  no  better  time  or  place  to 
make  the  most  of  life.  Our 
residents  do  all  the  things 
they've  always  done  or  always 
wanted  to  do.  They  come 
and  go,  learn  and  explore, 
participate  and  enjoy  fiili, 
active  lifestyles  confident 
they  have  the  best  care  and 
services  available.  With  so  much 
going  on,  you  might  want 
to  consider  early  retirement. 


ojthe/ilueAidge 


(804)980-9100 


Pagti  10,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1995 


Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


Marching  to  a  different  beat 


Residents  of  the  Adolescent 
and  Pre-Adolescent  Centers 
took  the  Nike  shoe  commer- 
cials seriously  when  they  said 
"Just  Do  It!." 

While  studying  the  Revolu- 
tionary War  they  learned 
about  George  Washington  and 
his  troops  marching  for  15 
miles  on  foot,  then  fighting  a 
battle,  then  marching  another 
16  miles  without  rest. 

Aw,  that  wasn't  so  tough  ... 
they  could  do  that!  Their  teach- 
ers said  okay,  let's  hit  the  pave- 
ment. Early  one  Friday  morn- 
ing they  all  began  walking  the 
circle  drive,  around  the  Ado- 
lescent Center.  It  had  been 
calculated  that  37  laps  would 
make  15  miles. 

Ready,  set,  Go!  Off  went  the 
thirty  young  people  ...  some 
walking  slowly ...  others  walk- 
ing fast ...  some  walking  a  lap, 
running  a  lap  ...  and  some  just 
flat  out  running. 

Teachers  setup  checkpoints 
all  around  the  drive  so  as  to 
check  off  the  number  of  laps  as 
the  children  passed,  and  also 
to  provide  water  stations.  They 
wanted  to  make  sure  none  of 
the  kids  pushed  themselves  to 
the  point  of  exhaustion  or  de- 
hydration. 

Gloria  Alston,  teacher  at 
Goodman  Cottage,  said  that 
all  of  the  kids  were  very  en- 
thusiastic and  adamant  that 


'New'  gift 
wish  list 


Word  from  the  President 

Because 
You  Care! 

Robert  W.  Stansell  Jr.,  President 


The  young  people  enjoyed  their  walk  and  pulled  together 
to  prove  they  could  do  it. 


they  could  do  this.  "None  of 
them  dropped  out,"  said 
Alston.  "They  were  determined 
to  do  this.  It  was  great  to  see 
them  all  pull  together  and  help 
one  another." 

Alston  said  that  one  stu- 
dent had  a  mole  cut  from  her 
leg  the  day  before  and  was 
limping,  but  she  didn't  want 
to  stop!  The  teachers  finally 
had  to  make  her  stop  so  she 
wouldn't  injure  herself.  An- 
other child  postponed  a  trip 
home  because  he  didn't  want 
to  miss  the  walk. 

So  how  did  everything  turn 
out?  At  lunch  time  the  teach- 
ers called  everyone  in  so  they 
could  rest  and  eat  lunch.  They 
had  walked  for  three  hours. 
After  lunch  and  a  movie  the 


teachers  decided  not  to  go  back 
out  and  finish  the  walk,  so 
announced  that  all  the  stu- 
dents were  winners!  They  all 
received  certificates  in  recog- 
nition of  their  "Colonial  Readi- 
ness." Also  on  the  certificates 
were  their  names  and  how 
many  miles  they  had  com- 
pleted. No  one  actually  fin- 
ished with  15  miles,  but  one 
girl  came  close  with  10.8  miles. 
They  all  received  a  candy  bar 
with  their  certificates,  plus 
there  were  8  tied  for  1st 
through  3rd  places  and  re- 
ceived bags  of  candy.  The 
Grand  Prize  winner  received 
the  biggest  bag  of  candy. 

Would  they  like  to  do  it 
again  and  this  time  go  the  full 
15  miles?  Weill! ...  maybe! 


Being  a  single  parent  is  a  tough 
job,  especially  for  a  young  man 
with  a  small  child.  The  child's 
mother  drinks  and  disappears 
for  weeks  and  months  at  a 
time.  The  father  does  hard 
physical  labor  for  a  local  in- 
dustry. It  is  difficult  for.  the 
family  to  make  ends  meet. 
Without  affordable  day  care, 
the  father  would  be  unable  to 
work. 

Because  you  care  and  be- 
cause you  support  this  minis- 
try, the  Wagner  Child  and 
Family  Development  Center 
at  Barium  Springs  can  pro- 


vide the  quality  day  care  that 
this  struggling  father  and  his 
child  need.  Your  support 
makes  it  possible  for  us  to  pro- 
vide our  services  at  an  afford- 
able cost  for  this  young  family. 

We  are  grateful  for  your  care 
and  concern  which  enables  us 
to  share  Christ's  healing  love 
with  children,  youth  and  fami- 
lies in  need. 


Please  remember  to  shop 
Food  Lion  in  February; 
You  make  a  difference! 


Thanksgiving  Offering 
important  for  youth 


•  16"  &  20"  Bicycles 

•  Sporting  Equipment: 

Sleeping  Bags 
Fishing  Rods  &  Reels 
Canoe(s) 

Small  John  Boats 
Tennis  Racquets 

&  Balls 
Softballs  and  Gloves 
Outdoor  Games 

•  New  set  of  World  Books 

•  Manual  T3rpewriters  (4) 

•  Toiletries 

•  Refrigerator 

•  Electric  Range 

•  Upholstered  couch/love 
seat 

•  End  Table  Lamps  (3) 

•  Upholstered  arm  chairs  (2) 

•  Linens 

•  Towels 

•  Heavy  Duty  Dressers 

•  Tickets  to  sporting  events 
in  Charlotte,  Winston- 
Salem,  or  Hickory  area. 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write 
to:  Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice 
President  for  Financial  Re- 
sources, P.O.  Box  1,  Barium 
Springs,  NO  28010;  phone 
(704)  872-4157. 


Once  again  it  is  time  for  the 
Thanksgiving  offering  to  be 
taken  up  in  churches  through- 
out the  Synod  of  the  Mid-At- 
lantic, Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.). 

Donors  may  designate  gifts 
to  any  of  the  following  agen- 
cies. Undesignated  gifts  will 
be  divided  equitably  among  the 
agencies: 


Free  Program 
FOR  Your 
Church 

Barium  Springs  Home 
FOR  Children 

offers  informational 
programs 
family  nights 
Sunday  schools 
Presbyterian  Men 
MISSION  Programs 
worship  services 
Presbyterian  Women 
youth  groups 

mission  FAIRS 
other  special  CHURCH 
GROUPS 

Call  Bill  Cowfer 
AT (704) 872-4157 
to  schedule. 


Barium  Springs  Home  for 
Children;  Presbjd;erian  Home 
and  Family  Services,  Inc.; 
Presbyterian  Children's  Home 
of  the  Highlands,  Inc. ;  Edmarc 
Hospice  for  Children;  Volun- 
teer Emergency  Families  for 
Children  (Va.);  and  Volunteer 
Families  for  Children  (N.C.). 

Please  keep  in  mind  that 
the  funds  collected  from  this 
offering  are  essential  in  help- 
ing the  young  people  served 
by  these  agencies. 


You  have  heard  of  the  three 
R's?  Well,  here  are  the  six  F's: 

Food  Lion 

February 

Friend 

Five  percent 

Free 

Don't  Forget 
To  participate  in  the  Food 
Lion  Community  Way  Days 
project  for  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children,  all  you 
have  to  do  is  buy  your  grocer- 
ies at  any  North  Carolina  Food 
Lion  on  Feb.  12, 13  or  14, 1996, 
save  your  receipt(s),  sign  your 
name  and  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children  on  the  back 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $  

I  wish  to:   Honor 


_  is  enclosed 
 Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  . 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs.  NC  28010 


and  turn  in  up  to  two  receipts 
to  your  Presbyterian  Church 
or  send  them  directly  to  the 
Home  (churches  will  receive 
information  at  a  later  date  on 
what  to  do  with  the  receipts). 

Also,  you  can  have  one 
Friend  participate  in  the 
project  and  turn  in  up  to  two 
receipts  as  well.  Both  the  Pres- 
byterian and  the  Friend  must 
sign  these  receipts  and  write 
BSHC  on  the  back. 

Food  Lion  will  donate  Five 
percent  of  the  total  gross  sales 
for  receipts  turned  in  which 
are  dated  on  those  three  days. 

What  is  Free  about  this 
project?  It  enables  you  to  make 
a  donation  to  Barium  Springs 
without  spending  a  cent.  Just 
do  your  regular  grocery  shop- 
ping on  one  of  those  three  days, 
turn  in  your  receipt(s)  and  you 
enable  the  Home  to  receive 
Funds  from  Food  Lion  for  your 
efforts. 

Now  we  come  to  the  last  "F" 
and  one  that  is  very  important 
DON'T  FORGET!!  Please 
mark  these  dates  on  your  1996 
calendar!  Without  your  help 
the  children  and  families  we 
serve  will  miss  out  on  this 
important  opportunity  to  raise 
funds! 

So  just  remember,  save  your 
Food  Lion  receipts  dated  Feb. 
12, 13  or  14, 1996;  get  a  Friend 
to  participate  if  possible;  turn 
in  up  to  two  receipts  each  to 
your  Presbyterian  Church  or 
send  them  to  the  Home;  BSHC 
will  receive  Five  percent  of  the 
total  gross  sales  from  collected 
receipts  and  you  can  make  a 
Free  donation  to  the  Home.  So 
please  don't  Forget!!!! 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps-Lesson  4,  December  1995 

Glimpses  of  Home— Chapter  Four 


By  the  Rev.  Dr.  CAROL  T.  BENDER 

Reversals  ...  upheavals  ...  turnabouts  ... 
repeals  ...  second  thoughts  ...  about-faces 
...  upside-downs  ...  oh,  no!  Surely,  having 
worked  our  way  through  three  Old  Testa- 
ment lessons  in  Eugenia  Gamble's  circle 
Bible  study  book,  Glimpses  of  Home:  Bib- 
lical Images  of  the  Realm  of  God  ...  surely, 
having  "made  it  this  far,"  we  aren't  going 
to  have  to  go  backwards! 

Cheer  up!  The  "reversals"  we  will  deal 
with  in  this  lesson  will  be  more  like  sur- 
prises, as  Gamble  articulates  so  well  in 
her  closing  prayer  for  this  chapter:  "God  of 
surprises,  help  us  to  see  the  world  as  you 
see  it."  (Study  book,  page  37) 

As  you  begin  either  thinking  about  or 
teaching  this  chapter,  consider  how  we,  as 
citizens  of  the  wealthiest  nation  in  the 
world,  as  people  who  live  our  days  in 
relative  ease  and  comfort,  as  people  who 
are  but  a  heartbeat  away  from  help  or  aid 
of  most  kinds... think  about  how  WE  view 
the  world  and  the  world  standards.  (As  an 
introduction  to  this  session,  you  may  want 
to  ask  the  following  questions  as  the  group 
gathers.)  What  are  the  aims  or  goals  to- 
ward which  we  strive?  How  do  our  daily 
lives  reflect  our  struggling  toward  these 
aims  or  goals?  If  you  want  to  be  more 
specific,  what  are  our  "gods?"  (One  defini- 
tion: Our  "gods"  are  the  things  we  can't 
laugh  at  or  laugh  away;  they  are  also  the 
things  that  get  first  priority  in  our  lives.) 

Change  of  Focus 

The  opening  paragraphs  of  Chapter 
Four  give  us  a  transition  from  the  Old 
Testament  section  of  the  study  to  the  New 
Testament,  a  change  from  the  thread  of 
God's  realm  or  kingdom  as  expressed  in 
the  Old  to  the  return  of  prophecy  in  the 
person  and  work  of  John  the  Baptist  to  the 
fulfillment  of  that  prophecy  in  Jesus  Christ 
as  the  proclaimer  of  God's  kingdom  in  the 
New. 

With  this  shift  in  emphasis,  comes  a 
wealth  of  additional  resources  that  you 
may  want  to  look  at,  either  borrowing 


them  from  your  presbytery  resource  cen- 
ter or  ordering  them  from  your  local 
Cokesbury  store.  Lloyd  Ogilvie,  former 
long-time  pastor  in  Hollywood,  Calif,  and 
new  Chaplain  of  the  U.S.  Senate,  wrote 
Autobiography  of  God  back  in  1981,  but  it 
is  still  in  print  and  available  from  Regal  in 
paperback  for  $8.99.  Ogilvie's  thesis  cen- 
ters around  the  parables  as  the  resource 
that  gives  us  God's  story,  or  as  he  says  in 
the  title,  God's  autobiography. 

Another  book  that  works  well  with  the 
title  of  this  chapter  is  Donald  B.  Kraybill's 
Upside-Down  Kingdom.  His  revised  edi- 
tion (1990)  is  available  for  $14.95  (Herald 
Press). 

Additional  resources 

Four  other  resources  that  I  picked  up 
recently  are  Kalas,  Parables  From  the 
Back  Side  (a  study  guide  is  also  available 
and  would  be  a  good  weekly  small  group  or 
Sunday  School  study  to  enrich  the  monthly 
circle  study);  McKenna's  Parables:  The 
Arrows  of  God;  and  Robert  Farrar  Capon's 
trilogy  Parables  of  the  Kingdom,  Parables 
of  Judgment  and  Parables  of  Grace  (each 
a  separate  volume).  All  are  available  in 
paperback  for  $9.95-12.99. 

William  Barclay  has  a  book  on  the 
parables  titled  And  Jesus  Said  ($10.99) 
and  John  Claypool's  work  with  parables  is 
called  Stories  Jesus  Still  Tells:  The 
Parables  ($17.95) 

All  of  these  books  will  be  helpful  for  this 
lesson  on  reversals  as  well  as  the  upcom- 
ing sessions  on  the  parables  themselves. 

Considering  the  pictures 

Picture  #1  in  Chapter  Four  deals  with 
Luke  4:  14-21,  a  passage  that  makes  us 
stand  on  tiptoe  and  hold  our  collective 
breath  to  see  what  Jesus  is  going  to  say 
next!  This  quote  from  Isaiah  61:  1-2  not 
only  delineates  Jesus'  agenda,  but  it  also 
raises  the  hackles  of  those  congregated  in 
the  synagogue  that  day.  After  all,  the 
religious  leaders  were  in  control,  right? 
Wrong!  Jesus  said  that  he  came  to  pro- 
claim the  year  of  the  Lord's  favor.,  .and,  as 


if  to  underline  that  statement,  he  said, 
"And  I'm  it ...  I  am  the  fulfillment  of  this 
prophecy  in  Isaiah." 

Now  we  see  where  Chapter  Four  got  the 
title,  "Glimpses  of  Reversals."  Look  at  the 
reversals  in  this  text:  good  news  to  the  poor 
...  when  what  the  poor  usually  heard  was 
bad  news;  release  to  the  captives  ...  when 
the  captives  had  become  accustomed  to  their 
bondage;  sight  to  the  blind. ..when  all  hope 
of  leading  a  productive  and  useful  hfe  had 
been  lost;  freedom  to  the  oppressed...  when 
freedom  had  been  a  word  that  elicited 
thoughts  akin  to  wishful  thinking. 

In  discussing  this  Scripture  reference, 
you  may  want  to  ask  questions  like:  Who 
ARE  the  poor?  What  is  the  "good  news" 
that  we  are  to  proclaim  to  the  poor?  What 
are  the  areas  of  bondage  under  which 
people  suffer  today?  How  can  we  help  free 
people  from  the  bondage  of  sexism,  rac- 
ism, classism...or  any  of  the  other  "isms" 
in  our  society?  How  can  we  have  20/20 
vision  yet  be  spiritually  blind?  In  what 
ways  can  we  aid  the  spiritually  blind  to 
see?  How  can  we  free  people  from  the 
oppression  of  poverty  or  illiteracy  rather 
than  be  the  oppressors? 

Picture  #2  highlights  Luke  6:  17-31, 
Luke's  version  of  the  more  extensive  and 
familiar  Sermon  on  the  Mount  (found  in 
Matthew,  chapters  four,  five  and  six).  Here 
again  we  see  the  idea  of  reversals  through 
the  blessing  of  those  who  are  poor,  hungry, 
weeping  and  hated  or  reviled... and  the 
"woes"  placed  on  those  who  are  rich,  full, 
laughing  and  of  whom  people  speak  well. 

Reversal  of  the  world's  values 

In  these  two  "pictures,"  we  come  face- 
to-face  with  a  reversal  of  the  world's  val- 
ues. The  world  puts  a  high  priority  on 
wealth  and  on  being  full  (if  not  on  glut- 
tony), on  smiling  (no  matter  what's  going 
on  inside),  and  on  being  well-liked.  The 
message  of  the  kingdom  or  the  realm  of 
God  as  proclaimed  by  Jesus  Christ  is  that 
the  kingdom's  values  are  the  exact  oppo- 
site of  the  world's  values  ...  or  as  Kraybill 
puts  it,  elicits  an  "upside-down  kingdom." 

John  Dominic  Crossan's  book,  In 
Parables:  The  Challenge  of  the  Historical 
Jesus  has  a  chapter  titled,  "Parables  of 
Reversal,"  which  he  says  occurs  when  "life 
suddenly  releases  some  of  its  unspent 


force,  and  conventional  ex,.i  ad 
interpretations  are  toppled  by  the  flood  of 
new  insight  and  illumination."  (Crossan, 
page  54) 

Crossan  then  continues  the  chapter  by 
dealing  with  Luke's  parables  of  the  Good 
Samaritan,  the  Rich  Fool,  the  Rich  Man 
and  Lazarus,  the  Pharisee  and  the 
Publican,  and  the  Wedding  Guest  and  the 
Proper  Guests.  In  these  stories,  the  reader 
expects  to  find  the  "good"  in  the  priest  and 
levite,  the  rich  man,  the  Pharisee,  the 
first-seated  guest,  the  invited  guests  and 
the  dutiful  son. ..and  the  "bad"  in  their 
opposites.  But,  in  fact,  we  find  the  "good" 
in  the  Samaritan,  Lazarus,  the  Publican, 
the  last-seated  guest,  the  uninvited  guests 
and  the  prodigal  son.  "Such  double  and 
opposite  reversal  is  the  challenge  the  King- 
dom brings  to  the  complacent  normalcy  of 
one's  accepted  world."  (Crossan,  page  75) 

Save  this  for  later! 

As  a  resource  for  those  circles  that  meet 
more  than  nine  times  a  year  and  as  much 
as  twelve  times  a  year,  I  will  give  sugges- 
tions for  additional  sessions.  Here  is  the 
first  one! 

This  lesson  will  be  a  gathering  together 
of  references  that  give  the  "Signs  of  God's 
Kingdom."  When  your  group  gathers,  have 
the  following  Scripture  references  written 
on  sheets  of  paper  to  hand  out:  Matthew  3: 
1-10;  Matthew  18:  21-35;  Matthew  20:  1- 
16;  Matthew  20:  20-28;  Luke  9:  46-62;  and 
Acts  7:54-8:8.  Be  sure  to  have  extra  Bibles 
available. 

If  your  circle  is  large  enough,  have 
people  work  in  pairs.  Ask  each  person  or 
pair  to  read  the  Scripture  and  discuss  this 
question:  What  sign  of  God's  kingdom  is 
portrayed  in  this  passage?  To  stimulate 
further  discussion  you  may  want  to  pose 
other  questions  like:  How  does  this  sign  fit 
into  our  idea  of  God's  kingdom?  In  what 
ways  can  we  practice  God's  kingdom  using 
this  passage? 

Allow  time  for  presenting  each  pair's 
findings,  as  well  as  comments  that  may 
arise  from  this  presentation.  Close  with  a 
time  of  prayer  and  a  hymn  that  recalls  the 
kingdom  of  God  (i.e  "I  Love  Thy  Kingdom, 
Lord"  or  any  in  the  "Kingdom  of  God" 
section  of  your  hymnbook). 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps-Lesson  5,  January  1996 

Glimpses  of  Home— Chapter  Five 


By  the  Rev.  Dr.  CAROL  T.  BENDER 

"Mystery"  ...  it's  a  word  that  elicits  a 
shroud  of  fog  easing  across  the  landscape 
to  envelope  the  countryside,  a  page-turner 
book  that  grips  the  reader  and  blocks  out 
all  consciousness  of  her  surroundings, 
something  to  be  figured  out  when,  in  the 
end,  what  is  enjoyed  most  centers  around 
being  captivated  by  intrigue  and  being 
deceived  by  the  twist  in  the  story! 

In  Chapter  Five,  "Glimpses  of  the  Mys- 
teries of  the  Realm,"  Eugenia  Gamble 
weaves  her  story  about  fishing  with  her 
father  and  the  mysteries  of  that  ritual  into 
the  parables  of  Jesus  as  "sacred  invita- 
tions to  join  with  Jesus  in  the  mysterious 
beauty  of  the  realm  of  God."  (Study  book, 
page  39)  The  focus  of  the  sovereign  God, 
the  Holy  One  of  Israel  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, is  now  concentrated  in  the  person 
and  work  of  Jesus  Christ  who  proclaims 
the  embodiment  of  God's  kingdom  and  the 
fulfillment  of  salvation  history. 

Parables  as  arrows  of  God 

Megan  McKenna  in  her  book  Parables: 
The  Arrows  of  God  (Orbis,  $12.50;  ISBN  0- 
88344-975-7)  says  that  the  most  familiar 
parts  of  Scripture  for  many  of  us  are  the 
parables,  or  the  stories  of  Jesus.  Though 
we  in  the  twentieth-century  may  not  be 
too  familiar  with  sheep  and  vineyards,  we 
are  certainly  familiar  with  unjust  judges, 
wayward  children  and  lost  money.  She 
continues  by  saying  that  parables  are  easy 
for  us  to  understand  ...  at  least  on  the 
surface  ...  and  given  the  title  of  the  story, 
most  of  us  can  relate  the  essence  of  the  tale 
from  memory. 

Listen  to  part  of  her  introduction:  "But 
we  need  to  hear  these  meaning-filled  and 
provocative  stories  again  and  again.  When 
we  open  our  ears  and  our  hearts,  we  may 
indeed  end  up  acknowledging  that  for  all 
our  familiarity  with  the  parables,  we  have 
never  really  heard  them  before,  never  un- 
derstood them,  never  taken  them  into  our 
hearts."  (McKenna,  page  1) 


A  commercial! 

Many  people  who  practice  the  disci- 
pline of  reading  the  Bible  all  the  way 
through  each  year  (That's  a  "commercial," 
folks!  And  one  that  you've  heard  before 
and  will,  no  doubt,  hear  again!)  have  expe- 
rienced an  awakening  to  a  new  and  deeper 
meaning  while  reading  the  same  familiar 
story,  the  same  familiar  passage,  year 
after  year.  Perhaps  we  could  even  say  that 
the  "mysteries  of  the  realm"  can  be  re- 
vealed to  us,  bit  by  bit,  as  we  read  and 
ponder  the  well-known  parables  time  af- 
ter time. 

In  preparing  to  teach  or  to  participate 
in  your  circle  meeting,  read  Chapter  Five 
and  think  about  your  own  definition  of  the 
word  "parable."  How  is  your  concept  of  the 
word  similar  to  Gamble's?  How  is  it  differ- 
ent? What  synonyms  can  you  come  up  with 
for  the  word  "parable?"  What  parables  can 
you  recall  "off  the  top  of  your  head?"  (Jot 
them  down!) 

Meaning  of  parable 

As  your  circle  gathers,  ask  each  person 
to  give  her  meaning  of  the  word  "parable." 
Most  of  us  learned  "an  earthly  story  with 
a  heavenly  meaning"  way  back  somewhere 
in  Sunday  School,  but  you  may  want  to 
expand  on  that  explanation!  Gamble,  on 
pages  41  and  42,  not  only  gives  us  helpful 
ideas  about  parables,  but  also  introduces 
the  layers  of  "hidden"  or  deeper  meaning 
that  call  forth  the  concept  of  "mystery." 

Robert  Farrar  Capon,  in  the  first  book 
of  his  trilogy  on  the  parables  titled  The 
Parables  of  the  Kingdom,  has  a  marvelous 
introduction  called  "A  Word  About 
Parables."  At  the  end  of  the  chapter,  he 
gives  what  amounts  to  a  dictionary  defini- 
tion of  "parable:  simply  a  comparison,  a 
putting  of  one  thing  beside  another  to 
make  a  point."  And  then  he  adds  the 
sentence  that  applies  to  our  study  of  the 
chapter  in  our  book  dealing  with  glimpses 
of  the  mysteries  of  the  realm  of  God:  "On 
its  face,  it  refers  to  the  simple  teaching 
device  that  Jesus  so  often  transformed 
into  something  that  mystified  more  than 


it  informed."  (Capon,  page  10) 

And  our  task,  as  Bible  moderators,  as 
participants  in  a  circle,  as  co-learners 
about  the  kingdom  of  God,  is  to  open  our 
minds,  ears,  eyes  and  hearts  to  perceive 
the  message  that  God  has  for  us  at  this 
time  and  in  this  place  of  our  study  to- 
gether. If  we  "give  up"  simply  because  the 
"going  gets  tough,"  because  the  "myster- 
ies" are  more  than  we  can  fathom,  we  may 
never  plumb  the  wonderful  truths  God 
has  for  us  as  reveled  in  the  story-telling 
abilities  of  God's  son,  Jesus  Christ. 

Discuss  parables 

Using  the  biblical  references  given  in 
the  study  book,  discuss  these  parables  by 
encouraging  all  the  circle  members  to  par- 
ticipate. Think  up  questions  that  apply  to 
your  circle  or  ask  questions  like:  (1)  (Mat- 
thew 4:  12-17)  How  am  I  salt  (or  light)  to 
others?  How  have  I  lost  my  saltiness?  Or 
how  have  I  hid  my  light  under  a  bushel 
basket?  (2)  (Matthew  13:  31-33)  In  what 
ways  can  I  make  small  contributions  that 
will  enhance  the  greater  good?  (3)  (Mat- 
thew 13:  44-46)  How  have  I  hidden  my 
treasure?  What  am  I  willing  to  "pay"  to  get 
it  back?  What  is  the  thing  in  my  life  tbat 
I  consider  "one  pearl  of  great  value?"  What 
am  I  doing  to  protect  it?  Use  it?  Enjoy  it? 
Share  it? 

Following  this,  you  may  want  to  use 
Mary  Duckert's  idea  on  page  87  and  write 
your  own  parable,  using  the  questions 
posed  in  that  section. 

A  book  that  I  personally  have  found 
fascinating  in  preparing  these  "helps"  on 
the  1995-1996  Bible  study  is  Thomas 
Keating's  small,  but  power-packed  book. 
The  Kingdom  of  God  Is  Like ....  In  discuss- 
ing the  Parable  of  the  Lost  Coin,  for  ex- 
ample, he  says:  The  kingdom  of  God  is 
active  in  failure,  ordinariness,  everyday- 
ness.  If  we  wait  for  a  miraculous  rescue,  a 
vindictive  triumph,  or  for  some  idealized 
lifestyle  to  appear,  we  are  looking  for  the 
wrong  kingdom,  certainly  not  the  one  that 
Jesus  is  revealing. 

"The  kingdom  is  not  in  grandiose  accom- 
plishments, but  in  showing  practical  love 
in  humble  ways,  day  after  day  and  in  refus- 
ing to  allow  ovu-  failures  and  disappoint- 
ments to  hide  God's  love  from  us.  God  in- 
vites us  to  share  the  divine  emptiness  ... 


which  might  also  be  described  as  total  vul- 
nerability: the  willingness  to  be  hurt  over 
and  over  again  without  loving  less  but  more. 
That  means  never  giving  up  on  anyone,  not 
even  on  ourselves.  Of  such  is  the  kingdom 
of  God."  (Keating,  pages  64-65) 

Another  way  to  present  this  lesson 
would  be  to  complete  the  sentence  as  sug- 
gested in  Keating's  title,  "The  kingdom  of 
God  is  like  ... Each  person  could  give  her 
idea,  or  interpretation,  of  this  concept, 
followed  by  an  explanation  of  why  she  sees 
the  kingdom  in  that  fashion  or  context. 
Then  the  above  quote  from  Keating  could 
be  used  to  wrap  up  the  session. 

An  additional  lesson 

As  one  who  has  read  this  year's  Bible 
study  book  several  times,  I  find  each  les- 
son rich  in  helpful  material  as  it  reflects 
the  Scripture  passages.  1  would  urge  you 
NOT  to  combine  any  of  the  sessions  if  you 
meet  less  than  nine  times  a  year.  But  for 
those  circles  which  meet  MORE  than  nine 
times  a  year  (even  up  to  twelve  times  a 
year),  you  may  want  to  save  this  idea  as  an 
"extra"  lesson.  As  preparation  for  this 
exercise,  record  the  following  Scripture 
references  on  separate  cards  or  sheets  of 
paper:  Psalm  33;  Matthew  10:  40-42;  Mat- 
thew 12:  22-37;  Matthew  12:  46-50;  Luke 
18:  1-8;  Luke  18:  9-14;  and  Romans  8:  31- 
39.  Have  extra  Bibles  available  along  with 
pencils  and  scrap  paper. 

When  the  group  gathers,  ask  the  ques- 
tion: "Who  enters  God's  Kingdom?"  Have 
someone  record  the  responses  as  each 
person  is  encouraged  to  participate. 

If  the  number  is  large  enough,  divide 
into  pairs  or  threes  to  work  on  each  refer- 
ence. Repeat  the  question,  "Who  enters 
God's  kingdom?"  and  ask  each  group  to 
respond  from  their  assigned  passage.  Af- 
ter ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  reassemble. 
Allow  time  for  discussion  within  the  en- 
tire group. 

Close  with  a  time  of  thanksgiving  for 
God's  sovereign  power  in  our  lives  fol- 
lowed by  a  time  of  intercessory  prayer  for 
those  who  are  not  in  God's  kingdom  and 
for  our  witness  to  these  people. 

A  closing  hymn,  such  as  "We've  a  Story 
to  Tell  to  the  Nations"  emphasizes  not  only 
the  story  of  God's  kingdom  but  our  place  in 
telling  the  good  news  of  Jesus  Christ. 


Page  12.  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1995 


Church  leader  fears  'stagnation' 
in  Northern  Ireland  political  situation 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

BELFAST,  Northern  Ire- 
land— The  cease-fire  between 
the  Catholic  Irish  Republican 
Army  (IRA)  and  various  Prot- 
estant militias  is  a  little  over  a 
year  old  now,  but  the  euphoria 
over  the  end  of  the  violence  is 
in  danger  of  giving  way  to  apa- 
thy as  long-term  political  solu- 
tions to  "the  troubles"  here  fail 
to  emerge. 

"The  euphoria  after  the 
cease-fire  was  wonderful,"  said 
David  Stevens,  a  Presbyterian 
lay  person  who  is  executive 
director  of  the  Irish  Council  of 
Churches,  in  an  Oct.  18  inter- 
view with  the  Presbyterian 
News  Service.  "But  that  is 
now  creeping  into  stagnation 
and  complacency  and  should 
not  be  the  order  of  the  day." 

The  range  of  options  advo- 
cated by  various  parties  in 
Northern  Ireland  is  vast  and 
the  complexities  of  each  op- 
tion— from  unification  with 
the  Republic  of  Ireland  (Re- 
publicanism) to  union  with 
Great  Britain  (Unionism)  to 
various  limited  self-rule  op- 


tions in  between — are  so 
tangled  that  "all-part)^  talks 
have  not  been  agreed  on  as 
yet. 

With  the  cease-fire  holding 
but  the  political  process 
stalled,  Stevens  said,  sectari- 
anism has  become  more  overt. 
"Protestants  and  Catholics 
alike  feel  freer  to  desecrate 
churches  or  burn  Orange  Halls 
(Protestant  clubs  similar  to 
Masonic  lodges)  because  they 
don't  have  to  fear  that  the  guns 
will  come  out." 

People  in  "normal"  societies 
take  much  for  granted,  Stevens 
said.  Government,  for  example, 
transcends  internal  divisions 
among  people  to  provide  for 
the  perceived  "common  good." 
But  in  a  divided  society  like 
Northern  Ireland,  "fear  and 
threat  overcome  the  common 
interest,"  further  exacerbating 
the  internal  conflicts. 

What  people  in  Northern 
Ireland  have  to  come  to  real- 
ize, Stevens  continued,  is  that 
"compromise  is  not  about  lov- 
ing your  neighbor — it's  about 
conceding  space  to  others  in 
order  to  guarantee  your  own." 

This  inability  to  compromise 


for  the  common  good  extends 
to  Northern  Ireland's 
churches.  The  Irish  Council  of 
Churches,  founded  in  1922, 
includes  the  Presbyerians, 
Anglicans  and  Methodists — 
more  than  half  the  population 
of  Northern  Ireland,  which  is 
about  1.5  million.  "The  ques- 
tion," said  Stevens,  "is  whether 
we  can  create  one  body,  in- 
cluding the  Catholics." 

The  burden  for  such  coop- 
eration falls  most  heavily  on 
the  Protestants,  Stevens  con- 
tinued, who  he  described  as 
having  generally  "strong  anti- 
ecumenical,  anti-Catholic  feel- 
ings." In  contrast,  he  has  not 
found  Catholics  to  be  particu- 
larly anti-Protestant. 

"Presbyterians  have  made 
strong  statements  about  par- 
ticular instances  of  injustice 
in  Northern  Ireland,"  he  said, 
"but  have  not  been  as  insis- 
tent about  addressing  system- 
atic patterns  of  injustice  here." 

Stevens  said  the  key  to  long- 
term  political  solutions  is  the 
building  up  of  trust  between 
the  Protestant  and  Catholic 
communities  of  Northern  Ire- 
land. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


Recovery  from  hurricane  dannage 
in  Caribbean  islands  is  slow 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— The  shift 
from  supplying  emergency  aid 
to  beginning  long-term  reha- 
bilitation has  been  slow  on 
Caribbean  islands  still  floun- 
dering after  a  string  of  hurri- 
canes this  fall,  according  to 
relief  workers  there. 

"Things  have  been  getting 
a  little  bit  back  to  normal," 
said  Conrad  Mason,  director 
of  the  disaster  program  for  the 
Caribbean  Conference  of 
Churches  (CCC)  in  Barbados. 
He  said  electricity  is  restored 
on  islands  like  Ajitigua,  "but 
the  rehabilitation  program  is 
still  to  be  started  in  a  number 
of  cases." 

Relief  workers  say  evalua- 
tions are  under  way  to  deter- 
mine what  specific  projects  will 
be  funded  on  islands  where 
most  people  rely  on  a  now  se- 
verely damaged  tourist  indus- 
try for  income.  Information  is 
coming  in  slowly  from  islands 
where  no  established  church 
response  network  exists. 

Church  World  Service 
(CWS) — which  has  received 


Self-Development 

The  National  Committee  on 
the  Self-Development  of 
People  (SDOP)  recently  voted 
to  fund  12  projects  totaling 
$263,120. 

One  of  the  projects  funded, 
the  Phoenix  Project,  is  lo- 
cated in  Washington,  D.C.  The 
«i  aat  totaling  $53,100  will  be 


only  10  percent  of  the  money  it 
sought  from  mainline  denomi- 
nations after  Hurricanes  Luis 
(a  $100,000  appeal)  and 
Marilyn  (a  $250,000  appeal) 
— has  received  reports  from 
two  Presbyterian  clergy  who 
are  just  back  from  the  Carib- 
bean after  nearly  three  weeks 
of  assessment. 

"It's  still  at  the  emergency 
stage  as  far  as  we're  con- 
cerned," said  Jerry  Bilton, 
CWS  director  of  emergency 
response.  "My  understanding 
is  that  people  are  still  looking 
for  basic  necessities." 

The  CCC  is  still  awaiting 
specific  data  from  St.  Martin, 
where.  Mason  said,  the  Dutch 
portion  of  the  island  was  seri- 
ously damaged.  Emergency 
work  is  winding  up  now  on 
Antigua  and  Dominica,  he 
said.  "[St.  Martin]  is  clearly 
worse  than  Antigua  in  terms 
of  [damaged]  structures,"  he 
added. 

Synod  executive  the  Rev. 
Harry  del  Valle  of  Puerto  Rico 
told  the  Presb5rterian  News 
Service  that  rebuilding  is  just 
now  beginning  on  Culebra  and 


funds  DC  project 

used  to  develop  a  job  training 
program  among  homeless 
women  that  will  include  work- 
shops, computer  training,  sup- 
port groups  and  a  resource  li- 
brary. 

Money  for  SDOP  grants 
comes  from  the  One  Great 
Hour  of  Sharing  offering. 


Viequez,  two  islands  off  Puerto 
Rico's  coast.  Culebra  lost  more 
than  60  percent  of  its  housing, 
he  said,  and  volunteers  and 
building  materials  are  needed 
now  through  the  spring. 

He  reported  numerous  fami- 
lies have  been  forced  to  move 
in  with  relatives  in  Puerto  Rico 
until  construction  gets  under 
way. 

The  Rev.  Richard  Krajeski, 
who  serves  Presbyterian 
churches  in  Mannington  and 
Shinnston,  W.Va.,  said  work- 
ers in  the  islands'  service  in- 
dustry were  hit  hard.  Krajeski 
just  returned  from  St.  Croix  as 
part  of  CWS's  assessment 
team. 

"These  people  make  mini- 
mum wage  with  real  limited 
benefits,  and  when  the  tourist 
industry  goes  down  they  feel 
the  impact  more  than  anyone 
else,"  he  said.  Business  own- 
ers often  have  insurance. 
"But,"  Krajeski  said,  "many 
employees  in  the  industry  are 
stuck"  —  without  jobs  and 
having  been  unable  to  afford 
insurance  to  safeguard  their 
homes. 

While  Mason  said  recovery 
has  been  slowed  somewhat 
because  of  the  need  to  import 
goods  from  outside  the  islands, 
Bilton  stressed  the  sheer  ex- 
tent of  the  damage  itself  as 
another  hindrance.  "The  dev- 
astation," he  said,  "was  so  ex- 
tensive." 

Krajeski  said  disaster  sur- 
vivors distinguish  between 
services  dispensed  by  federal 
agencies  and  care  given  by 
churches. 


Christian  education  curriculum 
for  2000  and  beyond  approved 

The  Congregational  Ministries  Division  (CMD)  Committee 
approved  a  new  Christian  education  curriculum  Sept.  30  called 
"Covenant  People,"  a  program  intended  to  take  Presb3rterian 
educational  ministry  into  the  year  2000. 

Designed  to  replace  the  present  "Celebrate"  curriculum, 
"Covenant  People"  is  a  Bible-based,  comprehensive  Christian 
education  program  that  emphasizes  the  importance  of  faith, 
education,  and  spiritual  life  to  congregations,  teachers,  parents 
and  students  of  all  ages. 

In  what  may  be  its  most  unique  feature,  the  curriculum  asks 
congregations  to  sign  a  covenant  agreeing  to  make  Christian 
education  a  priority. 

Native  American  task  force  named 

ueneral  Assembly  moderator  Marj  Carpenter  has  appointed  a 
nine-member  task  force  to  strengthen  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A. )'s  ministry  with  Native  American  people.  The  task 
force  was  authorized  by  the  207th  General  Assembly  (1995)  "to 
study  and  review  mission  and  ministries  with  Native  American 
tribes  and  peoples  and  to  develop  a  comprehensive  strategy  for 
ministries  with  Native  Americans."  The  task  force  is  directed  to 
report  back  to  the  Assembly  no  later  than  the  year  2000. 

The  Rev.  Buddy  Monahan,  pastor  of  a  Native  American 
ministry  project  in  Los  Angeles,  will  serve  as  chair.  Other 
members  are  Elona  Street-Stewart,  interim  program  specialist 
for  Native  American  ministry  for  the  Synod  of  Lakes  and 
Prairies;  the  Rev.  David  Dobler,  former  General  Assembly 
moderator  and  executive  presbjd;er  for  Yukon  Presbytery  in 
Alaska;  Lou  Deer,  an  elder  in  Achena  Presbyterian  Church, 
Seminole,  Okla.;  June  Lorenzo,  an  elder  from  the  Synod  of  the 
Southwest;  the  Rev.  James  Spalding,  Iowa  City,  Iowa;  the  Rev. 
Henry  Fawcett,  campus  minister  at  the  University  of  Dubuque, 
Iowa;  and  the  Rev.  Mary  Ann  Warden,  associate  pastor  of 
Northern  Lights  United  Presbjderian  Church  in  Juneau,  Alaska. 

Dan  Rift  is  new  associate  director 

The  Rev.  Dan  Rift  has  been  named  associate  director  for  global 
service  and  witness  in  the  Worldwide  Ministries  Division  in 
Louisville.  He  succeeds  Gwen  Crawley,  who  retired  from  the 
position  in  July.  Rift  has  been  coordinator  for  Presbyterian 
World  Service.  His  new  responsibilities  include  oversight  of 
Presbs^erian  World  Service,  the  Presbyterian  Hunger  Pro- 
gram, the  Self-Development  of  People  program,  the  Jinishian 
Memorial  Program,  global  education  and  leadership  develop- 
ment, and  international  evaneelism  and  health  ministries. 

Former  fund  director  MacFalls  die? 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— The  Rev.  Donald  E.  MacFalls,  a  pastor 
and  fund  raiser,  died  Oct.  6  at  his  home  here.  He  had  been 
director  of  the  Bicentennial  Fund  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  from  1987  until  1990  when  he  resigned  for  health 
reasons.  MacFalls  went  into  remission  from  acute  leukemia, 
but  later  developed  heart  problems  from  which  he  died. 

MacFalls,  a  graduate  of  the  College  of  Wooster  and  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary,  served  pastorates  in  Maryland,  Penn- 
sylvania and  Kentucky  from  1959-1979.  He  then  became  direc- 
tor of  fund  raising  for  the  Mission  Funding  Unit  of  the  former 
United  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  a  position  he  held  until 
he  assumed  duties  heading  up  the  Bicentennial  Fund  cam- 
paign in  1987. 

MacFalls  is  survived  by  his  wife,  Eileen  Johnson  MacFalls, 
who  is  associate  for  promotion  for  Horizons. 

Williams  called  to  Silver  Spring 

SILVER  SPRING,  Md.— The  Rev.  James  E.  G.  Williams  was 
installed  Sept.  10  as  pastor  of  Silver  Spring  Church  in  National 
Capital  Presbytery.  He  came  to  the  250-member  congregation 
from  Christ  Our  King  Church  in  Bel  Air,  Md.,  where  he  was 
interim  pastor.  He  also  has  served  as  an  active  duty  chaplain 
in  the  Army,  as  pastor  of  churches  in  Wisconsin  and  Indiana, 
and  as  the  executive  director  of  a  non-profit  housing  and  health 
care  organization. 

Silver  Spring  Church  has  a  long  history  of  multi-cultural 
ministry  and  community  involvement.  Williams  said  he  was 
struck  by  the  congregation's  willingness  to  "tackle  difficult 
issues"  of  homelessness,  poverty,  aging,  families  and  single 
people.  "This  is  truly  a  welcoming  community  of  faith — where 
the  doors  really  are  wide  open  and  the  invitation  is  warm,"  said 
Williams. 

Peaks  project  receives  grant 

A  rural  ministry  project  in  the  Presbytery  of  the  Peaks  is  one 
of  11  to  receive  grants  fi"om  the  Rural  Ministry  Advisory 
Committee  of  the  National  Ministries  Division,  PC(USA). 

Harambee  Older  Adult  Ministry  of  Charlotte,  Va.,  received 
$1,500  to  provide  "seed  money"  for  the  development  of  an  older 
adult  ministry  in  rural  Southside  Virginia  that  will  provide 
cultural  and  multicultural  activities,  affirm  the  aging  process, 
promote  health  and  well-being,  and  provide  information  about 
available  resources. 

The  national  committee  awarded  the  grants  at  its  August 
meeting  in  Jefferson  City,  Mo.  The  grant  program  was  estab- 
lished by  the  1991  General  Assembly  when  it  adopted  the 
papers  "Rural  Communities  in  Crisis"  and  "The  Church:  Re- 
sponding to  Rural  America." 


Sale  is  new  Peaks  leader  —  page  8 

-  jT  7  S- DIG  I  T    ?7  Sia 

^<  7-  I  ,  J  HO    6  5a    S  5'J 

.  '  ■f  '  f,'    C  A  •;  OLI  :'0A    L  I  3  Rii  «v 
^  T  ,  i    c  A  1'  0  L  I     A     C  '  L  L  f:  C  T  I  0  "! 

CHAPEL    HILL    NC  7.-'-^ 


For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlani 
Presbyterian 


Vol.  LXII,  Number  2 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Jean  Floyd  Love,  the  Association  of  Presbyterian  Christian 
Educator's  1996  Educator  of  the  Year. 


Charlotte  Christian  educator  Love 
honored  by  national  association 


By  JOHN  SNIFFEN 

CHARLOTTE,  N.C.-Jean  Floyd 
was  a  young  college  graduate 
working  for  the  Hoover  Vacuum 
Cleaner  Co.  in  North  Canton, 
Ohio,  when  she  found  Christian 
education  was  her  true  calling. 

"1  realized  that  equipment  re- 
search was  not  nearly  as  much 
fun  as  what  I  was  doing  at  the 
local  church,"  says  Jean  Floyd 
Love,  the  Association  of  Presby- 
terian Christian  Educators'  1996 
Educator  of  the  Year.  Love  re- 
ceived the  honor  Feb.  9  during  the 
APCE  annual  convention  in  Chi- 
cago. 

She  became  preoccupied  with 
church  work  in  North  Canton, 
whether  it  was  choir  practice, 
teaching  Sunday  school  or  typing 
the  bulletin.  This  involvement 
eventually  led  to  enrollment  in 


Six  mission  projects  recommended 


NEW  WINDSOR,  Md.— Six  mis- 
sion opportunities  for  1996  are 
being  recommended  by  a  plan- 
ning group  which  met  here  on 
Jan.  6-7. 

Despite  the  Blizzard  of '96,  the 
15-member  planning  team  ap- 
pointed by  Synod  Moderator  Betty 
McGinnis  prepared  the  list  of 
projects  to  be  considered  by  the 
Synod  Council  when  it  meets 
March  15-16  in  Richmond. 

The  proposed  projects  are: 

•  An  experience  with  the  Czech 
Brethren  in  the  Czech 
RepubUc,  June  15-27 

•  Sharing  and  Building  with  the 
Presbyterian  Children's  Home 
of  the  Highlands,  Wytheville, 
Va. 

•  Building  with  the  Homeless  at 
Meeting  Ground,  Elkton,  Md. 

•  Violence  and  Children:  A 
Challenge  for  Our  Church, 
Washington,  D.C. 

•  Evangelism:  Learning  from 
Our  Korean  FamUy 

•  Sharing  in  Mission  in  the 
Yukon,  May-June 

Georgia  Pressly  of  Charlotte, 
N.C.,  was  appointed  chair. 

"In  order  to  build  Christian 


community  and  serve  the  Lord 
through  experiences,  the  S3Tiod 
will  offer  many  opportunities 
within  the  bounds  of  the  synod 
and  at  least  one  national  and  one 
international  experience  annu- 
ally," said  Pressly. 

"We  hope  that  churches,  indi- 
viduals and  groups  will  sign  up  to 
experience  mission  together  in  our 
synod  and  get  to  know  one  an- 
other throughout  the  synod." 

Moderator  McGinnis  said  the 
group's  work  is  part  of  a  plan  to 
offer  mission  projects  to  every 
Presbyterian  in  the  sjniod.  A  plan 
for  mission  projects  over  the  next 
five  years  will  follow  additional 
research  by  the  group. 

Presbyteries,  churches,  agen- 
cies and  institutions  are  being 
asked  to  submit  proposals  for 
mission  opportunities.  Also,  vol- 
unteers in  mission  are  being  so- 
licited to  help  organize  the 
projects.  To  propose  a  project  or 
volunteer  phone  Pressly  at  (704) 
364-9299  or  write  to  her  at  7314 
Sardis  Rd.,  Charlotte,  NC  28270. 

The  planning  group  will  select 
mission  projects  based  on  its  vi- 
sion statement,  "Christ's  Mission 
2000."  The  statement  reads  as 
follows: 


Christ's  Mission  2000 

"Christ  came  not  to  be  served, 
but  to  serve  (Mark  10:45). 

"Mission  within  this  domain  of 
the  Sjnnod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  is  a 
Christ-centered  concept  that  en- 
compasses one  person  or  the  world. 

"The  mission  experience  [plan- 
ning group]  strives  to  be  a  cata- 
lyst for  the  Sjniod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  to  spark  enthusiasm  and 
thus  precipitate  action  through 
building  a  community  of  faith 
among  all  presbyteries,  churches 
and  their  members.  Any  member 
of  a  Presbyterian  church  may  par- 
ticipate in  an  experience  or  may 
join  others  in  a  project. 

"Mission  is  mutually  giving 
while  maintaining  the  dignity  of 
being  human.  We  invite  you  to 
join  us  in  the  mission  process,  to 
become  personally  involved,  to 
experience  throughout  the  sjTiod 
a  oneness  in  the  body  of  Christ. 

"The  results  of  Christ-centered 
mission  are  breaking  down  of 
walls,  mutual  benefit  and  change, 
a  gift  that  keeps  giving.  Christian 
relationships  and  the  transfor- 
mation brought  about  by  the  mis- 
sion experience. 

"The  mission  field  is  where  you 
are,  around  you,  within  you." 


Synod  associate  Lesane  joins  JCSU  faculty 


The  Rev.  Warren  J.  Lesane  Jr., 
transitional  associate  executive  for 
partnership  ministries,  left  the 
synod  staff  effective  Feb.  29  to  be- 
come chaplain  and  assistant  pro- 
fessor of  religion  at  Johnson  C. 
Smith  University  in  Charlotte. 

Lesane,  who  had  been  under 
contract  as  a  transitional  staff 
member  since  March  1993,  is  a 
1977graduate  of  JohnsonC.  Smith 
University  and  holds  a  master  of 
divinity  degree  from  Johnson  C. 
Smith  Seminary  in  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Johnson  C.  Smith  University 
has  an  enrollment  of  about  1,300. 
It  is  one  of  11  colleges  and  univer- 
sities within  the  synod  that  are 


related  to  the  Presb3rte- 
rian  Church  (U.S.A.). 
Dorothy  Cowser  Yancey 
is  president. 

Lesane  said  his  posi- 
tion at  the  college  is  a 
new  one  and  reflects  the 
school's  desire  to  place 
new  emphasis  on  the  re- 
ligious life  of  its  stu- 
dents, faculty  and  ad- 
ministration. 

Prior  to  working  for 
the  synod,  Lesane  was 
an  associate  executive 
for  the  Presbytery  of  the 
James.  He  also  served  as  pastor  to 
Presbyterian  churches  in  his  na- 


tive South  Carolina. 

"We  are  grateful  for 
Warren  Lesane's  dedi- 
cated service,"  said 
Synod  Executive  Carroll 
Jenkins.  "He  has  aided 
the  transition  in  the  life 
of  many  of  our  commit- 
tees and  partnership 
entities.  The  commit- 
tees and  their  leader- 
ship grew  during  his 
term  of  staff  support. 

"His  witness  as  a 
staff  person  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  the 
synod  will  be  missed  as  we  move 
forward,"  added  Jenkins. 


the  Presbyterian  School  of  Chris- 
tian Education.  And  the  rest,  as 
they  say,  was  history  for  Love, 
who  is  now  director  of  Christian 
education  (DCE)  at  Myers  Park 
Church  in  Charlotte. 

After  graduation  from  PSCE 
in  1963,  she  joined  the  staff  of 
Memorial  Drive  Church  in  Hous- 
ton, Texas,  where  Charlie  Shedd 
was  the  organizing  pastor  and 
she  was  the  church's  first  DCE. 
Her  career  took  her  to  two  other 
Texas  churches  and  the  staff  of 
Arkansas  College  before  she 
reached  another  turning  point. 

"1  was  struggling  with  whether 
to  go  to  seminary  or  to  specialize 
in  Christian  education,"  says 
Love.  "I  sought  advice  from  folks 
like  (PSCE  professor)  Sara  Little 
and  Rachel  Henderlite  (the  first 
woman  minister  ordained  by  the 
PCUS). 

"Sara  tipped  the  scales.  She 
said,  Where's  your  heart?'  I  said, 
'It's  in  Christian  education.' 

"Sara  said,  'Go  get  whatever 
you  need  you  feel  like  you  need  to 
be  the  best  Christian  educator 
you  know  how  to  be'." 

Love  enrolled  in  Southwestern 
Baptist  Seminary  in  Fort  Worth 
and  earned  a  doctorate  in  early 
chUdhood  education.  "It  was  a  very 
ecumenical  experience  for  all  of 
us,"  she  recalls.  "I  brought  a  little 
wind  into  the  place  and  I  learned 
about  Southern  Baptists  in  the 
process.  It  worked  out  fine." 

Why  did  she  choose  early  child- 
hood education? 

"I'm  much  more  a  sit-on-the- 
floor-and-tell-a-story  person  than 
a  stay-up-all-night  [with  teenag- 
ers] person,"  replies  Love. 

"As  my  staff  reminds  me  when 
they  find  me  sitting  on  the  floor 
[with  kids],  that's  kind  of  the  child 
in  me  that's  still  alive  and  well. 

"There's  an  openness  about 
children  that  is  very  appealing, 
as  well  as  the  theological  inquiry 
that  they  engage  in  by  just  discov- 
ering their  world  and  asking  the 
'why  questions." 

With  her  career  goals  further 
refined.  Love  came  to  Charlotte 
in  1977  as  director  of  children's 
ministries  at  Covenant  Church 
where  Douglas  Oldenburg  was 
senior  pastor. 

"Jean  is  one  of  my  favorite  all- 
time  people,"  says  Oldenburg,  now 
president  of  Columbia  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  in  Decatur,  Ga. 
"She's  not  only  an  administrator, 
but  she  loves  kids.  She  knows 
how  to  engage  children. 

"She  developed  a  first-rate  pro- 
gram at  Covenant.  It  was  thrill- 
ing to  see  the  kinds  of  things  she 
did  for  children ...  she  made  them 
feel  a  part  of  worship,"  adds 
Oldenburg. 

Indeed,  Love  counts  her  work 
toward  including  children  in  wor- 
ship as  one  of  her  favorite  accom- 
plishments. When  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.)  moved  to  al- 
low baptized  children  to  come  to 
the  communion  table,  she  and 
other  educators  were  challenged 
to  prepare  the  boys  and  girls  for 
the  change. 

That  work  led  to  a  book,  Get 
Ready!  Get  Set!  Worship!  which 


Love  co-authored.  She  has  also 
written  numerous  other  materi- 
als for  children's  Christian  edu- 
cation. 

Another  accomplishment 
which  pleases  Love  is  her  involve- 
ment in  Christian  education  work- 
shops at  Montreat,  presbyteries 
and  local  churches.  She  enjoys 
"seeing  lay,  volunteer  folks  get 
enthused  and  get  equipped  to  do 
Christian  education." 

While  working  at  Covenant 
Church,  she  also  met  and  mar- 
ried Walter  E.  "Buddy"  Love. 

After  Oldenburg  was  called  to 
Columbia  Seminary,  Love  also  left 
the  staff  and  started  her  own  con- 
sulting business.  She  was  serving 
the  Myers  Park  Church  as  a  con- 
sultant when  she  recommended 
that  the  3,550-member  congrega- 
tion start  an  internship  program 
for  young  church  professionals. 

Beginning  four  years  ago 
with  an  intern  in  Christian  edu- 
cation, Myers  Park  has  since 
hosted  interns  in  youth  ministry, 
outreach  ministries  and  music. 

"[Myers  Park  provides]  a  place 
where  folks  can  explore  their  call 
...  try  it  out  ...  see  what  it  feels 
like"  to  work  on  the  staff  of  a 
multiple-staff  church,"  says  Love. 
Myers  Park  is  a  good  host  for  the 
intern  program  "because  we  are 
big,  but  also  because  we  have  a  lot 
of  resources  [and]  we  ought  to  be 
doing  something  that  enriches  the 
broader  church,"  says  Love. 

Love  is  an  ardent  promoter  of 
her  profession.  Asked  what  she 
would  say  to  someone  who  is  con- 
sidering Christian  education  as  a 
career,  she  responds,  "Do  it!" 

"While  ...  worship  is  the  cen- 
tral act  of  the  community  of  faith, 
I  think  education  happens  not  only 
in  worship,  but  in  order  to  get 
ready  to  worship  and  to  do  the 
work  of  God's  people  out  there  in 
the  world,"  she  explains. 

"I  think  the  local  church  really 
is  where  the  action  is.  It  either 
happens  as  we  enable  folks  to  see 
the  vision  and  to  feel  like  they  can 
do  something  that  makes  a  differ- 
ence in  the  world  that  sheds  some 
light  of  good  news  in  the  midst  of 
our  world." 

One  of  her  regrets  is  the  move 
away  from  summertime  Christian 
education  activities.  "I'm  of  the 
feeling  that  summer  is  one  of  the 
best  times  ...  particularly  for  chil- 
dren and  youth  ...  to  have  some 
hands-on  kinds  of  experiences 
that  can't  happen  during  the 
school  year  with  the  press  of  other 
schedules,"  she  says. 


Synod  Assembly 
date  changed 

The  date  for  the  1996  Synod 
Assembly  has  been  changed 
to  July  25-27.  It  will  still, 
be  held  at  Peace  College  in 
Raleigh,  N  .C . ,  and  co-hosted 
by  New  Hope  Presbytery. 
More  information  on  on 
plans  for  the  assembly  will 
be  printed  in  future  issues. 


iiitic  Presbyterian,  March  1996 


Kononia 


By  BETTY  McGINNIS 
Synod  Moderator 

Kononia  is  a  community  of  ALL  God's 
people.  There  is  caring  for  one  another, 
supporting  one  another  bound  together  by 
the  love  and  hope  of  Jesus  Christ.  This  is  a 
community  with  one  faith  where  all  are 
working  together  to  build  the  body  of  Christ. 

Perhaps  the  first  time  which  I  became 
really  thoughtful  of  Kononia  was  through 


that  great  theologian, 
Clarence  Jordon.  The 
Kononia  Community 
in  Americus,  Ga.,  al- 
ways intrigued  me 
with  its  history,  its 
wonderful  symbolism 
and  the  work  that  it  does  for  the  world. 
Clarence  Jordon  had  everyone  experienc- 
ing Kononia.  Throughout  all  levels  of  our 
church,  we  should  strive  to  have  a  Kononia. 


Commentary 


Within  a  Kononia,  the  church  can  live  a 
simple,  Christian  life  together  by  sharing 
one  another's  joys  and  burdens,  giving  and 
receiving,  living  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 
We  can  see  and  experience  the  grace  of  God 
in  each  morning  we  live  with  a  hope  which 
gives  us  new  life. 

We  are  chosen  and  called  by  God  to  live 
in  fellowship  and  build  the  unity  of  the 
church.  "God  is  faithful;  by  him  you  were 
called  into  the  fellowship  (Kononia)  of  his 
Son,  Jesus  Christ  by  our  Lord.  Now  I  ap- 
peal to  you,  brothers  and  sisters,  by  the 
name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  all  of 
you  be  in  agreement  and  that  there  be  no 
divisions  amongyou,  but  that  you  be  united 
in  the  same  mind  and  the  same  purpose"  (I 
Corinthians  10).  As  a  church,  we  must 
reach  out  to  those  we  do  not  know,  those 
who  are  different  from  us,  and  build  a 
Kononia.  Recently,  Anne  Noss  of  the  Con- 
gregational Nurture  Division  mailed  me 
the  booklet,  In  the  One  Spirit*,  centering 
on  1  Corinthians.  The  basis  of  kononia  is 
our  faith  and  taking  this  little  booklet 
could  be  an  exciting  way  for  small  kononia 
communities  to  form  and  a  profound  way 
to  build  a  stronger  church.  Getting  out  of 


our  "own"  church  and  into  the  "larger" 
church  can  build  an  exciting,  dynamic  fel- 
lowship. Building  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  towards  Kononia  is  a  challenge  to 
each  of  us  as  church  members. 

God  bless  you  as  you  search  and  find 
ways  to  build  a  kononia  with  creative  love 
throughout  our  church. 

P.S.  Many  thanks  to  all  the  group  of 
folks  within  our  Synod  working  diligently 
on  mission  experiences  for  each  of  you! 
They  are  preparing  exciting  opportunities 
for  all  of  us. 

P.S.  P~S.  Also,  thanks  to  those  who  came 
to  the  Communication  Vision  Consulta- 
tion on  Feb.  26-27  at  the  Rosslyn  Center  in 
Richmond.  Pray  for  these  two  groups  as 
they  work. 

*  In  the  One  Spirit:  Paul's  Letter  to  the 
Christians  in  Corinth  by  Kristine  Hague. 
Printed  by  Congregational  Ministries  Di- 
vision, Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  100 
Witherspoon  St.,  Louisville,  KY  40202,  PDS 
70-400-95-002 


Reader  disputes  use  of  'B.C.E'  in  Bible  study  helps;  Bender  responds 


I  was  very  disappointed  that  you  would  use 
the  term  "B.C.E."  in  the  Rev.  Bender's 
lesson  for  the  Women's  Bible  Study.  Before 
Christ  ("B.C.")  has  served  us  well  for  cen- 
turies and  is  the  only  logical  term  to  be 
used  in  a  dating  system  which  begins  with 
Christ.  "B.C.E."  is  an  anti-Christian  term 
invented  by  persons  who  would  avoid  hon- 
oring Christ,  but  who  realize  there  is  no 
other  event  sufficiently  significant  to  serve 
as  a  starting  point  in  history.  "B.C.E."  is 
meaningless  and  strained,  adopting  the 
same  time  as  "B.C.,"  while  effectively  and 
quietly  removing  Christ  from  the  focus  of 
history.  Adding  the  third  letter  itself  is 
contrary  to  modern  efforts  which  always 
shorten  abbreviations. 

The  fact  that  the  author  parenthetically 
defined  "B.C.E."  demonstrates  that  the 
readers  were  not  expected  to  be  familiar 
with  the  term,  while  implying  that  "B.C.E." 
is  now  standard  terminology. 

We  are  always  lamenting,  for  good  rea- 
son, the  removal  of  Christian  values  in  our 
lives  and  the  secularization  of  Christian 
institutions.  This  is  one  more  example: 
transparent,  clumsy  and  intellectually 
fraudulent,  but  still  pernicious.  It  might  be 
considered  insignificant  except  for  all  the 
people  who  might  be  reminded  that  history 
did  indeed  stop  and  begin  again  with  Jesus. 

The  unjustified  use  of  this  term,  with- 
out any  editorial  comment,  in  an  official 
Presbyterian  publication  is  distressing. 

C.B.  Smiley 
Norfolk,  Va. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
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Dr.  Bender's  response 

[C.B.  Smiley  is]  correct  when  [he  says]  that 
B.C.  has  served  us  well  for  centuries,  though 
I  often  wonder  if  we  could  say  the  same 
about  A.D.  unless  Latin  regains  promi- 
nence as  a  language  with  which  most  people 
are  familiar. 

I  suspect  that  most  of  us  in  the  academic 
world  (I  teach  Old  Testament,  New  Testa- 
ment, Christian  Ethics,  and  Introduction 
to  Religion  at  Queens  College),  tend  to  be 
so  inundated  with  theological  jargon  that 
we  forget  why  or  how  we  came  to  use  a 
term.  However,  in  this  particular  instance, 
I  remember  picking  up  the  latest  edition  of 
the  Old  Testament  text  I  use  and  finding 
that  the  author,  Bernhard  Anderson,  had 
"switched"  to  using  B.C.E.  which  he  "trans- 
lated" as  "Before  the  Common  Era,"  with 
an  explanation  that  this  was  a  more  inclu- 
sive term.  I  pondered  that  explanation,  did 
some  research  of  my  own,  and  concluded 
that  the  term  was  less  offensive  to  the 
Jewish  and  Islamic  students  in  my  class 


that  particular  semester.  I  also  found  that 
my  favorite  study  Bible,  in  its  latest  edi- 
tion, had  changed  its  terminology  of  refer- 
ence for  dating. 

If  we  study  the  evolution  of  the  calen- 
dar, we  now  find  a  move  toward  a  "Com- 
mon Calendar,"  which  begins  each  month 
on  the  same  day  and  each  month  would 
have  28  days ...  with  an  extra  month  called 
"Sol"  inserted  between  June  and  July.  I 
say  that  because  the  calendar  as  we  know 
it  has  been  through  a  number  of  c'langes 
throughout  the  history  of  the  wor'.  i  ...  and 
with  it,  the  method  of,  or  term-,  for,  the 
dating  of  historical  events. 

In  using  the  term  B.C.E.  ^.  could  have 
parenthetically  said  it  refers  /  >  "Before  the 
Christian  Era,"  which  is  alp  in  acceptable 
rendering  of  the  letters  r ,  i  the  one  that 
Eugenia  Gamble,  author  the  study  book, 
elected  to  use.  Perhaps  this  would  have 
been  more  acceptable  to  [C.B.  Smiley]. 
[Gamble]  also  noted  that  we  are  assimiing 
that  the  birth  of  Christ  took  place  in  the 
year  1  A.D.  although  most  scholars  now 


place  it  closer  to  6  B.C. 

I  have  chosen  to  interpret  [Smile's] 
references  to  "transparent,  clumsy  and 
intellectually  fraudulent,  but  still  perni- 
cious" as  references  to  the  overall  use  of 
B.C.E.  and  not  to-me  personally.  However, 
I  don't  think  the  use  of  the  term  B.C.E.  is 
unjustified  since  a  reference  it  gives  on 
page  73  of  the  circle  Bible  study.  Glimpses 
of  Home:  Biblical  Images  of  the  Realm  of 
God,  and  is  the  book  about  which  I  am 
writing  the  study  helps.  ... 

I,  too,  lament  "the  removal  of  Christian 
values  in  our  lives  and  the  secularization 
of  Christian  institutions,"  but  hope  that 
after  this  explanation,  [C.B.  Smiley]  will 
judge  me  careless  but  not  unChristian. 
From  now  on,  I  will  endeavor  to  use  the 
terminology  as  expressed  by  the  author  of 
the  Bible  study  book  —  "Before  the  Chris- 
tian Era." 

Pinky  Bender  (The  Rev.  Dr.  Carol  T.) 

Charlotte,  N.C. 


Morgan's  column  on  falling  reminds  reader  of  event 


When  I  read  [Dr.  Richard  Morgan's]  article 
in  the  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  [Jan./ 
Feb.  issue],  even  upon  seeing  the  heading 
["Now  unto  Him  who  is  able  to  keep  you 
from  falling"]  my  mind  went  back  to  a  story 
that  the  Rev.  Claji;on  C.  Crawford  told  at 
our  dinner  table  one  evening. 

Clajiion  was  the  student  pastor  of  the 
Fairfield  Church  in  Richmond  which  was 
our  home  church.  He  lived  at  Mission  Court 
[near  Union  Theological  Seminary]  with 
his  wife  and  two  daughters.  A  married 
student  at  the  seminary  was  rare  in  those 
days. 

The  Ginter  Park  Church  met  in 
Schauffier  Hall  at  the  seminary  for  many 
years  before  they  had  a  building  of  their 


own.  One  Christmas  the  Sunday  school 
was  putting  on  the  Christmas  drama.  There 
was  a  platform,  but  no  curtain  so  scene 
changes  were  made  by  turning  out  the 
lights  and  changing  in  the  dark.  As  the 
pageant  opened  King  Herod  was  supposed 
to  seat  himself  upon  the  throne.  The  lights 
came  on.  King  Herod  seated  himself,  missed 
the  throne  and  sat  on  the  floor. 

In  another  scene,  behind  the  manger  ... 
was  a  platform  made  of  a  sheet  of  plywood 
on  saw  horses.  On  this  platform  was  the 
"Angelic  Choir."  As  the  scene  got  under- 
way, the  legs  on  the  saw  horses  separated 
and  the  whole  platform  collapsed.  Some- 
how they  struggled  through  the  rest  of  the 
program. 


One  of  the  seminary  professors  was 
called  on  for  the  benediction.  If  my  memory 
serves  me  right  it  was  Dr.  W.  T.  Thompson. 
He  started  with  "Now  unto  Him  who  is  able 
to  keep  you  from  falling."  The  congregation 
exploded  in  laughter  and  no  one  heard  the 
end  of  the  benediction. 

This  goes  back  to  childhood  memories 
in  the  early  '30s.  I  may  not  have  all  of  it  but 
at  least  I  am  sure  that  [Dr.  Morgan's]  story 
was  not  apocryphal.  Having  fallen  a  couple 
of  years  ago ...  and  suffering  a  broken  ankle 
I  can  appreciate  the  rest  of  [his]  article  as 
well.  But  we  are  grateful  for  a  God  who 
never  lets  us  fall. 

W.  Kemper  Fitch  Jr. 
Aberdeen,  N.C. 


Council  action  article  raises  more  questions 


I  find  the  lead  article  in  the  January/Feb- 
ruary issue  ["Council  calls  for  healing  after 
dismissing  review  committee"]  quite  dis- 
turbing, raising  questions  while  answer- 
ing none.  I  think  the  synod  and  the  readers 
of  the  paper  need  a  detailed  explanation  of 
what  has  been  going  on. 

I  quote:  "1.  The  investigations  ...  have 
not  revealed  any  serious  mismanagement 
and  only  a  minor  financial  problem  and 


some  non-compliance  with  existing  policy." 

How  about  letting  your  readers,  and  the 
S3mod's  contributors,  make  up  their  own 
minds  as  to  the  degree  of  mismanagement, 
the  financial  problem,  and  the  non-compli- 
ance? 

Again:  "2.  The  council  has  modified  pro- 
cedures ...  to  ensure  that  repeated  allega- 
tions cannot  reoccur  ..." 

This  sounds  very  strange.  Shouldn't  you 


Thoughts  on  committee's  dismissal 


With  regard  to  the  various  articles  which 
have  appeared  in  your  publication  dealing 
with  the  dismissal  of  the  review  committee 
led  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ben  Lacy  Rose  prior  to 
the  committee  having  rendered  a  report,  I 
have  two  observations. 

When  an  issue  arises  regarding  finan- 
cial management  within  a  commercial  op- 
eration, any  responsible  financial  execu- 
tive will  not  only  want,  but  will  demand, 
that  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  matter 
be  conducted  by  a  fiscally  reliable  account- 
ing firm  or  an  impartial,  objective  commit- 
tee as  originally  proposed  by  the  Synod 
Council  in  June  of  1995.  This  would,  it 


would  seem,  be  especially  true  when  the 
subject  involved  contributed  funds  belong- 
ing to  a  religious  organization.  The  fact 
that  the  committee  was  dissolved  before  it 
could  complete  its  work  only  serves  to  call 
into  even  greater  questions  what  has  actu- 
ally transpired. 

Why  does  the  Presbyterian  Church  need 
a  Black  Caucus?  Do  we  also  need  a  Red 
Caucus  or  a  Yellow  Caucus  or  a  White 
Caucus?  Why  can't  we  do  God's  work  to- 
gether as  Presbyterians? 


be  saying  instead  "to  ensure  that  n 
agement,  financial  problems,  and  non-com- 
pliance cannot  reoccur?" 

How  does  the  synod  propose  to  keep 
people  from  alleging  that  mismanagement, 
financial  problems,  and  non-compliance 
are  taking  place? 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterians  might  find 
better  places  to  make  their  tithes  and  of- 
ferings. 

Philip  W.  Markley 
Reston,  Va. 


Bodies  lose  touch 
with  their  purpose 

I  strongly  agree  with  [David  E.  Bailey's] 
commentary  on  "civility"  in  the  January/ 
February  issue  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  Presby- 
terian. 

Too  often  elitist  bodies  lose  touch  with 
their  purpose  and  their  people.  It  takes  the 
PLC  [Presbyterian  Lay  Committee]  and 
people  like  [Bailey]  to  call  them  to  account. 

Lee  W.  Thomas 
Hockessin,  Del. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Mar 


Union  Iheolodcal  Seminaiy 

^  IN  VIRGINIA  ^ 


New  Library  Named  In 
Memory  of  William  Smith 
Morton 


when  Union's  new  library  opens,  perhaps  as  early  as 
fall  of  1996,  it  will  be  The  William  Smith  Morton  Memorial 
Library.  That  was  the  wish  of  Mr.  Morton's  daughter,  Mary 
Morton  Parsons,  who,  prior  to  her  death,  directed  a  gift  of 
$2.5  million  to  the  seminary.  The  gift  comes  to  Union 
through  a  foundation  established  by  Mrs.  Parsons,  and 
overseen  by  its  president,  Clinton  Webb,  of  Richmond, 
Virginia.  Mr.  Webb,  who  was  honored  recently  by  the  city, 
has  overseen  the  distribution  of  foundation  gifts  to  many 
local  historical  and  civic  projects  and  institutions. 

William  Smith  Morton  was  a  graduate  of  Hampden- 
Sydney  College,  the  class  of  1877,  and  the  fifth  generation 
in  his  family  to  have  ties  to  the  college.  His  great-great 
grandfather,  Captain  John  Morton,  was  a  founding  trustee 
of  Hampden-Sydney  and  served  for  21  years  on  the  board. 
His  great-grandfather.  Major  James  Morton,  his  grandfather. 
Dr.  William  Smith  Morton,  class  of  1801,  and  his  father, 
James  Wilson  Morton,  class  of  1837,  were  trustees  of  the  . 
college,  as  was  he. 

He  was  raised  by  his  grandfather.  Dr.  William  Smith 
Morton,  who  was  also  a  trustee  of  Union  Seminary  from 


1844  -  1848.  After  graduating  from  the  college,  Mr.  Morton 
taught  there.  He  met  and  married  his  wife  during  that  time. 

Near  the  aim  of  the  century,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morton 
moved  to  Richmond.  He  bought  one-fcjurth  interest  in 
Home  Beneficial  Insurance,  where  he  also  worked.  They 
were  members  of  Westminster  Presbyterian  Church, 

Their  daughter,  Mary,  was  bom  in  Richmond  in  1902. 
She  was  a  member  of  Westminster  church  with  her  family. 
Later,  she  and  her  mother  joined  Grace  Covenant 
Presbyterian  Church.  When  St.  Giles  Presbyterian  Church 
was  organized  in  the  1940s,  mother  and  daughter  were 
charter  members.  Mary  Morton  Parsons  was  a  tmstee  of 
Hampden-Sydney  College.  In  later  years,  she  was  a 
member  of  Second  Presbyterian  Church.  She  died  in  1991. 

Clinton  Webb,  an  investment  banker,  is  a  lifelong 
resident  of  Richmond.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  University  of 
Richmond,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Tmstees  of  that  institution.  Like  Mary  Morton  Parsons,  who 
was  his  friend  from  childhood,  Mr.  Webb  was  a  member 
of  Grace  Covenant  Presbyterian  Church  and  was  among 
the  charter  members  of  St.  Giles  Presbyterian  Church, 
where  he  is  still  a  member. 


Dalton  L.  McMtchael 


Two  Million 
Dollar  Gifts 
Boost  Capital 
Campaign 

Toward  a  goal  of  $31  million,  the  seminary  has 
received  two  gifts  of  $1  million  each  from  Nancy  H. 
Gottwald  and  Bmce  C.  Gottwald,  Sr.,  of  Richmond,  and 
from  Dalton  L.  McMichael.  Dalton  L.  McMichael,  of 
Madison,  North  Carolina. 


Mrs.  Gottwald  is  vice-chair  of  the  seminary's  Board  of 
Trustees.  She  and  Mr.  Gottwald  are  members  of  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  where  she  has  been  a  deacon,  circle 
leader,  and  officer  of  Presbyterian  Women.  Mr.  Gottwald  is 
president  and  chief  executive  officer  of  Ethyl  Corporation. 

Mr.  McMichael  is  a  member  of  Madison  (North 
Carolina)  Presbyterian  Church.  His  gift  to  the  seminary  is 
pledged  through  a  charitable  remainder  unitmst. 

Mrs.  Gottwald  is  a  graduate  of  Randolph-Macon's 
Woman's  College  and  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  that  institution.  She  has  also  served  as  a  trustee 
of  the  Virginia  Foundaton  for  Independent  Colleges  and  as 
a  member  of  the  board  of  the  Lewis  Ginter  Botanical 
Garden  and  the  Richmond  Eye  and  Ear  Hospital.  She  is 
former  president  of  the  Council  of  the  Virginia  Museum. 

The  Gottwalds'  generosity  to  a  number  of  charitable 
causes  is  well  known  throughout  the  state.  Among  other 
beneficiaries  of  their  suppport  are  the  Science  Museum  of 
Virginia,  Virginia  Military  Institute,  and  the  Richmond 
Symphony. 

Mr.  McMichael,  chairman  of  the  board  of  Mayo  Yams, 
Inc.,  is  recognized  as  a  supporter  of  education  in  the 
southeastem  United  States.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the 
University  of  North  Carolina-Chapel  Hill,  with  a  degree  in 
accounting.  He  was  instmmental  in  the  building  of  the 
research  department  at  the  UNC  School  of  Dentistry, 
where  a  professorship  was  designated  in  his  name  in  1993. 
He  is  also  a  benefactor  of  numerous  other  institutions  of 
higher  education  including  Rockingham  Community,  Elon, 
Salem,  Pfeiffer,  and  St.  Andrews  colleges;  and  Winston- 
Salem  State,  North  Carolina  State,  and  Wake  Forest 
universities.  He  is  also  a  supporter  of  Salem  Academy, 
Westem  Rockingham  City  Schools,  the  Greensboro  Day 
and  the  Cariisle  schools.  In  addition,  he  has  served  as 
chairman  of  the  Madison  and  the  Madison-Mayodan 
school  boards.  The  Dalton  L.  McMichael  High  School  is 
named  in  his  honor. 


Reformation: 

Its  History  and  Art 

July  26-August  8, 1996 

Switzerland,  France,  Germany,  Hungary,  and  HoHand 
A  Study  Excursion  led  by  Carl  and  Jean  Howie 


Dwight  N.  Hopkins 
Lectures  for  Black 
History  Month 
Program 

Dwight  N.  Hopkins,  associate  professor  of  theology  at 
the  Divinity  School  of  the  University  of  Chicago,  lectured 
at  the  seminary  on  Friday,  Febmary  9,  as  a  part  of  Black 
History  month  events.  Dr.  Hopkins's  visit  was  sponsored 
by  the  Black  Caucus  of  Union  and  the  Richmond 
Theological  Consortium,  which  includes  the  Presbyterian 
School  of  Christian  Education,  the  Baptist  Theological 
Seminary  at  Richmond,  at  the  Theology  School  of  Virginia 
Union  University. 

Dr.  Hopkins  is  the  author  and  editor  of  dozens  of 
articles,  reviews,  and  books  such  as  Cut  Loose  Your 
Stammering  Tongue:  Black  Theology  in  the  Slave  Narratives 
and  Shoes  That  Fit  Our  Feet:  Sources  for  a  Constructive 
Black  Theology,  which  was  the  topic  of  a  public  forum  led 
by  Dr.  Hopkins  at  the  Metropolitan  African  American 
Baptist  Church,  in  Richmond,  Virginia.  He  has  also 
lectured  at  other  churches,  colleges,  and  universities  across 
the  country  and  abroad  including  Stanford  University, 
Harvard  Divinity  School,  Wake  Forest  University,  Graduate 
Theological  Union  (Berkeley),  and  the  University  of  Paris 
VII. 

Dr.  Hopkins  received  the  bachelor  of  arts  from 
Harvard  University  and  the  Master  of  Divinity,  Master  of 
Philosophy,  and  Doctor  of  Philosophy  degrees  from  Union 
Theological  Seminary,  New  York.  He  joined  the  faculty  of 
the  University  of  Chicago  this  year  and  before  that  was 
associate  professor  of  religious  studies  and  ethnic  studies 
at  Santa  Clara  University  (California). 


Cost  per  person:  $2875 

For  more  information  call: 
Bruce  Frye  (UTS  '54).  president 
Travel  Time,  Inc. 
800-672-6696 


PAID  FOR  BY  FRIENDS  AND  SUPPORTERS  OF  UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  IN  VIRGINIA 


}hige  1  Mi  J-iiilantic  Presbyterian,  March  1996 


North  Carolina  minister  reports  from  Balkans 

Christ  still  working  in  war-torn  region 


By  WILLIAM  H.  CERJAK 

Editor's  Note — William  Cerjak, 
pastor  of  First  Church  ofSylva  in 
Western  North  Carolina 
Presbytery,  was  one  of  20  Presby- 
terians who  participated  in  a  Jan. 
10-20  fact-finding  visit  to  the 
former  Yugoslavia  sponsored  by 
the  General  Assembly  Peacemak- 
ing Task  Force.  Serjak  was  se- 
lected for  the  trip  partly  because 
his  ancestors  came  from  that  re- 
gion. Funds  for  his  participation 
came  from  his  church  and  the  pres- 
bytery. This  article  is  from  his 
report  to  the  presbytery. 

The  bridge  had  been  blown  up  by 
the  invading  Serb  army,  so  it  was 
useless.  We  had  to  cross  the  river 
on  pontoon  boats  to  reach  the  vil- 
lage of  Lasinja,  or  more  accurately 
the  remains  of  the  village. 

On  Christmas  eve  of  1991,  the 
Serb  army  had  reached  Lasinja, 
not  far  from  the  Croatian  capitol 
of  Zagreb.  They  wished  to  send  a 
message  to  the  Croatian  people  to 
try  and  break  their  spirit.  That 
Christmas  eve,  the  Serb  army  sys- 
tematically destroyed  the  entire 
village,  taking  special  effort  to 
see  that  the  church  building  was 
blown  apart. 

As  we  walked  through  the  re- 
mains of  the  village,  we  were  told 
to  stay  on  the  road  and  the  paths, 
since  possibly  all  the  mines  had 
not  been  found.  I  asked  Boris,  our 
guide,  how  they  would  ever  find 
them  all.  He  said  that  unfortu- 
nately the  children  and  the  ani- 
mals would  find  them. 


REFINISHING 


We  all  cried  as  we  carefully 
walked  through  destruction  such 
as  we  had  never  seen  before.  I 
once  said  that  the  Homestead  area 
of  South  Florida  looked  like  a  war 
zone  following  Hurricane  Andrew, 
but  that  was  before  I  had  actually 
seen  a  war  zone. 

Adding  to  the  pain  of  this  de- 
struction was  the  fact  that  it  did 
not  result  from  natural  disaster, 
but  from  the  sinful  heart  of  men 
and  women:  the  same  heart  we  all 


As  Paul  said, "...  all  have  sinned 
and  come  short  of  the  glory  of 
Grod."  The  fruits  of  the  sin  in  all  of 
our  hearts  is  evident  everywhere 
in  the  Balkans.  But  as  Paul  also 
said,  "where  sin  abounds,  grace 
abounds  all  the  more." 

God's  grace  is  evident  in  the 
hearts  and  spirit  of  the  people.  In 
their  current  residence,  a  refugee 
village  not  far  from  the  one  the 
Serbs  destroyed,  the  people  of 
Lasinja  fed  us  dinner.  We  gave 
gifts  to  one  another,  cried  together 
and  prayed  for  a  time  of  peace  and 
the  rebuilding  of  their  village.  We 
worshipped  together  in  the  chapel 
in  the  refugee  village. 

Afterwards  I  walked  with 
Blazenka,  my  new  Croatian 
friend,  and  her  aunt.  I  told  them 
how  my  mother's  parents  had  im- 
migrated fi-om  Croatia  but  since 
there  had  been  prejudice  against 
most  "foreigners"  then,  I  was 
taught  to  blend  in  as  thoroughly 
as  possible.  I  was  not  allowed  to 
learn  the  language  of  my  grand- 
parents and  got  the  idea  that  be- 
ing Croatian  was  not  something 
to  be  proud  of  However,  with  this 
trip  I  was  able  to  see  the  industry 
and  positive  spirit  of  the  Croatian 
people  and  was  now,  finally,  very 
proud  to  call  myself  a  Croatian. 

Western  North  Carolina  Pres- 
bytery supports  the  work  of 
AGAPE  in  Croatia  and  Bosnia.  I 
had  the  privilege  of  meeting  Antal 
Balog,  the  chief  executive  officer 
of  AGAPE.  His  deep  spirituality, 
combined  with  solid  intellect, 
made  him  one  of  the  most  impres- 


Best  of  Scandinavia  Tour! 

Tour  Copenhagen,  Oslo,  Stockholm.  See  fjords,  rivers, 
mountains,  lakes,  fairy-tale  villages,  castles,  Viking  heritage. 
14  days.  Roundtrip  airfare.  First-class  hotels.  Most  meals. 
Professional  escort.  Deluxe  motorcoach.  Basic  price:  $2,798. 
Departs  Washington,  D.C.,  July  11, 1996.  For  brochures,  call 
the  Rev.  Tom  Rhyne  (540)  635-3894  /  635-1988  or  write: 
Scandinavia  Tour,  100  Cherry  St,  Front  Royal,  VA  22630. 


sive  people  I  met  on  my  trip.  He 
has  a  wonderful  understanding  of 
the  Scriptures  and  how  God  is 
working  in  a  difficult  cultural  and 
spiritual  situation. 

In  a  news  report  he  sent  from 
Sarajevo  last  September  he  said, 
"Life  in  this  city  is  uncertain,  but 
Christ  is  building  His  church. 
Personally  we  have  been  encour- 
aged listening  to  the  burning,  in- 
tense prayers  of  believers,  who, 
beside  the  flame  of  a  candle  and 
the  thundering  sound  of  heavy 
weapons  of  the  UN  and  Bosnian 
army,  are  praying  for  peace.  All  of 
those  believers  coming  to  church 
are  passing  through  the  street 
intersections  on  which  there  are 
signs  which  read,  "WATCH  FOR 
SNIPERS'  or  WAR  ZONE'  and 
most  of  us  walk  up  to  10  kilome- 
ters to  the  place  of  worship." 

With  the  coming  of  U.S.  troops, 
at  least  for  now  their  prayers  ap- 
pear to  have  been  answered. 

Steve  and  Michelle  Kurtz, 
Presbyterian  missionaries  in 
Osijek,  are  equally  impressive. 
Steve  teaches  in  the  college  and 
seminary  and  works  with  indi- 


The  Rev.  William  Serjak  stands  in  front  of  the  ruins  of  the 
Catholic  church  building  in  Lasinja. 


vidual  students  whose  lives  have 
been  spiritually  and  emotionally 
shattered  by  the  war.  Michelle 
leads  a  weekly  prayer  group  where 
leaders  from  the  local  Roman 
Catholic,  Greek  Orthodox,  Pente- 
costal, Baptist,  Christian  Re- 
formed, and  Moslem  groups  meet 
together  for  prayer  and  discus- 
sion. 


I  saw  no  other  such  group  any- 
where in  the  former  Yugoslavia. 
In  my  opinion  the  most  effective 
work  for  the  Lord  I  saw  being 
done  anywhere  there  was  being 
done  by  AGAPE  and  our  church's 
missionaries.  It  is  wonderful  to 
be  able  to  give  such  enthusiastic 
support  to  the  work  of  our  church 
in  that  area. 


Retirement  communities  developing  programs 
and  services  to  the  community  at  large 


By  JAN  McGILLL\RD 

A  growing  trend  among  retire- 
ment communities  is  the  develop- 
ment and  delivery  of  programs 
and  services  to  the  community  at 
large.  Yes!  Most  of  our  Presbyte- 
rian-related residential  and 
health  communities  are  extend- 
ing their  ministries  far  beyond 
their  property  lines.  They  are  in- 
volved in  offering  educational  op- 
portunities, developing  resources, 
speakers'  bureaus,  meals  on 
wheels,  parish  nursing,  and  home 
health  care  services.  Here  are  a 
few  examples. 

Westminster-Canterbury  of 
Richmond,  Va.,  provides  meals 
for  40-45  individuals  each  week. 
The  service  is  not  limited  to  older 
adults,  and  referrals  are  made 
through  such  organizations  as 


FREE  ESTIMATES 


A&H  , 
ART  &  STAEVED 

COMPANY,  IBfj;  .... 


rmony,  N.C.  28634 


Your  Plans  For  A 
Wcttiderful  Retirement 
Cost  Less 
At  Kng's  Grant 

Few,  if  any,  retirement  cottages  or  apartments  are 
as  large  as  those  found  at  King's  Grant.  While  ours  are 
more  spacious,  they're  also  less  costly. 

Our  fee-for-service  plan  makes  our  community  even 
more  of  a  value,  because  you  pay  only  for  services  you  want 
or  need.  From  weekly  linen  service  to  full  nursing  care. 

Start  your  plans  today  for  a  wonderful 
retirement.  Mail  the  coupon  or  call 
703-634-1000  or  800-462-4649. 


King's  Grant- 

A  Sunnyside  Retirement  Community 

A  Presbyterian  Ministry  since  i9U. 

Mail  to:  1  King's  Way  Road,  Martinsville,  VA  24112-6610 


churches,  hospital  discharge  plan- 
ners and  hospices.  Speakers  have 
been  scheduled  on  a  wide  array  of 
topics  throughout  the  year.  W-C 
is  preparing  to  develop  the  con- 
cept of  parish  nursing  through  a 
certification  program.  A  "hymn- 
book  project"  is  under  way  to  de- 
velop a  book  of  hymns,  liturgy, 
and  rituals  that  reflects  the  back- 
grounds of  the  residents  and  will 
not  be  too  heavy  to  hold. 

Sunnyside  Presbyterian 
Home  in  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  re- 
cently marked  its  40th  anniver- 
sary with  a  public  performance  ol 
"An  Evening  with  Mark  Twain. 
A  partnership  with  local  elemen- 
tary schools  brings  tutoring  ser- 
vices to  students  and  students 
bring  programs  to  the  retirement 
community.  Sunnyside  hosts  the 
Salvation  Army  Christmas  party 
each  year.  King's  Grant  in  Mar- 
tinsville, Va.,  held  a  Fall  Carni- 
val to  support  the  United  Way. 

The  Presbyterians  Homes, 
Inc.,  of  North  Carolina  is  engaged 
in  writing  grant  proposals  for  the 
purpose  of  developing  home- 
health  services.  Scotia  Village  in 
Laurinburg,  N.C.,  participates  in 
an  intergenerational  program 
called  SAILL  (St.  Andrews  Insti- 
tute for  Life-long  Learning),  spon- 
sored by  St.  Andrews  Presbyte- 


rian College.  Participants  engage 
in  continuing  education,  physical 
fitness,  and  social  activities. 

This  is  only  a  sample  of  what  is 
happening  in  and  around  our  re- 
tirement communities  in  every 
part  of  the  synod.  The  Older  Adult 
Ministries  Committee  wants  to 
feature  similar  examples  of  re- 
tirement community  outreach  in 
the  future. 

Jan  McGilliard  is  the  synod's 
associate  for  older  adult  minis- 
tries. To  share  stories  write  to  her 
at  306  Country  Club  Dr.,  S.E., 
Blacksburg,  VA  24060.  Her 
Presbynet  address  is  JAN 
MCGILLIARD  and  her  Internet 
address  is  jmcgill@bev.net.  Her 
FAX  number  is  (540)  552-0948. 


Child  abuse  ministry 
resource  released 

The  Presbyterian  Health,  Educa- 
tion and  Welfare  Association 
(PHEW A)  has  released  a  new  re- 
source entitled  "Child  Abuse  Min- 
istry: A  Bibliography  of  Resources 
for  the  Religious  Community." 

The  resource  is  free  and  is 
available  from  the  PC(USA)  Child 
Advocacy  Office  in  Louisville  by 
caUing  (502)  569-5838. 


IN  THE  BLUE  RIDGE  MOUNTAINS. 
OF  NORTH  CAROLINA 

TRADITIONAL  CAMP 

Cheerio's  summer  resident  camp  offers  boys  and  girls  7-15  the 
chance  to  participate  in  many  exciting  camp  activities. 
Horseback  riding,  swimming,  soccer,  rappelling,  arts  and 
crafts,  and  dance  are  among  over  20  activities  available  for 
selection  by  campers.  Boys  and  girls  attend  separate  one  or 
two  week  camps,  or  tiiey  can  select  a  one  week  coed  camp.  A 
spiritual  emphasis  is  provided  through  daily  devotions. 


I 


Camp  Cheerio,  PO  Box  6258 
High  Point,  NC  27262  (800)  226-7496  ' 
http://users.aol.coin/BrantBl/cchomeJitm 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Man 


Campus  Notes 


John  W. 
Kuykendall 


Kuykendall  to  resign  in  '97 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.— Davidson  College  president 
John  W.  Kuykendall  has  announced  that  he  will 
resign  his  office  June  30,  1997,  to  return  to  class- 
room teaching,  Kuykendall,  a  1959  Davidson 
graduate  and  ordained  Presbyterian  minister, 
became  the  college's  15th  president  on  Oct.  5, 
1984,  following  11  years  as  a  member  of  the 
Auburn  University  religion  department  faculty. 
During  most  years  of  his  Davidson  presidency,  he 
has  continued  to  teach  one  course  per  year  in 
either  the  history  of  Christianity  or  his  academic 
speciality,  the  history  of  religion  in  America. 

Columbia  receives  $55  million  gift 

DECATUR,  Ga. — Columbia  Theological  Seminary  has  announced  it  is 
the  beneficiary  of  a  $55  million  trust  established  over  60  years  ago  by 
J.  Bulow  Campbell,  an  Atlanta  businessman  and  Presbyterian  lay- 
man. It  is  one  of  the  largest  gifts  ever  received  by  a  theological 
institution  in  the  United  States.  Campbell  was  influential  in  moving 
the  seminary  from  Columbia,  S.C.,  in  1927  and  supported  the  semi- 
nary generously  until  his  death  in  1940. 

Seminary  officials  said  the  income  from  the  trust  will  be  used  for 
strengthening  the  financial  base  of  the  seminary  by  reducing  the  draw 
on  the  endowment,  staffing  a  Center  for  New  Church  Development, 
art  J  Ihcreasing  scholarships  and  financial  aid  to  students. 

Batten  Professorship  established 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.— To  honor  the  memory  of  the  late  Knight-Ridder 
chairman  and  CEO  Jim  Batten,  Davidson  College  will  create  the 
James  Knox  Batten  Professorship  in  Public  Policy  through  an  endow- 
ment of  $1,000,000.  The  endowment  is  the  result  of  a  $600,000  grant 
from  the  John  S.  James  and  James  L.  Knight  Foundation  and  a 
$400,000  gift  from  Knight-Ridder  Inc.  Batten,  who  died  of  a  brain 
tumor  in  June  1995,  had  previously  created  the  Batten  Family 
Scholarship  in  Public  Policy  at  Davidson,  his  alma  mater. 

Peace  receives  $400,000  gift 

RALEIGH,  N.C.— Peace  College  recently  received  $400,000  from  the 
Mary  Whiting  Ewing  Charitable  Foundation  to  provide  renewable 
scholarships  for  four  years  of  undergraduate  study.  The  gift  estab- 
lishes the  Mary  Whiting  Ewing  Memorial  Scholarship  Endowment  in 
honor  of  the  late  Mary  Whiting  McKay  Ewing  of  Chapel  Hill,  a  Peace 
College  student  during  the  1920s.  The  scholarships,  worth  at  least 
$5,000  each  annually  for  up  to  four  recipients,  will  be  among  Peace's 
most  prestigious.  An  incoming  freshman,  who  has  yet  to  be  named, 
will  receive  the  first  award  based  on  her  academic  scholarship, 
leadership  and  community  involvement. 

Potential  donors  to  see  Olympics 

ATLANTA — Johnson  C.  Smith  Seminary  is  conducting  a  nationwide 
search  for  potential  donors  —  and  inviting  20  of  those  persons  to 
Atlanta  as  the  seminary's  guests  for  1996  Summer  Ol3mipic  track  and 
field,  field  hockey  and  volleyball  competitions.  "The  fact  that  we  can 
bring  this  seminary  to  the  attention  of  new  supporters  and  them  to  the 
Olympics  is  a  once-in-a-lifetime  opportunity,"  said  Dean  David  Wallace. 


Staff,  faculty  changes 


William  A.  Prosser  has  been  named  vice  president  for  administra- 
tion and  treasurer  at  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia. 
Prosser  has  served  for  the  past  four  years  as  vice  president  for  finance 
at  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  in  Laurinburg,  N.C. 

Wallace  M.  Alston  Jr.,  former  pastor  of  churches  in  Wadesboro 
and  Durham,  N.C,  has  been  appointed  as  director  of  the  Center  of 
Theological  Inquiry  at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  effective 
Jime  1.  Alston  holds  a  Th.D.  and  a  B.D.  from  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Virginia. 

Richard  E.  Rodman,  PC(USA)  coordinator  for  global  education 
and  international  leadership  development,  resigned  that  position  to 
assume  duties  as  associate  dean  of  Warren  Wilson  College. 


UNC-Chapel  Hill  ministry 
celebrates  with  open  house 


CHAPEL  HILL,  N.C— To  cel- 
ebrate renovation  of  the  Presby- 
terian Student  Center  here  and 
38  years  of  ministry,  the  Presby- 
terian Campus  Ministry  (PCM)  is 
hosting  an  open  house  starting  at 
4:30  p.m.  Thursday,  March  14. 

Under  the  leadership  of  then 
student  pastor  Harry  E.  Smith 
and  with  the  generous  support  of 
the  synod,  the  Presbyterian  Stu- 
dent Center  was  erected  in  down- 
town Chapel  Hill  in  1958.  It  has 
been  standing  right  in  the  midst 
of  campus,  church  and  commu- 
nity life  since  that  time.  Today, 


the  center  continues  to  serve  the 
university's  students  and  staff, 
as  well  as  a  number  of  organiza- 
tions from  the  Chapel  Hill- 
Carrboro  area. 

While  1958  isn't  long  ago  in 
some  respects,  when  your  talking 
about  the  maintenance  and  chang- 
ing use  of  a  building,  it's  ancient! 
In  an  effort  to  update  the  facility 
to  better  serve  the  mission,  the 
Presbyterian  Campus  Ministry 
Board  has  initiated,  and  now  com- 
pleted, a  major  renovation  project. 
The  end  result  is  an  outstanding 
center  for  campus  ministry  that 


Oswald  to  lead  clergy  workshop 


RICHMOND— "Clergy  Self-As- 
sessment," a  five-day  workshop 
led  by  Roy  M.  Oswald,  senior  con- 
sultant of  the  Alban  Institute,  will 
be  held  April  9-13  at  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  Virginia. 

Participants  will  assess  their 
individual  styles,  examine  their 
compatibility  with  their  congre- 
gations, explore  the  positive  as- 
pects of  conflict  and  ways  to  main- 
tain the  appropriate  level  of  con- 
flict for  energy  and  change.  Also, 
the  workshop  will  guide  partici- 
pants in  discovering  methods  of 
spiritual  renewal,  emotional  bal- 
ance, and  physical  health. 

Tuition  is  $225  and  may  be 
paid  by  check  or  VISA  or 
MasterCard.  Housing  and  meals 
are  available  on  campus.  Meals 
are  pay-as-you-go,  cash  only. 

To  register  or  for  more  infor- 
mation, contact  Sandra  Petree  in 
the  Office  of  Professional  Devel- 
opment and  Doctor  of  Ministry 

PEWCUSfflONS  = 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

P.O.BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG.  VA  24502 

=  1-800-572-2283  = 


Studies,  phone  (800)  229-2990, 
ext.  301  (toll  free  for  those  outside 
Richmond)  or  (804)  278-4301). 


will  be  able  to  served  the  church's 
mission  on  campus  well  into  the 
next  century. 

Presbyterians  are  invited  to 
see  not  only  what  has  been  done 
in  updating  the  center,  but  to  help 
dedicate  the  new  University  Stu- 
dent Lounge  which  we  will  name 
in  honor  of  Harry  Smith.  The  dedi- 
cation is  scheduled  for  5  p.m. 

Current  and  former  campus 
ministers,  students,  faculty  and 
church  friends  are  invited.  Caro- 
lina and  PCM  alumni  are  espe- 
cially encouraged  to  attend  as  a 
"Friends  of  PCM"  alumni  chapter 
is  initiated. 

Visitors  are  asked  to  use  the 
town  parking  deck.  For  details  and 
directions,  call  Campus  Minister 
Ollie  Wagner  at  (919)  967-2311. 
Presbyterian  Campus  Ministry  at 
the  UNC-Chapel  HiU  is  one  of  42 
campus  ministries  in  the  synod. 


YTERIAN 

ES,  INC. 


One  Mission... 
Three  Great 
Retirement  Communities 


Glenaire 


The  Presbyterian  Home 

of  High  Point        Scotia  Village 


200  West  Cornwall  Rd.  Box  500,  201  Greensboro  Rd.  2200  Elm  Avenue 
Gary,  NG  27511  High  Point,  NC  27260        Ijinrinbnrn,  NG  28352 

m-m-m)5  m-m-')iii  ')  10-277-2000 

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Call  Today  For  A  Free  Brochure  ' 


These  conferences  are  for:  ^  C^/ Z 


Pastors  •  Musicians  •  Worship  Chairpeople 
Lay  Leaders  •  Christian  Educators 


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"The  Church:  Vbible  Signs 

"The  Sacraments: 

"How  Shall  We  Sing 

of  Invisible  Qrace" 

7\  Radical  Demand" 

the  Lord's  Song 

Montreat  Conference 

Westminster  College 

in  a  Strar^e  Land?" 

Center 

New  Wilmington 

University  of  New  Mexico 

Montreat,  North  Carolina 

Pennsylvania 

Albuquerque,  New  Mexico 

ljune  16-22,  June  23-29  1 

I           July  7-13  1 

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Conference  Leadership  ^ 

Cynthia  A.  Jarvis 

Cynthia  Campbell 

Tom  Troeger 

Deborah  A.  McKinley 

Arlo  Duba 

Hanan  Yaqub 

David  Dahl 

David  Cherwien 

Howard  Rice 

J.  Randolph  Taylor 

Alice  Parker 

Michael  Burkhardt 

Helen  Kemp 

Andre  Thomas 

Allen  Pote 

Michael  Jothen 

Carolee  Curtright 

Paul  Westermeyer 

Marvin  Mills 

John  Horman 

Doug  Adams 

Kenneth  Lowenberg,  Director 

Craig  Dobbins,  Director 

Karmen  Van  Dyke,  Director 

One  Chevy  Chase  Circle  NW 

414  Grant  Street 

8209  Northridge  Ave.  NE 

Washington,  DC  20015 

Sewickly,  PA  15143 

Albuquerque,  NM  87109 

202-363-2202 

412-741-4550 

505-298-0702 

sponsored  by  the  Presbyterian  Association  of  Musicians 
For  more  information: 

PAM  National  Office  •  1  GO  Witherspoon  Street  •  Louisville,  KY  40202-1396 
phone:  502-569-5288  •  fax:  502-569-5501 


Peace  College  uoiv  offers 
five  baccalaureate  degree 
programs  for  ivomen. 
For  more  information, 
call  today!  . « *  ' 


I-800-PEACE-47 

or  (919)  508-2214 


IS  E.  Peace  Street.  Raleigh.  NC  27604 


6,  ;  iia- AUantic  Presbyterian,  March  1996 


Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


COUNCft  ON  ACCRECXIATION 
OF  SEIfVICES  FOB  FAMIUES 
AND  CHILDREN.  INC 


Working  together  to  weather  the  storm 


Children  and  staff  here  aren't 
likely  to  forget  the  Winter  of 
1996.  The  storm  that  dropped 
eight  inches  of  snow  on  the 
campus  Jan.  6-8  was  just  a 
sample  of  the  winter  to  come. 
A  week  later  temperatures  in 
the  high  60's  accompanied  two 
violent  thunderstorms.  Eight 
days  later  we  were  plunged 
into  a  devastating  ice  storm 
that  left  the  campus  looking  as 
it  did  after  Hurricane  Hugo. 

Ice  knocked  campus  power 
out  Feb.  2-4.  Children  and  staff 
spent  the  first  night  using  the 
cottage  fireplaces  to  keep 
warm.  A  lack  of  wood  and  plimi- 
meting  temperatures  forced 
them  to  spend  the  next  night 
at  a  local  Red  Cross  Shelter, 
where  children  and  staff  were 
praised  by  Red  Cross  workers 
for  their  help. 

"I  think  the  workers  were 
afraid  our  kids  would  be  a  dis- 
cipline problem,"  said  Frank 
Stewart,  Director  of  Residen- 
tial Services.  "They  were  pleas- 
antly surprised  when  they 
pitched  right  in  to  help  move 
tables,  set  up  sleeping  areas 
and  whatever  else  the  workers 
needed.  Our  staff  even  helped 


squelch  a  2  a.m.  pillow-fight  by 
other  children  staying  at  the 
shelter.  The  workers  couldn't 
say  enough  about  how  coop- 
erative our  children  were." 

The  next  night  was  spent  in 
hotel  rooms  as  staff  continued 
contacting  parents  in  an  effort 
to  get  the  children  home.  "With 
dangling  limbs  and  near-zero 
temperatures,  it  wasn't  safe  to 
keep  the  children  on  campus," 
said  Stewart. 

Maintenance  Supervisor 


Bobby  Nesbit  said  the  d£un- 
ages  from  the  ice  storm  were 
costlier  than  Hugo  damages 
because  most  of  the  trees  on 
campus  had  broken  or  cracked 
limbs  and  tree  tops. 

"We  lost  over  50  trees  dur- 
ing Hugo,  most  of  them  were 
blown  over.  It  will  cost  far  more 
to  bring  in  bucket  trucks  to  cut 
the  hanging  Umbs  and  tree  tops 
than  it  cost  to  cut  trees  that 
were  already  on  the  ground," 
said  Nesbit. 

Stewart  was  very  apprecia- 
tive of  the  Red  Cross  and  Emer- 
gency Services  that  helped  the 
children  and  staff.  Praise  also 
goes  to  our  children's  families 
who  made  the  effort  to  get  them 
out  of  this  situation  quickly. 
One  family  in  Charlotte  even 
opened  up  their  home  to  three 
girls  and  staff  so  they  would 
have  a  place  to  stay. 

The  administration  and 
staff  put  in  many  extra  hours 
to  ensure  the  safety  of  the  chil- 
dren and  make  a  bad  situation 
a  lot  better. 

Things  are  finally  return- 
ing to  normal,  and  you  can 
believe  that  everyone  here  is 
ready  for  SPRING!!!!!! 


Taylor  to  lead  worship 


Dr.  John  Randolph  Taylor  will 
lead  the  worship  service  Sat- 
urday, May  4, 1996,  at  an  Open 
House  at  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children. 

Dr.  Taylor  is  the  former 
moderator  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  reunited  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.)  and 
retired  president  of  the  San 
Francisco  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  San  Anselmo,  Calif  He 
was  pastor  of  Myers  Park 
Church  in  Charlotte  fi-om  1976- 
1985. 

The  Open  House  will  begin 
at  11  a.m.  with  registration, 


music  &  refreshments.  A  North 
Carolina  Bar-B-Q  lunch  will 
be  served  at  Noon,  with  the 
Worship  Service  at  Little  Joe's 
Presbyterian  Church  begin- 
ning at  1  p.m.  Walking  tours  of 
the  Home  will  be  provided  from 
2  to  4  p.m. 

Everyone  is  welcome!! 
Please  see  the  announcement 
below  for  more  information.  We 
ask  that  if  you  would  like  to 
attend,  please  RSVP  by  April 
27bycaUing  1-800-320-4157, 
so  that  we  can  get  a  count  for 
lunch. 


J.  Randolph  Taylor 


Open  House 

Under  the  Oaks  at  Little  Joe 

Bar-B-Q    Worship       Campus  Tours 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

Everyone  Welcomei  i 

Saturday,  May  4, 1 996 
12:00  Noon  -  4:00  p.m. 

Worship  Leader 

J.  Randolph  Taylor 

Program 

Registration,  Music  &  Refreshments  1 1:00  -  12:00  Noon 

Lunch  Provided;  North  Carolina  Bar-B-Q  1 2:00  -  i  ;00  p.m. 

Worship:  little  Joe's  Presbyterian  Church  i:00  -  2:00  p.m. 

Walking  Tour  of  the  Home  2:00  -  4:00  p.m. 

Lunch  RSVP  by  April  27,  i996. 
Please  call  i -800- 3  20-41  57to  make  reservations. 


ii 


Marian  Wright  Edelman, 
founder  and  president  of  the 
Children's  Defense  Fund,  has 
just  published  a  new  book  en- 
titled, Guide  My  Feet.  The  sub- 
title of  the  book  is  Prayers  and 
Meditations  on  Loving  and 
Working  for  Children.  I  recom- 
mend it  to  you. 

One  of  the  prayers  she  of- 
fers is  this:  "Oh,  God,  Help  us 
to  be  worthy  of  the  children 
you  have  entrusted  to  our  care." 
The  simplicity  of  the  prayer 
stands  in  sharp  contrast  to  the 
difficulty  of  the  task. 

As  parents,  grandparents, 
members  of  extended  families 
and  members  of  congregations 
committed  to  the  nurture  of  all 
God's  children,  let  us  accept 
the     challenge     of  this 


Word  from  the  President 


Help 


Us  to 
Be  Worthy 


Robert  W.  StanseU  Jr.,  President 


responsibilty  and  join  together 
to  Uve  out  this  prayer.  Together 
we  can  make  a  difference  in 
the  lives  of  our  children. 


New  Gift 
Wish  List 


Free  Program 
For  Your  Church 

Barium  Springs 
Home  For  Children 

Offers 
Informational 
Programs 

Family  Nights 
Sunday  Schools 
Presbyterian  Men 
Mission  Programs 
Worship  Services 
Presbyterlvn  Women 
Youth  Groups 
Mission  Fairs 
Other  Special  Church 
Groups 

Call  Bill  Cowfer 
to  schedule 
704/872-4157 


•  16"  &  20"  Bicycles 

•  Sporting  Equipment: 

Sleeping  Bags 
Fishing  Rods  &  Reels 
Canoe(s) 

Small  John  Boats 
Tennis  Racquets 

&  Balls 
Softballs  and  Gloves 
Out-Door  Games 

•  Manual  Typewriters  (4) 

•  Toiletries 

•  Refrigerator 

•  Electric  Range 

•  Long  bibs  with  vinyl 
backing 

•  Socks  (Infant-5  years) 

•  Hardback  Picture  &  Story 
Books  (Infant-5  years) 

•  Upholstered  couch/ 
love  seat 

•  End  Table  Lamps  (3) 

•  Upholstered  arm  chairs  (2) 

•  Linens 

•  Towels 

•  Heavy  Duty  Dressers 

•  Tickets  to  sporting  events 
in  Charlotte,  Winston- 
Salem,  or  Hickory  area. 

If  you  are  interested  in  do- 
nating any  of  these  new  items 
for  the  children,  call  or  write: 
Mr.  Reade  Baker,  Vice  Presi- 
dent, Financial  Resources,  P.O. 
Box  1,  Barium  Springs,  NC, 
28010;  (704)  872-4157. 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $_ 
I  wish  to:   


_  Honor 
Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


is  enclosed 
 Remember 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  . 


Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  J.  Barium  Springs.  NC  28010 


Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Marc'; 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps  —  Lesson  8,  April  1996 

Glimpses  of  Home  —  Chapter  Eight 

Sheep  and  goats 

In  thinking  about  sheep  and  goats,  we  may 
want  to  recall  those  folks  who  have  been  like 
"sheep"  to  us.  What  did  they  do  for  you  that  was 
an  expression  of  niceness?  When  was  the  last 
time  you  acted  like  a  sheep  for  someone?  What 
was  your  deed  of  kindness?  And,  in  all 
honesty,  when  was  the  last  time  you 
acted  more  like  a  goat?  And  how  can 
you  make  amends  for  that? 

Eugenia  Gamble  says  in  Picture  2, 
"Bom  Anew,"  "The  Gospel  of  John's 
understanding  of  the  realm  of  God  is 
different  from  anything  we  have  yet 
encountered."  (page  63)  "For  John, 
the  issue  of  participation  in  the  realm 
of  God  is  not  a  'how'  but  a  ^with 
whom."  (page  65)  As  Bible  modera- 
tors or  circle  study  learners,  we  need 
to  be  alert  to  this  difference  as  given 
to  us  in  John  3:  1-10,  the  familiar 
story  of  Nicodemus  who  "came  by 
night." 

Read  this  passage  either  aloud  or  silently  to 
discover  the  levels  of  communication  going  on 
between  Jesus  and  Nicodemus.  When  Jesus 
uses  the  term  "bom  from  above"  (NRSV),  "bom 
anew"  (RSV)  or  'Taorn  again"  (NIV),  what  does 
Jesus  mean?  How  does  Nicodemus  interpret 
the  phrase?  How  does  Jesus  counter  Nicodemus' 
misunderstanding?  Why  do  you  think 
Nicodemus  "came  by  night,"  and  what  signifi- 
cance does  that  have  with  being  bom  from 
above? 


By  the  Rev.  Dr.  CAROL  T.  "PINKY"  BENDER 

Back  in  the  days  when  doors  remained  un- 
locked, back  in  the  days  when  a  screen  door's 
slam  meant  the  arrival  of  someone,  back  in  the 
days  when  a  tentative  knock  was  always  an- 
swered with  a,  "Come  on  in!"  kind  of  greeting ... 
back  in  those  days,  entry  meant  arriv- 
ing, coming  in,  a  casual  greeting,  an 
entrance  that  generated  anticipation 
in  a  positive  way.   An  entry  meant 
greeting  a  family  member,  welcoming 
the  postal  person  who  brought  a  long- 
awaited  package,  pulling  up  a  chair 
for  a  friend  who  came  for  a  cup  of 
coffee  and  a  gossip  on  a  sunny  day. 

In  this  lesson,  "Glimpses  of  Entry," 
the  meaning  of  "entry"  takes  an  en- 
tirely different  tack.  With  this  chap- 
ter in  Eugenia  Gamble's  Glimpses  of 
Home:  Biblical  Images  of  the  Realm  of 
God,  the  concept  of  the  day  of  judg- 
ment will  be  carefully  examined.  The 
entry  portrayed  in  this  session  will  be 
the  entry  into  the  very  kingdom  of  God  or  the 
realm  of  God  itself. 

Many  aspects  of  Judgment 

As  a  Bible  moderator  or  as  a  circle  partici- 
pant or  as  one  studying  this  session  alone  at 
home,  think  through  your  own  definition  of 
"judgment."  What  words  or  phrases  come  to 
mind  as  you  think  about  this  word?  (As  I  looked 
through  my  personal  library  catalog,  I  could 
not  find  even  one  book  listed  under  the  category 
of  "Judgment!"  Either  I  have  none,  or  I  have 
filed  what  I  have  under  another  topic!  I  believe 
it  is  the  former.) 

Do  you  think  of  judgment  as  conclusion, 
verdict,  decision,  ruling,  as  in  judicied  language? 
Do  you  think  of  judgment  as  interpretation, 
analysis,  belief,  deduction,  as  in  rendering  an 
opinion,  i.e.  "In  my  judgment . ..  ?"  Do  you  think 
of  judgment  as  discernment,  taste  or  sense,  as 
in  "Her  judgment  in  matters  carries  a  lot  of 
credibility?"  Jot  down  a  working  definition  of 
the  word  "judgment"  for  your  own  benefit. 

In  Picture  1,  "The  Righteous  and  the  Unrigh- 
teous," Gamble  focuses  on  "an  explicit  picture 
of  the  life  that  will  be  rewarded  by  entry  into 
the  fullness  of  God's  realm."  (page  61)  One  of 
the  ways  to  examine  this  parable  is  to  look  for 
the  six  actions  (in  verses  35-36)  on  which  Jesus 
bases  the  judgment  that  guarantees  entrance 
into  God's  kingdom.  If  your  circle  is  large 
enough,  divide  into  six  groups  giving  each  group 
one  of  the  deeds  on  which  to  concentrate.  Ask 
questions  like,  "How  does  our  denomination, 
our  church,  our  community  fulfill  this  action  as 
commanded  by  Jesus?"  Or,  "What  do  I  person- 
ally contribute  to  the  acting  out  of  this  en- 
deavor?" Have  each  group  record  a  response  to 
share  with  the  entire  group. 

Acts  of  mercy 

These  acts  are  acts  of  mercy,  as  the  author 
points  out,  and  it  is  on  acts  of  mercy  (done  or  left 
undone)  that  we  will  be  judged  on  that  final 
day.  Perhaps  a  follow-up  question  to  the  above 
exercise  could  be,  "How  can  I  improve  my 
record'  of  doing  acts  of  kindness  and  mercy? 
What  ONE  thing  can  I  do  this  week  as  an  act  of 
mercy  to  someone?" 

Note  the  element  of  surprise  when  the  righ- 
teous are  told  that  their  entrance  to  the  "king- 
dom prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of 
the  world"  has  been  assured  by  their  mercy  to 
others.  Think  about  the  last  time  someone  did 
something  nice  for  you.  When  you  expressed 
your  gratitude  to  that  person,  was  he  or  she 
"taken  aback,"  or  surprised  that  you  noticed,  or 
chagrined  that  she/The  "got  caught"  doing  a 
good  deed!? 

So  often  people  who  are  living  the  Christian 
lifestyle,  in  "doing  what  comes  naturally"  (in 
the  sense  that  following  Christ's  mandates  can 
become  almost  natural),  are  caught  off  guard 
by  the  reaction  of  another  person  to  their  deeds 
of  kindness.  Those  who  strive  to  live  by  the 
teachings  of  Christ  as  expressed  in  the  gospels 
often  sense  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  nudg- 
ing them,  prodding  them,  urging  them,  to  do 
things  that  are  inconvenient,  time-consuming 
and  magnanimous  in  nature.  And  in  so  doing 
these  things,  these  persons  are  assuring  their 
"sheeplikeness,"  according  to  the  parable. 


Born  once  or  twice? 

When  teaching  this  passage,  I  tend  to  use  a 
succinct  illustration  like  the  following: 

Born  once  (physically),  die  twice  (physi- 
cally and  spirituEdly) 

Born  twice  (physically  and  spiritually),  die 
once  (physically) 

The  physical  birth  or  "what  is  bom  of  the 
flesh,"  is  the  birth  that  every  living  person  has 
experienced.  The  "bom  from  above"  is  the  spiri- 
tual rebirth  that  Jesus  points  out  to  Nicodemus 
in  verses  five  and  six  and  is  an  option  to  those 
who  have  been  bom  physically. 

As  we  have  looked  at  John's  idea  of  entrance 
into  the  kingdom  of  God,  think  through  what 
"eternal  life"  means  to  you.  Ask  volunteers  to 
respond.  Is  it  something  that  occurs  after  death? 
Is  it  something  that  you  can't  quite  describe 
but  you  just  know  that  it  is  real?  Is  it  like  going 
from  darkness  into  light  about  spiritual  mat- 
ters? 

Gamble's  refection  questions  on  page  64 
sum  up  the  essence  of  living  in  the  kingdom  of 
God  in  the  "here  and  now"  and  not  having  to 
wait  to  enjoy  kingdom  living  until  life  on  earth 
ends.  You  may  want  to  use  these  questions  to 
wrap  up  this  study  of  John's  presentation  of 
entrance  into  God's  realm.  Living  in  God's 
kingdom  occurs  when  a  person  makes  a  com- 
mitment of  faith  io  Jesus  Christ  as  Lord  and 
Savior  and  that  commitment  can  indeed  affect 
the  way  we  live  our  lives  here  on  earth. 

As  I  write  this  column  on  a  snowy  Saturday, 
the  Charlotte  Observer's  "Living  Faith  and 
Values"  section  contains  an  article  about  a  man 
who  "rediscovered  God"  two  days  before  his  son 
was  accidentally  shot  in  the  head  and  died.  The 
man's  new-found  peace  and  contentment  sus- 
tained him  through  an  extremely  difficult  time 
in  his  life  and  in  the  life  of  his  entire  family.  For 
him  living  in  the  kingdom  of  God  is  having  the 
spiritual  strength  to  "make  it  through"  the 
hard  times  that  life  throws  at  him. 

Entering  the  kingdom  carries  no  guarantee 
that  life  will  from:  then  on  be  easy;  it  is  an 
assurance  that  life  from  then  on  will  be  lived 
not  as  a  "how"  but  as  a  "with  whom."  And  the 
'Svith  whom"  is  Jesus  Christ.  Perhaps  that's 
why  believers  have  been  given  the  mandate  to 
help  people  make  the  entry,  to  say  to  folks, 
"Come  on  in"  ...  to  the  kingdom  of  God,  to  those 
with  whom  we  come  in  contact. 

(NOTE:  Please  remember  that  three  "extra" 
lessons  will  be  given  to  use  if  your  circle  meets 
12  times  a  year.  The  first  was  given  at  the  end 
of  the  material  for  Chapter  Four;  the  second 
followed  Chapter  Five's  column;  the  third  will 
be  included  next  month  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
final  column  for  this  year's  study. 


Square  dancers  entertain  tree-shaded  guests  during  last 
year's  Day  in  the  Country  at  the  Zuni  Center. 

Zuni's  'Day  in  the  Country' 
moved  to  April  20 


ZUNI,  Va.— The  Zuni  Presbyterian 
Center  wiU  hold  its  22nd  annual 
Day  in  the  Country  from  10  a.m.  to 
3  p.m.  Saturday,  April  20. 

Traditionally  held  the  fourth 
Saturday  in  July,  the  event  has 
been  moved  to  the  April  date  by 
its  sponsors,  the  Zuni  Kuwayes. 

Mule  wagon  rides,  bingo, 
clowns,  resident  performance,  hay 


CAM  asseinbly 
is  April  16-17 

The  Coalition  on  Appalachian 
Ministry  (CAM)  will  holds  its 
spring  assembly  April  16-17  at 
Parchment  Valley  Baptist  Center 
in  Ripley,  W.Va. 

Theme  for  the  event  will  be 
"Unleashing  the  Power  of  the 
People."  The  keynote  speaker  will 
be  the  Rev.  William  "Hugh" 
Hamilton  III,  pastor  of  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Covington, 
Tenn.,  and  moderator  of  Mem- 
phis Presbytery. 

Several  workshops  will  provide 
practical  information  on  how  to 
include  the  laity  in  the  ministry. 
They  include: 

Family  and  Community  with 
Dr.  Ted  Hagen,  psychologist; 

Music  and  Worship  with  the 
Rev.  Jim  Diamond  and  the  Rev. 
Beverly  Schmidt;  and 

Third  Age  Ministry  with  Laurie 
Sharp. 

Cost  is  $60  per  person,  includ- 
ing room  and  board.  Continuing 
education  credits  are  available. 

For  more  information  contact 
the  Coalition  on  Appalachian 
Ministry,  P.O.  Box  10208,  Knox- 
ville,  TN  37939-0208;  phone  (423) 
584-6133. 


AUTHORS  WANTED 

Leading  subsidy  book  publishers  seeks  manu- 
scripts of  all  types:  fiction,  non-fiction,  poetry, 
scholarly,  juvenile  and  religious  works,  etc. 
New  authors  welcomed.  Send  for  free  32-page 
illustrated  booklet.  H-101 ,  Vantage  Press,  516 
W.  34th  St.,  New  York,  NY  1 0001 . 


rides,  fishing,  music  and  other 
fun  family  events  are  planned, 
according  to  Zuni  Center  director 
Robert  B.  Bishop.  Food — includ- 
ing the  well  known  Zuni  pea- 
nuts— and  spring  flowers  will  be 
on  sale. 

In  addition  to  being  enjoyable, 
the  Day  in  the  Country  provides 
Presbyterians  an  opportunity  to 
see  first  hand  this  mission  project. 
The  center,  which  helps  mentally 
retarded  young  adults  make  the 
transition  to  more  independent 
living,  is  a  division  of  Presbyte- 
rian Home  and  Family  Services, 
Inc.,  an  agency  which  relates  to 
the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

Zuni  Presbyterian  Center  is 
located  off  Highway  460  about  20 
miles  northwest  of  Suffolk  and  41 
miles  southeast  of  Petersburg.  For 
information  call  (804)  242-6131. 


PARISH  ASSOCIATE 

Planning  your  retirement  and  seek- 
ing a  transition  into  a  meaningful 
part-time  ministry?  We  are  inter- 
ested in  hearing  from  you.  What  we 
ask  —  Two  days  a  week,  including 
two  Sunday  services;  preaching  and 
pastoral  care  for  two  smaller 
congregations;  attending  monthly 
parish  council  meetings.  What  we 
offer  —  Meaningful  ministry  in  the 
heart  of  the  beautiful  Blue  Ridge 
Mountains  of  Southwest  Virginia; 
use  of  a  manse;  salary  to  supple- 
ment Social  Security;  mileage  reim- 
bursement for  parish  travels;  a 
shared  ministry  team  approach  to 
cooperative  parish  ministry.  For  a 
complete  job  description  and  expla- 
nation of  the  Parish  send  a  current 
P.I.F.  to:  The  Presbyterian  Parish 
of  Southwest  Virginia,  P.O.  Box 
2575,  Lebanon,  VA  24266  or  phone 
(703)  889-2703. 


PEWREFINISHING  ♦  CARPET 
PEWS  ♦  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 
CHURCH  LIGHTING 


CHURCH  FURNISHINGS,  INC. 

Monroe,  NC28111  1-800-666-7331 


Mission  Experience 
to  the  Czech  Republic 

June  15-27,  1996 

•  Share  with  brothers  and  sisters  in  Christ 

•  Gain  insights  in  the  mission  of  the  church  there 

•  Work  with  the  Czech  Brethren  on  a  mission  project 

•  Worship  and  have  Bible  study  together 

•  Enjoy  the  history  and  sights  of  the  Czech  Republic  and 
neighboring  Slovakia 

Cost:  approximately  $1,400  per  person 
To  Apply:  complete  application  and  obtain  two 
recommendations.  Participants  must  attend  a  pre-trip  training 
session  and  complete  all  reading  and  forms. 

For  information  contact:  Betty  McGinnis,  1234  Tamarnck  Tr., 
Arnold  MD  21012;  phone  (410)  647-7494. 


News  from  the  PC(USA^ 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  -] 
Presbyterian  News  Service  1 


as  =  C.  M  d-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  March  1996 


Sale  called  as  general  presbyter  for  the  Peaks; 
Rickard  leaves  the  James  for  N.  Alabama 


LYNCHBURG,  Va.— The  Presby- 
tery of  the  Peaks  voted  Feb.  10  to 
call  the  Rev.  Merri  weather  Ander- 
son Sale  as  general  presbjrter  ef- 
fective April  1. 

The  presbytery  also  approved 
the  call  of  the  Rev.  George  C. 
Goodman  as  associate  presb5i;er 
effective  immediately. 

Sale  will  come  to  the  Peaks 
from  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  where 
he  has  served  as  executive  pres- 
bj^er  for  Missouri  Union  Presby- 
tery since  1983. 

Since  he  was  pastor  of  First 
Church  in  Pulaski,  Va.,  for  five 
years  prior  to  going  to  Missouri, 
Sale  is  no  stranger  to  the  Peaks 
Presb3^ery  area. 

From  1972  to  1978  he  was  as- 


sociate pastor  for  Bon  Air  Church 
in  Richmond,  Va. 

A  native  of  Charleston,  W.Va., 
he  holds  master  of  theology  and 
bachelor  of  divinity  degrees  from 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in 
Virginia  and  a  bachelor's  degree 
in  history  from  Davidson  College. 

He  and  his  wife,  Frances,  have 
three  children. 

Groodman  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Peaks  staff  since  1991,  serv- 
ing as  associate  presb5^er. 

Until  Sale  officially  joins  the 
presb5i;ery  staff  on  April  1,  Edith 
Patton  will  continue  as  acting 
general  presb3rter,  a  role  she  has 
held  for  the  two  years  since  former 
general  presbyter  George  Mag- 
nuson  left  to  become  executive  of 


Boston  Presbjrtery. 

Rickard  to  N.  Alabama 

The  Rev.  John  E.  Rickard  was 
elected  executive  presbyter  for 
North  Alabama  Presbytery  on 
Jan.  18.  Service  in  his  new  posi- 
tion began  Feb.  1  and  he  was 
installed  at  the  presbytery's  win- 
ter meeting,  Feb.  17,  in  Hunts- 
ville,  Ala. 

Rickard  has  been  serving  as 
interim  executive  for  the  Presby- 
tery of  the  James  and  was  previ- 
ously interim  executive  for  Tropi- 
cal Florida  Presbytery.  He  suc- 
ceeds the  Rev.  Houston  Hodges, 
who  retired.  North  Alabama  in- 
cludes 36  churches  with  about 
6,800  members. 


Presbyterian  minister  joins  protests 
at  Greensboro  Kmart  distribution  center 


By  JULIAN  SHIPP 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

GREENSBORO,  N.C.— The  Rev. 
James  Herbert  Nelson  II,  pastor 
of  St.  James  Presbyterian  Church 
here  [and  a  member  of  the  Synod 
of  Mid-Atlantic  Council],  spent 
Jan.  15  reflecting  upon  the  life 
and  legacy  of  Dr.  Martin  Luther 
King  Jr.  from  a  paradoxical  per- 
spective— a  jail  cell. 

Nelson  was  in  jail  for  the  sec- 
ond time,  along  with  several  other 
ministers  associated  with  the 
Greensboro  Pulpit  Forum,  follow- 
ing nonviolent  labor  protests  at 
the  Kmart  Distribution  Center. 

The  demonstrations  are  the 
latest  efforts  in  a  mounting  imion 
fight  by  local  Kmart  shipping 
workers,  who  claim  to  be  paid 
significantly  less  than  their 
Kmart  counterparts  in  other  parts 
of  the  coimtry .  Those  arrested  said 
they  sympathize  with  union  com- 
plaints that  distribution  center 
employees  in  Greensboro  earn  an 
average  of  $4.60  per  hour  less 
than  employees  at  the  12  other 
Kmart  distribution  centers  across 
the  nation. 

According  to  the  Pulpit  Forum, 
a  nonprofit  ecumenical  organiza- 
tion, Greensboro  also  has  the  only 
Kmart  distribution  center  where 
the  majority  of  workers  are  mi- 
norities and  where  workers  re- 
ceive fewer  benefits  than  workers 
at  any  of  the  other  centers. 

Nelson  said  he  and  other  Pul- 
pit Forum  ministers  have  vowed 
to  keep  going  to  jail  for  the  work- 
ers until  their  efforts  attract  na- 
tional attention  and  achieve  posi- 
tive outcomes.  He  told  the  Pres- 
byterian News  Service  that  the 
main  goal  of  the  protests  is  to 
heighten  community  awareness 
of  "the  real  issues  at  hand. 

"Kmart  symbolizes  the  crush- 


ing effect  of  big  companies  on  the 
lives  of  workers,"  Nelson  said. 
"When  people  can't  make  enough 
money  to  make  ends  meet,  what 
often  follows  is  crime,  drug  use, 
and  the  breakdown  of  the  family 
and  community.  What  we  are  con- 
cerned with  is  life  and  the  peace 
and  harmony  of  this  city." 

After  hearing  complaints  from 
workers,  many  of  whom  are  mem- 
bers of  local  churches,  Nelson  said 
theological  reasons  compelled  him 
to  act. 

"The  struggle 
of  this  theologi- 
cally is,  What  is 
our  calling  to  sup- 
port the  poor?" 
Nelson  said.  "And 
if  in  fact  we  are 
called  to  support 
the  poor,  we  then 
are  called  to  deal 
with  the  powers 
and  principalities 
that  actually  foster  the  poverty  of 
all  these  folks  who  have  to  come 
to  the  doors  [of  the  church]  asking 
for  food,  shelter  and  clothing. 
"What  would  [Jesus]  do  when 
somebody  says .  they  are  strug- 
gling to  feed  their  family  and 
the/re  honorable  people  in  the 
sense  that  they  work  every  day?" 
Nelson  said.  "These  workers  are 
trying  to  earn  a  decent  living. 
They  want  the  same  things  for 
their  family  that  we  want  and  all 
the  other  people  who  are  being 
paid  some  money  want." 

Along  with  Nelson,  police 
charged  other  ministers  with  tres- 
passing in  the  demonstrations, 
the  first  of  which  on  Dec.  10  was 
led  by  the  Rev.  William  F.  Wright, 
president  of  the  Greensboro  Pul- 
pit Forum,  which  has  been  work- 
ing with  the  Kmart  workers  and 
their  union  for  nearly  two  years. 

Also  arrested  during  the  Dec. 


'The  struggle  of 
this  theologically 
is,  What  is  our 
calling  to  support 
the  poor?' 

—  J.  Herbert  Nelson  III 


10  demonstration  were  state  Rep. 
Alma  Adams,  a  Greensboro  legis- 
lator and  Bennet  College  profes- 
sor, and  Carolyn  Coleman,  a  spe- 
cial assistant  to  North  Carolina 
governor  Jim  Hunt  and  an 
NAACP  national  board  member. 

Adams,  whose  district  includes 
the  distribution  center,  was 
among  those  who  signed  a  writ- 
ten promise  to  appear  in  court 
Feb.  5  and  were  promptly  re- 
leased. But  according  to  the 
Greensboro 
magistrate's  of- 
fice, six  of  those 
arrested,  includ- 
ing Nelson  and 
Wright,  refused 
that  option  and 
chose  to  remain  in 
jail.  They  later 
posted  bond  for 
the  misdemeanor 
trespassing 
charge  and  were 
released. 

Nelson  was  charged  with  the 
same  offense  Jan.  15.  He  was 
scheduled  to  appear  in  court  Feb. 
1,  ironically  the  35th  anniversary 
of  the  date  four  North  Carolina 
Agricultural  and  Technical  Col- 
lege students  ignited  a  nation- 
wide struggle  for  justice  by  stag- 
ing the  first  sit-in  at  a  lunch 
counter  at  Woolworth's  depart- 
ment store  in  Greensboro.  Their 
efforts  greatly  influenced  the  civil 
rights  movement. 

"We  hope  to  arouse  the  con- 
science of  this  community  and 
perhaps  the  nation,"  Wright  said. 
"We're  living  in  a  dangerous  delu- 
sion if  we  think  the  rich  can  keep 
on  getting  richer  and  the  poor  be 
driven  down  to  the  bottom  with- 
out any  kind  of  reaction.  Sooner  of 
later,  something  is  going  to  erupt 
when  there  is  this  much  anger, 
bitterness  and  hopelessness." 


Kurtz  to  address  Abingdon  festival 


Harold  Kurtz,  executive  director 
of  Presbyterian  Frontier  Fellow- 
ship in  Portland,  Ore.,  will  be 
keynote  speaker  for  Abingdon 
Presbytery's  1996  Mission  Festi- 
val to  be  held  from  8:30  a.m.  to  2 
p.m.  Saturday,  March  9,  at  King 
College  in  Bristol,  Tenn. 

The  theme  will  be  "Partner- 
ship in  Mission." 

The  Rev.  Kurtz,  and  his  wife 
Polly,  served  as  missionaries  in 
Ethiopia  under  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  from  1955  thru 
1977.  In  1984  he  assumed,  in 
addition  to  pastoral  duties  in  Port- 

i  '  '  f  •  torshipofthePres- 
itier  Foundation. 


The  organization's  purpose  is 
to  stimulate  PC(USA)  cross-cul- 
tural evangelism  among  the 
"unreached"  or  "hidden"  peoples 
of  the  worid.  It  is  a  PC(USA) 
validated  mission  support  group. 

The  Kurtz  received  the  1995 
Bell/McKay  Award  from  the 
PC(USA)  in  recognition  of  out- 
standing service  in  mission. 

In  addition  to  Harold  and  Polly 
Kurtz,  other  workshop  leaders  at 
the  Mission  Festival  will  be: 

Clarence  Durham,  former 
missionary  to  Korea,  who  will  dis- 
cuss Holston  Presbytery's  Part- 
nership in  Mission  in  Mexico; 

Julia  Gassaway,  just  re- 


turned from  a  volunteer  year  in 
teaching  in  Ethiopia,  who,  will 
discuss  her  experience  and  how 
others  can  do  the  same; 

Homer  Rickabaugh,  PC- 
(USA)  associate  for  presbytery/ 
synod  international  partnerships, 
who  will  share  ways  Abingdon 
Presbjdiery  may  become  a  partner 
in  mission;  and 

"Bo"  Turner,  member  of  the 
Habitat  for  Humanity  board  of 
advisors,  who  will  discuss  who 
churches  and  individuals  can 
partner  with  Habitat. 

For  more  information,  call  the 
Rev.  Vaughn  Earl  Hartsell  at 
(703)  637-4340. 


Oldest  living  moderator  dies 

DALLAS — Robert  Matthew  Lynn,  91,  the  oldest  living  former  mod- 
erator of  the  Greneral  Assembly,  died  here  Jan.  10  at  the  home  of  his 
son,  Ross.  Lynn  was  moderator  of  the  1969  General  Assembly  of  the 
former  Presbjrterian  Church  in  the  United  States  (PCUS).  As  a  leader 
in  the  Southern  stream  of  the  then  divided  Presbyterian  Church,  he 
worked  tfrelessly  for  reunion  and  observers  recall  him  standing  with 
tears  of  joy  streaming  down  his  face  in  the  back  of  the  Assembly  hall 
in  Columbus,  Ga.,  when  the  PCUS  voted  for  reunion. 

Born  April  1,  1904,  "Matt"  Lynn  graduated  from  Presbyterian 
College  in  Clinton,  S.C.,  and  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia. 
He  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina  in  1927. 

Lynn  served  churches  in  West  Virginia  and  Texas.  In  addition  to 
his  service  as  General  Assembly  moderator,  he  moderated  four  differ- 
ent presbyteries  and  the  Sjmod  of  Texas.  He  was  also  on  the  board  of 
directors  of  Austin  College  and  Mo-Ranch  Conference  Center. 

Lyim  is  survived  by  his  wife.  Pearl;  five  children:  Robert  T.  Lyim  of 
Weatherford,  Okla.,  Nona  E.  Richardson  of  Santa  Fe,  N.M.,  Mary 
Deane  Lynn  of  Santa  Fe,  Ross  P.  L3mn  of  Dallas,  and  Warren  M.  Lynn 
of  Fort  Worth,  Texas;  a  sister,  Elizabeth  E.  Lyim  of  Black  Mountain, 
N.C.;  11  grandchildren;  and  two  great-grandchildren. 

A  memorial  service  for  Lynn  was  held  Jan.  13  at  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Dallas. 

Task  force  says  keep  'Monday  Morning' 

The  General  Assembly  Council  was  scheduled  to  consider  in  February 
a  publications  task  force's  recommendations  to  continue  Monday 
Morning  magazine  on  a  subscription-only  basis  and  to  cease  publica- 
tion of  "The  News  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)." 

The  task  force,  which  met  Jan.  4-6  in  Atlanta,  also  urged  the  GAC 
to  continue  exploring  the  possibilities  for  the  future  development  of 
£m  every-Presbyterian-household  publication.  In  the  meantime,  the 
task  force  is  urging  expanded  distribution  of  "News  Briefs"  to  include 
clerks  of  session  and  associate  pastors  in  every  church  (it  currently 
goes  to  "pastor/head  of  stafD  and  the  sending  of  Presbyterians  Today, 
augmented  by  a  special  "leadership  section,"  free  to  every  sitting 
elder  four  times  each  year 

If  approved,  the  changes  could  free  up  $209,054  from  the  tabloid's 
budget  and  $155,052  total  from  the  per  capita  and  mission  budgets  for 
publication  of  Monday  Morning  to  pay  for  new  and  expanded 
activities  within  the  Office  of  Communication.  Those  include 
programming  in  electronic  communications,  projects  within  the 
Church  and  Public  Relations  Office  and  financial  support  for 
Presbyterians  Today. 

Killmer  leaves  peacemaking  post 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— The  Rev.  Richard  L.  Killmer,  who  has  directed 
the  Presb3rterian  Peacemaking  Program  since  its  beginning  15  years 
ago,  has  accepted  a  call  from  the  National  Council  of  Churches  (NCC) 
to  serve  as  associate  director  for  the  NCC's  National  Ministries  Unit. 

"Rich  has  devoted  many  quality  years  to  the  Peacemaking  Pro- 
gram, helping  to  get  it  started,  nurturing  it  and  guiding  it  into  one  of 
the  truly  significant  programs  of  our  denomination,"  said  the  Rev. 
Edward  Craxton,  associate  director  for  Christian  education  in  the 
Congregational  Ministries  Division. 

Killmer  began  his  new  work  on  Jan.  8.  The  Rev.  William  Peterson, 
most  recently  the  executive  director  of  Montreat  Conference  Center, 
has  been  appointed  as  interim  coordinator  for  the  Peacemaking 
Program.  The  search  for  a  new  coordinator  began  in  February. 

Reese  is  interpreter  for  foundation 

The  Presb3derian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation  has  named  the  Rev. 
James  Foster  Reese  as  interpreter  for  specialized  ministry.  In  this 
newly  created  position,  Reese  will  work  with  donors,  churches  and 
institutions  within  the  denomination  with  special  emphasis  on  racial- 
ethnic  constituencies. 

Reese,  a  graduate  of  Knoxville  College  and  Pittsburgh-Xenia  Theo- 
logical Seminary  has  served  throughout  the  Presbjrterian  hurch,  most 
recently  as  director  of  the  former  Racial  Ethnic  inistry  Unit  of  the 
General  Assembly. 


People  in  the  news 


At  thefr  recent  meeting  in  Chicago,  members  of  the  Association  of 
Presbyterian  Tentmakers  elected  new  officers.  One  of  the  members 
of  the  steering  committee  is  David  Vallenga,  a  micro-lithography 
engineer  in  Research  Triangle  Park,  N.C.,  and  lay  pastor  of  Butner 
Presbyterian  Church.  The  1996  Association  of  Presbyterian 
Tentmakers  conference  is  scheduled  for  Nov.  1-3, 1996,  at  Stony  Point 
Conference  Center,  N.Y. 

PC(USA)  Moderator  Marj  Carpenter  has  appointed  an  eight-mem- 
ber task  force  that  is  charged  to  provide  more  information  about 
African-American  history  and  resources  to  developers  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church's  educational  materials.  Members  of  the  task 
force  include  the  Rev.  James  Costen  of  Atlanta,  an  educator  and 
former  General  Assembly  moderator;  Mary  Jane  Patterson  of 
Washington,  D.C.,  former  director  of  the  denomination's  Washington 
Office;  and  Byron  Wade  of  Richmond,  Va.,  a  member  of  the  Congre- 
gational Ministries  Division  committee. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation  has  elected 
James  R.  BeUatti,  a  newspaper  publisher  and  editor  in  Stillwater, 
Okla.,  as  chair  of  its  board  of  trustees  for  1996.  Georgette  Huie,  a 
marketing  specialist  for  IBM  in  San  Francisco,  was  elected  vice  chair. 


Mother's/Father's  Day  Offering  -  p.  5 


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For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


April  1996 


Vol.  LXII,  Number  3 


Richmond,  Virginia 


1995  ends  with  good  news 
about  mission  budget 


RICHMOND,  Va.  —  The  Synod 
Council  received  good  news  when 
it  met  here  March  15-16:  mission 
funding  for  1995  was  better  than 
expected  and  the  costs  of  restruc- 
turing were  lower  than  forecast. 

As  a  result,  colleges,  ecumeni- 
cal agencies  and  social  justice  pro- 
grams which  had  their  support 
from  synod  reduced  last  May,  ac- 
tually received  most  of  the  funds 
they  were  scheduled  to  receive 
before  the  cuts. 

Finance  Committee  chair  Fred 
Ward  reported  that  financial  sup- 
port of  the  presbyteries  for  the 
1995  synod  budget  was  "stronger 
than  ever." 

Unaudited  receipts  from  the 
pfesbyteries  for  1995  gave  the 
synod  a  mission  income  of 
$1,381,823  or  $7,436  above  the 
adopted  budget. 

The  council  was  able  to  fulfill 
budget  obligations  to  seven  col- 
leges. Four  of  them  —  Davidson, 
Hampden-Sydney,  Mary  Baldwin 
and  Queens  —  had  been  cut  from 
the  budget  completely  last  May 
when  it  appeared  that  mission 
funding  would  be  too  low.  Three 
others  —  Lees-McRae,  St. 
Andrews  and  Warren  Wilson  — 
had  received  reduced  amounts. 

Also,  at  the  end  of  the  year,  the 
synod  was  able  to  provide  95  per- 
cent of  budgeted  funding  to  four 
ecumenical  groups:  the  Coalition 
for  Appalachian  Ministry  and 
councils  of  churches  in  North 


Carolina,  Virginia  and  West  Vir- 
ginia. Prison  chaplains  programs 
in  North  Carolina  and  Virginia 
and  the  Virginia  Interfaith  Cen- 
ter for  Public  Policy  also  received 
funding  which  had  been  cut. 

Moderator's  challenge 

In  her  report  to  the  council, 
Synod  Moderator  Betty  McGinnis 
described  1995  in  the  s5Tiod  as  "a 
birthing  process  ...  a  very  hard 
labor."  She  said  the  synod  is  a 
"microcosm  of  the  country"  and 
we  have  a  "challenge  to  set  an 
example  ...  to  make  it  a  special 
place." 

She  asked  everyone  to  find 
someone  of  another  race  and  be 
involved  in  their  lives.  "We  have  a 
responsibility  to  look  each  other 
in  the  eye  and  speak  the  truth," 
she  said,  "...  not  to  talk  behind 
backs." 

Synod  Executive  Carroll 
Jenkins  reported  that  the  synod 
is  now  moving  forward  with  the 
transition  into  its  new  structure, 
and  that  "there  is  a  sense  of  ex- 
citement about  what  can  happen 
in  the  synod." 

Black  Caucus  summit 

The  council  set  June  21-22  as 
the  tentative  date  for  a  summit 
meeting  with  the  Black  Caucus. 
The  summit  was  requested  by  the 
caucus  after  the  walkout  of 
continued  on  page  2 


Raleigh's  Cho  to  lead  GAC 


LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— The  General 
Assembly  Council  elected  Youngil 
Cho  of  Raleigh,  N.C . ,  as  chair  dur- 
ing its  Feb.  24  meeting  here.  Cho 
will  serve  a  one-year  term. 

Born  in  Seoul,  Korea,  Cho  is 
president-elect  of  Presbyterian 
Men  and  was  instnmiental  in  rais- 
ing the  funds  to  complete  the 
chapel  in  the  Presbyterian  Cen- 
ter here.  He  is  a  member  of 
DuRaleigh  Church,  and  is  profes- 
sor of  marketing  and  associate 
dean  of  the  North  Carolina  Cen- 
tral University  School  of  Busi- 
ness at  Durham. 


Cho  served  as  a  commissioner 
to  the  197th  General  Assembly 
(1985)  and  was  a  member  of  the 
New  Hope  Presbytery  Council 
fi-om  1989  to  1991.  He  was  clerk 
of  session  at  DuRaleigh  Church 
from  1980  to  1991  and  a  member 
of  the  presbyterys  Bicentennial 
Fund  Prospectus  Committee. 

Cho  also  served  on  the  Com- 
mittee on  Staff  Search  and  Nomi- 
nations of  the  Synod  of  Mid-At- 
lantic in  1988  and  was  moderator 
of  the  PC(USA)  National  Asian 
Council  from  1989  to  1991. 

—PC(USA)  News  Service 


Above  left,  participants  register  for  the  annual  Bible  Conference  at  Massanetta  Springs.  At 
right,  a  camper  enjoys  one  of  the  numerous  activities  ol^ered  at  Chesapeake  Center. 

Camping  and  conference  programs  set 

The  synod's  two  camp  and  conference  program  facilities  —  Chesapeake  Center  and  Massanetta  Springs 
—  have  prepared  for  the  1996  season  with  a  variety  of  programming.  Here's  what  they  have  planned. 


Chesapeake  Center 

Located  on  rolling  hills  overlooking  the  northern 
tip  of  Chesapeake  Bay,  Chesapeake  Center  offers  a 
well-rounded  program  of  exciting  and  challenging 
activities  to  help  campers  have  fun,  make  friends 
and  grow  in  faith. 

The  center  offers  organized  "sleep  over"  camp- 
ing for  youth  ages  7  to  15  (as  of  Dec.  31, 1996).  Camp 
sessions  are  six  days  long,  from  Sunday  afternoon 
until  the  following  Saturday  morning.  Campers 
may  attend  more  than  one  session. 

Each  camp  features  a  different  emphasis.  Ac- 
tivities include  campfires,  square  dancing,  a  new 
games  festival,  a  talent  show,  water  Olympics  and 
field  games. 

While  all  activities  are  designed  to  provide  op- 
portunities for  personal  growth  and  Christian  learn- 
ing, there  are  also  daily  formal  religious  activities 
including  worship,  Bible  study  and  small  group 
experiences  that  encourage  theological  reflection. 

The  traditional  resident  camping  season  starts 
June  30  and  runs  through  Aug.  10.  The  cost  per 
camper  is  $289  per  session  (if  registered  before  April 
15  —  $314  per  session  if  registered  after  April  15). 

There  are  discounts  for  more  than  one  camper 
per  family  and  for  campers  who  register  for  more 
than  one  session. 

Chesapeake  Center  also  offers  a  Leaders  in  De- 
velopment (LID)  program  for  youth  ages  15  to  16 
who  have  completed  the  ninth  grade.  The  two-year 
program  provides  formal  training  in  interpersonal 
and  camping  skills  to  mid-teens  with  leadership 
continued  on  page  4 


Massanetta  Springs 

The  synod-related  conference  center  nestled  in  the 
shadow  of  Skyline  Drive  near  Harrisonburg,  Va., 
continues  to  offer  its  popular  combination  of  new 
and  traditional  programming. 

The  new  is  the  annual  conference  for  middle 
school  youth.  This  year  the  therne  is  "Mirrored 
Image"  and  the  conference  will  be  offered  in  two 
identical  sessions,  June  20-23  and  June  25-28. 
Theme  presentations,  activities,  worship  and  fel- 
lowship will  help  participants  and  their  leaders  to 
experience  the  image  of  God  in  themselves  and  one 
another. 

Tom  Are  of  Colvunbia,  S.C.,  will  be  the  keynote 
speaker,  Kye  Chung  of  Richmond  will  be  the  music 
director,  and  Cindy  Edwards  of  Spartanburg,  S.C., 
will  be  the  activities  director.  Fred  Holbrook  of 
Fishersville,  Va.,  is  the  conference  director. 

The  traditional  is  the  73rd  annual  Massanetta 
Springs  Bible  Conference  which  runs  concurrently 
with  the  Church  Music  Conference  on  Aug.  4-9. 

The  week  offers  outstanding  preaching,  inspira- 
tional Bible  studies  and  challenging  forums  from 
premier  speakers  which  attract  church  profession- 
als and  lay  leaders  from  numerous  denominations. 

Speakers  scheduled  for  the  1996  Bible  Confer- 
ence are  Myron  S.  Augsburger,  president  of  East- 
ern Mennonite  University  in  Harrisonburg;  Roberl 
W.  Bohl,  moderator  of  the  PC(USA)'s  207th  Gen- 
eral Assembly;  Jacqueline  T.  Rucker,  pastor  ol 
Garden  Memorial  Presbyterian  Church  in  Wash- 
ington, D.C.;  J.  Shepherd  Russell,  pastor  of  Firs 
continued  on  page  3 


Volunteer  uses  music  to  refresh  bodies  and  spirits 


Virginia  Fischer  at  the  piano 


By  JANE  M  SAUNIER 

Virginia  Fischer  uses  music  to 
refresh  the  body  and  spirits  of 
older  persons  in  her  care.  Those 
lucky  enough  to  have  the  benefit 
of  her  skill  and  art  live  in  the 
western  portion  of  the  Presb5d;ery 
of  the  James  where  she  has,  for 
nearly  20  years,  been  a 
"missioner"  to  the  elderly  on  be- 
half of  Presbyterian  and  Episco- 
pal churches. 

Two  Virginia  associations  rec- 
ognized her  efforts  in  1995.  The 
Virginia  Health  Care  Association 
named  her  Adult  Volunteer  of  the 
Year  and  the  Virginia  Health  Care 
Association  honored  her  as  its 
Outs*^   "ding  Volunteer. 

SK   rintrthp  wf>rk  with  two  nth- 


ers,  Virginia  makes  weekly  visits 
to  adult  care  homes,  adult  day 
care  centers,  and  retirement  and 
nursing  homes.  Her  visits  center 
around  group  singing  as  she  plays 
the  piano,  electric  keyboard  or 
autoharp.  Often  these  regularly 
scheduled  visits  include  refresh- 
ments provided  by  IoceQ  church 
volunteers  and  may  recognize 
birthdays  and  seasonal  holidays. 

Virginia  also  offers  those  she 
visits  a  friendly  face,  thoughtful 
conversation  and  prayer.  Praying 
together  at  the  close  of  a  visit  was 
not  easy  at  first,  she  says,  but  has 
become  comfortable  for  her  and 
important  to  those  she  visits. 

She  recently  received  a  note 
from  an  unchurched  woman  she 
nfti:>n  vi.t;it.q  Shft  t.hankfiri  VirHnifl 


for  the  prayers  at  their  last  visit, 
saying,  "This  is  as  close  to  a  spiri- 
tual experience  as  I  have  ever 
had." 

Virginia  and  her  co-workers 
give  special  attention  to  those  who 
have  no  relatives  or  friends  to 
visit  them  regularly.  For  others 
who  have  chiirch  cormections,  Vir- 
ginia encourages  pastors  to  bring 
communion  to  them. 

Virginia  graduated  from 
Harrisonburg  (Va.)  State  Teach- 
ers College  (now  James  Madison 
University)  in  her  hometown  and 
attended  Westminster  Choir  Col- 
lege in  Princeton,  N.J.  Her  first 
ministry  with  the  elderly  began 
there  when  she  provided  weekly 
transportation  to  an  older  woman 
an  .she  could  visit  a  .qi-ster  in  a 


distant  nursing  home. 

Virginia  met  her  late  husband, 
Victor,  then  a  soldier  at  Fort 
Bragg,  whde  serving  as  minister 
of  music  at  First  Church  in 
Fayetteville,  N.C. 

An  elder  in  Westminster 
Church  in  Charlottesville,  Va., 
Virginia  has  been  active  on  the 
Presb3^ery  of  the  James'  Com- 
mittee on  Aging. 

Despite  all  of  her  work,  she  is 
one  of  the  first  to  say  "There  is  so 
much  more  we  can  be  doing!" 

Jane  Saunier  of  Charlottesville, 
Va.,  is  a  member  of  the  Older  Adult 
Ministries  Committed    •  x! 
and  a  former  Synod  C' 
ber.  For  in  format  icr 
Synod's  annual  Ml 
Fathers' Dnv  Offprui 


Page  2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1996 


Partnership 


By  BETTY  McGINNIS 
Synod  Moderator 

During  the  past  weeks,  my  privilege  has 
been  to  share  with  many  throughout  our 
S5mod  on  bringing  community  to  our  midst. 
The  concept  of  partnership  began  to  ring 
through  my  mind.  Partnership.  We  work 
very  hard  in  developing  partnerships  with 
our  brothers  and  sisters  all  over  the  world. 
Partnership  needs  to  be  developed  within 
our  own  region. 

Partnership.  Giving  and  Receiving.  In 
Philippians  we  read:  "I  thank  my  God  in  all 
my  remembrance  of  you  ...  all  making  my 
prayer  with  joy,  thankful  for  your  partner- 
ship in  the  gospel  from  the  first  day  until 


now."  (Phil.  1:3-5  RSV)Andyou 
Philippians  yourselves  know 
that  in  the  beginning  of  the  gos- 
pel ...  no  church  entered  into 

partnership  with  me  in  giving      g^tty  McGinnis 

and  receiving  except  you  only." 
(Phil.  4:15  RSV)  Partner  is  mentioned 
throughout  the  New  Testament  in  many 
ways — building  together,  sharing,  uniting 
with,  uniting,  struggling,  dying  together, 
fellowship  together,  glorified  together  with, 
joined  together  with,  being  in  pain  together, 
and  many  others. 

As  Christians,  we  are  part  of  the  body  of 
Christ  no  matter  whom  we  are  or  what 
church  we  belong.  Partnership  is  one  of  the 
wonderful  means  of  building  the  body  of 


Christ.  We  are  all  creatures  of 
God  and  are  given  precious  gifts. 
However,  we  are  human  beings 
full  of  frailties.  Brokenness 
speaks  to  each  of  us  as  humans 
creating  pain  and  struggling. 
As  complete  partners  in  Christ's 
mission,  hard  work  is  necessary 
to  break  through  our  broken- 
ness. Our  church  is  a  confes- 
sional church.  We  need  to  con- 
stantly confess  our  sins,  ask  for 
forgiveness,  and  work  toward 
reconciliation  and  unity.  Basic  calls  are  set 
before  us:  "First,  love  God  and  second,  love 
your  neighbor  as  yourself."  "Do  justice, 
love  kindness,  and  walk  humbly  with  your 
God." 

The  Ssnnod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  is  a  mi- 
crocosm of  our  country.  Partnership  needs 
to  be  built  between  people,  various  tj^es  of 
churches,  and  even  presbyteries  in  differ- 
ent regions.  Many  presbyteries  and  even 
churches  within  the  Synod  have  worked 


very  hard  to  establish  partnerships  with 
churches  in  other  countries.  Let  us  apply 
those  same  principals,  break  through  the 
walls  of  our  churches,  and  establish  part- 
nerships. Learning,  sharing  and  celebrat- 
ing with  other  members  and  churches  all 
over  our  Synod  can  build  exciting  commu- 
nity. Endless  resources  exist  in  our  midst. 
Let  us  build  together  webs  of  partnerships. 

What  does  building  partnerships  in  our 
microcosm  mean  to  each  of  us?  How  are 
churches  called  by  God  to  work  toward  true 
partnership?  Can  all  groups  seek  partner- 
ship outside  the  walls  of  our  own  churches? 
Build  partnerships! — remembering  al- 
ways that  hope  and  new  life  come  with  the 
power  of  the  Resurrection. 

Synod  Moderator  Betty  McGinnis  would 
appreciate  hearing  of  ways  which  you  have 
thought  ofand/or  are  implementing  to  build 
partnership  within  the  region.  Her  address 
is  1234  Tamarack  Tr.,  Arnold,  MD  21012. 


Commentary 


Koinonia,  Koinonia,  Koinonia 

Koinonia  was  consistently  misspelled  in  but  there's  a  lesson  in  this  for  all  computer 

Moderator  McGinnis' column  in  the  March  users:  Don't  put  too  much  trust  in  com- 

issue  of  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian.  The  puter  spell-check  programs  that  don't  know 

editor  regrets  that  this  error  slipped  by,  Greek. 


There's  'more  beyond'  for  Saturday's  children 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

Before  Columbus  set  sail  across  the  Atlan- 
tic, people  believed  that  the  world  ended 
somewhere  past  Gibraltar;  the  royal  motto 
said  plainly,  "A^e  Plus  Ultra,"  i.e.  "There  is 
no  more  beyond  here." 

But  when  Columbus  returned,  he  had 
actually  discovered  a  whole  new  world. 
The  ancient  motto  was  now  meaningless. 
In  this  crisis  someone  made  a  noble  sug- 
gestion which  Queen  Isabella  acted  upon. 
It  was  simply  that  first  wordNe  be  deleted, 
leaving  just  two  words:  "PZus  Ultra."  "There 
is  more  beyond  here." 

The  Saturday  between  Good  Friday  and 
Easter  had  to  be  the  darkest  hour  of  hu- 
man history.  Jesus  was  dead.  His  poor 
broken  body  buried  in  Joseph's  tomb.  For 
the  disciples,  Saturday's  children,  it  was 
the  end  of  everything.  The  agonized  words 
of  the  two  disciples  on  the  Road  to  Emmaus 
epitomized  the  darkness. 

"We  had  hoped  that  it  was  he  who  would 
redeem  Israel."  We  might  well  reverse  the 
old  saying,  "When  there's  life,  there's  hope" 
to  affirm  "when  there's  hope,  there's  life!" 


Then,  in  that  incredible  Eas- 
ter morning,  the  world  was  re- 
born as  the  angel  said  to  the 
disciples,  "He  has  been  raised 
from  the  dead,  and  indeed  is 
going  ahead  of  you  to  Galilee." 
Plus  Ultra!  More  Beyond!!! 
Death  was  not  the  end,  but  the 
passage  to  a  new  beginning. 

The  late  Kenneth  J.  Foreman 
in  his  masterful  book.  Candles 
on  the  Glacier,  talks  about  how 
"the  morning  side  is  forward." 
He  tells  how  at  midnight,  the 
dark  hour,  we  swing  toward 
morning,  toward  the  dawn.  Long  before 
the  time  of  Jesus,  people  feared  the  falling 
stars.  Now  we  know  what  meteors  are. 
They  are  a  sign  we  are  moving  forward. 

It  is  Easter  time  again,  and  we  persist 
on  living  on  the  wrong  side  of  Easter  Day. 
As  Saturday's  children  we  close  our  eyes  to 
God's  interventions,  and  lament  that  there 
is  nothing  more  beyond.  Like  the  disciples, 
we  are  groping  in  the  darkness  of  Satur- 


day, struggling  for  some  hu- 
man solution  to  our  problems. 
And  so  we  seem  blinded  to  the 
Light  of  all  Lights. 

I  have  been  with  many  people 
experiencing  sickness  who  felt 
a  grim  sense  of  hopelessness. 
Illness  is  a  terrifying  experi- 
ence. Something  is  happening 
to  us  over  which  we  have  so 
little  control.  Some  surrender 
to  despair;  others  reach  out  in 
hope  for  "more  beyond."  Beyond 
medical  reports  and  sentences 
of  death  to  hope  of  healing. 
Nowhere  is  this  hopelessness  more  felt 
than  in  nursing  homes.  So  many  older 
persons  are  trapped  in  these  places,  forced 
to  view  life  from  their  wheelchairs,  or  from 
a  corner  of  the  window  in  their  rooms.  Yet, 
they  cling  to  the  hope  that  there  is  "more 
beyond,"  a  return  to  their  homes,  visits  to 
the  community,  and,  when  all  else  fails, 
the  hope  of  a  better  world  beyond  this  one. 
"More  Beyond  ..."  Saturday's  children 


can  be  found  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),  where  we  listen  to  prophets  of 
doom  and  gloom  chalk  up  our  losses,  as  we 
wring  our  hands  in  hopeless  resignation  to 
what  seems  to  be  our  demise.  Someone  was 
bemoaning  the  fact  that  our  church  was 
dying,  and  my  reply  was  "It'd  better  be!" 
We  need  to  die  to  our  pride  and  egoism  that 
the  Risen  Lord  may  rise  again  in  our  midst. 
It  may  well  be  that  the  present  trials  of  our 
church  and  our  Synod  are  but  birth  pangs 
of  a  new  beginning.  Yes,  at  this  holy  sea- 
son, of  all  seasons  of  the  year,  we  reaffirm 
our  faith  that  there  is  "more  beyond." 

Author  I  retired  minister  Richard  L.  Mor- 
gan is  serving  as  a  parish  associate  in  older 
adult  ministries  at  First  Church  of  of  Lenoir, 
N.C.  The  "American  Journal  of  Nursing" 
recently  named  his  book,  "From  Grim  to 
Green  Pastures:  Meditations  for  the  Sick 
and  their  Caregivers"  (Upper  Room  Books) 
one  of  their  books  of  the  year  in  community 
health  nursing. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Snififen,  Editor 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 
FAX:  (804)  355-8535 
Internet:  JOHN_SNIFFEN@pcusa.org 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
(USPS  604-120  /  ISSN  1071-345X) 
Is  produced  and  published  monthly 
(except  February,  August  and  December) 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
3218  Chamberlayne  Ave., 
Richmond,  VA  23227. 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  is  mailed  free 
to  members  of  PC(USA)  churches 
within  the  synod. 

POSTMASTER 
Please  send  address  changes  to 
MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026. 
Second-Class  Postage  Rates  Paid  at 
Richmond,  Virginia,  and  additional 
post  ofBces. 

Vol.  LXII 
April  1996 


Council  representation  to  be  discussed  i 


continued  from  page  1 

African  American  commissioners  at  the 

209th  Synod  Assembly.  Council  member 

John  Winings  and  Black  Caucus  chair 

Lawrence  Bethel  are  leading  the  planning 

sessions. 

Council  chair  June  Bucy  reported  that 
the  Rev.  Sandy  Seaton-Todd  of  Hurley, 
Va.,  had  been  selected  to  head  planning  for 
sjTnposiums  on  racism  to  be  held  around 
the  synod.  Seaton-Todd  attended  the  covm- 
cil  meeting  and  asked  for  input  fi-om  all 
interested  parties.  Her  address  is  P.O.  Box 
267,  Hurley,  VA  24620.  Synod  Executive 
Jenkins  said  that  the  presbyteries  have 
been  asked  to  name  representatives  to 
work  on  this  program.  He  added  that  fund- 
ing would  be  decided  during  the  planning 
sessions  and  that  the  presbyteries  would 
be  expected  to  assist  since  they  requested 
the  symposiums. 

The  council  approved  the  work  of  the 
mission  experience  group  organized  by 
Moderator  McGinnis.  The  group,  which 
has  planned  a  half  dozen  mission  experi- 
ences for  1995,  will  have  another  meeting 
to  plan  a  long-range  mission  experience 
program.  McGinnis  was  authorized  to  so- 
licit grants  and  other  special  funds  for  the 
program. 

Personnel  actions 

The  council  approved  a  three  percent 
cost  of  living  raise  for  all  synod  staff  mem- 
bers retroactive  to  Jan.  1, 1996.  It  received 
with  regrets  the  resignation  of  the  Rev. 
Warren  Lesane,  transitional  associate  ex- 
ecutive for  partnership  ministries.  Lesane 


has  been  called  as  chaplain  and  assistant 
professor  of  religion  at  Johnson  C.  Smith 
University  in  Charlotte,  N.C. 

The  council  approved  the  hiring  by  the 
executive  of  two  interim  consultants  to 
work  with  the  s5Tiod's  five  mission  pro- 
gram committees  until  permanent  staff 
can  be  brought  on  board. 

Council  representation 

A  standing  committee  of  the  209th  (1995) 
Synod  Assembly  received  a  recommenda- 
tion that  Presbyterian  Men,  Presbyterian 
Women  and  the  Youth  Coundl  have  repre- 
sentation on  the  Ssmod  Council.  Because 
there  was  a  minority  report  opposed  to  the 
recommendation,  the  council  has  the  au- 
thority to  decide  the  issue  and  has  referred  it 
to  its  Planning  and  Evaluation  Committee. 

The  committee  will  invite  members  of 
the  three  organizations  to  its  next  meeting 
during  which  the  issue  will  be  discussed. 
All  three  —  and  a  variety  of  other  organi- 
zations —  had  representation  on  council 
before  it  was  downsized  through  restruc- 
turing in  January  1995. 

In  other  business  the  council: 

•  heard  that  the  theme  for  the  210th 
Synod  Assembly  will  be  "Building  the  Body 
of  Christ."  The  armual  meeting  will  be 
held  July  25-27  in  Raleigh,  N.C.  First 
Church  of  Raleigh  will  host  the  first  day 
and  Peace  College  will  host  days  two  and 
three. 

•  adopted  several  actions  recom- 
mended by  the  Finance  Committee  to 
tighten  fiscal  controls  at  Chesapeake  Cen- 
ter, the  synod-owned  camping  facility  at 


Port  Deposit,  Md.  The  center  ended  1995 
with  a  $96,840  deficit  because  income  was 
much  lower  than  expected. 

•  heard  members  of  the  sjniod's  Ko- 
rean Presbyterian  Caucus  speak  in  favor 
of  a  Korean  language  presbytery  within 
the  synod.  A  task  group  is  being  formed  to 
study  the  feasibility  of  such  a  presbj^ery. 

•  rescinded  the  council's  previous  ac- 
tion overturning  the  209th  Synod 
Assembly's  discontinuance  of  a  home  loan 
program  for  professional  s3Tiod  staff" mem- 
bers. The  council  agreed,  however,  to  en- 
courage the  210th  Synod  Assembly  to  start 
a  new-but-similar  program  for  the  future. 

•  heard  Moderator  McGinnis  report  on 
the  communications  consultation  she  led 
Feb.  26-27  in  Richmond. 

•  received  with  regrets  the  resignation 
of  Peta  Patton  of  Abingdon,  Va.,  as  chair  of 
the  Communication  Committee.  She  will 
remain  on  the  Synod  Council. 

•  elected  to  the  synod's  Nominating 
Committee  members  Thomas  Murphy 
(New  Hope  Presbytery),  Hae  Sook  Nam-Jo 
(at  large),  Vaughn  Hartsell  (Abingdon  Pres- 
bytery), Aileen  Kennedy  (Shenan-doah 
Presbytery),  Lois  Ann  Ferguss-Oler  (at 
large),  James  Hodge  (Baltimore  Presby- 
tery), Jerry  Vimcaimon  (Coastal  Carolina 
Presbytery),  Jane  Miller  (Salem  Presby- 
tery), and  Grover  McRae  (Coastal  Caro- 
lina Presbytery).  Rebecca  Morrison,  ayouth 
representative,  will  serve  as  a  co-opted 
member  of  the  committee. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  Synod  Coun- 
cil is  scheduled  for  May  17-18  in  Rich- 
mond. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1996,  t  a 


William  Black  Lodge  at  Montreal,  N.C. 


William  Black  Lodge  puts  on 
fresh  face  for  '96  season 


MONTREAT,  N.C.  —  With  the 
completion  of  a  $30,000  refurbish- 
ment of  its  lobby  and  dining  room, 
the  William  Black  Lodge  opens 
April  8  for  its  1996  season. 

Lodge  director  Bill  McCachern 
said  that  the  synod-owned  facil- 
ity will  start  the  season  with  the 
now-traditional  post-Easter  break 
for  ministers  and  their  families. 
They  are  offered  free  rooms  for 
April  8  and  9.  Aside  from  light 
breakfasts,  no  meals  are  served 
by  the  lodge  during  this  period. 

Another  program  which  con- 
tinues in  1996  is  three  days  of  free 
lodging  for  retired  ministers  and 
their  spouses.  The  offer  is  good  as 
space  is  available;  rooms  may  not 
be  available  during  the  busier 
parts  of  the  Montreal  conference 
season. 

William  Black  Lodge's  season 
runs  up  to,  but  not  including, 
Thanksgiving. 

The  original  William  Black 
Lodge  opened  in  1915.  The  cur- 
rent building,  built  in  1951,  can 
accommodate  64  overnight  guests 
in  private  rooms  and  has  a  72- 
seat  dining  room.  This  year  guests 
will  serve  themselves  in  a  buffet- 


The  following  young  Presbyteri- 
ans have  received  certificates  and 
monetary  awards  for  reciting  the 
Catechism  for  Young  Children  or 
the  Shorter  Catechism.  The 
synod's  catechism  fund,  estab- 
lished by  the  late  W.H.  Belk,  pro- 
vides recognition  to  boys  and  girls 
age  15  and  younger  who  recite 
either  catechism. 

Recent  recipients  are  from: 
First  Church,  Belmont,  N.C. 

—  Nancy  Rinehart 

First  Church,  Whiteville,  N.C. 

—  Larry  B.  Beane,  Courtney 
Clewis,  Katherine  Hooks,  Eric 
Johnston,  John  McDonald,  Jesse 
Powell  Jr.,  and  William  Scott  IV 

Highland  Church,  Fayette- 
ville,  N.C.  —  Anthony  Chavonne, 
Katluyn  Gallaher,  Laura  Godwin, 
Victoria  Harbison,  John  Hardin, 
Linda  Jamieson,  Sean  Perry, 
Michael  Renegar,  Andrew  Ruth, 
Alexandra  Seymour,  Marie 
Shuford,  Meredith  Smith,  Allison 
Therriault  and  April  Wiegman. 


BAPTISTRIES 
WATER  HEATERS 
STEEPLES  ^^4  10 


::tree  estimates  ; 

&  STAINED  GLA^^-i 
COMPANY,  INC  J 

j    AlLi^v^I.C.  2«634  (■5b4)'s46-2687 


style  setup,  said  McCachern.  In 
the  past,  guests  were  served  fam- 
ily style  at  the  tables. 

For  information  about  the 
lodge,  phone  (704)  669-6314;  fax 
(704)  669-1356;  or  write  to  Will- 
iam Black  Lodge,  P.O.  Box  819, 
Montreal,  NC  28757. 

For  information  about  the 
Montreat  Conference  Center 
and  its  programs,  phone  (800)  572- 
2257;  fax  (704)  669-2779;  or  write 
to  P.O.  Box  969,  Montreat,  NC 
28727. 


Korean  Americans  to  share  conference 


Presbyterians  in  the  synod  who 
would  like  to  learn  more  about 
Korean  American  Presbyterians 
are  invited  to  attend  the  synod- 
wide  Korean  Presbjd;erian  Mis- 
sion Conference  in  June. 

Up  to  50  non-Korean  Ameri- 
can Presbyterians  may  attend  the 
conference  at  Mary  Baldwin  Col- 
lege in  Staunton,  Va.,  said  Synod 
Moderator  Betty  McGinnis. 

Middle  and  high  school  youth 
will  start  meeting  June  19.  All 
other  ages  will  start  on  June  20 
and  meet  through  June  23.  Cost 
will  be  $90  for  three  nights  and 
four  days. 

For  conference  registration, 
contact  the  synod  office,  P.O.  Box 
27026,  Richmond,  VA  23261- 
7026;  phone  (804)  342-0016;  or 
fax  (804)  355-8535.  For  more  in- 
formation about  the  conference, 
write  to  the  Rev.  Min  Chuel  Shin, 
6605  Mallery  Dr.,  Lanham,  MD 
20706  or  phone  (301)  459-9583. 

Applications  are  also  being 
taken  for  five  other  mission 
projects  arranged  through  a  mis- 
sion experience  group  convened 
by  McGinnis.  Those  are: 

•  An  experience  with  the 
Czech  Brethren  in  the  Czech  Re- 
public, June  15-27 

•  Sharing  and  Building  with 
the  Presbyterian  Children's  Home 


of  the  Highlands  in  Wytheville, 
Va. 

•  Building  with  the  Homeless 
at  the  Meeting  Ground,  Elkton,  Md. 

•  Violence  and  Children:  A 
Challenge  for  Our  Church,  Wash- 
ington, D.C. 


•  Sharing  in  Mission  in  the 
Yukon,  May-June 

For  more  information,  contact 
Georgia  Pressly,  chair  of  the  mis- 
sion experience  group,  at  (704) 
364-9299  or  write  to  her  at  7314 
Sardis  Rd.,  Charlotte,  NC  28270. 


Massanetta  Bible  Conference  Aug.  4-9 


continued  from  page  1 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Norfolk, 
Va.;  John  S.  Sloop,  pastor  of  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Harrison- 
burg; Bishop  Thomas  Stockton  of 
the  Virginia  Conference  of  the 
United  Methodist  Church;  Teri 
Thomas,  general  presbyter  of 
National  Capital  Presbytery;  and 
Thomas  K.  Tewell,  pastor  of  Fifth 
Avenue  Presbyterian  Church, 
New  York  City. 

The  Bible  study  leader  will  be 
Lamar  Williamson  Jr.,  former 
professor  of  Biblical  studies  at 
the  Presbyterian  School  of  Chris- 
tian Education.  David  B. 
Thornton,  pastor  of  Westminster 
Church  in  Laurinburg,  N.C,  will 
be  the  music  leader. 

The  Church  Music  Conference 
emphasizes  the  areas  of  adult 
choir,  children's  choir,  handbells 
and  organ  playing  as  integral 


parts  of  worship. 

Clinicians  scheduled  to  partici- 
pate include  Lucy  Ding,  director 
of  the  chancel  choir  at  Glenview 
(111.)  Community  Church;  Marvin 
Mills,  director  of  music  and  or- 
ganist at  All  Soul's  Church  in 
Washington,  D.C;  Edmund 
Tompkins,  director  of  music  and 
organist  at  River  Road  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  Richmond,  Va.; 
and  Julia  White,  founder  and  di- 
rector of  the  Shenandoah  Valley 
Children's  Choirs  at  Eastern  Men- 
nonite  University. 

John  Irvine  Jr.  of  Harrisonburg 
will  be  the  worship  leader. 

Massanetta  Springs  also  hosts 
numerous  Elderhostels  and 
church  retreats.  For  more  infor- 
mation, phone  (540)  434-3829;  fax 
(540)  433-6118;  or  write  to 
Massanetta  Springs,  P.O.  Box 
1286,  Harrisonburg,  VA  22801. 


iving  through  a  Charitable  Gift  Annuity  can  have 
far  reaching  effects.  And  even  a  small  gift  can 
make  a  big  difference  —  in  the  v^^ay  it  makes  you 
feel  and  in  the  support  it  provides  for  the  mission 
you  choose  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
or  a  cause  you  care  so  much  about.  ■  With  a 
Charitable  Gift  Annuity  through  the  Foundation, 
you  receive  a  guaranteed  income  for  life  and  may 
enjoy  certain  income  tax  benefits.  And  because 
you  designate  your  gift's  recipient,  you  know  it 
will  be  used  as  you  directed.  ■  To  learn  more 
about  the  joy  of  giving  through  a  Charitable  Gift 
Annuity,  call  us  toll-free. 


Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation 

1-800-289-0313 


Page  4,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1996 


Education  News 


Chesapeake  Center's  1996  resident 
camping  season  starts  June  30 


continued  from  page  1 
potential  and  a  love  of  camping. 

A  new  program  for  1996  is  the 
Off-site  Adventure  Sampler. 
Campers  12  and  older  spend  Sun- 
day and  Friday  nights  at  the  cen- 
ter. In  between,  they  travel  with 
their  counselors  to  Ohiopyle/Lau- 
rel  Run  parks  in  Pennsylvania 
where  they  camp  out  Monday 
through  Thursday  nights.  Each 
day  they  sample  one  of  the  popu- 
lar outdoor  sports  — ^rafting,  tech- 


nical climbing,  mountain  biking 
and  hiking.  The  cost  is  $350  per 
person  and  a  minimvun  participa- 
tion of  nine  campers  is  required. 

A  high  ropes  adventure  course 
is  located  on  the  grounds.  The  12- 
hour  coiorse  is  offered  during  each 
camp  session  for  an  additional  fee. 

Activities  offered  off-campus 
include  rafting  and  (during  two 
sessions)  English-style  riding 


Persons  interested  in  Chesa- 


peake Center  are  invited  to  at- 
tend one  of  three  open-house  ses- 
sions. Tours  of  the  facilities  will 
be  offered  from  2  to  5  p.m.  on 
Sunday,  April  14;  Satiu-day,  April 
27;  and  Sunday,  May  5. 

Chesapeake  Center  also  offers 
year-round  facilities  for  church 
amd  group  retreats. 

For  information  call  (410)  378- 
2267;  fax  (410)  378-2269  or  write  to 
Chesapeake  Center,  50  Happy  Val- 
ley Rd.,  Port  Deposit,  MD  21904. 


Radford  campus  ministry  based  in  cliurch 


By  ROBERT  W.  SKAER 

The  Presbyterian  Campus  Minis- 
try at  Radford  University  in  Vir- 
ginia, "RU  Presbyterian,"  is  un- 
usual in  that  it  is  based  in  a  local 
church.  This  has  benefits  for  ev- 
eryone involved,  and  a  recent 
project  by  the  college  students 
shows  this. 

RU  Presbyterian  students 
sponsored  a  "Parents'  Day  Out" 


Publish  Youp  Book 

75-year  tradition  of  quality.  Subsidy 
book  publisher  offers  publishing  services 
of  all  types.  For  Author's  Guide  write  or 

call  Dorrance— JRL,  643  Smithfield. 
Pittsburgh,  PA  15222  or  1-800-695-9599. 


at  the  church.  For  a  $5  per  child 
donation,  the  students  would  keep 
the  little  nippers  busy  from  noon 
until  5  p.m.,  giving  parents  a 
chance  to  shop,  clean  house  or 
collapse! 

Fourteen  children  came  to 
watch  "Rudolph,"  play  tag,  eat 
cookies  and  remind  the  students 
just  how  much  work  kids  can  be. 

With  the  $70  raised,  the  stu- 
dents then  took  part  in  the 
church's  "Angel  Tree,"  buying  gifts 
for  disadvantaged  youngsters. 
They  also  bought  a  good-sized 
turkey  for  the  local  soup  kitchen 
to  use  at  their  Christmas  dinner. 
This  was  a  time  when  everyone 
truly  came  out  a  winner;  the  stu- 
dents, the  kids,  the  parents,  the 


"Angels,"  and  the  soup  kitchen. 

RU  Presbyterian  is  one  of  42 
campus  ministries  in  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic.  Robert  Skaer  is 
director  of  University  Ministries 
at  The  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Radford,  Va. 


PRESBYTERIAN 

)MES,  INC. 


One  Mission... 
Three  Great 
Retirement  Communities 


The  Presbyterian  Home 
Glenaire  of  High  Point        Scotia  Village 

200  West  Cornwall  Rd.      Box  500,  201  Greensboro  Rd.  2200  Elm  Avenue 

Gary,  NG  27511            High  Point,  NG  27260  Lanrinburi,,  NG  2S352 

m-4()0-m)5                  m-m-mU  ')l0-277-2000 

Call  Today  For  A  Free  Brochure  ^  


Historical  society 
to  meet  April  20 

The  North  Carolina  Presbyterian 
Historical  Society  will  hold  its 
spring  meeeting  April  20  at  St. 
Andrews  Presbyterian  College  in 
Laurinburg,  N.C. 

Dr.  William  Rowland  of  the  St. 
Andrews  faculty  will  deliver  the 
luncheon  address.  Dedication  of 
the  historical  collection  in  the 
DeTamble  Library  and  the  Flora 
Macdonald  Memorial  Garden 
near  Vardell  Hall  will  follow. 

Cost  is  $12  for  registration, 
lunch  and  refreshments.  Regis- 
tration may  be  sent  to  John  D. 
MacLeod  Jr.,  114  Silver  Creek 
Rd,  Morganton,  NC  28655. 


Christian  unity  event 
May  6-9  in  Richmond 

RICHMOND,  Va.  —  The  annual 
National  Workshop  on  Christian 
Unity  will  be  held  May  6-9  at  the 
Richmond  Marriott  Hotel. 

Sponsored  by  the  National  Ecu- 
menical Officers  Association,  it 
will  be  hosted  by  the  Virginia 
Council  of  Churches,  which  in- 
cludes the  PC(USA). 


PEWREFINISHING  ♦  CARPET 
PEWS  ♦  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 
CHURCH  LIGHTING 


CHURCH  FURNISHINGS,  INC. 
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Your  Plans  For  A 
Wonderful  Retirement 
Cost  Less 
At  King's  Grant. 

Few,  if  any,  retirement  cottages  or  apartments  are 
as  large  as  those  found  at  King's  Grant.  While  ours  are 
more  spacious,  they're  also  less  costly. 

Our  fee-for-service  plan  makes  our  community  even 
more  of  a  value,  because  you  pay  only  for  services  you  want 
or  need.  From  weekly  linen  service  to  full  nursing  care. 

Start  your  plans  today  for  a  wonderful 
retirement.  Mail  the  coupon  or  call  ^ 
703-634-1000  or  800-462-4649. 


King's  6rant_ 

A  Sunnyside  Retirement  Community 

A  Presbyterian  Ministry  since 
Mail  to:  1  King's  Way  Road,  Martinsville,  VA  24112-6610 

Address  

City  State  Zip  


King  campaign  exceeds  $7  million 

BRISTOL,  Tenn.— The  $12  million  "Campaign  for  King  College" 
exceeded  the  $7  million  mark  in  February,  the  one-year  anniversary 
of  the  campaign.  According  to  campaign  co-chair  Joe  Macione,  the 
tot£il  stood  at  $7,049,007,  which  included  gifts  in  hand  and  pledges. 
The  primary  elements  of  the  campaign  are  faculty  and  staff  salaries, 
scholarships  and  campus  improvements. 

Mary  Baldwin  receives  $250,000  gift 

STAUNTON,  Va.— An  anonymous  benefactor  has  pledged  $250,000  to 
the  Mary  Baldwin  College  Annual  Fvmd  in  the  amount  of  $50,000  a 
year  for  five  years.  Given  in  the  form  of  a  challenge  gift,  it  must  be 
matched  each  year  by  $50,000  in  new  annual  fund  gifts  from  college 
alumnae,  parents  and  friends. 

J.  C.  Smith  Seminary  Founders'  Day 

ATLANTA,  Ga.  —  Johnson  C.  Smith  Theological  Seminary  will  hold 
its  129th  Founders'  Day  Celebration  on  April  8-9  and  12.  It  will  start 
with  a  worship  service  and  colloquy  in  the  chapel  at  7  p.m.  Monday, 
April  8.  The  1996  Distinguished  Alumnus  Award  will  be  presented  to 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Arthur  B.  McFadden  during  a  convocation  which  starts  at 
1 1  .m.  Tuesday,  April  9.  Dr.  Katie  G.  Cannon  will  be  the  guest  speaker 
during  the  final  event,  which  begins  at  3  p.m.  Friday,  April  12. 

Gench,  Belk  installed  as  trustees 

RICHMOND,  Va.  —  Frances  Taylor  Gench  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  and 
John  Montgomery  Belk  of  Charlotte,  N.C,  were  installed  as  new 
members  of  the  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  board  of 
trustees  during  the  board's  February  meeting. 

Gench,  a  native  of  Bristol,  Va.,  is  associate  professor  of  biblical 
studies  at  Lutheran  Theological  Seminary  in  Gettysburg,  Pa.  She 
holds  a  doctorate  and  a  master's  degree  from  Union  Seminary  and  is 
a  graduate  of  Davidson  College.  An  ordained  Presbyterian  minister, 
she  is  a  member  of  Baltimore  Presb3^ery.  Belk  is  chairman  of  the 
board  of  Belk  Stores  Services,  Inc.,  and  Belk  Brothers  Co.,  both  of 
Charlotte  He  was  elected  mayor  of  Charlotte  and  served  four  terms 
from  1969  to  1977.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Davidson  College,  where  he  also 
served  on  the  board  of  trustees.  Belk  is  an  elder  at  Myers  Park  Church. 

Lees-McRae  accreditation  reaffirmed 

BANNER  ELK,  N.C.  —  The  Commission  on  Colleges  of  the  Southern 
Association  of  Colleges  and  Schools  has  reaffirmed  Lees-McRae 
College's  accreditation  as  a  level  II  baccalaureate  institution.  The 
reaffirmation  was  the  culmination  of  a  comprehensive  study  and 
review  process  in  which  regionally  accredited  institutions  must  par- 
ticipate at  10-year  intervals.  Accreditation  is  principally  concerned 
with  the  improvement  of  educational  quality  and  is  the  means  of 
assuring  that  regional  institutions  meet  established  standards. 

Former  Warren  Wilson  leader  dies 

ASHEVILLE,  N.C.  —  Dr.  Reuben  A.  Holden,  77,  president  of  Warren 
Wilson  College  from  1971  to  1986,  died  Nov.  29,  1995.  A  memorial 
service  was  held  Dec.  2  at  Warren  Wilson  Church.  Since  his  retire- 
ment, he  had  been  active  in  civic  affairs  and  had  received  the  Asheville 
Community  Foundation's  1995  Philanthropic  Leadership  Award.  He 
was  coauthor  of  the  college's  history.  Warren  Wilson  College:  A  Centen- 
nial Portrait.  Survivors  include  his  wife,  Betty. 

Joint  committee  invites  response 

RICHMOND,  Va.  —  The  joint  committee  of  the  boards  of  trustees  of 
Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education  and  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Virginia  held  its  second  meeting  on  Feb.  29.  The  following 
report  was  issued  by  the  group:  "The  committee  continues  to  explore 
institutional  models  for  further  partnerships  with  the  help  of  three 
consultants  who  were  funded  by  a  grant  from  the  Lilly  Endowment  to 
do  an  initial  study  of  the  schools,  completed  in  September  1995." 

The  joint  committee  invites  suggestions  for  other  models  of  part- 
nership and  responses  to  this  process.  These  responses  should  be  sent 
to  the  secretary  of  the  committee,  Ms.  Peggy  Witherspoon,  1205 
Palmyra  Ave.,  Richmond,  VA  23227.  Responses  may  also  be  faxed  to 
804/254-8060  or  sent  by  e-mail  to  psce.admin@pcusa.org. 


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Best  of  Scandinavia  Tour! 

Tour  Copenhagen,  Oslo,  Stockholni.  See  fjords,  rivers,  moujitaiDS,  lakes, 
fairy-tale  villages,  castles,  Viking  heritage.  14  days.  Roundtrip  airfare. 
First-class  hotels.  Most  meals.  Professional  escort.  Deluxe  raotorcoach. 
Basic  price:  $2,798.  Departs  Washington,  D.C.,  July  1 1,  19%.  For 
brochures,  call  the  Rev.  Tom  Rhyne  (540)  635-3894  /  635-1988 
or  write:  Scandinavia  Tour,  100  Cherry  St.,  Front  Royal,  VA  22630. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1996,  Page  5 

Mother's  Day  / 
Father's  Day  Offering 

in  the  Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic 
May  5-June  16,1996 

Hence  I  remind  you  to  rekindle  the  gift  of  God  that  is  within  you.  —  Timothy  1:6 


Presbyterians  Celebrate 
Older  Adult  Week 

May  5-11  is  Older  Adult  Week  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  and  the  entire  month  of  May  is  Older 
Adult  Month  in  our  nation.  The  Older  Adult  Ministries 
Committee  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  encourages 
congregations  to  recognize  the  faithfulness  and 
commitment  of  their  older  members  sometime  during 
the  month  of  May. 

Ten  Ways  to  Celebrate 

Celebrate  the  goodness  of  long  life  through  worship  - 
using  the  Congregational  Worship  Resources  for 
Older  Adult  Week  mailed  to  each  church  with 
information  on  the  Mother's  Day/Father's  Day 
Offering  for  1996.  These  resources  include  suggested 
biblical  texts,  a  call  to  worship,  a  sermon,  and  a  litany 
of  thanksgiving.  This  is  a  good  time  to  receive  the 
Mother's  Day /Father's  Day  Offering  and  to  raise 
awareness  about  the  Synod's  ministry  with,  by,  for, 
and  to  older  persons. 

Offer  a  series  of  classes  on  issues  of  aging  using  the 

videos  Aging  Me- Aging  You:  The  Journey  of  a  Lifetime, 
and/or  Aging  Me-Aging  You:  Exploring  the  Issues, 
available  from  your  presbytery  resource  center  or 
from  Jan  McGilliard.  Each  video  comes  with  a  study 
guide. 

Offer  a  short-term  study  course  for  adults  using  the 
new  Presbyterian  resource  called  Older  Adult 
Ministry:  Growing  in  the  Abundant  Life,  available  from 
Presbyterian  Publishing  House,  100  Witherspoon  St., 
Louisville,  KY  40202-1396.  This  study  guide  comes  in 
a  booklet  form  and  is  inexpensive  to  purchase. 

Hold  a  luncheon  for  older  members  to  recognize  their 
achievements  and  contributions  to  the  life  of  the 
church  through  the  years. 

Develop  and  distribute  a  booklet  on  the  subject  Are 
Your  Affairs  in  Order,  to  assist  older  persons  in 
recording  their  financial  affairs,  the  location  of  their 
will,  bank  accoimts,  and  other  matters,  so  that  when 
needed,  the  information  will  be  easily  accessible. 

Provide  information  concerning  the  state  laws  in  regard 
to  living  wills  and  durable  powers  of  attorney  (also 
called  Advance  Directives).  Provide  an  opportunity 
for  signing  these  documents,  with  the  documents 
available  at  the  church  and  with  a  doctor,  a  lawyer, 
and  a  notary  public  available  to  assist  in  the  signing. 

Request  that  the  name  of  the  pastor,  the  chair  persons  of 
committees  of  the  session  and  any  others  who  wish, 
be  added  to  the  mailing  list  ofAGEnda,  the  quarterly 
newsletter  of  the  Presbyterian  Older  Adult  Ministry 
Network.  Write  or  call  the  Office  on  Older  Adult 
Ministry,  100  Witherspoon  St.,  Louisville,  KY  40202- 
1396;  phone  (502)  569-5487. 

Advocate  for  a  positive  view  of  aging  by  purchasing 
birthday  cards  that  are  positive  and  uplifting. 

Take  advantage  of  the  new  Older  Adult  Conference  at 
Montreat  {Springboarding  into  Spiritual  Growth),  and 
send  a  representative  from  the  congregation  to  the 
Skills  for  Older  Adult  Ministry  Conference,  both  to 
be  held  May  13-17. 

Visit  all  homebound  members  and  those  in  nursing 
homes,  with  gifts  and  encouragement,  and  consider 
beginning  a  movement  for  a  telephone  buddy  system 
or  weekly  telephone  calls  from  the  church  to  continue 
the  connection. 

For  good  measure,  offer  to  be  a  contact  person  for  yovir 
congregation  for  your  presbytery's  older  adult 
ministry  committee. 


Presbyterian  Older  Adult 
Ministry  Network 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic  has  a  network  of  30  older 
adult  ministry  enablers  whose  purpose  is  to  initiate, 
expedite,  train,  and  advocate  for  older  adult  ministry  in 
their  presbyteries.  They  are  your  advocates  and  leaders 
in  this  important  ministry.  Call  your  presbytery  office  to 
learn  the  name  of  your  enabler(s). 

Synod  Older  Adult  Ministries 
Committee 

The  Older  Adult  Ministries  Committee  of  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic  represents  aU  13  presbyteries,  three  at- 
large  experts  on  aging,  and  the  executive  directors  of  our 
synod-related  retirement  communities  and  agencies.  It 
is  staffed  by  Jan  McGUliard,  the  Associate  for  Older 
Adult  Ministries. 

Some  of  the  Goals  for  1996  are: 
To  establish  a  Volunteer  in  Mission  Position  for  Older 

Adult  Ministry  to  be  shared  by  Baltimore,  National 

Capital,  and  New  Castle  Presbyteries; 
To  establish  a  Volunteer  in  Mission  Position  for  the 

Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic,  to  be  a  liaison  for  Synod's 

Older  Adult  Ministries,  Union  Theological  Seminary, 

and  the  Center  on  Aging  at  PSCE; 
To  develop  at  least  one  modest-income  housing  project 

for  older  adults; 
To  promote  use  of  the  Mission  Yearbook  for  Prayer  in 

congregations,  and  to  submit  stories  of  older  adults  in 

mission  through  this  publication;  to  provide  a 

training  conference  for  older  adult  ministry  enablers. 

Retirement  Communities 
in  Community  Outreach 

A  growing  trend  among  retirement  communities  is  the 
development  and  delivery  of  programs  and  services  to 
the  community  at  large.  Yes!  Most  of  our  Presbyterian- 
related  residential  and  health  communities  are  extend- 
ing their  ministries  far  beyond  their  property  lines.  They 
are  involved  in  offering  educational  opportunities, 
developing  resources,  speakers'  bureaus,  meals  on 
wheels,  parish  nursing,  and  home  health  care  services. 
Here  are  a  few  examples: 


Westminster-Canterbury  of  Richmond  provides 
meals  for  40-45  individuals  each  week.  The  service  is  not 
limited  to  older  adults,  and  referrals  are  made  through 
such  organizations  as  churches,  hospital  discharge 
planners,  and  Hospice.  Speakers  have  been  scheduled 
on  a  wide  array  of  topics  throughout  the  year.  W-C  is 
preparing  to  develop  the  concept  of  parish  nursing 
through  a  certification  program.  A  hymnbook  project  is 
under  way  to  develop  a  book  of  hymns,  liturgy,  and 
rituals  that  reflects  the  backgrounds  of  the  residents  and 
will  not  be  too  heavy  to  hold. 

Sunnyside  Presbyterian  Home  in  Harrisonburg,  Va., 
recently  marked  its  40th  anniversary  with  An  Evening 
with  Mark  Twain,  open  to  the  community.  A  partnership 
with  local  elementary  schools  brings  tutoring  services  to 
students  and  students  bring  programs  to  the  retirement 
conununity.  Simnyside  hosts  the  Salvation  Army 
Christmas  party  each  year.  King's  Grant  in  Martinsville, 
Va.,  held  a  Fall  Carnival  to  support  The  United  Way. 

The  Presbyterian  Homes,  Inc.  of  North  Carolina  is 
engaged  in  writing  grant  proposals  for  the  purpose  of 
developing  home-health  services.  Scotia  Village  in 
Laurinburg,  N.C.,  participates  in  an  intergenerational 
program  called  SAILL  (St.  Andrews  Institute  for  Life- 
Long  Learning),  sponsored  by  the  college.  Participants 
engage  in  continuing  education,  physical  fitness,  and 
social  activities.  This  is  only  a  sample  of  what  is 
happening  in  and  around  our  retirement  commimities 
in  every  part  of  our  Synod. 


For  more  information 

For  further  information,  write  to  Jan  McGilliard  at  305 
Counh-y  Club  Dr.,  SE,  Blacksburg,  VA  24060.  Her 
Presbynet  address  is  JAN  MCGILLIARD,  and  her 
Internet  address  is  jmcgill@bev.net.  Faxes  may  be 
phoned  to  (540)  552-0948. 

About  offering  materials 

Please  note:  Bulletin  inserts  and  envelopes  for  the 
Mother's  Day/ Father's  Day  Offering  wUl  be  sent  to  each 
congregation  in  April.  To  request  additional  materials, 
contact  Jan  McGilliard,  Associate  for  Older  Adult 
Ministries,  at  (540)  552-0948.  The  offering  may  be  taken 
any  Sunday  between  May  5  and  June  16.  Checks  for  the 
offering  should  be  made  payable  to:  Mother's  Day/ 
Father's  Day  Offering,  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atiantic. 


Page  6,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  April  1996 


Presbyterian  Family  Ministries 

This  page  is  sponsored  by  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Lisa  S.  Crater,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 


COUNCIl  ON  ACCREDITATION 
OF  SERVICES  FOR  FAMIUES 
AND  CHILDREN.  INC 


Thanks!  Keep  those  labels  comin' 


Our  thanks  goes  out  to  all  those 
wonderful  people  who  sent  in 
Campbell's®  soup  labels!!  We 
collected  25,000  labels  and  re- 
deemed them  with  the 
Campbell's®  Labels  for  Edu- 
cation Project  for  a  35mm 
zoom-lens  camera  to  use  in 
special  class  projects  and  a  de- 
luxe headset  with  six  ear- 
phones and  jacks. 

As  this  is  an  on-going 
project,  the  Wagner  Family 
and  Child  Development  Cen- 
ter asks  that  you  continue  to 
collect  your  labels.  Our  goal  is 
to  double  the  amount  of  labels 
we  collect  by  March  of  1997  to 
50,000. 

Between  now  and  June  7* 


Campbell's®  is  offering  bonus 
points  for  certain  combinations 
of  labels.  For  example,  the  Cen- 
ter might  collect  100  Chunky 
Soup  labels  and  100  Home 
Cookin'®  Soup  labels,  if  they 
turn  them  in  by  June  7"" 
Campbell's®  will  credit  them 
with  1000  bonus  points  instead 
of  200. 

The  center  is  concentrating 
on  collecting  the  following  be- 
tween now  and  Jime  7"":  front 
label  panels  from  any 
Campbell's®  Condensed  Soup, 
Chunky  Soup,  Home  Cookin'® 
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any.  Swanson®  Fun  Feast; 
Pepperidge  Feirm®  Frozen  Gar- 
lic  or  Cheese  Breads;  or 
Pepperidge  Farm®  Goldfish 
Crackers.  The  lids  from  any  jars 
of  Vlasic®  Pickles. 

We  will  continue  to  collect 
labels  from  all  the  products 
listed  on  this  page  in  the  March 
1995  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyte- 
rian, and  will  in  fact  reprint 
that  list  of  products  on  this 
page  in  the  near  future. 

So  please  continue  to  re- 
member us  during  meedtime! 
Don't  throw  that  can  away  with 
the  label  still  attached,  send  it 
to  us ! !  We  can  turn  it  into  some- 
thing that  will  help  the  chil- 
dren and  families  we  serve. 


...  Silver  Lining 


First  let  me  tell  you  about  the 
dark  cloud  in  hopes  you  will 
forgive  me  by  the  time  I  get  to 
the  silver  lining  and  you  will 
again  help  us  take  advantage 
of  a  wonderful  opportunity. 

I  just  plain  goofed!  In  my 
commimication  with  Food  Lion 
last  summer,  I  understood  our 
shopping  dates  were  con- 
firmed. They  were  not!  In 
addition,  we  had  two  violations 
of  the  Food  Lion  Community 
Way  Days  rules.  First,  receipts 
from  Virginia  Food  Lions  were 
mailed  to  Food  Lion'  Salisbury 
office,  and  the  rules  stipulate 
that  only  receipts  from  North 
Carolina  Food  Lions  are  eli- 
gible. Second,  an  article  about 
the  Barium  Springs/Food  Lion 
days  appeared  in  a  Virginia 
newspaper.  Rules  state  that 
no  advertisements  can  appear 


in  the  newspaper,  only  in  the 
Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  the 
Barium  Messenger  and  by  di- 
rect mail  notification.  So,  your 
most  generous  efforts  on  our 
behalf  to  collect  and  send  in 
receipts  from  February,  1996 
will  yield  no  support,  but... 

We  have  a  wonderful  new 
opportunity!!!!!  Our  great 
friends  at  Food  Lion  are  giving 
us  another  chance  to  generate 
this  critical  annual  income  we 
so  badly  need  for  the  children. 
And  in  addition,  there  is  a 
new  system  that  will  eliminate 
the  need  to  collect  and  send  us 
your  receipts.  This  should 
make  many  of  you  who  are 
church  secretaries  and  other 
friends  very  happy.  You  will 
get  all  the  procedure  details 
later,  but  in  general  there  is  a 
new  voucher  system  which  will 


enable  Food  Lion's  computers 
to  tedly  all  receipts  and  send  us 
a  check  two  weeks  after  the 
shopping  days. 

We  will  be  mailing  four 
vouchers  to  all  our  friends  in 
July  which  can  be  used  on  Au- 
gust 19, 20, 21, 1996  to  shop  for 
the  children. 

Well,  that's  my  story  and 
I'm  sticking  to  it.  Forgive  me? 
Believe  me,  the  staff  in  the 
office  here  are  personally  see- 
ing to  it  that  I  suffer  amply. 


Open  House 

Under  the  Oaks  at  Little  Joe 's 

Bar-B-Q    Worship       Campus  Tours 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 

Everyone  Welcome!  ! 

Saturday,  May  4,  i996 
1 2:00  Noon  -  4:00  p.m. 

Worship  Leader 

J.  Randolph  Taylor 

Program 

Registration,  Music  &  Refreshments  1 1:00  -  12:00  Noon 

Lunch  Provided;  North  Carolina  Bar-B-Q  1 2:00  -  i  :00  p.m. 

Worship:  Little  Joe's  Presbyterian  Church  i;oo  -  2:00  p.m. 

Walking  Tour  of  the  Home  2:oo  -  4:oo  p.m. 

Lunch  RSVP  by  April  27,  I996. 
Please  call  i -800-320-41  57to  make  reservations. 


mm 


Please  join  us  on  May  4,  1996 
for  a  day  of  fun,  fellowship  and 
worship  as  we  celebrate  the 
ministry  of  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children.  We're  plan- 
ning a  delicious  Bar-B-Q  to  be 
served  under  the  oaks  at  Little 
Joe's  Presbyterian  Church. 
Following  the  Bar-B-Q,  Dr.  J. 
Randolph  Taylor  will  lead  wor- 
ship and  then  everyone  will 
have  an  opportunity  to  tour 
our  campus.  The  tours  will  visit 
in  our  cottages,  our  schools  and 
the  Alumni  Museum.  You  will 
have  an  opportunity  to  meet 
and  talk  with  our  staff.  I  hope 
that  you  will  take  advantage  of 
our  open  house  to  learn  more 
about  your  ministry  to  chil- 
dren and  families  at  Barium 
Springs. 


Word  from  the  President 

You're 
Invited! 

Robert  W.  Stansell  Jr.,  President 


The  announcement  on  this 
page  contains  more  informa- 
tion and  our  toll  free  phone 
number  for  lunch  reservations. 
I  hope  to  see  you  and  a  group 
from  your  church  on  Saturday, 
May  4. 


Reade  Baker 
Vice  President 
Financial  Services  (so  far) 


New  Gift 
Wish  List 


Free  Program 
For  Your  Church 

Barium  Springs 
Home  For  Children 

Offers 
Informational 
Programs 

Family  Nights 
Sunday  Schools 
Presbyterian  Men 
Mission  Programs 
Worship  Services 
Presbyterian  Women 
Youth  Groups 
Mission  Fairs 
Other  Special  Church 
Groups 

CaU  Bill  Cowfer 
to  schedule 
704/872-4157 


•  Sporting  Equipment: 

Sleeping  Bags 
Fishing  Rods  &  Reels 
Canoe(s) 

Small  John  Boats 
Tennis  Racquets 

&  Balls 
Softballs  and  Gloves 
Out-Door  Games 

•  Toiletries 

•  Refrigerator 

•  Electric  Range 

•  Long  bibs  with  vinyl  backing 

•  Socks  (Infant-5  years) 

•  Hardback  Picture  &  Story 
Books  (Infant-5  years) 

•  Upholstered  couch/love  seat 

•  End  Table  Lamps  (3) 

•  Upholstered  arm  chairs  (2) 

•  Linens 

•  Towels 

•  Heavy  Duty  Dressers 

•  Tickets  to  sporting  events  in 
Charlotte,  Winston-  Salem, 
or  Hickory  area. 

If  you  are  interested  in  donat- 
ing any  of  these  new  items  for  the 
children,  call  or  write:  Mr.  Reade 
Baker,  Vice  President,  Financial 
Resources,  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium 
Springs,  NC,  28010;  (704)  872- 
4157. 


IN  MEMORY— IN  HONOR 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Donor:  _ 
Address: 


My  gift  of  $  

I  wish  to:   Honor 


is  enclosed 
 Remember 


Name  of  Honoree  or  Deceased: 


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify:  

Address:   


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased:  

Mail  to:  P.O.  Box  1,  Barium  Springs.  NC  28010 


Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  / 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps  —  Lesson  9,  May  1996 

Glimpses  of  Home  —  Chapter  Nine 


By  the  Rev.  Dr.  CAROL  T.  "PINKY"  BENDER 

This  is  the  "Glimpse  of  Home"  for  which  we've  been 
waiting  ...  maybe  even  longing!  This  is  the  ultimate 
in  "glimpses"  because  this  is  the  impression,  the 
vision,  the  hope  that  we  Christians  need  to  keep  in 
front  of  us  from  now  until  the  "glimpse"  is  accom- 
plished! 

Having  looked  at  various  areas  of  "glimpses"  for 
the  past  eight  sessions,  we  now  see  that  Eugenia 
Gamble  has  titled  this  final  chapter  in  her  study 
book  Glimpses  of  Home:  Biblical  Images  of  the  Realm 
of  God  "A  Glimpse  of  Home."  One  final  look  ...  one 
final  image  ...  one  hope-filled  look  at  what  awaits 
those  who  believe  in  Jesus  Christ.  That's  why  we 
can  declare  that  this  last  glimpse  is  the  utmost,  the 
paramount,  the  premier  in  glimpses! 

As  you  begin  preparing  for 
this  final  lesson  in  the  study 
book,  think  through  your  own 
ideas,  concepts. ..even  your  feel- 
ings ...  about  the  Book  of  Rev- 
elation. How  often  have  you 
read  it?  How  often  have  you 
heard  sermons  preached  on  a 
text  from  this  book?  How  often 
have  you  been  confused,  sty- 
mied or  frustrated  when  you 
tried  to  study  this  book?  I  sus- 
pect that  most  of  us  who  preach 
and  teach  for  a  living  don't  want 
to  hear  your  answers!  Pinky  Bender 

Go  slowly! 

Once  I  was  asked  by  a  New  Testament  student, 
"How  do  you  read  the  Book  of  Revelation?"  My  quick 
response  was,  "Slowly!"  That  may  not  have  been 
what  the  student  wanted  to  hear,  but  I'll  stand  by 
that  advice  as  I  urge  you  to  begin  your  digging  into 
this  book  which  concludes  the  New  Testament  by 
reading  as  much  of  the  entire  book  as  you  can.  Read 
it  s-l-o-w-l-y!  Savor  the  rich  language  and  scenes. 
Let  your  imagination  soar  as  John  describes  the 
revelation  given  to  him  by  Jesus  Christ  while  he, 
John,  was  a  prisoner  on  the  island  of  Patmos. 

You  may  want  to  consult  a  commentary  on  the 
Book  of  Revelation.  Eugene  Boring's  volume  in  the 
"Interpretation"  series  is  quite  good.  The  Scripture 
reference  for  this  session.  Revelation  20:4-22:5,  is 
covered  in  Part  Three  of  Boring's  work  called  "God 
Redeems  the  Holy  City."  Look  at  the  section  head- 
ings of  a  study  Bible  to  get  the  flow  of  the  passage. 
(I  use  the  HarperCollins  study  Bible  based  on  the 
New  Revised  Standard  Version  with  notes  and  ar- 
ticles compiled  by  the  Society  for  Biblical  Litera- 
ture.) Sense  how  it  moves  from  the  "thousand  years" 
to  Satan's  doom,  to  the  judgment  of  the  dead  before 
giving  us  a  glimpse  of  hope  in  describing  the  new 
Jerusalem  and  the  river  of  life. 

Remembering  revelation 

Begin  your  circle  study  by  asking  participants 
what  (if  an3^hing!)  they  can  remember  about  the 
Book  of  Revelation  from  past  readings  or  sermons. 
Jot  down  their  ideas.  Ask  questions  like:  Are  more 
of  your  ideas  negative  or  positive?  Why?  Continue 
by  using  Mary  Duckert's  idea  on  page  90  of  the  study 
book,  under  "Suggestions  for  Leaders."  Divide  the 
circle  into  pairs.  Ask  one  person  in  the  pair  to  read 
Isaiah  65:17-18;  the  other,  Revelation  21:1-4  and 
then  let  the  pair  consider  how  these  two  passages 
are  alike.  How  are  they  different?  Which  gives  you 
the  most  hope?  Why  do  we  need  a  new  heaven  and 
a  new  earth?  Ask  each  pair  to  report  back  to  the 
entire  re-assembled  group. 

Using  these  same  two  passages,  ask  the  group  to 
pick  out  ideas  or  traits  of  a  wonderful  earthly  home 
that  appeal  to  them.  How  will  these  concepts  be 
even  greater  in  the  "new"  Jerusalem?  Where  will 
the  new  age  (And  call  it  "new  age!"  Don't  shy  away 
from  a  good  biblical  notion  called  "new  age"  just 
because  the  world  has  adopted  the  term  for  some- 
thing else!)  be  lived  out  ...  on  earth  or  in  heaven? 
Why  do  you  think  that? 

Four  glimpses ... 
of  the  final  picture 

Continue  the  session  using  Gamble's  glimpses  of 
the  final  picture  as  outlined  on  pages  70  and  7 1 .  You 
may  want  to  use  questions  like  these  to  focus  on 
each  section. 

First  glimpse:  What  "evil"  do  you  see  around  you 
in  the  time  and  place  in  which  you  live?  What  part 
in  "defeating  evil"  c»n  we  have  now... before  God 
ultimately  defeats  evil  once  and  for  all  time? 

Second  glimpse:  How  do  you  picture  the  earth 
itself  being  made  new?  What  can  we  do  as  individu- 
als to  "help  that  process  along"  now?  In  other  words, 
what  can  we  do  to  make  the  earth  a  better  place  in/ 
on  which  to  live? 


Third  glimpse:  How  do  you  depict  "intimate 
communion  with  God?"  Before  entering  the  new 
Jerusalem,  how  can  we  nurture  this  communion 
with  God  now? 

Fourth  ...  and  final ...  glimpse:  In  what  ways  can 
"kindred  spirits"  be  bound  together  at  this  time? 
What  keeps  us  from  this  community  aspect  of  our 
church  life?  Our  family  life?  Our  life  in  the  work 
place? 

Gamble  suggests,  "While  the  church  itself  as  an 
institution  is  not  under  siege  in  the  same  ways  as  the 
early  church,  the  siege  is  still  present.  Today,  rather 
than  a  growing  fear  of  the  power  of  the  church,  a 
growing  assumption  of  the  irrelevance  of  the  church 
prevails.  List  some  ways  the  church  can  become  more 
relevant  to  today's  tribulation."  (page  69) 

As  a  closing  exercise  for  this  session,  ask  circle 
members  to  respond  to  the  "relevance  of  the  church 
in  today's  world."  What  place  does  the  church  have 
in  your  life?  In  family  life?  In  politics?  In  making 
decisions  about  life  in  general?  How  high  a  priority 
do  people  place  on  the  church  and  its  activities?  Is 
the  local  church  failing  to  meet  the  needs  and 
expectations  of  those  who  are  committed  to  the  local 
congregation?  If  so,  how? 


Closing  prayer 


Ask  each  person  to  open  her  study  book  to  the 
"Contents"  in  the  fi"ont.  Lead  a  "bidding"  prayer  by 
praying,  "O  God,  we  thank  you  for  these  glimpses  of 
promise  that  you  have  given  us  ..."  Let  each  person 
who  wiU  add  her  "glimpse  of  promise"  to  the  prayer 
before  going  on  to  the  next  section.  ("O  God,  help  us  to 
see  these  glimpse  of  prophecy  in  today's  world  ....") 

Continue  through  the  Contents  allowing  time 
for  each  person  to  pray  or  to  meditate  on  these  areas 
of  "glimpses."  Close  the  session. ..and  the  study.. .by 
praying  together  the  author's  prayer  on  page  72. 


Final  lesson 

If  your  circle  meets  12  times  during  the  year,  the 
following  will  make  a  fine  wrap-up  session . . .  and  an 
excellent  review  of  the  entire  study.  (Remember 
that  a  suggestion  for  Lesson  #10  was  given  at  the 
end  of  the  material  for  Chapter  Four;  the  idea  or 
resoiirce  for  Lesson  #11  were  included  at  the  con- 
clusion of  the  column  dealing  with  Chapter  Five.)  If 
your  circle  is  large  enough,  divide  into  NINE  pairs 
or  groups  and  use  the  following  questions  to  discuss 
the  passage  assigned  to  your  group.  Instead  of 
writing  the  references  on  separate  slips  of  paper, 
copy  this  entire  list  (along  with  the  questions)  and 
give  one  to  each  person.  In  that  way,  circle  partici- 
pants can  have  as  "homework"  a  review  that  will 
enrich  their  year's  study  of  the  kingdom  of  God. 
This  also  makes  a  good  study  sheet  to  pass  on  to  the 
shut-in  members  of  your  Presbyterian  Women. 


Questions 


1)  What  does  this  passage  say  to  you  about  the 
nature  of  the  realm  of  God? 

2)  Where  do  you  see  this  aspect  of  the  reign  of  God 
in  your  own  congregation? 

3)  How  does  this  passage  apply  to  your  life  of  faith? 

Passages  for  Groups  or  Pairs 

Number  each  pair  (or  individual  if  using  this 
exercise  with  a  small  circle).  Each  group  will  dis- 
cuss the  SAME  questions,  those  questions  that  are 
listed  above.  (If  you  have  time,  pick  out  ONE  signifi- 
cant thing  that  your  particular  passage  says  to  you 
to  share  with  your  small  group  and  then  with  the 
entire  group.) 

Group  One/Lesson  One:  Exodus  19:  1-6 
Group  Two/Lesson  Two:  Hosea  6:  1-6 
Group  Three/Lesson  Three:  Isaiah  40:  1-5 
Group  Four/Lesson  Four:  Luke  4:  14-21 
Group  Five/Lesson  Five:  Matthew  4:  12-17 
Group  Six/Lesson  Six:  Mark  1:  14-15;  29-31 
Group  Seven/Lesson  Seven: 

I  Corinthians  4:14-21 
Group  Eight/Lesson  Eight:  John  3:  1-10 
Group  Nine/Lesson  Nine:  Revelation  21:  1-7 


CLAY,  Inc.,  (Claergy  and  Laity  Together  in  Ministry),  an 
ecumenical  organization  promoting  lay  ministry,  is  seeking 
a  Program  Coordinator.  The  half-time,  staff  team  position 
involves  leadership  training,  coordinating  CLAY's  Faith  to 
Focus  program  (  a  ministry  discernment  process),  program 
development,  and  membership  development.  Inquiries: 
CLAY,  Inc.,  124  Perdue  St.,  Garner,  NC  27529;  (919)  772- 
1707.  Application  deadline:  April  15, 1996. 


Women's  churchwide  moderator 
to  address  summer  gathering 


Hazel  Fuhrmeister,  churchwide 
moderator  of  Presbyterian 
Women,  will  be  the  keynote 
speaker  for  the  1996  Summer 
Gathering  of  the  synod's  Presby- 
terian Women,  to  be  held  June  13- 
16  at  the  University  of  Richmond 
(Va.). 

The  summer  gathering  will  fol- 
low the  theme  "Encounters  with 
Jesus." 

Plenary  leaders  will  include 
Eugenia  Gamble,  who  will  lead 
the  Bible  study.  Gamble  wrote 
the  1995-95  Horizons  Bible  study, 
Glimpses  of  Home:  Biblical  Im- 
ages of  the  Realm  of  God.  Ann  M. 
Philbrick  will  lead  worship  and 
communion,  Mary  Jane  Winter 
will  lead  a  session  on  mission  in- 
terpretation. Pinky  Bender  will 
review  books  and  Louise  Lisk  will 
talk  about  world  happenings. 

Nineteen  workshops  are  sched- 
uled. Scheduled  topics  and  lead- 
ers are: 

Attracting  Young  Women  to  PW 
with  Sherry  Page;  PW  Enabler— 
Helpful  Hints  and  How  To's  with 
Ellen  Newbold;  Encounters  with 
Jesus — The  Gospel  of  Matthew 
with  Pinky  Bender;  Moderators 
with  Frances  Cowan;  Looking  at 
the  World  through  Women's  Eyes 
with  Bettie  J.  Durah;  Hanging  On 
and  Letting  Go  with  Rosamond 
McCarthy;  Freed  to  Lead  with 
Patricia  Karns;  We  are  Many — 
Women's  Issues  in  Urban  America 
with  Jacqueline  Rucker;  and 


Speaking  His  Love  Language  with 
Rob  and  Sharon  Sherrard. 

Also,  Help!  I  Have  to  Chair  the 
Meeting  with  Peggie  Atkins;  Meet- 
ings that  Matter— Gatherings  that 
Grab  with  Nancy  Darter;  Writing 
for  Pleasure  or  Publication  with 
Anna  Bedford;  Praising  through 
Music  ...  Not  Just  for  a  Chosen 
Few  with  Jeanne  Bluford  and 
Caroline  Hall;  Ministry  with  Chil- 
dren with  Fred  and  Laura 
Holbrook;  PW  Celebration  Giving 
with  Jean  Cutler;  Sweeping  Out 
the  Corners  with  Diane  Hutchins; 
Just  a  Sister  Away  with 
Earnestine  Wall;  Central 
America — Bridges  of  Hope  with 
Mary  Jane  Winter;  and  Sister's 
Soul  Soothers  (For  Self  and  Oth- 
ers) with  Avys  Massey. 

Optional  activities  will  include 
newsletter  production,  choir, 
handbells,  cooking  for  large 
groups,  small-group  activities, 
writing  church  histories,  low-im- 
pact aerobics,  hunger  action 
plans,  writing,  and  effective  com- 
munication skills. 

Information  and  registration 
forms  are  being  distributed 
through  presbyteries'  spring  gath- 
erings of  Presbyterian  Women. 
They  should  also  be  available 
through  PW  enablers  and  mod- 
erators. 

Jean  Bane  of  Bristol,  Va.,  is 
director  of  the  1996  Summer  Gath- 
ering. She  may  be  contacted  by 
calling  (evenings)  (540)  669-9050. 


Taylor,  Newberry  to  lead  synod 
Presbyterian  Men's  conference 


J.  Randolph  Taylor,  former 
PC(USA)  moderator  and  former 
president  of  San  Francisco  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  will  be  the  key- 
note speaker  for  the  1996  annual 
conference  of  the  Synod's  Presby- 
terian Men. 

The  conference,  "Change  Of- 
fers Opportunity,"  will  be  held 
July  12-14  at  Davidson  (N.C.) 
College. 

Taylor,  who  is  retired  and  lives 
at  Black  Mountain,  N.C,  was  pas- 
tor at  Myers  Park  Church  in  Char- 
lotte from  1976  to  1985.  Born  to 
missionary  parents  in  China,  he 
holds  a  doctorate  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  and 
is  a  graduate  of  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Virginia  and 
Davidson  College. 

In  addition  to  Taylor,  confer- 
ence leaders  will  include  Edward 
B,  Newberry,  pastor  of  the  Me- 
morial Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C, 
since  1978. 

Newberry,  whose  service  at  the 
General  Assembly  level  includes 
the  special  committee  on  the  Brief 
Statement  of  Reformed  Faith,  will 
discuss  that  important  document 
and  its  meaning  for  the  church. 

A  native  of  South  Carolina, 
Newberry  holds  a  doctorate  fi-om 
McCormick  Theological  Seminary 
and  a  master's  degree  from  Pitts- 
burgh Theological  Seminary. 

Presbyterian  Men's  president 
Thomas  Harrell  said  the  confer- 
ence will  include  workshops  that 
will  examine  the  changes  that  af- 
fect men's  lives:  jobs,  family  and 


their  relationship  with  God. 

Workshop  topics  and  leaders 
are:  Tough  Issues  Men  Face  with 
Richard  E.  Carver;  Spiritual 
Preparation  for  the  Rest  of  Your 
Life  with  John  Hamil;  Super- 
charging Your  Faith  with  Bill 
Green,  and  Down-sizing  —  How 
to  Deal  With  It  with  a  leader  to  be 
announced. 

Jane  D.  Cain,  music  director 
for  the  Davidson  College  Church, 
will  lead  the  music  for  the  men's 
conference.  John  Handley,  ex- 
ecutive of  Salem  Presbytery,  will 
preach  during  the  Sunday  morn- 
ing worship  service. 

Edward  A-  McLeod  of  Black 
Mountain,  N.C,  will  lead  the  con- 
ference Bible  study,  "Jesus  Calls 
for  Change."  Brown  Wright  of 
Asheville,  N.C,  is  assuming  the 
registrar's  duties  this  year. 

Cost  of  the  conference  will  be 
$133  including  meals  and  lodg- 
ing, $82  for  conference  and  meals 
only,  or  $25  for  conference  only. 
Housing  will  be  in  the  Martin 
Court  Apartments  at  Davidson, 
which  have  four-bedroom  suites. 

For  more  information,  contact 
Harrell  at  (704)  633-2004  or 
Wright  at  (704)  253-8817.  Con- 
ference fliers  will  be  available 
through  the  synod  office:  P.O.  Box 
27026,  Richmond,  VA  23261- 
7026;  phone  (804)  342-0016;  fax 
(804)  355-8535. 

To  register  now,  use  the  form 
below.  The  deadline  for  registra- 
tions is  June  16. 


Registration  for  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  1996  Men's  Conference 


Plea 


Nearly  o. 


Check  the  appropriate  package  and  complete  a  separate  form  for  each  person  attending  the  conference. 
Send  completed  form  with  full  payment  to:  V.  Brown  Wright,  121  Red  Oak  Rd.,  Asheville,  NC  28804. 
Make  checks  payable  to  "1996  Presbyterian  Men's  conference." 

  Conference,  meals  and  lodging  ($133.00)    Conference  and  meals  ($82.00) 

  Conference  onIy(  $25.00 


Name   

Street  No./P.O.B( 


Page  d,  Mjd-Atlaxifcic  Presbyterian,  April  1996 


News  from  the  PC(USA^ 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  ] 
Presbyterian  News  Service 


Beth  Braxton  (second  from  right),  chair  of  National  Capital  Presbytery's  Mission  Committee, 
welcomes  Dr.  C.  Kenneth  Hall,  minister  of  interpretation  for  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
Foundation  and  preacher  at  the  "Big  Event." 

More  than  500  attend  Big  Event' 
in  National  Capital  Presbytery 


By  NANCY  WHYTE 

It  was  indeed  a  "Big  Event"  in 
National  Capital  Presbytery  Feb. 
23-24  when  the  third  annual  Pres- 
bytery-wide event  entitled  "We 
can  talk ...  Not  as  Strangers"  was 
held.  Over  550  folks  from  every 
corner  of  the  Presbytery  attended 
the  activities  sponsored  by  the 
Presbytery  and  the  Global  Mis- 
sion committee. 

All  ages  were  represented  in 
those  attending  the  seminars  as 
part  of  the  Global  Mission  Con- 
ference on  Friday  held  at 
Fairlington  Church  in  Alexandria, 
Va.  and  the  49  workshops  at  Na- 
tional Church  in  the  District  of 
Columbia  on  Saturday. 

"Where  in  the  world  is  the  Pres- 
bj^erian  Church?"  was  the  sub- 
ject of  the  keynote  address  given 
by  the  Rev.  C.  Kenneth  Hall,  Min- 
ister of  Interpretation,  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation 
on  Friday  night. 

Moderator  of  the  200th  Gen- 
eral Assembly  (1988),  Dr.  Hall 
told  of  the  mission  activities  of 
the  Presbj^erian  Church  in  all 


areas  of  the  world,  but  he  pointed 
out  that  funding  for  global  mis- 
sion has  declined  dramatically 
and  that  in  10  years,  the  Presby- 
terian Church  would  be  "nowhere" 
unless  resources  in  this  area  were 
increased.  The  preacher  for 
Saturdays  worship  service  was 
the  Dean  of  Chapel  at  Duke  Uni- 
versity, Dr.  William  Willimon, 
whose  sermon  topic  was  "Speak- 
ing the  Truth  in  Love".  Dr. 
Willimon  has  just  been  named  as 
one  of  the  outstanding  preachers 
in  the  U.S.  by  Newsweek  maga- 


zine. Also  participating  in  wor- 
ship was  the  Rev.  Mary  Palk,  Di- 
rector of  Student  Affairs  at  Mc 
Cormick  Theological  Seminary, 
Chicago.  Rev.  Palk  conducted  a 
hymnfest  at  the  end  of  Saturday's 
activities,  culminating  an  excit- 
ing opportunity  for  learning,  wor- 
ship, and  fellowship.  Chair  of  the 
Big  Event  was  Sandy  Ryan 
(Georgetown),  assisted  by  The 
Revs.  Beth  Braxton  (Burke),  and 
Nancy  Dederer  (Assoc., 
Manassas)  and  Elder  Betty  Jane 
Crago  (Chevy  Chase). 


Fairlington  plans  50th  anniversary 

Fairlington  Church  in  the  west  end  of  Alexandria  has  a  long 
history  of  funding  support  and  interest  in  global  mission.  It  has 
hosted  the  Global  Mission  Conference  for  more  than  20  years. 

In  1997  the  church,  currently  co-pastored  by  the  husband  and 
wife  team  of  Fred  Crane  Lyon  and  Jan  Edmiston,  will  celebrate 
its  Jubilee  Year.  There  are  special  events  planned  to  observe  50 
years  of  ministry  by  this  congregation  which  has  among  its 
members  persons  from  Cameroon,  Liberia,  Korea,  the  Nether- 
lands, and  Ghana. 


Together  at  the  Well'  is  theme 
for  '96  peacemaking  conferences 


Dr.  Isasi-Diaz,  a  native  of  Cuba 
with  a  Ph.D.  in  theology,  will  ad- 
dress the  1996  Presbyterian 
Peacemaking  Conference  on  Aug. 
11  at  the  Montreat  Conference 
Center. 

"Together  at  the  Well"  is  the 
theme  of  the  1996  conferences.  In 
addition  to  the  Aug.  11-15  confer- 
ence at  Montreat,  an  identical 
event  for  the  western  U.S.  will  be 
held  Aug.  3-7  at  Estes  Park,  Colo. 
The  conference  will  explore  inte- 
grating and  balancing  spiritual- 
ity and  the  common  good.  Partici- 
pants will  look  at  ways  to  encour- 
age reinvestment  in  their  com- 
munities while  deepening  their 
spiritual  lives. 

Isasi-Diaz  has  made  many  con- 
tributions to  Christian  thought 
and  social  issues,  including  her 
original  work  in  the  area  of 
mujerista  theology  that  brings 
together  feminist  and  liberation 
theology  from  the  perspective  of 
Hispanic  women. 

Since  1991  she  has  been  an 
associate  professor  of  theology  and 
' '  i  OS  at  Drew  University  in  Madi- 
,  N,  J.  Before  that  she  served 


as  director  of  program  and  associ- 
ate general  director  of  Church 
Women  United.  She  holds  a  doc- 
torate from  Union  Theological 

Together 
at  the  Well 


Seminary  in  New  York. 

Other  theme  presenters  will 
be  Bishop  Leontine  Kelly,  first 
African  American  woman  elected 
bishop  of  any  major  denomina- 
tion, and  Paul  Jones,  who  alter- 
nates life  as  a  Trappist  monk  with 
writing  and  working  with  the  poor. 
Millard  Fuller,  founder  and  di- 
rector of  Habitat  for  Humanity, 


will  address  the  Estes  Park  con- 
ference. 

Worship  will  be  led  by  Theo- 
logical Expressions  in  Art  and 
Ministry  (TEAM)  which  includes 
Jodi  Martin,  Aimee  Wallis 
Buchanan  and  Bill  Buchanan.  The 
music  leader  will  be  Richard 
Clements,  hymnsing  leader  at  pre- 
vious Peacemaking  conferences. 

There  will  be  more  than  30 
workshops  in  four  major  areas: 
spiritual  formation,  seeking  the 
common  good  (reinvesting  in  com- 
munity), integrating  spirituality 
and  the  common  good,  and  peace- 
making leadership  training. 

The  Peacemaking  conferences 
will  again  be  intergenerational 
with  some  activities  designed  for 
each  specific  age  group  and  other 
activities  designed  for  each  spe- 
cific age  group  and  other  activi- 
ties designed  to  include  all  ages. 

The  registration  deadline  is 
June  20.  Discount  fees  are  avail- 
able for  those  who  register  before 
June  1.  For  free  registration  bro- 
chures call  Presbjrterian  Distri- 
butions Services  at  (800)  524-2612 
and  specify  #70-270-95-014. 


Consultant  to  address  problems  in 
PC(USA)'s  curriculum  partnership 

The  General  Assembly  Council  (GAC)  has  approved  the  hiring  of  a 
consultant  to  work  with  the  Presbjd;erian  Pubhshing  Corporation 
(PPC)  board  of  directors  and  the  Congregational  Ministries  Division 
(CMD)  Committee  to  find  a  solution  to  problems  in  the  two  entities' 
partnership  arrangement  to  develop,  produce  and  distribute  curricu- 
lum. The  consultant's  findings  and  recommendations  will  be  brought 
to  the  PPC  board  and  to  the  GAC  through  the  division  committee  no 
later  than  June  1,  1996. 

The  Rev.  Blair  R.  Monie  of  Dallas,  CMD  Committee  chair,  will 
select  the  consultant,  whose  fees  will  be  shared  equally  by  both 
groups.  The  decision  came  after  hours  of  intense  discussion  Feb.  23  by 
the  GAC  and  leaders  of  both  entities. 

Established  Jan.  1, 1994,  as  an  independent  corporation  related  to 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  PPC  produces  educational  re- 
sources for  Presbyterian  congregations  and  members,  and  theological 
and  religious  books  and  other  materials  for  a  wider  audience.  Its 
imprints  and  product  lines  currently  include  Westminster  John  Knox 
Press,  The  Geneva  Press,  Presbyterian  Publishing  House,  and  Pres- 
byterian and  Reformed  Educational  Ministries  (PREM).  PREM  is  a 
partnership  among  the  PC(USA)  and  other  denominations  that  pro- 
vides resources  and  programs  for  a  variety  of  settings  and  age  groups. 
The  two  curricula  developed  by  PREM  for  use  in  congregations  are 
"Bible  Discovery"  and  the  newly  revised  "Celebrate." 

CMD  conceives,  plans  and  develops  the  curriculum  resources  "Bible 
Discovery^  and  "Celebrate"  through  its  Resource  Development  Pro- 
gram Team  up  to  the  point  of  production. 

GAC  reelects  Brown  as  executive 

After  almost  three  hours  of  executive  session,  the  General  Assembly 
Council  voted  46-16  to  reelect  the  Rev.  James  D.  Brown  to  a  second 
four-year  term  as  the  Council's  executive  director. 

"The  Council  is  enthusiastic,  ready  to  move  ahead,"  the  Rev.  D. 
William  Mclvor  told  the  Presbyterian  News  Service  after  the  Feb.  21- 
25  meeting  at  The  Seelbach  Hotel.  Mclvor  described  the  75  percent 
yes  vote  as  "very  positive,  given  the  difficult  times  the  CouncU  and  Jim 
have  been  through  these  past  three  and  a  half  years."  Brown  concurred 
with  that  analysis  and  described  his  end-of-term  review  as  a  "helpful 
time  to  reflect  about  a  very  turbulent  time  in  our  denominational  life." 

Brown's  reelection  is  subject  to  confirmation  by  the  208th  (1996) 
General  Assembly. 

GAC  accepts  offerings  changes 

The  General  Assembly  Council  (GAC)  has  accepted  the  recommenda- 
tions of  the  Special  Offerings  Task  Group,  which  call  for  significant 
changes  for  two  of  the  Presbyterian  Church's  four  "special  offerings" 
—  the  Witness  Offering  and  the  Christmas  Joy  Offering.  Included  in 
the  recommendations:  that  the  Christmas  Joy  Offering  be  expanded 
to  include  programs  for  "children  at  risk"  and  that  the  Witness 
Offering  be  reconstituted  as  a  Pentecost  Offering,  with  funds  being 
designated  for  youth  ministries.  Subject  to  approval  by  the  General 
Assembly,  the  changes  will  go  into  effect  in  1998. 

'97  mission  budget  is  $113.8  million 

The  General  Assembly  Council  (GAC)  has  adopted  a  1997  General 
Assembly  mission  budget  of  $113.8  million  and  will  send  it  on  to  the 
upcoming  General  Assembly  for  approval.  In  order  to  balance  the 
budget,  the  council  cut  $1.2  million  from  the  vmified  (undesignated) 
portion  of  the  original  mission  budget  and  then  reallocated  $400,000 
to  fund  two  GAC  mission  initiatives  —  centers  for  Christian  reflection 
and  spiritual  formation  and  a  newly  adopted  initiative  for  ministry 
with  youth  and  young  adults. 

By  division,  the  amounts  cut  were:  Congregational  Ministries, 
$260,000  (though  the  new  initiatives  funding  will  all  go  CMD); 
National  Ministries,  $250,000;  Worldwide  Ministries  Division, 
$325,000;  and  Corporate  and  Administrative  Services,  $100,000. 

Monday  Morning  subsidies  stopped 

In  a  move  designed  to  stretch  the  Presbyterian  Church's  communica- 
tion budget  as  far  and  as  effectively  as  possible,  the  General  Assembly 
Council  has  decided  to  discontinue  publication  of  The  News  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  and  to  make  Monday  Morning  magazine 
self-supporting.  The  money  saved  (approximately  $330,000)  wiU  be 
used  to  beef  up  the  other  publications  and  services  of  the  GAC's  Office 
of  Communication  —  News  Briefs,"  Presbyterians  Today,  PresbyNet 
and  PresbyTel. 

In  response  to  a  question  about  how  long  "Monday  Morning"  can  go 
if  subscriptions  and  advertising  do  not  cover  its  costs,  GAC  associate 
director  for  communication  Gary  Luhr  said,  "We  have  imtil  the  end  of 
the  year — we  have  money  budgeted  for  Monday  Morning  untO  the  end 
of  the  year." 

Monday  Morning  currently  has  a  circulation  in  excess  of  20,000. 
Pastors  serving  congregations  receive  the  magazine  free  of  charge 
(historically  paid  for  by  the  Office  of  the  General  Assembly).  Retired 
ministers  also  receive  it  free,  with  their  subscriptions  paid  by  the 
Board  of  Pensions.  The  pension  board  has  been  discussing  whether  it 
wants  to  continue  that  practice. 

Begun  in  1988  as  a  publication  geared  primarily  to  elders  serving 
on  session  The  News  had  a  circulation  of  140,000.  However,  surveys 
conducted  by  Research  Services  have  shown  that  elders  had  very  little 
interest  in  the  publication. 


Bible  reading  survey  results  -  p.8 

<fBKaCFFZ********5-0IGIT  27514 
'    « 00548651 W  MHO    5aS  548 

UNIW    OF    (\l    CAROLINA  LIBWAHY 
l^JOrtTH    CARGLIIMA  COLLECTIOM 
>!lLSOi^    LIdfvArtY    C8  3930 
CHAPEL    HILL    NC  27514-8890 
|nl.|l..<l.l.lM..ll.i..li..l.l..l.l,l..ll....lt..l 


For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


May  1996 


Vol.  LXII,  Number  4 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Six  Shenandoah  Valley  churches 
share  250th  anniversaries  in  1996 


In  the  Mid-Atlantic  region  it's  not 
unusual  for  a  church  to  celebrate 
its  250th  anniversary.  It  happens 
almost  every  year  and  some  con- 
gregations have  already  topped 
300  years. 

But  when  six  churches  within 
a  15-mile  radius  within  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  celebrate  that 
landmark  during  the  same  year, 
it  is  a  unique  event.  Bethel, 
Fairfield,  Hebron,  New  Mon- 
mouth, New  Providence  and  Tim- 
ber Ridge  churches  were  all  orga- 
nized in  1746. 

PC(USA)  Moderator  Marj  Car- 
penter will  help  mark  the  occa- 
sion by  appearing  Wednesday, 
May  22,  during  an  all-day  cel- 
ebration at  Bethel  Church  south 
of  Staunton.  (For  other  anniver- 
sary plans,  see  box  on  pageV.) 

To  almost-21st  century  Ameri- 
cans the  conditions  facing  those 
who  started  the  six  churches 
would  seem  very  foreign. 

The  first  European  settlers  in 
this  area  arrived  in  the  1730s. 
Many  who  b)T)assed  the  estab- 
lished coastal  communities  for  the 
wild  frontier  were  Scotch-Irish 
immigrants.  Frustrated  with  eco- 
nomic and  religious  constraints 
in  Britain,  many  of  the  new  set- 
tlers were  looking  for  a  home 
where  they  could  have  political 
independence,  religious  freedom 
and  personal  liberty. 

Most  came  in  through  Penn- 
sylvania, then  moved  southwest 
along  the  valley  of  the 
Shenandoah  River. 

Those  who  practiced  religion 
were  often  "dissenters"  and  did 
not  hold  with  the  officially  sanc- 
tioned Anglican  faith.  Colonial 
officials  looked  the  other  way  or 
licensed  a  few  dissenter  preach- 
ers as  long  as  they  took  their  faith 
to  the  frontier.  It  was  convenient 
to  have  them  as  a  buffer  between 
the  Native  Americans  beyond  the 
mountains  and  the  communities 
along  the  coast. 

Dissenters'  places  of  worship 
were  called  meeting  houses.  They 
were  simple  structures  with  no 
exterior  ornamentation  that 
would  have  called  attention  to 
their  purpose. 

Two  events  were  shaping  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  the  1740s. 
The  first  was  the  Great  Awaken- 
ing, considered  by  some  the  great- 
est spiritual  movement  next  to 


the  Protestant  Reformation. 

The  spiritual  fervor  stirred  by 
the  Great  Awakening  helped  bring 
the  church  to  the  frontier  valley 
settlements,  but  it  also  contrib- 
uted to  the  other  event,  which 
was  less  positive:  the  New  Side/ 
Old  Side  division  (1741-58)  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

Filled  with  evangelistic  enthu- 
siasm by  the  Great  Awakening, 
New  Side  Presbyterians  felt  it  was 
important  to  get  ministers  quickly 
to  the  people.  Old  Siders  held  that 
thorough  education  and  training 
of  ministers  should  not  be  by- 
passed in  the  haste  to  reach  the 
people. 

It  was  a  debate  that  stirred 
passions  to  a  fever  pitch.  "The 
bitterness  of  the  conflict  was 
shown  in  the  abusive  pronounce- 
ments from  both  sides;  debate 
gave  way  to  diatribe  and  waning 
tolerance  to  truculence,"  wrote 
historian  Howard  McKnight  Wil- 
son. 

The  valley  settlers,  who  wanted 
churches  and  ministers  as  soon 
as  possible,  fell  largely  within  the 
New  Side  camp. 

Enter  John  Biair 

Ready  to  fill  this  need  was  John 
Blair,  a  young  Scot  born  in  1720 
in  Ireland.  Ordained  by  New 
Castle  Presbytery  in  1742,  he 
came  to  Virginia  as  a  missionary 
representing  the  New  Side  Synod 
of  New  York.  A  "judicious  and 
persuasive  speaker,"  he  first 
worked  the  Piedmont  Counties  of 
colonial  Virginia,  then  west  across 
the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  to  the 
Shenandoah  Valley. 

Avoiding  the  established  pas- 
torates of  Old  Side  minister  John 
Craig  at  Augusta  Stone  and  Tin- 
kling Spring  churches  (both  orga- 
nized 1740),  Blair  appealed  to 
other  Presbyterians  who  had 
grown  tired  of  waiting  for  the  Old 
Siders  to  send  them  ministers. 
Ironically,  although  he  brought 
the  congregations  together,  it  was 
many  years  before  most  enjoyed 
the  presence  of  permanent  minis- 
ters. Even  then,  they  often  had  to 
share  pastors  with  one  or  two 
other  Valley  churches. 

His  work  accomplished,  Blair 
did  not  stay  long  in  the  Valley, 
but  returned  to  Pennsylvania 
where  he  was  pastor  of  three 


Timber  Ridge  Church  near  Lexington,  Va.,  is  one  of  the  six 
churches  celebrating  its  250th  anniversary.  The  part  of  the 
church  to  the  right  of  the  chimney  dates  from  1756. 


Cumberland  County  churches.  He 
later  taught  at  Princeton  College 
and  died  in  1771  while  serving  as 
pastor  of  a  church  in  New  York.  A 
son,  John  D.  Blair,  was  the  first 
Presbyterian  minister  in  Rich- 
mond, Va. 

18th  century  worship 

Worship  in  colonial  18th  cen- 
tury America  was  "stilted  and 
bare"  in  comparison  with  modem 
practices,  according  to  historian 
Wilson.  "The  sermon  was  plain, 
orthodox  and  followed  'the  exhaus- 
tive method.'" 

A  short  sermon  might  have 
7,500  words.  "Two  such  sermons 
with  lunch  between  them  often 
kept  a  congregation  until  candle- 
light." 

Worship  was  first  held  in  ar- 
bors, then  in  log  buildings  as  the 
congregation  organized.  Occasion- 
ally, like  the  building  which  sur- 
vives at  Timber  Ridge  Church, 
the  early  churches  were  built  of 
stone.  The  floors  were  bare  earth 
and  the  only  heat  was  provided  in 
a  small  separate  structure  known 
as  a  "retiring  house." 

Families  sat  together  on  simple 
wooden  pews.  Income  for  the 
church  was  provided  not  through 
offerings,  but  by  subscriptions  the 
families  paid  for  their  pew  space. 
The  highest  prices  were  for  pews 
near  the  pulpit  and  those  which 
backed  up  against  the  church 
walls  and  thus  provided  some  back 
support. 

continued  on  page  7 


C.  Phillip  Kestner,  pastor  of  the  Fairfield,  Va.,  Church  and  a 
member  of  the  Shenandoah  Presbytery  staff,  dresses  in  18th 
century  garb  which  he  uses  to  promote  the  church's  heritage. 
Fairfield  is  one  of  six  churches  between  Staunton  and  Lexington 
celebrating  250th  anniversaries  in  1996. 


Greensboro  Presbyterian  ministers 
involved  in  struggle  over  worlcers'  wages 


GREENSBORO,  N.C.  —  The 
Kmart  Corporation  is  suing  a 
group  of  individuals,  including 
four  Presb3i;erian  ministers,  who 
have  publicly  protested  the  treat- 
ment of  workers  at  a  distribution 
center  here. 

Presbyterian  ministers  James 
Herbert  Nelson  II,  Thomas  K. 
Lane,  Frank  M.  Dew  and  Zeb  N 
Holler  are  among  the  individu 
als,  labor  and  civic  organizations, 
who  were  named  in  the  civil  suit 
Kmart  is  seeking  to  recover  dam- 
ages to  its  business  caused  by  the 
protest. 

Nelson,  pastor  of  St.  James 
Church  and  a  member  of  the 
Synod  Council,  said  that  Char- 
lotte attorney  James  Ferguson 
will  represent  the  defendants. 

Nelson  and  the  others  were 
arrested  and  jailed  foUowingnon- 
violent  demonstrations  in  Decem- 
ber, January  and  February  at  the 
Super  Kmart  Store  in  Greensboro. 

They  were  recently  fined  $25 
per  arrest,  placed  on  one  year's 
probation,  ordered  to  do  commu- 
nity service,  and  ordered  to  pay 
court  costs,  according  to  Nelson. 
He  added  that  the  terms  of  the 
probation  allow  them  to  return  to 
the  Kmart  store  as  long  as  they  do 
not  commit  any  unlawful  acts. 

While  Kmart  contends  that  the 


protest  is  not  adversely  effecting 
business,  the  civil  lawsuit  and 
extra  advertising  in  the  area  con- 
tradict that  claim,  said  Nelson. 

The  Kmart  shipping  workers 
claim  to  be  paid  significantly  less 
than  their  Kmart  counterparts  in 
other  parts  of  the  country. 

Those  arrested  said  they  sym- 
pathize with  union  complaints 
that  distribution  center  employ- 
ees in  Greensboro  earn  an  aver- 
age of  $4.60  less  per  hour  than 
employees  at  the  other  12  Kmart 
distribution  centers  across  the 
nation. 

According  to  the  Greensboro 
Pulpit  Forum,  Greensboro  also 
has  the  only  Kmart  distribution 
center  where  the  majority  of  work- 
ers are  minorities  and  where 
workers  receive  fewer  benefits 
than  employees  at  any  of  the  other 
centers. 

Initial  negotiations  last  year 
between  Kmart  Corp .  and  UNITE 
(Union  of  Needle  Trades  Indus- 
trial and  Textile)  representatives 
failed,  but  the  company  entered 
new  negotiations  on  Jan.  11. 

Kmart  Corp.  extended  its  third 
wage  proposal  to  UNITE  repre- 
sentatives on  Feb.  28.  The  new 
offer  includes  a  50-cents-per-hour 
increase  which  became  effective 
March  3. 


A  Kmart  spokesperson  said 
the  company  believes  that  "[it's] 
benefits  and  wages  are  superior 
to  those  which  are  offered  in  the 
Greensboro  market."  Negotia- 
tions between  UNITE  represen- 
tatives and  Kmart  officials  are 
still  going  on. 

Nelson  said,  theological  rea- 
sons compelled  him  to  act. 

"This  issue  speaks  a  great  deal 
on  how  we  deal  with  the  steward- 
ship of  our  nation  and  its  inhabit- 
ants," Nelson  said.  "People  are 
basically  being  subjected  to  the 
worst  form  of  greed,  which  is 
against  every  theological  doctrine 
that  I  have  ever  understood,  and 
driven  to  the  depths  of  poverty 
and  despair  without  any  appar- 
ent sense  of  conscience  from  those 
in  power. 

"We  have  asked  [Kmart]  for  a 
nearly  $6  increase  in  hourly 
wages,  but  Kmart  comes  to  the 
table  and  gives  these  workers  50 
cents,"  Nelson  said.  "The  reality 
is  50  cents  is  a  long  way  from  $6. 
And  still  these  people  are  paid 
wages  which  keep  them  below  the 
poverty  level,  and  there's  some- 
thing wrong  with  that  theologi- 
cally. Particularly  .vhen  vou're 
talking  about  a  $3r; 


Fisge  2,  Mid  Atlantic  Presbjrt< 


You  have  to  live  it! 


Spring  blesses  us 


By  BETTY  McGINNIS 

Spring  blesses  us.  The  safe,  bright  morn- 
ing sun  glows.  Plants  peek  forth  from  the 
earth.  Trees  bud  and  flowers  blossom.  The 
sweet  smell  of  air  and  soft  rains 
renew  life.  The  energy  of  God's 
creation  is  exciting  and  invigo- 
rating. "The  heavens  are  telling 
the  glory  of  God's  firmament  and 
proclaiming  God's  wonderful 
handiwork."  "This  is  the  day  the 
Lord  has  made,  we  will  rejoice 
and  be  glad  in  it."  Psalm  118:24 
Spring  fills  our  lives  with 
God's  perpetual  and  fulfilling 
energy.  "He  leads  us  beside  the 
still  waters.  He  restores  my  soul." 
God  releases  very  burden.  The 
beauty  and  restoration  of  life 
anoints  us  with  the  joy  of  the  Lord.  Psalm 
23 

Spring  brings  a  recognition  of  life's  little 
things.  The  seeds  spring  from  their  coats 
and  pop  through  the  warm  earth.  Birds 
and  animals  arrive.  Little  things  bring 
humility  and  deep  appreciation.  Growth  is 
stimulated.  God's  small,  quiet  gifts  revive 
all  of  creation. 

Spring  comes  with  a  price.  Picking  up 
twigs  from  the  winter,  gathering  leaves, 
planting  and  replanting,  mulching  and 
adding  nutrients  to  the  soil,  backaches  and 


sore  muscles  are  all  part  of  the  cost.  We 
separate  the  overcrowded  beds  and  disci- 
pline the  weeds.  We  calculate  how  to  pro- 
duce most  blossoms  from  all  of  our  plants. 
Arduous  work  becomes  insignificant.  The 
joyful  result  is  beauty. 

Spring  strengthens  us.  Gar- 
dens require  gentle  prodding, 
careful  nurturing,  constant  en- 
couragement, feeding  and  wa- 
tering. The  garden  becomes  a 
place  filled  with  renewed  energy 
yet  complete  peace.  The  first 
bloom,  the  largest  and  multiple 
blooms  excite  us.  The  gardener 
becomes  satisfied  knowing  the 
ingredients  for  the  greatest 
beauty  or  searches  for  reasons 
for  lack  of  growth. 

Spring  brings  new  life.  God 
has  given  each  of  us  a  garden  to  cultivate. 
We  are  the  gardeners.  Our  challenge  is  to 
fill  the  garden  with  life  full  of  hope,  peace, 
joy  and  beauty.  Yet  the  challenge  is  met 
with  continuous  feeding,  discipline,  water- 
ing. All  of  this  comes  with  the  might  and 
the  power  of  the  Resurrection. 

Spring  glorifies  us.  "Rejoice  in  the  Lord 
always,  and  again  I  say  rejoice."  Phil.  4:4 

Betty  McGinnis  is  moderator  of the  Synod 
of  the  Mid- Atlantic.  Her  mailing  address  is 
1234  Tamarack  Tr.,  Arnold,  MD  21012. 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

It  is  Pentecost  again.  I  am  reminded  of  the 
story  William  Least-Heat  Moon  tells  in 
Blue  Highways.  He  stumbled  upon  a  Geor- 
gia monastery  where  he  met  a  monk  who 
had  encountered  Thomas  Merton.  During 
their  conversation  the 
monk  mentioned  that 
he  had  been  a  Wall 
Street  banker.  When 
asked  the  obvious 
question  why  he  be- 


plied,  "Look,  talking 
about  the  spiritual  life 
is  a  waste  of  time.  You 
just  live  it.!" 

Spirituality  is  a 
new  buzzword  in  the  Richard 
church,  but  too  often 
we  talk  about  it,  but  ^ 
never  live  it.  As  a 
church  we  do  not  always  heed  Christ's 
words,  "He  who  has  an  ear  let  him  hear 
what  the  Spirit  says  to  the  churches."  Our 
absurd  preoccupation  with  our  own  agen- 
das often  makes  us  deaf  to  the  Spirit's  call 
and  claims. 

[In  the  word  absurd  we  find  the  Latin 
word  surdus  which  means  deaf). 

It  is  not  only  us  but  the  church  that 
needs  a  springtime  of  the  soul,  a  renewal  of 
God's  spirit,  which  is  available  to  those 
who  wait  for  it. 

I  will  always  be  grateful  that  my  par- 
ents sent  me  to  a  Quaker  school  for  five 
years.  The  simplicity,  genuine  piety,  and 
lovable  faith  I  found  there  touched  my  life. 
I  do  remember  the  awkward  silence  of 
those  Quaker  meetings  [which  seemed  "ab- 


Exploring  faith  from  a  woman's  perspective 


By  JUNE  BUCY 

The  quietness  of  the  contemplative  wor- 
ship experiences  for  women  was 
undergirded  and  enriched  by  the  soft  bur- 
bling of  four  babies  resting  on  a  quilt  to- 
ward the  back  of  the  room.  Their  mothers 
and  grandmothers  cared  for  them  as  mu- 
sic, prayers  and  scripture  developed  the 
theme: 

Sustained  by  the  faith  of  our  fathers  and 
mothers 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  SnifFen,  Editor 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 
FAX:  (804)  355-8535 
Internet:  JOHN_SNIFFEN@pcusa.org 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
(USPS  604-120  /  ISSN  1071-345X) 
Is  produced  and  published  monthly 
(except  February,  August  and  December) 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
3218  Chamberlayne  Ave., 
Richmond,  VA  23227. 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  is  mailed  free 
to  members  of  PC(USA)  churches  within 
the  synod. 

POSTMASTER 

Please  send  address  changes  to 
MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Second-Class  Postage  Rates  Paid  at 
Richmond,  Virginia,  and  addirional 
post  offices. 

Vol.  LXII 
May  1996 


and  by  the  dreams  of  our  children. 
We  renew  our  belief  in  the  holiness  of  life, 
and  the  transforming  power  of  God 

The  women  had  gathered  to  explore  and 
deepen  their  faith  and  refocus  their  com- 
mitment to  the  God  of  holiness  and  hope. 
The  presence  of  babies,  grandmothers,  pro- 
fessional women,  full-time  mothers  and 
excited  students  created  a  community  of 
sharing,  learning  and  worship. 

This  March  22-23  weekend  conference 
sponsored  by  the  Justice  for  Women  Com- 
mittee of  Shenandoah  Presbytery  and 
Massanetta  Springs  was  partially  funded 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic.  The  Jus- 
tice for  Women  Committee  of  the  Sjmod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic  attended  the  conference 
and  held  a  meeting  while  there.  This  event 
might  well  be  a  reformed  faith  model  for 
bringing  young  women  into  active  partici- 


pation in  the  church  as  well  as  for 
undergirding  mission  with  Bible  study  and 
prayer.  It  was  truly  a  remarkable  week- 
end. 

The  program  and  leadership  provided 
new  information  about  such  topics  as  prison 
ministries  for  women,  reading  to  deepen 
faith,  combatting  environmental  destruc- 
tion, and  racism.  The  worship  materials 
were  carefully  selected  and  included  the 
Feast  of  Life  Eucharist  Service  first  cel- 
ebrated at  the  conclusion  of  the  Faith  and 
Order  Commission  of  the  World  Council  of 
Churches  at  Lima,  Peru,  in  1982. 

As  the  service  ended  I  found  myself 
truly  ready  for  the  concluding  word  of  mis- 
sion: "Go  in  peace  and  serve  the  Lord." 

June  Bucy  of  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  ischair 
of  the  Synod  Council. 


surd"  to  a  small  boy]  but  that  discipline 
taught  me  to  listen  for  God.  I  wonder  if 
some  of  that  reflective  silence  might  not  be 
helpful  today! 

It  was  at  that  Quaker  school  that  I  first 
learned  to  love  the  poems  of  John  Greenleaf 
Whittier.  Looking  backwards  now  in  later 
life,  I  know  their  impact.  In  a  religious 
climate  often  obscured  by  concepts  of  a 
fearful  god,  Whittier  helped  my  grasp  the 
incredible  depth  and  wideness  of  God's 
love. 

Yet  in  the  maddening  maze  of  things. 
And  tossed  by  storm  and  flood, 
To  one  fixed  trust  my  spirit  clings, 
I  know  that  God  is  good. 

I  know  not  where  His  islands  life 
their  fronded  palms  in  air, 
I  only  know  I  cannot  drift 
Beyond  His  love  and  care! 

In  his  poem,  "Immortal  love,"  Whittier 
offers  a  living  Christ  for  healing  and  whole- 
ness for  our  brokenness  and  pain, 

But,  warm,  sweet,  tender,  even  yet 
A  present  help  is  He; 
And  faith  has  still  its  Olivet, 
and  love  its  Galilee. 

The  healing  of  His  seamless  dress 
Is  by  our  beds  of  pain; 
We  touch  Him  in  life's  throng  and  press, 
And  we  are  whole  again. 

Since  that  time,  I  have  often  thought  of 
his  words  at  the  grave,  when  the  tent  poles 
over  the  grave  are  clanging  in  the  wind,  the 
family  hushed  and  still,  and  we  stare  at  the 
casket,  facing  the  yawning  chasm  of  un- 
known worlds. 

Life  is  ever  Lord  of  death. 

And  Love  can  never  lose  its  own. 

And  today,  as  we  face  Pentecost  and 
cling  to  the  hope  that  we  can  be  renewed  by 
the  Spirit  (for  where  the  Spirit  is,  there  is 
the  church),  his  words  become  all  too  real. 

Dear  Lord  and  Father  of  mankind. 
Forgive  our  foolish  ways; 
Reclothe  us  in  our  rightful  minds. 
In  purer  lives  Thy  service  find. 
In  deeper  reverence  praise. 

"And  when  the  day  of  Pentecost  had 
come,  the  were  all  together  in  one  place." 

Dr.  Richard  Morgan  is  a  retired  Presby- 
terian minister  and  the  author  of  numerous 
books  and  articles  on  the  subject  of  aging. 
He  serves  as  a  parish  associate  in  First 
Church  ofMorganton,  N.C.  (Not  Lenoir,  as 
was  reported  last  month!) 


More  readers'  comments  against  the  use  of  'B.C.E.' 


In  response  to  the  letter  by  C.B.  Smiley 
(March  1996)  and  the  reply  by  Dr.  Bender, 
I  must  say  I  am  puzzled  as  to  why  Dr. 
Bender  sees  a  correlation  between  using 
B.C.E.  in  a  study  for  Presbyterians,  i.e.  the 
1995-96  Horizons  Bible  Study  for  Presby- 
terian Women,  and  in  a  classroom  contain- 
ing many  faiths.  In  our  politically  correct 
culture,  there  may  be  good  reasons  to  use 
a  broader  term  such  as  B.C.E.  in  a  secular 
classroom,  or  a  book  or  periodical  for  a  non- 
sectarian  audience,  but  I  am  unable  to 
understand  Dr.  Bender's  rationale  for  its 
use  in  a  house  organ. 

Use  of  B.C.E.  in  this  instance,  or  in  our 
own  educational  literature  as  other  writ- 
ers have  done,  to  me  is  going  beyond  being 
politically  correct.  For  me  this  is  a  move 
towards  a  darker  area  that  says  we  must 
deny  who  we  are  and  what  we  believe  so  as 
not  to  offend  others.  Does  this  mean  that 
we  are  ashamed  of  the  gospel,  at  least  if 
others  see  our  beliefs  as  leaving  them  out? 
Are  we  not  able  to  hold  to  our  beliefs  in  the 
context  of  our  own  community  and  our  own 
publications  without  worrying  about  being 
politically  correct?  Being  sensitive  to  the 
beliefs  of  others  does  not  mean  forme  that 
we  must  allow  no  aspects  of  our  faith  to 
enter  into  what  we  do  or  write.  Being  inclu- 


sive means  that  we  also  include  ourselves 
among  those  to  whom  we  must  show  sensi- 
tivity. 

H.D.  Scoggins 
Roanoke,  Va. 

We  read  with  great  interest  the  Commen- 
tary on  the  use  of  "BCE"  by  C.B.  Smiley  of 
Norfolk,  Va.,  in  the  March  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian.  We  wish  to  express  our  ap- 
preciation of  that  clear  and  logical  exposi- 


tion of  the  anti-Christian  cabal  to  do  away 
with  the  calendar  term  "Before  Christ." 

There  are  still  many  of  us  who  believe 
that  "the  chief  and  highest  end  of  man  is  to 
glorify  God,  and  fully  enjoy  Him  forever." 
What  better  reminder  of  this  than  to  use 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  whenever  we 
consider  historical  time? 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  J.  Bukowski 
Falls  Church,  Va. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names  will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250  words,  and  are  subject  to  editing 
for  style,  clarity,  and  length.  Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 

P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

Or,  letters  may  be  faxed  to  (804)  355-8535 
or  e-mailed  to  JOHN_SNIFFEN@pcusa.org 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  M 


Miriam  Dunson,  General  Assembly  associate  for  Older  Adult 
Leader  Development,  introduced  two  segments  of  the  new 
video  "Aging  Me-Aging  You:  Exploring  the  Issues"  during  the 
synod's  Older  Adult  Enablers'  event. 

Storyteller  entertains 
synod's  older  adult  enablers 


By  JAN  McGILLIARD 

BLACKSBURG,  Va.  —  One  of  the 
high  points  of  this  year's  Older 
Adult  Ministry  Enablers'  Gather- 
ing was  a  visit  from  storyteller 
Mike  Goree  of  Blacksburg  Church, 
along  with  Virginia  Bethune 
sporting  her  "Yin-Yang"  hat  and 
carrying  cases  of  tone  chimes  for 
us  to  play. 

Mike  told  a  couple  of  "Missis- 
sippi Stories"  describing  his 
grandmother's  property  in  the 
Delta  and  the  swimmin'  hole 
where  the  Whangdoodle  (who  eats 
little  boys)  lived.  Mike  was  moved 
by  his  own  reminiscences  of  boy- 
hood, remarking  that  his 
grandmother's  and  mother's  prop- 
erty in  Mississippi  had  been  sold 
that  day.  There  would  be  no  more 
ties  with  the  Delta  except  through 
family  stories  and  memories. 

Lest  you  think  that  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Older  Adult 
Ministry  Network  come  together 
just  for  fun  (that  we  can't  help), 
storytelling,  singing,  and  eating 
baked  goods  made  by  members  of 
my  local  congregation,  let  me  as- 
sure you  these  activities  followed 
intense,  productive  sessions  with 
four  leaders,  three  of  whom  serve 
on  the  Synod's  Older  Adult  Minis- 
tries Committee. 

Elaine  Handley,  director  of 
Senior  Services,  Inc.,  in  Winston- 
Salem,  N.C.,  presented  the  model 
"TASTE"  (Transitional  and  Sur- 
vival Skills  Training  Experience) 
that  has  been  used  in  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic  to  equip  first- 
time  clergy  for  congregational 
ministry. 

Dr.  Ed  Powers,  associate  dean 
of  Human  and  Environmental 
Resources  at  UNC-Greensboro, 
led  a  discussion  on  the  future  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  with 
such  questions  as: 

"It  is  often  said  that  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  is  becoming  a 
church  of  older  adults.  How  does 
it  make  you  feel/react  when  you 
hear  that  statement?"  "How  do 
we  help  the  Session  and  church 
members  (1)  accept  the  aging  of 
their  church  and  (2)  view  this  as  a 
blessing  and  gift  from  God?" 

"What  are  some  of  the  oppor- 
tunities that  exist  for  a  church 
when  its  membership  is  of  pre- 
dominately older  adults?" 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Miriam  Dunson, 


KIVETT'S  INC. 


REFINISHING 


General  Assembly  associate  for 
Older  Adult  Leader  Development, 
focused  on  two  segments  of  the 
new  video  "Aging  Me-Aging  You: 
Exploring  the  Issues."  Her  pre- 
sentation served  as  an  example  of 
how  to  use  this  excellent  resource 
in  leading  discussions  on  the  im- 
portant issues  of  aging. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Al  Dimmock  of 
Montreat,  N.C.,  first  director  of 
the  Center  on  Aging,  led  a  discus- 
sion of  ways  in  which  we  might 
make  optimum  use  of  the  center 
at  the  Presbyterian  School  of 
Christian  Education,  and  pre- 
sented a  number  of  model  minis- 
tries that  can  be  used  in  the 
enablers'  work  in  presbyteries  of 
our  synod. 

The  group  toured  the  Adult 
Day  Care  Center  at  Virginia  Tech, 
a  combination  day  care  center  and 
research  laboratory  for  students 
and  faculty,  and  listened  as  fac- 
ulty member  Rosemary  Bliezner 
described  university  programs 
and  research  in  Adult  Develop- 
ment and  Aging.  On  Saturday 
morning,  Karen  McNeil,  manager 
of  Old  Orchard  Place  in 
Pearisburg,  Va.,  introduced  us  to 
some  of  the  residents  and  ex- 
plained how  she  and  others  advo- 
cate for  older  persons  in  need  of 
affordable  housing.  Old  Orchard 
Place  is  a  low-income  housing 
development  of  30  cottage-style 
units,  a  collaboration  of 
Westminster  Presbyterian 
Homes,  Inc.,  Presbytery  of  the 
Peaks,  and  Virginia  Mountain 
Housing,  Inc.  Karen  pointed  out 
the  trees  planted  around  the  prop- 
erty, made  possible  by  an  extra 
contribution  of  Westminster  Pres- 
byterian Homes,  Inc. 

Now  the  result  of  getting  people 
together  around  a  topic  is  they  go 
home  with  ideas  they  want  to  try 
out  in  their  presbyteries.  Don't  be 
surprised  if  your  congregation  is 
tapped  for  a  special  project  or  pro- 
gram that  will  enhance  the  qual- 
ity of  congregational  life  for  all 
the  generations.  This  seemingly 
small  conference  of  older  adult 
ministry  enablers  is  one  of  the 
most  satisfying  events  of  the  year. 
It  is  made  possible  by  funds  raised 
through  the  Mother's  Day/ 
Father's  Day  Offering  of  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

Jan  McGilliard,  the  synod's 
associate  for  older  adult  minis- 
tries, lives  in  Blacksburg,  Va.  She 
can  be  reached  at  (540)  552-0948. 

FREE  ESTIMATESj^ 


A  &  H  , 
^RT  &  STAEVED  GLAS^ 
COMPANY,  INC 


A  Memo  from  John  Calvin 

To:    Those  Men  Interested  In  Spiritual  Growth 
Subject:  Your  Future 

Times  have  changed.  The  pace  is  QUICKER  than  EVER.  Most  of  you  have  grown  children  and  many  have 
grown  grandchildren  and  you  know  what  comes  next.  You're  still  active  but  what  do  you  plan  to  contribute  to 
those  who  carry  your  name  and/or  your  genes?  If  you're  getting  bored  with  golf,  television,  and  life  is  sometimes 
wearisome,  then  it  is  time  for  you  to  consider  changing  that  now. 

Join  the  Presbyterian  Men  at  the  Mid-Atlantic  Synod  at  Davidson  College  -  July  12-14  for  the  Men's 
Conference.  You  will  explore  how  "Change  Offers  Opportunity".  We  have  sought  out  leaders  and  layman 
who  are  dealing  with  the  changes  you  are  experiencing. 

•  Dr.  J.  Randolph  Taylor,  former  GA  Moderator  and  seminary  president,  will  speak  "On  the  Edge  of 
Change."  A  second  session  will  deal  with  the  challenge  of  "Living  Faithfully  on  the  Edge". 

•  Dr.  Ed  Newberry,  pastor  of  Memorial  Church  in  Charlotte,  one  of  the  architects  of  the  "Brief  Statement 
of  Faith"  will  help  you  understand  the  theology  which  gives  you  security  amid  a  sea  of  change. 


•  Nick  Langdon  and  Bob  Harris  of  Salisbury,  N.  C.  have  both  been  down-sized,  re-structured,  outsourced, 
re-engineered,  whatever  it  was  called,  more  than  once.  They  will  tell  you  about  surviving  and  dealing  with 
the  reality  of  your  situations. 

•  Dr.  John  Hamil  of  Greensboro  is  repeating  by  request  a  workshop  dealing  with  "Spiritual  Preparation 
For  the  Rest  of  Your  Life".  Hamil  is  a  former  industrialist/educator  and  a  former  president  of  the 
National  Men  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  USA. 

•  A  third  workshop  has  been  designed  by  Richard  E.  Carver  on  "Tough  Issues  Men  Face".  Carver  of 
Arlington,  Virginia  has  a  unique  combination  of  experiences.  He  operates  his  own  lumber  company, 
served  as  mayor  of  Peoria,  Illinois,  and  president  of  the  U.S.  Conference  of  Mayors.  He  was  appointed 
assistant  secretary  of  the  Air  Force  for  Financial  Management,  and  assistant  secretary  for  ManPower 
and  Reserve  Affairs.  Currently  Can/er  is  the  president  of  MST  AMERICA,  a  consulting  firm  representing 
Hewlett-Packard,  Zeppelin,  Zollern  and  the  German  State  of  Saarland.  He  is  a  colonel  is  the  U.S.  Air 
Force  Reserve.  The  diverse  nature  of  Carver's  work  in  private,  public,  national  and  international 
assignments  have  brought  him  face-to-face  with  constant  change. 

•  The  Fourth  workshop  will  be  led  by  Bill  Green  and  he  will  instruct  you  on  "How  To  Super-Charge  Your 
Faith",  in  a  time  of  super-change. 

Presbyterian  Men  Success  Report  —  Zambia,  Africa 

You  will  get  a  before  and  after  presentation  on  what  can  happen  when  a  group  of  Presbyterians  organize  to 
electrify  and  rebuild  a  mission  hospital  in  Zambia,  Africa. 

This  is  a  hands-on  mission  project  that  has  become  a  model  for  what  is  possible  at  local  and  Presbytery 
levels.  The  hospital  is  now  regarded  as  the  best  in  Central  Africa.  A  Teaching/Learning  Center  is  double- 
shifting  students,  a  sewing  plant  is  making  supplies  and  uniforms  for  the  hospital  and  a  North  Carolina  vegetable 
grower  installed  and  taught  natives  how  to  use  a  controlled  irrigation  system  that  is  making  the  local  population 
healthier  with  vegetables  never  before  grown.  They  supply  the  hospital,  school,  village  and  sell  excess  in  a  city 
60  miles  away. 

From  the  beginning  of  the  project  in  1989,  it  was  understood  that  the  aim  was  to  help  the  natives  take 
control  of  their  destiny.  Toward  that  end  this  project  is  scheduled  to  be  finished  by  the  end  of  this  year. 

•  Hear  Charles  Newsome  of  Thyatira  Presbyterian  Church  in  Rowan  County,  N.C.,  tell  you  what  has 
happened  to  the  hundreds  of  Presbyterian  men  and  women  who  have  made  this  19,000  mile  round-trip, 
many  more  than  once.  He'll  tell  you  how  Davidson  College  pre-med  students  have  gotten  invaluable 
experience  in  Africa. 

The  latest  In  luxury  accommodations  ...  on  campus! 

If  you  are  among  the  first  291  men  to  register  you  will  stay  on  Davidson  campus  in  the  Martin  Court  Apartments. 
These  are  new  housing  units  and  unlike  anything  you  have  ever  seen  on  a  college  campus.  Martin  Court 
Apartments  are  designed  as  either  four  or  five  bedroom  suites  with  individual  bedrooms,  full  kitchens,  living  and 
dining  rooms,  separate  toilet  and  shower  areas.  Elevator  and  handicap  accessible  units  available.  All  are  air- 
conditioned.  Within  a  very  short  walk  are  tennis  courts  and  swimming  facilities.  You  are  ENCOURAGED  to  get 
up  a  carload  of  men  from  your  church  and  take  over  a  four  or  five  bedroom  suite.  This  is  an  ideal  father/son, 
grandfather/grandson  setup.  All  the  traditions  long  established  at  Massanetta  Springs  will  be  honored,  ice 
cream  socials,  watermelon  cutting,  steak  dinner,  etc. 

Other  activities:  The  32,500  acre  inland  sea  called  Lake  Norman  is  only  one  mile  from  Davidson  College. 
You  can  bring  you  boat,  swim,  or  go  fishing  (N.C.  License  required).  Take  time  to  visit  one  of  the  many  NASCAR 
Garages  where  race  cars  are  built,  near  or  on  the  lake.  Daily  tours  during  your  free  time  all  available  at  the 
Charlotte  Motor  Speedway  a  short  drive  away.  Very  convenient  to  the  campus  are  Duke  Power's  McGuire 
Nuclear  Power  Plant  and  Energy  Explorium,  Duke  Power  State  Park  on  the  lake  and  Latta  Plantation  with  the 
Carolina  Raptor  Center 

This  change  of  venue  offers  you  the  immediate  Davidson  College  area  and  a  chance  to  visit  Charlotte, 
and  see  change  in  all  directions.  However,  lest  you  think  this  conference  is  just  about  change,  let  me  remind 
you  that  our  Bible  Studies  will  be  led  by  Edward  McLeod,  minister-advisor  to  Presbyterian  Men  in  the 
Synod.  His  studies  will  be  on  the  general  idea  of  Jesus  calls  for  commitment,  even  though  your  circumstances 
may  change. 

Our  Sunday  morning  worship  service  will  be  conducted  by  the  Executive  of  Salem  Presbytery,  John 
M.  Handley.  He  plans  to  outline  for  you  where  the  opportunities  are  that  come  from  the  changes  you  are 
experiencing  and  will  continue  to  deal  with  everyday. 

This  is  your  conference  -  Act  Now!  Fill  in  the  registration  form  below  and  mail  it  in  today! 

P.  S.  —  One  other  thing,  call  your  son,  or  grandson,  a  friend  from  your  church  or  an  old  friend  at  another  Presbyterian 
church  or  maybe  a  fellow  that  may  be  leaning  toward  becoming  a  member  of  your  church.  This  is  the  opportunity 
you  are  looking  for  to  consolidate  family  and  friendships.  Take  the  time  right  now  to  register  This  is  the  start  of 
learning  how  to  recognize  opportunity  that  change  offers  you. 

P.  P  S.  —  You  may  wonder  what  John  Calvin  has  to  do  with  this.  John  Calvin  out-thought  out-talked  and  out-preached 
just  about  out-did  the  rest  of  the  Christian  church  in  his  time  by  taking  the  best  mind  that  God  has  given  us  and 
applying  it  to  real  life.  That's  what  this  conference  is  about  We  think  John  Calvin  would  be  (sinfully)  proud  of  us. 


Registration  for  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  1996  Men's  Conference 

Please  print  clearly  or  type 
Check  the  appropriate  package  and  complett 
Wright.  121  Red  Oak  Rd.,  Asheville,  NC  28) 

 Conference,  meals  and  lodging  ($1 33) 


_  Conference  and  meals  ($82) 
  Phone  


_  Conference  only  ($25) 


Street  No./P.O.Box_ 
City   


Suitemate  preference   

Check  If  you  will 

  usher  at  Sunday  service   sing  in  Men's  Choir 

  serve  Communion  (coat  and  tie  required) 


Registration  Information 


Fi^jgc  4.  M^d  Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1996 


Greensboro  ministers  involved 
in  struggle  over  workers'  wages 


continued  from  page  1 

ration  and  the  way  it  treats  its 

workers." 

Lane,  a  Presbyterian  minister 
and  member-at-large  of  Salem 
Presbytery,  said  he  felt  it  was 
necessary  for  him  to  stand  in  soli- 
darity with  the  Kmart  workers 
because  for  several  years  he  has 
been  involved  in  helping  to  foster 
dialogue  between  the  African- 
American  and  white  communities 
in  Greensboro  over  issues  of  com- 
mon interest. 

"When  it  came  to  a  point  where 
action  was  required,  I  felt  I  would 
be  remiss  if  I  did  not  take  some 
action  with  the  [Kmart  workers]," 
said  Lane,  who  was  also  arrested. 
"I  felt  a  responsibility  as  a  Chris- 
tian to  stand  with  people  who 
were  being  ill-treated,  were  rela- 
tively voiceless  at  the  time  and 
who  needed  the  support  of  God." 

Holler,  a  retired  Presbyterian 
pastor  and  a  co-founder  of  Be- 
loved Community  Center  in 
Greensboro,  said  the  problem  af- 
fects the  whole  community  and 
not  just  the  minority  population. 


"What  we  have  is  a  situation 
that  brings  up  the  whole  issue  of 
what's  happening  to  working 
people  everjrwhere,"  said  Holler, 
who  was  also  arrested.  "So  we're 
tr3dng  to  engage  the  business  and 
religious  communities  in  conver- 
sations pertaining  to  what  kind  of 
economic  development  we  want 
in  this  town.  Are  we  going  to  have 
any  standards  or  are  we  going  to 
lay  out  the  community  resources 
for  big  corporations  who  come  in 
and  trash  its  people?" 

In  November,  the  Greensboro 
Pulpit  Forum  asked  local  resi- 
dents to  stop  shopping  at  Kmart. 
Ben  Hensler,  a  UNITE  represen- 
tative, said  a  national  public 
awareness  campaign  also  is  gain- 
ing momentum. 

Hensler  said  the  Pulpit  Forum 
ministers  (who  originally  called 
for  the  boycott  against  Kmart), 
along  with  UNITE,  have  written 
to  other  pastors  and  civil  rights 
organizations  around  the  nation 
about  the  Greensboro  situation. 


On  March  9  a  thousand  per- 
sons rallied  against  Kmart's  prac- 
tices in  Atlanta.  Other  rallies  were 
also  held  in  Houston,  Memphis 
and  Norfolk. 

The  forum  has  also  contacted 
the  leaders  of  several  denomina- 
tions, including  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.) 

Thomas  A.  Seel,  assistant  vice 
president  for  investments  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
Foundation,  said  that  as  of  Jan. 
31,  1996,  the  Foundation  owned 
202,000  shares  of  Kmart  stock 
worth  approximately  $1.2  million. 

The  Rev.  William  Somplatsky- 
Jarman,  Mission  Responsibility 
Through  Investment  Committee 
(MRTI)  staff  member  in  the  Na- 
tional Ministries  Division,  said 
MRTI  has  been  monitoring  the 
situation  in  Greensboro  for  sev- 
eral years  and  has  written  letters 
of  inquiry  to  Kmart  executives 
and  urged  them  to  resolve  their 
employee  grievances. 

—  report  by  staff  and  Julian  Shipp 
of  the  PC(USA)  News  Service 


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The  1997  Mission  Yearbook  tells  the  stories  of 
how  PC  (USA)  churches  in  your  synod  and 
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The  annual  auction  at  the  Zuni  Center  brings  out  a  large  crowd 
for  the  event  which  benefits  the  center. 

Zuni  Center  auction  is  June  8 


ZUNI,  Va.  —  The  Zuni  Presbyte- 
rian Center  will  hold  its  annual 
auction  starting  at  10  a.m.  Satur- 
day, June  8. 

Thousands  of  items  will  be 
auctioned  to  benefit  the  center 
which  helps  mentally  retarded 
young  adults  make  the  transition 
to  more  independent  living. 

Director  Robert  Bishop  reports 
that  new  items  were  coming  in 
daily  as  of  mid  April,  but  among 
those  already  slated  for  the  auc- 
tion block  were  a  1989  Chevrolet 
Celebrity,  a  1982  Chrysler  Impe- 
rial, a  boat  trailer,  lots  of  furni- 
ture (new  and  used),  lumber,  fer- 


tilizer, gift  certificates,  electrical 
appliances,  lawn  mowers,  hams, 
flowers  and  much  more. 

"Auctions  are  fun.  This  is  a  big 
event  and  there  will  be  plenty  of 
food  available,"  said  Bishop. 

The  Zuni  Presbyterian  Center 
is  a  division  of  Presbyterian  Home 
and  Family  Services,  Inc.,  of 
Lynchburg,  Va.,  an  agency  which 
relates  to  the  church  through  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

The  center  is  located  two  miles 
off  Hwy.  460  about  20  miles  west 
of  Suffolk  and  41  miles  east  of 
Petersburg.  For  information 
phone  (804)  242-6131. 


People  in  the  News 


Ray  Terrell,  one  of  the  first  graduates  of  the  Zuni  Presbyterian 
Center,  was  recently  honored  as  Employee  of  the  Year  for  1995  at 
Southampton  Memorial  Hospital  in  Franklin,  Va.  "Ray  is  a  one-man 
hospitality  committee  for  the  hospital,"  said  a  hospital  spokesperson. 
"He  arrives  at  work  a  least  an  hour  early  every  day,  even  during  the 
worst  of  weather.  Ray  is  dependable,  cheerful,  friendly,  creative, 
consistent,  efficient  and  thorough.  He  takes  great  pride  in  his  work 
and  it  shows."  Terrell  has  worked  at  the  hospital  for  23  years  since 
leaving  the  Zuni  Center,  which  prepares  mentally  retarded  young 
adults  for  less-restrictive  lives.  Terrell  is  a  member  and  an  usher  at 
Franklin  Church.  The  story  of  his  life  was  featured  in  an  article  in  the 
November/December  1994  issue  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian. 
Lee  E.  Northcutt,  director  of  music  at  First  Church  of  Monroe,  N.C., 
was  a  guest  conductor  for  the  Mormon  Tabernacle  Choir's  Feb.  16 
television  and  radio  broadcast.  Music  and  the  Spoken  Word.  Several 
First  Church  members,  including  five  from  the  choir,  made  the  trip  to 
Salt  Lake  City  with  Northcutt.  "Now  that  you  have  shown  me  what 
heaven  is  going  to  be  like,  I  think  I'll  just  retire  and  wait  for  it  to 
happen,"  Northcutt  told  the  Mormon  choir.  "It  was  the  experience  of 
a  lifetime!" 


James  A.  Allison  Jr.,  71,  died  Jan.  17  in  Stileni,  Va.  A  champion  of 
civil  rights  and  Presbyterian  reunion,  he  served  as  pastor  of  the 
Raleigh  Court  Church  in  Roanoke  for  31  years  until  1991.  Prior  to  that 
the  Tazewell,  Va.,  native  served  the  Augusta  Stone  congregation  in 
Fort  Defiance,  Va.  Survivors  include  his  wife,  Margaret  Ann  Allison  of 
Roanoke,  and  two  daughters  and  a  son. 

Henry  Dockery  Brown  Jr.,  93,  died  March  31  in  Lynchburg,  Va.  He 
served  52  years  in  the  ministry,  including  pastorates  at  Third  Church 
of  Richmond,  Aberdour  Church  in  Jarratt,  Va.,  First  Church  of 
Emporia,  Va.,  and  Quaker  Memorial  Church  in  Lynchburg.  He  served 
on  the  board  of  the  Presbyterian  Home  in  Lynchburg  and  was  among 
the  founders  of  the  Zuni  (Va.)  Presbyterian  Center.  Three  times  he 
was  elected  as  a  General  Assembly  commissioner.  He  is  survived  by 
his  wife  of  69  years,  Jane  Douglas  Summers  Brown,  and  two  sons. 

Aaron  H.  HoUingsworth  Jr.,  92,  former  moderator  (1967)  of  the 
Synod  of  Virginia,  died  Feb.  22.  He  was  pastor  emeritus  of  Second 
Church  of  Roanoke,  Va.,  and  had  also  served  the  Farmville  (Va.) 
Church.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia 
and  Davidson  College. 

J.  Raymond  Holsey,  72,  a  former  moderator  of  New  Castle  Presby- 
tery, died  March  3.  He  was  pastor  of  the  Makemie  Church  in  Snow  Hill, 
Md.,  for  31  years. 


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Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  M< 


Campus  Notes 


Union  offers  pastors  'summer  camp' 

RICHMOND  —  While  thousands  of  children  head  off  to  summer  camp, 
some  of  their  pastors  will  be  doing  the  same  thing  June  24-July  5  at  Union 
Theological  Seminary  m  Virginia.  The  "Interpreting  the  Faith"  confer- 
ence offers  pastors  the  opportimity  to  hear  lectures  and  sermons  by 
theologians,  biblical  scholars  and  preachers.  This  year's  topics  include 
ethics  and  health  care,  Christology  and  ecclesiology  in  the  local  church, 
Old  and  New  Testament  studies,  and  homiletics.  the  program  also  offers 
structured  seminars  which  give  participants  opportunities  to  engage  in 
informal  discussions  with  lecturers  and  preachers. 

Participants  may  register  for  one  or  two  weeks.  Tuition  is  $300  ($150 
for  one  week).  On-campus  room  and  board  are  available  for  additional 
charges.  For  information,  contact  the  Office  of  Professional  Development, 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia,  3401  Brook  Rd.,  Richmond,  VA 
23227;  phone  (804)  278-4301  or  toll-free  (800)  229-2990. 

PSCE  hosts  local  downlink 

RICHMOND  —  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education  (PSCE) 
was  a  local  downlink  site  for  "Jesus  at  2000:  The  Conversation 
Continues."  The  interactive,  closed-circuit  national  broadcast  on 
May  1  was  a  follow-up  to  "Jesus  at  2000,"  February's  landmark 
symposium  commemorating  the  2000th  anniversary  of  the  birth  of 
Jesus.  Dr.  Paul  Walaskay,  PSCE  professor  of  biblical  studies,  led  an 
onsite  discussion  in  the  Turnbull  Room  in  Virginia  Hall. 

As  with  the  first  symposium,  panelists  invited  live  comment  via 
telephone  and  fax.  Original  Jesus  at  2000  panelists  Marcus  J.  Borg, 
Hundere  Distinguished  Professor  of  Religion  and  Culture  at  Oregon 
State  University,  and  John  Dominic  Crossan,  Emeritus  Professor  of 
Religious  Studies  at  DePaul  University  participated.  Joining  them 
were  Luke  Timothy  Johnson,  Robert  W.  Woodruff  Professor  of  New 
Testament  and  Christian  Origins  at  the  Candler  School  of  Theology, 
Emory  University,  and  N.  T.  Wright,  dean  of  Lichfield  and  a  canon 
theologian  of  Coventry  Cathedral,  England. 

Some  50  people  attended  the  PSCE's  downlink  of  the  February 
broadcast.  National  participation  was  about  10,000  at  approximately 
310  sites. 

Colleges  receive  Bible  teaching  grants 

Three  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)-related  colleges  in  the  synod 
have  received  grants  as  part  of  a  program  to  encourage  and  improve 
the  teaching  of  the  Bible  by  church-related  schools.  The  grant  program 
is  administered  by  the  Higher  Education  Program  Team  of  the 
National  Ministries  Division.  The  schools  and  the  amount  of  their 
grants:  Barber-Scotia  College,  Concord,  N.C.  —  $10,000;  King  Col- 
lege, Bristol,  Tenn.  —  $10,000;  and  Lees-McRae  College,  Banner  Elk, 
N.C.  —  $10,000.  —PC(USA)  News  Service 

Davidson  starts  new  concentration 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.  —  The  Davidson  College  faculty  recently  approved 
a  new  academic  concentration  in  Southern  Studies.  "This  is  a  natural 
for  Davidson,"  said  history  professor  Shaw  Smith,  who,  along  with 
associate  professor  of  history  Sally  McMillen,  prepared  the  proposal 
for  the  new  program.  "We're  a  southern  college,"  said  McMillen,  "so 
this  plays  to  our  strength.  We  have  lots  of  faculty  who  teach  southern 
wrriting  and  history,  and  many  faculty  engage  in  research  focusing  on 
the  South." 


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Campus  ministry  comer 


Reaching  out  to  include  faculty  and  staff 


By  SUSAN  E.  STEINBERG 

One  of  the  most  commonly  stated 
goals  of  any  campus  ministry  is  to 
provide  a  faith  perspective  and  a 
supportive  community  for  stu- 
dents, faculty  and  staff.  One  of 
the  most  common  failures  of  any 
campus  ministry,  however,  is  the 
neglect  of  the  latter  two  groups. 
Therefor,  one  of  the  most  frequent 
questions  campus  ministers  ask 
themselves  is,  "How  can  our  min- 
istries effectively  reach  faculty 
and  staff?" 

Several  program  initiatives 
taken  through  Westminster  Cam- 
pus Ministry,  Charlottesville,  Va. , 
provide  the  beginning  of  an  an- 
swer to  that  question.  The  first 
example  is  an  interfaith  effort 
conducted  on  the  grounds  of  the 
University  of  Virginia.  The  sec- 
ond initiative  described  is  a 
church-based  program. 

Westminster  belongs  to  an  in- 


terfaith organization  called 
United  Ministry,  a  group  of  reli- 
gious leaders  who  serve  UVA.  This 
year.  United  Ministry  sponsored 
a  lunch-time  conversation  series 
on  the  topic,  "The  University  and 
the  Marketplace:  Ethical  Consid- 
eration." Our  speakers  included 
the  university's  president,  the 
dean  of  student  affairs,  an  associ- 
ate dean  of  students,  a  history 
professor  and  a  fourth-year  stu- 
dent. 

The  topic  seemed  to  have  hit  a 
nerve,  because  we  found  that  all 
these  speakers,  busy  as  they  were, 
were  more  than  willing  to  share 
their  views  and  experiences.  From 
the  privatization  of  services  uni- 
versities offer,  to  the  ways  uni- 
versities sell  themselves  to  stu- 
dents, to  questions  about  the  rat- 
ing system  by  which  universities 
are  ranked,  to  university  presi- 
dents' increasing  responsibility 
for  attracting  major  donations,  to 


Duke  University  ministry  going 
through  a  time  of  change 


By  CHERRIE  BISSETTE 

The  author  of  Ecclesiastes  writes, 
"For  everything  there  is  a  sea- 
son." For  the  Westminster  Pres- 
byterian Fellowship  (WPF)  at 
Duke  University  this  year  might 
be  characterized  as  a  season  of 
transition.  Changes  in  campus 
residence  policies  and  changes  in 
WPF  leadership  have  found  the 
Westminster  Presbyterian  Fel- 
lowship learning  to  cope  with  the 
one  thing  that  is  a  constant  in  our 
society  today  —  change! 

Amidst  the  changes  are  WPF 
students  involved  in  work,  wor- 
ship and  fellowship  together. 
From  Monday  night  fellowship 
meetings  to  Thursday  afternoon 
lunches;  from  regular  visitation 
at  a  local  retirement  home  to 
Spanish  lessons  taught  at  a  local 
public  elementary  school;  from  fun 
at  a  Durham  Bull's  baseball  game 
to  prayers  uttered  at  the  top  of 
Duke  Chapel's  tower;  from  wor- 
ship in  local  Presbyterian  congre- 
gations to  a  mission  trip  to  the 
North  Carolina  mountains  where 
students  not  only  worked  with 
their  hands,  but  experienced  first 
hand  the  religion  and  culture  of 
the  Appalachian  mountains;  stu- 


dents at  Duke  University  are 
growing  in  faith  with  God  and  the 
world  around  them.  They  are 
learning  and  they  are  leading. 

Change  can  go  either  way. 
Transitions  can  be  difficult.  Stu- 
dents of  the  Westminster  Presby- 
terian Fellowship  at  Duke  are 
learning  early  not  only  how  to 
deal  with  all  that  life  holds,  but 
how  to  be  faithful  to  themselves 
and  the  God  who  created  them. 
No  matter  what  the  transitions 
and  changes  may  bring,  there  is, 
as  St.  Augustine  reminds  us,  in 
very  season  an  opportunity  for 
faith  to  better  understand  itself. 

Here  at  Duke  we  are  blessed 
with  students  who  take  up  that 
challenge,  ready  to  lead  the  church 
into  the  next  century! 

The  Westminster  Presbyterian 
Fellowship  at  Duke  University  in 
Durham,  N.C,  is  one  of  42  cam- 
pus ministries  within  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic. 


PEWREFINISHING  ♦  CARPET 
PEWS  ♦  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 
CHURCH  LIGHTING 


CHURCH  FURNISHINGS,  INC. 

Monroe,  NC  281 1 1    1  -800-666-7331 


students'  worries  about  what  the 
market  will  hold  for  them  after 
graduation  —  the  speakers  cov- 
ered a  wide  range  of  ethical  con- 
siderations. 

Marketplace  values  and  pres- 
sures seem  to  be  on  the  minds  of 
faculty,  staff  and  students,  and 
this  United  Ministry  series  pro- 
vided a  format  for  conversations 
about  those  issues. 

In  the  second  instance, 
Westminster's  pastors  worked 
with  a  church  member  who  is  an 
assistant  professor  at  UVA's  nurs- 
ing school  to  develop  a  weekend- 
long  event  centered  on  medical 
ethics.  We  invited  Dr.  Brian 
Childs,  a  Presbyterian  pastor  and 
a  professor  at  Columbia  Theologi- 
cal Seminary,  to  be  our  guest  and 
to  lead  several  different  kinds  of 
presentations  on  the  theme,  "In 
Life  and  in  Death  We  Belong  to 
God:  Euthanasia,  Assisted  Sui- 
cide and  End  of  Life  Issues." 

Dr.  Childs  was  a  member  of 
the  General  Assembly  task  force 
that  put  together  a  12-session 
study  guide  with  the  same  title, 
and  so  he  was  well-equipped  to 
present  a  Reformed  perspective 
on  this  complicated  subject. 
Again,  the  topic  seemed  to  be  on 
the  minds  of  students  and  faculty 
alike:  a  panel  discussion  held  at 
the  church  drew  nursing  and 
medical  students  as  well  as  nurses 
and  doctors  who  have  been  prac- 
ticing or  teaching  for  many  years. 

If  these  two  initiatives  provide 
any  kind  of  answer  as  to  how  to 
reach  the  full  range  of  campus 
ministry  constituents,  it  is  to  lis- 
ten for  a  topic  that  has  broad 
implications  and  then  to  set  up  a 
space  for  meaningful  conversa- 
tion to  happen. 

Westminster  Campus  Ministry 
is  one  of  42  in  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic.  Please  feel  free  to 
send  any  program  ideas  to  Susan 
E.  Steinberg  at  Westminster  Pres- 
byterian Church,  P.O.  Box  3365, 
Charlottesville,  VA  22902. 

PEW  CUSHIONS 

|:  FIXED/REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE  i! 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS  L 

ASSOCIATED  '! 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

i'p.O.  BOX  4128,  LYNCHBURG.  VA  24502 

1-800-572-2283  - 


At  Westminster-Canterbury  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  retirement 
means  opportunit)'.  There 
is  no  better  time  or  place  to 
make  the  most  of  life.  Our 
residents  do  all  the  things 
they've  always  done  or  always 
wanted  to  do.  They  come 
and  go,  learn  and  explore, 
participate  and  enjoy  full, 
active  lifestyles  confident 
they  have  the  best  care  and 
services  available.  Widi  so  much 
going  on,  you  might  want 
to  consider  early  retirement. 


 9 

ofilie/ilucAuife 

2'SO  Pantops  Mouncain  Road  9 
Charlottesville.  VA::9n  ^ 

(804)  980-9100 


Faj/F  G,  Alid  Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1996 


Union  Theolodcal  Seminaiy 

^  IN  VIRGINIA  ^ 


May  1996 


Families,  Friends  and  Union  Seminary 


Bob  and  Joni  Wright,  of  Fairfax,  Virginia,  and  George 
and  Maxine  Fisher,  of  Kinston,  North  Carolina,  came  to 
campus  in  January  for  the  first  meeting  of  the  new  Key 
Friends  Advisory  Council.  It  was  their  keen  interest  in 
Union  Seminary  that  brought  them  to  campus,  but  there  is 
another  connection  between  the  two  couples. 

The  Wrights'  son,  Todd,  is  a  1992  Union  graduate  and 
is  now  associate  pastor  of  the  Fishers'  church.  First 
Presbyterian  in  ICinston.  "While  in  seminary,  Todd  was  the 
recipient  of  a  Friends  Fellowship.  Funds  for  that  program 
are  provided  through  the  efforts  of  Key  Friends  and 
Friends  of  the  Seminary. 

The  Wrights  and  the  Fishers  are  keenly  aware  of  the 
need  for  good  pastors,  and  of  the  role  of  families, 
congregations,  and  the  seminary  in  their  preparation  for 
ministry.  Joni  Wright  spoke  with  great  feeling  about  the 
responsibility  of  nurturing  those  "children"  who  exhibit 
"special  spirituality"  at  a  young  age — this  came  out  of  her 


and  Bob's  own  experience  with  Todd.  And 
George  Fisher  has  had  responsibility  at  the 
presbytery  level  in  filling  pulpit  vacancies.  In 
Todd  Wright,  both  families  see  the  good 
"training  and  nurturing"  available  to  students 
at  Union  Seminary. 

These  days,  the  Fishers  see  Todd  and 
Maureen  Kelly  and  their  year-old  daughter, 
Emily,  much  more  than  Todd's  parents.  During 
the  Key  Friends  meeting.  Bob  Wright  joked  that 
Emily  might  even  start  calling  George  Fisher 
"grandpa"  before  she  said  those  precious  words 
to  her  own  grandfather.  Of  course,  in  some 
ways,  they  are  all  one  family. 

For  more  information  about  Key  Friends  and  Friends 
of  the  Seminary,  please  contact  Peggie  L.  Atkins,  Associate 
Director  of  Development,  1.800.229.2990,  ext.  321  (toll 
free);  or  804.278.4321  (local). 


Left  to  Right:  George  Fisher,  Maxine  Fisher,  Maureen  Fisher,  Emily 
Fisher,  Todd  Wright,  Joni  Wright,  and  Bob  Wright.  Photo  by  Fred 
and  Kathy  Riggs. 


Congregational-Based  Courses  Being 
Developed 

Stewardship  Is  First  Topic 


To  earn  a  degree  from  Union  Seminary,  students  must 
complete  supervised  internships  through  either  full-year  or 
summer  experiences  in  churches  or  "alternative  context 
settings "  such  as  prison  or  hospital  chaplaincy  programs. 
At  least  one-half  the  experience  must  be  in  a  church, 
working  with  a  congregation.  To  provide  students  with 
additional,  more  focused  experiences  with  congregations 
before  they  graduate.  President  Louis  Weeks  has 
introduced  congregational-based  courses  to  the  seminary's 
Master  of  Divinity  program. 

Kurtis  Hess,  director  of  field  education  and  placement, 
has  helped  organize  the  first  course,  which  is  being 
offered  this  spring.  Explaining  congregational-based 
courses,  which  are  electives.  Dr.  Hess  said,  "The  Student- 
in-Ministry  internships  are  a  general  assignment  at  a 
specific  location.  The  experience  is  quite  broad.  In  these 


new  courses,  the  [individual]  church  itself  helps  determine 
the  course  content,  and  the  student  and  pastor  work 
together  on  a  specific  project  ...  In  effect,  the  pastor  and 
the  entire  congregation  participate  in  the  course." 

The  first  congregational-based  course  focuses  on 
stewardship.  Led  by  Dr.  Charles  E.  Brown,  professor  of 
pastoral  theology,  ten  different  experts  in  that  area  of 
church  leadership  have  met  with  the  participants — pastors 
and  seminarians — during  weekly  seminars.  On  site,  the 
participants  have  worked  on  specific  projects.  Tliree 
different  churches,  four  pastors,  and  five  students  are 
participating  in  the  first  course.  Churches  and  pastors 
include  the  following:  First  Baptist  Church,  Williamsburg, 
Virginia,  the  Reverend  Thomas  Shields  (D.Min.'83);  the 
Reverend  Thomas  Coye,  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  Church, 
Kilmarnock,  Virginia;  Three  Chopt  Presbyterian  Church, 
Richmond,  the  Reverend  Boyd  Lien.  Serving  in  a 
consulting  role  is  the  Reverend  Katherine  C.  Jackson 
(D.Min.'86),  pastor  of  Bott  Memorial  Presbyterian  Church, 
DeWitt,  Virginia.  She  will  evalute  the  first  class. 


Alumni  and  Alumnae 
Campaign  Honors 
Dr.  Balmer  Kelly 

Balmer  Kelly's  ministry  of  teaching  now  reaches  past 
a  half  century.  To  honor  this  beloved  teacher,  pastor,  and 
friend,  a  group  of  Union  alumni  and  alumnae  have 
organized  a  special  effort  as  a  part  of  the  seminary's" 
capital  campaign.  Their  goal  is  to  raise  $350,000.  Gifts  will 
be  designated  for  the  new  library's  reserve  reading  room 
which  will  be  named  for  Dr.  Kelly. 

Balmer  Kelly's  ministry  of  teaching  has  extended  far 
beyond  the  campus  of  Union  Seminary.  He  is  the  founding 
co-editor  of  Interpretation:  A  Journal  of  Bible  and 
Theology,  serving  from  1947  to  1965.  That  publication,  with 
10,000  subscribers,  celebrates  this  year  its  50th  volume. 

Lay  people,  too,  are  among  his  students.  Dr.  Kelly  is 
the  editor  of  the  Layman 's  Bible  Commentary,  which  was 
published  in  1962.  He  is  also  credited  with  starting 
"Friends  of  the  Seminary,"  a  program  which  last  year 
celebrated  its  own  50th  anniversary  of  giving  support  to 
Union.  Originally  ten  women  from  the  Synods  of  Virginia 
and  North  Carolina,  Union's  "Friends"  now  number  in  the 
hundreds — and  among  them  there  are  many  men. 

Today  Balmer  Kelly's  teaching  ministry  continues  as 
the  seminary  and  the  church  still  seek  his  wisdom  and 
counsel.  He  leads  Bible  studies,  including  a  recent  series 
"Advent  and  Expectation"  at  Union  Seminary.  He  also 
teaches  a  course  at  the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian 
Education,  driving  into  Richmond  with  Ann  from  their 
home  on  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 


INTERPRETING  THE  FAITH 

A  Conference  on  Bible  and  Theology  for  Preachers 

June  24  -July  5,  1996 

Week  I 
Barbara  Bjpown  Taylor 
Rector,  Grace  Calvary  Episcopal  Church,  Clarkesville,  Georgia 

Alleti  Verhey 

Professor  of  Ethics,  Hope.CoUege,  Holland,  Michigan 

Frances  Taylor  Gench 
Professor  of  New  Te$»tamcnt,  JUithcran  Tbeec^gk^l  Seminary  at  Gettysburg, 
"     6€^i^ti|^  Pejfisylyania 

Reb^iica  Chopp 

Professor  of  Theology,  Candler  School  of  Theology,  Emory  University, 
Atlan^  Georgia 

S.  DealiMcBride 

Professor  of  Old  Testament,  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia, 
Richmond,  Virginia 

Eric  Mount 

Professor  of  Ethics,  Centre  College  of  Kentucky,  Danville,  Kentucky 

For  more  information,  contact  the  Office  of  Professional  Development  & 

Doctor  of  Ministry  Studies,  3401  Brook  Road,  Richmond,  VA  23227. 
Telephone:  800.229.2990  (toll  free),  extension  301;  804.278.4301  (local). 


■•Jill.|j.l=l:VJd;1ldJI.^-fJ.^l.lc4IJ:J:;»]:^dd:kI«!JI]JI!«!JhdaiJ«1l«!df^^ 


Six  churches  share  anniversary 


continued  from  page  1 

Most  of  the  meeting  houses 
were  rectangular.  The  pulpit  was 
elevated  in  the  middle  of  one  long 
side  and  faced  the  main  entrance 
which  was  on  the  other  long  side. 
The  only  windows  in  the  earliest 
meeting  houses  were  openings 
made  by  leaving  out  parts  of  logs. 

During  the  French  and  Indian 
War  (1754-63),  worshippers  and 
ministers  alike  came  prepared  to 
defend  themselves.  Members 
were  posted  as  sentries  while  the 
congregation  worshipped  with 
rifles  at  the  ready. 

Despite  precautions  there  were 
occasional  bloody  massacres.  One 
such  attack  occurred  in  1763  along 
Kerrs  Creek  near  Timber  Ridge 
resulting  in  60  to  80  deaths.  Some 
area  families  were  attending  wor- 
ship services  at  the  time  and  were 
thus  saved. 

Nine-year-old  Mary  Moore  sur- 
vived an  Indian  attack  and  kid- 
napping in  1786  in  Tazewell 
County,  Va.  She  was  eventually 
returned  to  relatives  and  married 
Samuel  Brown,  pastor  of  New 
Providence  Church.  They  had  a 
large  family  and  five  of  their  sons 
entered  the  ministry. 

Following  are  short  descrip- 
tions of  the  history  and  some  key 
figures  in  the  history  of  the  six 
churches. 

Hebron 

Five  of  the  six  churches 
founded  in  1746  were  New  Side. 
The  exception  was  Hebron 
Church,  five  miles  southwest  of 
Staunton.  The  original  members 
of  that  church  broke  away  from 
the  North  Mountain  Meeting 
House  when  Blair  organized 
North  Mountain  as  a  New  Side 
congregation  in  1746.  Led  by 
Major  John  Brown,  the  Old  Siders 
formed  Brown's  Meeting  House. 

The  North  Mountain  congre- 
gation and  the  Brown's  Meeting 
House  folks  eventually  patched 
up  their  disagreements  enough  to 
share  a  pastor  during  the  late 
1700s. 

The  name  was  changed  to 
Hebron  in  1827  upon  completion 
of  a  new  sanctuary  building.  The 
church's  current  building  dates 
from  1901. 

Bethel 

North  Mountain's  congrega- 
tion moved  to  a  new  location  12 
miles  south  of  Staunton  and  was 
renamed  Bethel  in  1779. 


Meeting  here  in  May  1785, 
Hanover  Presbytery  voted  against 
state  support  for  religion.  Three 
months  later,  Presbyterians  con- 
vened at  Bethel  and  adopted  a  reso- 
lution against  a  bill  for  the  state 
support  of  churches.  The  bill  was 
defeated  in  the  Virginia  General 
Assembly,  which  instead  adopted 
Thomas  Jefferson's  "Bill  for  Estab- 
lishing Religious  Freedom." 

Bethel's  current  sanctuary 
dates  back  to  1821,  although  it 
was  rebuilt  in  1889  after  being 
heavily  damaged  by  a  storm.  An 
addition  dedicated  in  1911  was 
the  first  in  the  PCUS  constructed 
solely  for  the  purpose  of  educa- 
tion at  a  rural  church. 

Francis  McFarland,  pastor  of 
the  Bethel  church  (1823-35  and 
1841-71),  was  elected  moderator 
of  the  PCUSA  in  1856.  When  the 
Southern  presbyteries  organized 
a  Confederate  denomination  in 
1861,  he  presided  over  the  meet- 
ing in  Augusta,  Ga. 


New  Providence 

Blair's  influence  on  another 
unpastored  gathering  of  Presby- 
terians resulted  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  New  Providence  Meeting 
House.  It  grew  out  of  the  old  South 
Mountain  Meeting  House  (which 
eventually  became  the  Old  Provi- 
dence Church  of  the  Associated 
Reformed  Presbyterian  Church). 

The  Synod  of  Virginia  was  or- 
ganized at  the  New  Providence 
Church  in  1788. 

In  1812,  the  first  women's  or- 
ganization in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  was  started  at  New  Provi- 
dence. The  Female  Benevolent 
Society  of  New  Providence  con- 
gregation was  formed  to  support 
missionary  work. 

Henry  McLaughlin,  a  leader  in 
the  Sunday  school  movement,  was 
pastor  at  New  Providence  from 
1909  to  1947.  During  his  pastor- 
ate, the  first  departmentalized 
education  facility  in  the  denomi- 
nation was  built  at  the  church, 
which  is  located  midway  between 
Staunton  and  Lexington. 

McLaughlin's  successor,  C. 
Morton  Hanna,  continued  the 
emphasis  on  education  by  train- 
ing Sunday  school  teachers,  mod- 
ernizing the  church's  Sunday 
school  department,  and  starting 
bus  transportation  for  Sunday 
school  participants.  Under 
Hanna's  leadership,  New 
Providence's  membership  grew  to 
746  in  1938,  making  it  the  second 
largest  rural  PCUS  congregation. 


Timber  Ridge/ 
Fairfield 

The  Timber  Ridge  and  Fairfield 
churches  share  a  common  1746 
organization  date  although  they 
have  since  separated  into  inde- 
pendent congregations. 

Blair  organized  the  Timber 
Ridge  Meeting  House  out  of  the 
Timber  Grove  Meeting  House,  one 
of  the  oldest  in  the  area. 

A  limestone  church  building 
was  constructed  at  Timber  Ridge 
in  1756.  Several  additions  and 
renovations  have  been  made  since 
then,  but  it  is  the  same  building 
the  Timber  Ridge  congregation 
continues  to  use. 

The  part  of  the  congregation 
from  the  Fairfield  community, 
about  four  miles  northeast  of  the 
Timber  Ridge  Church,  grew  faster 
during  the  early  years  of  the  19th 
century  and  a  new  building  was 
built  in  Fairfield  in  1818. 

In  1840,  the  members  around 
Timber  Ridge  were  allowed  to 
separate  and  form  the  Timber 
Ridge  Church.  The  Fairfield 
church  carried  the  name  "Tim- 
ber-ridge and  Fairfield"  until 
1850,  when  it  was  changed  to  just 
Fairfield. 

Fairfield  dedicated  its  current 
red-brick  sanctuary  in  1852. 

Timber  Ridge's  early  history 
included  the  membership  of  many 
men  and  women  who  headed  west 
as  the  country  grew.  Sam  Hous- 
ton, first  president  of  the  Repub- 
lic of  Texas  and  later  its  U.S. 
senator  and  governor,  was  born 
next  to  the  church. 

Archibald  Alexander,  presi- 
dent of  Hampden-Sydney  College 
(1799-1807)  and  the  first  theol- 
ogy professor  at  Princeton  Theo- 
logical Seminary  (1812-51),  was  a 
son  of  the  Timber  Ridge  congre- 
gation. 

A  grammar  school  started  in 
the  Fairfield/Timber  Ridge  manse 
by  minister  John  Brown  was 
named  Liberty  Hall  in  1776  and 
William  Graham  was  its  first  rec- 
tor. Liberty  Hall  eventually  be- 
came Washington  College,  the 
predecessor  of  Washington  and 
Lee  University  in  Lexington. 


New  Monmouth 

The  failure  of  Old  Side  minis- 
ters to  supply  Presbyterians  on 
the  north  branch  of  the  James 
River  west  of  Lexington  provided 
Blair  with  yet  another  opportu- 
nity to  develop  a  New  Side  con- 
gregation. 

Still,  the  "Forks  of  the  James 
Meeting  House"  did  not  have  a 
regular  minister  until  1776.  By 
then  it  was  called  "Hall's  Meeting 
House"  and  William  Graham 
served  as  pastor  there  and  at  Tim- 
ber Ridge .  The  name  was  changed 
to  Monmouth  in  1789  and  from 
then  to  1819  it  shared  a  pastor 
with  the  Lexington  Church. 

A  brick  building  was  erected  at 
the  current  location  five  miles 
west  of  Lexington  in  1853  and 
reconstructed  in  1883. 

William  M.  Morrison  (1867- 
1918),  a  PCUS  missionary  to  the 
Congo  from  the  late  1890s  until 
his  death  in  1918,  was  a  son  of  an 
elder  at  New  Monmouth.  Along 
with  William  H.  Sheppard,  an 
African  American  missionary 
from  Waynesboro,  Va.,  he  suc- 
cessfully spoke  out  against  the 
harsh  oppression  of  the  Congo- 
lese by  the  Belgians. 

Morrison's  cousin,  Mary  W. 
McCown,  another  New  Monmouth 
member,  served  as  a  missionary 
in  China  from  1920  to  1942.  Un- 
able to  return  to  China  after  World 
War  II,  she  worked  in  home  mis-, 
sions  in  North  Carolina  and  Vir- 
ginia until  her  death  in  1965. 


Anniversary  plans 

In  addition  to  the  May  22  visit  of  Moderator  Marj  Carpenter  to 
Bethel  Church,  the  six  Shenandoah  Valley  churches  are  plan- 
ning a  number  of  celebratory  events.  They  include: 

April  27 

Shenandoah  Presbytery  meeting  co-hosted 
by  Timber  Ridge  and  Fairfield  churches 

May  19 

Fairfield  Church  to  follow  colonial  order  of  worship 
on  Presbyterian  Heritage  Sunday 

June  23 

Bethel  Church  celebrates  Heritage  Sunday  by 
honoring  its  elders  over  the  last  250  years 

July 

New  Providence  Church  to  host  Shenandoah 
Presbytery  meeting 

July  21 

New  Monmouth  Church  celebration  with  morning 
and  afternoon  worship  services 

Aug.  3 

Hebron  Church  —  Picnic  and  burying  of  time 
capsule  prepared  by  youth 

Aug.  4 

Fairfield  Church  Homecoming 

Hebron  Church  Homecoming 
—  Ernest  Thompson  Jr.,  speaker 

Aug.  25 

Bethel  Church  Homecoming 

Sept.  15 

New  Providence  Church  Homecoming 

Oct.  12-13 

Timber  Ridge  Church  celebration  —  to  host 
worship  Oct.  13  with  Fairfield  congregation 

Page  8,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  May  1996 


Panel  finds  Bible  reading 
by  Presbyterians  is  sporadic 


Pi 


Ashpole  Church's  current  sanctuary  was  started  before  the 
Civil  War  but  not  completed  until  after  that  conflict. 


Ashpole  Church  to  celebrate 
200th  anniversary  on  May  1 9 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.  —  In  a  survey 
that  revealed  wide  disparities 
between  Presbyterian  ministers 
and  laypersons,  the  Research  Ser- 
vices office  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  has  found  that 
members  of  the  church  read  the 
Bible  infrequently,  if  at  all. 

According  to  the  Presbyterian 
Panel  —  a  random  sample  of  sev- 
eral thousand  Presbyterians  in  four 
groups:  members,  elders,  pastors 
and  specialized  clergy — few  mem- 
bers (12  percent)  or  elders  (five 
percent)  reported  no  individual 
Bible  reading  during  the  year  pre- 
ceding the  February  1995  survey. 

However,  45  percent  of  both 
samples  said  they  read  the  Bible 
individually  "rarely,"  "at  times  but 
no  regular  pattern"  or  "once  a 


month  or  less."  Added  to  the  mem- 
bers (4  percent)  and  elders  (6  per- 
cent) who  answered  "once  every 
2-3  weeks,"  clear  majorities  of  both 
samples  —  62  percent  of  mem- 
bers and  56  percent  of  elders  — 
reported  no  or  infrequent  indi- 
vidual Bible  reading. 

By  contrast,  almost  two-thirds 
of  pastors  and  nearly  half  of  spe- 
cialized clergy  responded  that 
they  read  the  Bible  "daily"  or  "al- 
most daily." 

About  one-third  of  members, 
40  percent  of  elders  and  79  per- 
cent of  pastors  reported  that  they 
participated  in  a  Bible  study  group 
that  met  at  least  monthly.  A  ma- 
jority of  members  said  they  never 
read  the  Bible  in  a  group  context 
outside  worship. 

And  except  for  during  Chris- 
tian holidays,  few  panelists  re- 
ported any  Bible  reading  in  a  fam- 


ily context.  For  example,  only  six 
percent  of  members  and  five  per- 
cent of  elders  reported  reading 
the  Bible  at  family  mealtimes. 
About  one-fifth  of  both  samples 
said  they  read  the  Bible  at  family 
mealtimes  "occasionally,"  while 
less  than  20  percent  of  both  groups 
said  they  have  a  regular  family 
Bible  study  time. 

Pastors  and  specialized  clergy 
reported  more  frequent  Bible 
reading  with  their  families,  but 
still  less  than  their  reading  in 
church  groups. 

Fifty-nine  percent  of  pastors 
reported  participating  in  Bible 
study  with  church  groups,  but  only 
34  percent  said  they  participate 
in  family  Bible  reading  on  a  regu- 
larbasis.  Of  the  specialized  clergy, 
29  percent  reported  family  Bible 
reading. 

Ministers  and  laypersons  vary 
in  the  version  of  the  Bible  they 
prefer  to  read.  Among  ministers 
only  two  versions  are  widely  pre- 
ferred: the  Revised  or  New  Re- 
vised Standard  Version  (67  per- 
cent of  pastors  and  69  percent  of 
specialized  clergy)  and  the  New 
International  Version  (18  and  12 
percent,  respectively).  No  other 
translation  is  preferred  by  more 
than  4  percent  of  either  group. 

Laypersons  are  much  more  di- 
verse in  their  preferences,  accord- 
ing to  the  Panel.  While  a  fourth  of 
members  and  elders  prefer  the 
RSV/NRSV,  even  more  —  28  per- 
cent —  prefer  the  King  James 
Version.  Just  under  a  fifth  (19 
percent)  prefer  the  New  Interna- 
tional Version,  and  eight  percent 
prefer  Today's  English  or  "Good 
News"  versions. 

Presbyterian  Bible  readers 
also  divide  their  reading  time 
equally  between  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments.  About  two-thirds  of 
each  group,  ranging  from  63  per- 
cent of  elders  to  70  percent  of 
pastors,  chose  "I  have  read  about 
equally  from  both  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments"  when  asked  to 
describe  the  content  of  their  Bible 
reading. 

In  choosing  what  to  read  in  the 
Bible,  two-thirds  of  all  groups  in- 
dicated that  they  are  most  apt  to 
simply  choose  a  passage  at  ran- 
dom. The  other  prominent  method 
is  to  pick  a  specific  book  of  the 
Bible  and  read  it  all  the  way 
through.  About  half  of  each  group 
cited  that  method  of  deciding  what 
to  read  in  the  Bible. 

Members  spend  less  time  in  a 
typical  Bible  reading  session  ( 15- 
44  minutes)  than  pastors,  about 
half  of  whom  said  they  spend  an 
hour  or  more  in  a  typical  reading 
session. 

Bible  reading  appears  directly 
related  to  age  and  belief  in  the 
infallibility  of  the  Bible,  accord- 
ing to  the  survey.  More  than  half 
of  members  over  the  age  of  70 
reported  reading  the  Bible  at  least 
once  a  week.  Only  29  percent  of 
members  under  40  said  they  read 
the  Bible  at  least  weekly. 

An  earlier  Presbyterian  Panel 
survey  asked  respondents  to  agree 
or  disagree  with  the  question,  "As 
written  in  the  original  language, 
the  Bible  is  infallible."  Of  the 
members  who  agreed  with  that 
statement,  35  percent  indicated 
that  they  read  the  Bible  daily, 
while  only  10  percent  of  those 
who  disagreed  with  biblical  infal- 
libility reported  that  they  read 
the  Bible  every  day. 

Only  five  percent  of  the  mem- 
bers who  believed  in  biblical  in- 
fallibility said  they  never  read 
the  Bible,  while  20  percent  of 
members  who  disagreed  with  the 
biblical  infallibility  question  said 
they  never  read  the  Bible. 


ROWLAND,  N.C.  —  The  Ashpole 
Church,  located  one  mile  west  of 
Rowland,  will  observe  its  200th 
anniversary  with  a  Bicentennial 
Homecoming  on  Sunday,  May  19. 

Dr.  Albert  Edwards,  retired 
minister  and  former  pastor  (1958- 
86)  of  First  Church  of  Raleigh, 
will  be  the  guest  speaker.  Follow- 
ing the  morning  communion  wor- 
ship service,  there  will  be  a  picnic 
dinner  on  the  church  grounds. 

All  former  members  and 
friends  of  the  church  are  invited 
to  participate.  In  the  past  May 
Sacrament  was  celebrated  on  the 
third  Sunday  in  May.  Now  it  is 
known  as  Homecoming  Day  at 
Ashpole. 

Ashpole  Church  was  organized 
at  its  present  location  in  1796, 
the  outgrowth  of  two  other 
churches  organized  prior  to  1790 
— Ashpole  Meeting  House  and 
Shoe  Heel  Creek  Church. 

It  took  its  name  from  the 
Ashpole  Community  which  dates 
back  to  1750  and  was  settled  by 
English,  Welsh  and  Scottish  pio- 


WASHINGTON,  D.C. —The  Pres- 
byterian Child  Advocacy  Network, 
the  Presbyterian  Himger  Program 
and  the  Presbyterian  Washing- 
ton Office  will  hold  a  Prayer 
Breakfast  on  June  1  at  New  York 
Avenue  Church,  1313  New  York 
Ave.,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 

The  prayer  breakfast  will  take 
place  prior  to  the  "Stand  For  Chil- 
dren" that  afternoon  at  the  Lin- 
coln Memorial. 

The  Presbyterian  prayer 
breakfast  will  begin  at  8  a.m.  The 
program  will  include  keynote 
speaker  Eileen  Lindner,  Presby- 
terian minister  and  associate  gen- 
eral secretary  of  National  Coun- 
cil of  Churches  in  Christ;  updates 
on  the  Presbyterian  Church's 
work  for  children;  and  music  by  a 
children's  choir. 

At  the  end  of  the  program  at- 
tendees will  walk  together  under 
a  Presbyterian  banner  to  the  Lin- 
coln Memorial  in  order  to  stand 
together  as  a  united  presence  at 
the  Stand  For  Children  program. 

Breakfast  is  $5  for  adults  and 
$2  for  children.  The  program  is 
free.  Specially  designed  T-shirts 


neers. 

Jacob  Alford,  an  influential 
pioneer  of  the  community,  and 
his  sons  were  leaders  in  the  found- 
ing of  the  church  and  a  school. 

The  current  sanctuary,  the 
third  structure  on  the  location, 
was  begun  around  1858  and  com- 
pleted after  the  close  of  the  CivU 
War.  A  modern  two-story  educa- 
tion building  was  built  and  dedi- 
cated in  1951. 

Eleven  other  churches  were 
organized  out  of  the  Ashpole  con- 
gregation over  the  years. 

Since  1967,  Ashpole  and 
Rowland  churches  have  combined 
their  worship  services,  Sunday 
schools  and  youth  programs.  One 
pastor  serves  both  churches  un- 
der supervision  of  separate  ses- 
sions and  budgets.  Worship  ser- 
vices are  alternated  between  the 
churches.  Both  are  a  part  of 
Coastal  Carolina  Presbytery. 

The  Rev.  William  E.  Link  has 
served  the  Ashpole-Rowland  con- 
gregations since  1991. 


will  be  available  for  $7. 

For  information  on  registra- 
tion for  the  Presbyterian  prayer 
breakfast  contact  Joan  Thomp- 
son, PC(USA)  Child  Advocate,  100 
Witherspoon  St.,  Louisville,  KY 
40202;  phone  (502)  569-5838; 
Presbynet  inbox:  Joan  Thompson. 

"Stand  For  Children"  will  be  a 
non-partisan  day  of  spiritual  and 
community  renewal  and  moral 
commitment  to  improving  the 
lives  of  children.  The  festivities 
will  include  an  interfaith  service, 
speakers,  and  activities  and 
games  for  families  and  children. 

Sponsored  by  the  Children's 
Defense  Fund,  Stand  for  Children 
is  endorsed  by  hundreds  of  agen- 
cies and  religious  organizations 
including  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.).  For  more  infor- 
mation on  Stand  For  Children  call 
(800)  663-4032. 

After  the  Stand  for  Children, 
Bread  for  the  World  will  hold 
its  annual  meeting  on  Sunday, 
June  2,  and  stage  a  lobbying  ef- 
fort on  Capitol  Hill  on  Monday, 
June  3.  For  information  call  Bread 
for  the  World  at  (301)  608-2400. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 


Presbyterians  respond  to  burnings 

Exemplifying  the  disturbing  rise  of  hate  crimes  in  America,  more  than 
17  African  American  churches  in  Alabama  and  six  other  states  have 
been  struck  by  suspicious  fires  over  the  past  15  months.  And  Presby- 
terian World  Service  (PWS)  has  rushed  to  provide  financial  aid. 

To  date,  none  of  the  torched  churches  have  been  Presbyterian  and 
no  injuries  have  been  reported,  but  as  the  crisis  ministry  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A),  PWS  is  charged  to  provide  assistance 
for  the  immediate  relief  of  people  suffering  from  natural,  civil  and 
technological  crises  and  disasters. 

To  that  end,  PWS  sent  $7,500  in  One  Great  Hour  of  Sharing  funds 
to  the  Presbytery  of  Sheppards  and  Lapsley  to  help  black  congrega- 
tions in  Alabama  rebuild.  Stan  E.  Hankins,  associate  for  disaster 
response,  said  information  from  other  parts  of  the  country  is  now  being 
gathered  to  determine  whether  additional  financial  aid  is  warranted. 
Peacemaking  Offerings  would  be  an  appropriate  response  to  this 
crisis.  Individuals  may  give  through  their  local  congregations  and 
congregations  may  give  through  their  normal  mission  channels,  des- 
ignating the  gifts  for  "Response  to  Church  Burnings,  #9-2000126." 
Gifts  may  also  be  sent  to  Central  Receiving  Service,  100  Witherspoon 
St.,  Louisville,  KY  40202-1396. 

Bright  wins  Templeton  Prize  for  1 996 

William  R.  "Bill"  Bright,  a  Presbyterian  who  is  president  and  founder 
of  Campus  Crusade  for  Christ  International,  has  won  the  1996 
Templeton  Prize  for  Progress  in  Religion.  He  received  the  award 
March  6  at  ceremonies  in  his  honor  at  the  Church  Center  for  the 
United  Nations  in  New  York.  Bright,  74,  a  former  specialty-foods 
purveyor,  sold  his  business  to  begin  Campus  Crusade  for  Christ  with 
his  wife,  Vonette,  at  the  University  of  California  at  Los  Angeles  in 
1951.  Today  Campus  Crusade  is  present  on  more  than  650  campuses 
in  the  United  States  and  nearly  500  campuses  overseas. 

The  Templeton  Prize  is  the  world's  largest  annual  award,  worth 
more  than  $1  million.  Begun  in  1972  by  renowned  global  investor  Sir 
John  Templeton,  the  prize  is  awarded  each  year  to  "a  living  person  who 
has  shown  extraordinary  originality  in  advancing  understanding  of 
God  and/or  spirituality." 

Grants  will  aid  churches'  missions 

Presbyterian  churches  having  good  ideas  for  new  mission  programs 
but  no  money  with  which  to  launch  them  will  soon  have  a  new  source 
for  potential  funding.  At  its  Feb.  21-25  meeting  here,  the  General 
Assembly  Council  (GAC)  authorized  the  Evangelism  and  Church 
Development  Program  Area  (ECD)  to  establish  a  $1  million  Mission 
Capital  Grant  program.  The  funds  for  the  new  program  will  come  from 
restricted  funds  currently  assigned  to  ECD. 

According  to  the  prospectus  for  the  program  presented  to  the 
National  Ministries  Division  at  its  Feb.  22-23  meeting,  the  Mission 
Capital  Grant  program  was  designed  to  provide  "visible  demonstra- 
tion by  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  of  support  of  churches"  and 
to  provide  "a  means  for  congregations  to  strengthen  their  ministries 
and  program  and  to  grow." 

ECD  stafi'were  charged  to  develop  guidelines  for  the  grant  program 
and  to  design  forms  for  application  and  approval.  The  application 
process  will  include  the  involvement  of  the  requesting  church's  pres- 
bytery, seeking  assurance  that  mission  for  which  the  grant  is  sought 
can  be  accomplished.  The  program  will  be  administered  by  the  Mis- 
sion Development  Resources  Committee  of  ECD. 

Hodges  is  'Monday  Morning'  editor 

'  Houston  Hodges,  recently  retired  executive  of  North 

bvtery,  has  been  named  editor  of  Monday  Morning 
ill  begin  immediately  and  work  mainly  from  his  home 


Presbyterian  prayer 
breakfast  is  June  1 


GAC,  Foundation  reach  accord  ~  p.  8 


OBXaCf FZ+*******5-DIGIT  2751* 
«00548651lf  WHO    544  551 

UNIV    OF    N    CAROLINA  LIBRARY 
WORTH    CAROLIWA  COLLECTION 
WILSON    LIBRARY    CB  3930 
CH&PEL    HILL    NC  27514-8890 

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Allow  o-»  weeks  tor  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantw 
Presbyterian 


Vol.  LXII,  Number  5 


Richmond,  Virginia 


210th  Synod  Assembly 
to  celebrate  'Building 
the  Body  of  Christ' 


"Building  the  Body  of  Christ"  will 
be  the  theme  for  the  210th  Synod 
Assembly  to  be  held  July  25-27  in 
Raleigh,  N.C. 

The  theme,  which  follows  1 
Corinthians  12,  will  be  used  in 
business  sessions  as  well  as  prayer 
time  and  worship  services,  accord- 
ing to  Betty  McGinnis,  outgoing 
sjTiod  moderator. 

"We  hope  this  will  be  a  time  of 
fellowship,  sharing  and  building 
a  stronger  synod,"  said  McGinnis, 
an  elder  from  Arnold,  Md. 

Special  guests  invited  to  par- 
ticipate include  General  Assem- 
bly Council  Executive  Director 
James  Brown,  GAC  Chair-elect 
Youngil  Cho  (a  Raleigh  resident), 
and  the  new  General  Assembly 
moderator  who  will  be  elected 
June  29  in  Albuquerque,  N.M. 

First  Church  of  Raleigh  will 
host  the  opening  session,  dinner 
and  worship  on  Thursday.  AU  ac- 
tivities Friday  and  Saturday  will 
be  at  Peace  College,  where  com- 
missioners will  be  housed  during 
the  assembly. 

Brown  is  the  chief  executive 
officer  of  a  600-person  staff  that 
carries  out  the  mission  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.).  Before  taking 
that  post  in  1992,  he  served  pas- 
torates in  New  Jersey,  New 
Mexico  and  California. 

He  and  the  new  GA  modera- 
tor have  been  invited  to  partici- 
pate in  a  session  titled  "A  Church 
Meeting  for  All"  at  4  p.m.  Fri- 
day. According  to  McGinnis,  it 
will  be  a  time  for  asking  ques- 
tions and  sharing  how  church 
members  can  build  together 
throughout  all  levels  of  the 
church. 

The  new  GA  moderator  has 
also  been  invited  to  participate  in 
the  worship  service  Friday 
evening  at  Peace  College. 

Cho,  who  is  also  president  of 
the  national  Presbyterian  men 
and  clerk  of  session  at  DuRaleigh 
Church,  will  participate  in  the 
initial  business  session  and  open- 
ing worship  service  Thursday. 

The  opening  worship  service 
Thursday  evening  will  feature  a 
massed  choir  composed  of  mem- 


bers from  area  churches. 

The  GA  Office  of  Communica- 
tions will  provide  Presbynet  (com- 
puter network)  training  to  inter- 
ested persons  all  day  Wednesday, 
July  24.  For  more  information, 
contact  the  synod  office  at  (804) 
342-0016. 

The  Synod  Council  will  meet 
that  same  day  and  has  invited 
exhibitors  who  will  have  displays 
at  the  assembly  to  have  dinner 
Wednesday  evening  with  the 
council  members  . 

Registration  for  the  Synod  As- 
sembly will  be  held  from  9:30  a.m. 
to  1  p.m.  Thursday  at  Peace  Col- 
lege. A  pre-assembly  time  for 
prayer  and  sharing  faith  stories 
will  start  at  10:30  a.m. 

The  assembly  will  convene  at 
1  p.m.  at  First  Church.  The  open- 
ing session  will  also  include  re- 
marks from  McGinnis  and  the 
"State  of  the  Synod"  report  from 
Synod  Executive/Stated  Clerk 
Carroll  D.  Jenkins. 

Also,  the  commissioners  will 
elect  a  new  moderator  and  vice 
moderator.  The  Rev.  J.  Miller 
Liston  of  Abingdon,  Va.,  has  been 
nominated  for  moderator.  He  has 
served  as  vice  moderator  for  the 
past  year.  As  of  May  24,  the  nomi- 
nee for  vice  moderator  had  not 
been  announced. 

A  session  on  "Building  the 
Church  by  Understanding  All 
Races"  will  be  held  at  First  Church 
From  2:45  to  5:15  p.m.  Thursday. 

Organizers  for  this  session  are 
the  Rev.  Lawrence  Bethel,  the 
Rev.  Sandy  Seaton-Todd,  and 
John  Winings.  Bethel,  president 
of  the  synod's  Black  Caucus,  and 
Synod  Council  member  Winings 
are  also  organizers  of  a  summit 
between  the  council  and  the  cau- 
cus scheduled  for  June  21-22. 
Seaton-Todd  is  chair  of  the  task 
group  appointed  to  promote  sym- 
posiums on  race  relations 
throughout  the  synod. 

Representatives  from  the 
Synod  Council  and  all  three  GA 
ministry  divisions  —  congrega- 
tional, national  and  worldwide  — 
will  lead  a  panel  discussion  dur- 
ing a  working  lunch  for  commis- 
sioners on  Friday. 


Commissioners  to  the  206th  (1994)  General  Assembly  in  Wichita,  Kan.,  stand  and  hold  hands  in 
celebration  of  that  body's  almost  unanimous  response  to  the  "Re-imagining"  controversy.  It 
remains  to  be  seen  whether  commissioners  to  the  208th  General  Assembly  will  be  able  to  find 
such  a  consensus  as  they  try  to  resolve  numerous  issues  —  including  ordination  of  homosexuals 
—  which  face  them  in  Albuquerque,  N.M.,  later  this  month.  —  photo  by  John  Sniffen 

Ordination  issue  may 
dominate  208th  GA  agenda 


GAC  Executive  Director 
James  Brown 


GAC  Chair-elect 
Youngil  Cho 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

The  role  of  gay  and  lesbian  per- 
sons in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
U.S.A.),  an  issue  that  has  been  off 
the  business  agenda  while  church 
members  engaged  in  a  three-year 
period  of  study  and  discussion, 
returns  to  the  208th  General  As- 
sembly this  June  in  Albuquer- 
que, N.M. 

And  as  in  years  past,  that  issue 
is  sure  to  dominate  the  June  29- 
July  6  annual  meeting  of  the  2.7- 
nullion  member  denomination. 

But  the  568  elected  commis- 
sioners to  the  1996  General  As- 
sembly face  an  unusually  crowded 
agenda  with  a  large  number  of 
critically  important  and  poten- 
tially controversial  items,  such  as 
filling  key  leadership  positions, 
deciding  the  extent  of  the 
denomination's  involvement  in 
the  Consultation  on  Church  Union 
(COCU),  dealing  with  the  ongo- 
ing financial  squeeze  in  the 
church,  defining  the  role  of  lay 
pastors  in  the  denomination,  and 
considering  a  major  policy  paper 
on  "sustainable  development." 

A  defining  moment? 

Since  1978,  General  Assembly 
policy  has  been  that  "self-affirm- 
ing, practicing  homosexuals"  are 
ineligible  for  ordination  to  the 
ofTices  of  minister,  elder  and  dea- 
con. When  the  1993  Assembly 
called  for  the  three-year  study 
and  dialogue  on  the  issue,  it  also 
reaffirmed  the  prohibitive  policy. 

However,  the  ban  on  gay  ordi- 
nation has  never  been  inserted 
into  the  church's  Book  of  Order,  or 
constitution.  The  Book  of  Order 
continues  to  give  to  congregations 
the  responsibility  to  ordain  el- 
ders and  deacons  as  they  so  choose 


and  to  presbyteries  the  authority 
to  ordain  ministers.  Some  75  con- 
gregations have  declared  that  they 
are  willing  to  ordain  gay  and  les- 
bian persons. 

Forty-five  overtures  on  the 
matter  have  been  submitted  by 
presbyteries  to  this  year's  Gen- 
eral Assembly.  Of  those,  24  pro- 
pose amendments  to  the  Book  of 
Order  that  would  make  the  ban 
on  gay  and  lesbian  ordination  con- 
stitutionally explicit  and  20  favor 
letting  congregations  and  presby- 
teries continue  to  make  their  own 
decisions  about  whom  to  ordain. 

One  overture  asks  that  the 
study  period  be  extended  with  no 
action  taken. 

New  leadership 

Three  candidates  have  been 
endorsed  to  succeed  Marj  Car- 
penter of  Big  Spring,  Texas,  as 
moderator  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly. They  are  the  Rev.  John 
Buchanan,  pastor  of  Fourth  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Chicago;  the 
Rev.  Norm  Pott,  pastor  of  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  San 
Rafael,  Calif.;  and  the  Rev.  John 
C.  Poling,  pastor  of  First  Presby- 
terian Church  in  Las  Cruces,  N.M. 

In  addition  to  electing  a  mod- 
erator, commissioners  will  elect  a 
new  stated  clerk  —  the  top  eccle- 
siastical official  in  the  church. 
The  incumbent  clerk,  the  Rev. 
James  E.  Andrews,  has  an- 
nounced his  retirement  after  hold- 
ing the  office  since  1984. 

A  search  committee  that  has 
been  working  for  a  year  has  nomi- 
nated the  Rev.  Clifton  Kirk- 
patrick,  currently  director  of  the 
Worldwide  Ministries  Division  of 
the  General  Assembly  Council 
(GAC),  for  a  four-year  term. 

At  least  two  candidates  for 
stated  clerk  are  expected  to  be 


nominated  from  the  floor  of  the 
Assembly.  In  addition,  three  oth- 
ers are  contemplating  floor  cam- 
paigns. 

The  Rev.  Richard  Dolin,  a  par- 
ish associate  at  Harvey  Browne 
Church  in  Louisville,  and  James 
B.  Railing,  an  elder  in  First 
Church  of  Scottsburg,  Ind.,  told 
the  Presbyterian  News  Service 
they  intend  to  run  for  stated  clerk. 

Commissioners  will  also  be 
asked  to  confirm  the  reelection  of 
the  Rev.  James  D.  Brown  to  a 
second  four-year  term  as  execu- 
tive director  of  the  GAC,  the  top 
programmatic  office  in  the  de- 
nomination. Brown  was  reelected 
by  the  Council  in  February  by  a 
vote  of  46-16  and  some  debate 
over  his  confirmation  is  expected. 

Budget  woes  continue 

A 1997  General  Assembly  mis- 
continued  on  page  2 


GA  stated  clerk  nominee 
Clifton  KirkpatrifiiL 


Pa;;f;  2.  Mui-/  .  ,.ntic  Presbyterian,  June  1996 


Cn^/lMENTARY 


We  are  the  church 


By  BETTY  McGINNIS,  Synod  Moderator 

The  Book  of  Order  of  our  Presbyterian  Church 
organizes  a  connectional  church:  sessions,  presby- 
teries, synods  and  General  Assembly.  Each  Presby- 
terian is  a  member  of  the  total  church.  This  connec- 
tional role  is  a  marvelous  possibility  for  all  Presby- 
terians. We  are  called  to  take  time  to  hear  Christ  at 
all  levels,  in  all  regions,  and  then  carry  out  our 
Lord's  work. 

Within  this  connectional  church,  we 
become  very  comfortable  in  our  own  pews 
within  the  local  church.  Did  you  ever 
think  of  supporting  others  within  the 
connectional  church?  Marvelous  oppor- 
tunities exist  for  supporting  one  another 
within  the  Presbyterian  structure.  Within 
the  bounds  of  our  synod  are  rich  opportu- 
nities and  many  needs.  As  the  summer 
begins  and  there  is  less  programming  in 
"our"  churches,  consider  attending  an- 
other church  in  our  synod,  call  to  share 
ideas,  or  ask  them  for  help.  For  informa- 
tion about  church  locations  and  phone 
numbers,  go  to  your  church  office  and  ask 
for  the  General  Assembly  Minutes  /  Statistics  or  look 
in  the  Mission  Yearbook  of  Prayer.  These  two  re- 
sources provide  us  with  a  wider  glimpse  of  our 
denomination. 

Our  synod  is  now  approaching  mission  in  a  dif- 
ferent and  refreshing  way.  Mission  opportunities 
and  experiences  are  being  offered  throughout  ihe 
synod.  Your  church  or  presbytery  might  like  to  offer 
a  mission  experience  through  our  synod  program  to 
build  together,  or  perhaps  you  or  your  church  would 
like  to  participate  in  one,  or  there  may  be  a  need 
which  we  can  help  you  with  by  organizing  groups  or 
individuals  to  help.  * 

This  networking  of  mission  opportunities  within 
our  synod  is  taking  shape.  A  co-opted  committee 
wrote  a  mission  statement,  produced  a  handbook 
for  everyone's  use,  and  is  offering  mission  opportu- 
nities. This  sharing  of  mission  experiences  will 
allow  all  of  us  to  build  a  stronger  community  of  faith 
while  working  together  to  serve  our  Lord.  All  mis- 
sion opportunities  require  a  leap  of  faith.  Consider 
taking  this  leap  with  other  Presbyterians  of  our 
synod. 

Recently,  1  had  the  opportunity  to  celebrate  with 
the  congregation  of  White  Memorial  Church  in 
Raleigh,  N.C.,  on  the  occasion  of  their  50th  anniver- 
sary. Richard  Sommers,  a  charter  member  of  the 
church,  preached  a  sermon  that  touched  me.  He 
shared  his  memories  of  the  organization  of  White 
Memorial,  now  the  largest  congregation  in  the  synod. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 
FAX:  (804)  356-8535 
Internet:  JOHN.SNIPFEN@pcusa.org 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
(USPS  604-120  /  ISSN  1071-345X,i 
Is  produced  and  published  monthly  (except 
February,  August  and  December) 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
3218  Chamberlayne  Ave.,  Richmond,  VA  23227. 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  is  mailed  free  to 
members  of  PC(USA)  churches  within  the  synod. 

POSTMASTER 

Please  send  address  changes  to 
MIDATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026. 

Second-Class  Postage  Rates  Paid  at  Richmond, 
Virginia,  and  addit.ional  post  offices. 


.  LXIl  • 


:  1996 
r.  164,091 


In  the  mid  1940s  his  father,  pastor  of  First  Church 
of  Raleigh,  challenged  his  congregation  to  send  a 
third  of  its  elders  and  half  of  its  deacons  —  along 
with  a  good  number  of  members  —  to  develop  White 
Memorial. 

Dick  shared  how  his  father  said  how  his  greatest 
desire  was  to  spread  the  kingdom;  not  to  buUd  his 
own  kingdom.  This  struck  to  the  core  of  what  being 
a  Presbyterian  is,  as  well  as  the  challenge  to  build 
the  church  of  Christ. 

Several  years  ago,  Richard  Avery  and 
Dick  Marsh  gave  us  a  very  Presbyterian 
song  lyric  to  teach  our  children:  "I  am  the 
church.  You  are  the  church.  We  are  the 
church  together."  We  must  go  far  beyond 
our  own  comfortable  pews  in  "our" 
churches  and  into  the  world  hearing 
Christ's  call  and  meeting  the  challenge 
which  often  comes  with  the  call. 

God  be  with  you  as  you  open  the  doors 
to  a  larger  Presbyterian  church  and  to 
churches  all  over  the  world.  Let  us  re- 
kindle the  spirit  of  mission  in  new  and 
exciting  ways  together. 

*Note  —  The  mission  experience  group  of  our 
synod  is  working  very  hard  to  provide  mission  expe- 
riences among  churches,  presbji;eries,  agencies,  in- 
stitutions and  into  the  world.  The  group  is  chaired 
by  Georgia  Pressly,  who  may  be  contacted  at  (703) 
364-9299,  or  write  to  her  at  7314  Sardis  Rd.,  Char- 
lotte, NC  28270.  On  behalf  of  the  synod,  many 
thanks  to  these  persons. 

"Thank  you"  also  to  the  Rev.  Richard  Sommers  of 
Riverside  Church  in  Richmond,  Va. ,  for  his  thoughts 
and  the  sermon  he  delivered  at  White  Memorial 
Church  in  Raleigh.  Incidentally,  White  Memorial 
now  has  1,100  children  on  the  roll  for  sixth  grade 
and  younger.  What  an  accomplishment  in  50  short 
years. 

Betty  McGinnis  welcomes  calls  or  letters.  Also  she 
is  very  grateful  to  the  many  people  who  have  re- 
sponded and  made  suggestions  for  the  synod.  Her 
address  is  1234  Tamarack  Tr.,  Arnold,  MD  21012; 
phone  (410)  647-7494. 


Who  will  serve? 

During  the  Sjmod  Council's  May  meeting.  Nominat- 
ing Committee  Chair  Atlanta  Brown  outlined  the 
difficulties  involved  in  acquiring  nominations  for 
persons  to  serve  on  synod  committees. 

It's  not  a  dilemma  peculiar  to  this  synod.  One 
reason  presbyteries  are  not  sending  names  to  the 
synod  is  that  they're  having  to  go  through  the  same 
effort  to  fill  their  committees.  And  let's  not  pick  on 
the  local  churches.  One  could  probably  get  the  same 
story  from  most  of  them.  There  is  a  shortage  of  folks 
available  and  willing  to  do  such  service. 

Statistics  show  that  current  church  goers  are  not 
giving  less  money.  What  they  are  giving  less  of  is 
time,  and  1  suspect  it's  because  they  feel  time-poor. 
My  generation  —  the  now  oft-slandered  Boomers  — 
grew  up  (mostly)  with  one  parent  working  outside 
the  home  and  one  parent  making  the  home.  Non- 
working  hours  that  they  spent  volunteering  in  the 
church  and  elsewhere  we  spend  taking  care  of  home 
and  family. 

If  we  really  want  to  get  more  people  involved,  it's 
time  to  start  looking  for  the  answers  to  this  problem. 

—  John  Sniffen,  editor 


Letters  to  the  Editor  m 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names  will  be 
withheld  on  request),  should  be  no 
longer  than  250  words,  and  are  subject 
to  editing  for  style,  clarity,  and  length. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 

FAX:  (804)  355-8535 
Presbynet:  JOHN.SNIFFEN@pcuas.org 


Ecumenical  effort,  lay 
pastors'  responsibilities 
on  agenda  for  208th  GA 


continued  from  page  1 

sion  budget  totaling  $113.8  mil- 
lion is  up  for  approval  by  this 
Assembly. 

Balancing  the  budget  required 
the  GAC  to  cut  $1.2  million  from 
the  denomination's  three  minis- 
try divisions  (Congregational  Min- 
istries, National  Ministries,  and 
Worldwide  Ministries)  and  its 
Corporate  and  Administrative 
Services  office,  as  well  as  its  own 
Office  of  Communication. 

The  cuts  were  necessitated  by 
a  continuing  drop  in  unrestricted 
giving  by  congregations  to  the 
mission  budget.  While  designated 
giving  to  specific  programs  con- 
tinues to  rise,  unrestricted  giving 
has  declined  by  an  average  of 
about  five  percent  a  year  for  a 
number  of  years. 

The  slide  is  projected  to  con- 
tinue in  1998.  The  Assembly  will 
be  asked  to  approve  a  planning 
budget  for  that  year  of  $112.3 
ihillion. 

Presbyterian  'bishops'? 

A  set  of  amendments  designed 
to  facilitate  the  Presbyterian 
Church's  participation  in  the  Con- 
sultation on  Church  Union 
(COCU)  will  return  to  the  Assem- 
bly this  year  after  having  been 
deferred  by  last  year's  Assembly. 

Though  reaffirming  the  church's 
commitment  to  COCU,  that  As- 
sembly asked  for  fiuther  study  of 
the  amendments  after  some  mis- 
givings were  expressed  over  the 
creation  of  the  offices  of  "represen- 
tative bishop"  and  "representative 
elder"  to  enable  Presbyterian  coop- 
eration with  other  COCU  churches 
that  have  bishops  and  do  not  have 
ordained  elders. 

The  1993  General  Assembly 
approved  "Churches  in  Covenant 
Coinmunion,"  a  COCU  proposal 
that  calls  for  the  integration  of 
COCU  member  churches'  minis- 
tries, but  without  structural 
merger. 

Opposition  to  the  "covenant- 
ing" proposal  has  centered  around 
the  creation  of  the  office  of  "bishop" 
—  with  its  authoritarian  implica- 
tions —  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  a  fear  that  the  impor- 
tance of  the  ordained  office  of  el- 
der will  be  sacrificed.  No  other 
COCU  church  ordains  laypersons 
as  ruling  elders. 

Lay  pastors'  powers 

Last  year's  General  Assembly 
approved  and  a  majority  of  pres- 
bjrteries  have  since  ratified  an 
amendment  to  the  Book  of  Order 
that  changes  the  term  "commis- 
sioned lay  preacher"  to  "commis- 
sioned lay  pastor."  The  change 
signifies  the  growing  importance 
of  lay  ministers  —  who  have  for- 
mal training  but  not  a  seminary 
degree  : —  in  the  denomination. 
Commissioned  lay  pastors  are 
critically  important  in  providing 
leadership  to  small,  rural  and 
racial-ethnic  congregations. 

This  year  a  group  of  church 
leadership  specialists  that  has 
been  working  on  the  lay  pastor 
issue,  is  presenting  for  Assembly 
approval  a  set  of  amendments  to 
the  Book  of  Order  designed  to  ex- 
pand and  enhance  the  functions 
of  commissioned  lay  pastors. 

The  amendments  would  allow 
presbyteries  to  authorize  lay  pas- 
tors to  perform  baptisms  and  mar- 
riages (they  already  may  conduct 
the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per), moderate  session  meetings, 
and  speak  and  vote  at  presbytery 
meetings. 


Sustainable  development 

"Hope  for  a  Global  Future:  To- 
ward Just  and  Sustainable  Hu- 
man Development,"  developed 
over  the  last  four  years  by  the 
church's  Advisory  Committee  on 
Social  Witness  Policy,  is  a  com- 
prehensive (100  pages)  examina- 
tion of  U.S.  international  eco- 
nomic policies.  The  paper  focuses 
on  the  impact  of  those  policies  on 
the  world's  poorest  people  and 
nations  and  proposes  steps  toward 
reform  that  can  be  taken  by  the 
church,  business  leaders,  orga- 
nized labor  and  governments. 

It  looks  at  such  problems  as 
overconsumption,  overpopula- 
tion, poverty,  pollution,  and  ineq- 
uitable distribution  and  use  of 
resources,  and  explores  how  de- 
velopment policies  can  meet  cur- 
rent needs  without  jeopardizing 
the  ability  of  the  planet's  resources 
to  sustain  future  generations. 

One  controversy  that  appar- 
ently will  not  come  before  the  com- 
missioners involves  the  GAC  and 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
Foundation. 

The  executive  committees  for 
both  bodies  unanimously  ap- 
proved in  May  an  agreement  reaf- 
firming the  two  entities'  tradi- 
tionally separate  but  related  mis- 
sion funding  responsibilites. 

It  also  puts  more  specific  sys- 
tems into  place  to  monitor  man- 
agement and  disbursement  of 
General  Assembly  restricted 
funds.  Such  systems  were  only 
vaguely  described  in  the  docu- 
ments that  laid  the  groundwork 
for  Presbyterian  reunion  in  1983. 

Other  items  on  the  Assembles 
agenda  include: 

•  a  proposal  to  change  two  of 
the  denomination's  four  special 
offerings  —  the  key  recommenda- 
tion IS  that  the  Christmas  Joy 
Offering  be  divided  among  racial- 
ethnic  schools  (50  percent),  the 
Board  of  Pensions  (30  percent)  to 
fund  supplementary  programs  for 
retired  church  workers,  and  pro- 
grams for  "children  at  risk"  (20 
percent).  Currently  the  offering 
is  equally  divided  between  the 
racial-ethnic  schools  and  the 
Board  of  Pensions. 

•  a  report  from  a  committee 
that  has  conducted  a  quadrermial 
review  of  the  structure  and  opera- 
tions of  the  General  Assembly. 
The  committee  is  proposing  33 
measures  to  improve  the  work  of 
the  General  Assembly. 

•  a  number  of  overtures  seek- 
ing to  overturn  a  decision  by  last 
year's  Assembly  to  cut  in  half  the 
number  of  youth  advisory  del- 
egates (YADs)  to  the  General  As- 
sembly. 

•  a  report  on  the  activities  of 
the  Presbyterian  Health,  Educa- 
tion and  Welfare  Association 
(PHEWA),  an  alliance  of  11  social 
welfare  organizations  that  seek 
to  implement  Assembly  policies 
in  the  social  welfare  arena.  Crit- 
ics have  alleged  that  PHEWA 
keeps  inadequate  financial 
records,  advocates  positions  that 
are  contrary  to  General  Assembly 
policy  and  receives  assistance, 
such  as  office  space  and  staff"  ser- 
vices, that  are  not  available  to 
other  social  welfare  organizations. 


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Helen  Allen,  81,  a  member  of  the  Farmville  (Va.)  Church,  has 
been  cutting  and  rolling  bandages  for  over  20  years.  She  is 
always  looking  for  old  bed  sheets  to  transform  into  bandages. 
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shipped  to  Windsor,  Md.,  then  on  to  the  missionary  fields. 

People  in  the  News 

Kirk  chosen  for  consultation 

The  Rev.  Dr.  James  Kirk,  pastor  of  Harundale  Church  in  Glen  Burnie, 
Md.,  has  been  selected  as  one  of  only  25  Christians  from  around  the 
world  to  participate  in  a  July  5-9  consultation  in  Bangalore,  India. 
Organized  by  the  World  Council  of  Churches,  the  event  will  study  and 
discuss  the  issue  of  interreligious  prayer.  For  the  past  18  months  Kirk 
has  chaired  the  PC(USA)'s  Multi-Faith  Celebrations  Task  Group.  The 
task  force  produced  a  set  of  guidelines  whose  premise  of  respectful 
presence  requires  "being  present  with  people  of  other  faiths  as  they 
experience  and  respond  to  God's  activity  in  their  lives,"  said  Kirk. 

Sue  M.  Setzer,  associate  director  of  the  Career 
and  Personal  Counseling  Service,  was  awarded 
an  honorary  doctor  of  humane  letters  degree  by 
Lenoir-Rhyne  College  on  May  11.  She  has  been  a 
pioneer  in  writing  materials  to  help  young  people 
and  adults  make  career  decisions  from  a  Chris- 
tian perspective.  What  Shall  I  Say?  Discerning 
God's  Call,  which  she  co-authored  with  system- 
atic theologian  Walter  A.  Bouman,  is  required 
reading  for  all  candidates  for  ordained  and  lay 
ministry  in  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  in 
America. 

The  Career  and  Personal  Counseling  Service, 
located  in  Laurinburg  and  Charlotte,  N.C.,  offers  career  counseling 
from  a  Christian  perspective  to  adults,  college  and  high  school  stu- 
dents. Ms.  Setzer  directs  the  Charlotte  office. 

H.  Davis  YeueU,  former  executive  of  the  Synod  of  the  Virginias,  will 
be  "honorably  retired"  effective  Jun  30.  YeueU,  who  most  recently 
served  as  interim  general  presbyter  of  John  Calvin  Presbs^tery  in 
Missouri,  was  executive  for  the  Synod  of  the  Virginias  from  1976  to 
1988.  He  also  served  as  interim  executive  for  the  Synod  of  the 
Northeast.  In  addition  to  being  an  ordained  minister,  he  has  served  as 
an  editor  for  John  Knox  Press  and  Harper  &  Row,  was  an  assistant 
professor  at  Stillman  College,  and  served  on  the  GA's  Board  of 
Christian  Education .  He  holds  a  doctorate  from  McCormick  Seminary 
and  a  master's  degree  from  Union  Theological  Seminary. 

National  Capital  Presbytery  General  Presbyter  Teri  Thomas  was 
married  over  the  Memorial  Day  weekend  to  John  R.  (Jack)  Wineman, 
executive  in  Winnebago  Presbytery  (Wisconsin).  He  will  be  leaving 
that  position  this  summer  and  moving  to  the  District  of  Columbia. 


Sue  Setzer 


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Westminster-Canterbury 


Great  location 
❖  Wonderful  people  ❖  Terrific  services 
...and  Grandkids! 

Nestled  on  113-wooded  acres  in  Virginia's  historic  Northern 
Neck,  we  offer  security  and  peace  of  mind  in  a  community 
filled  with  active,  independent  residents.  With  our  services 
and  amenities,  there's  plenty  of  time  and  opportunity  for  visits 
from  family  and  friends. 
—All  of  this  and  the  advantage 
of  Total  LifeCare,  as  well. 

Why  not  call  and  make  a  date 
for  dinner  and  a  visit? 

We'd  love  to  have  our  family 
meet  your  family. 


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...adding  life  to  your  years!  f^at 

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Council  approves  addition  of  5  new  members, 
including  reps  for  men,  women  and  youth 


RICHMOND  —  As  recommended 
by  a  majority  report  to  the  209th 
Synod  Assembly,  three  synod- 
wide  organizations  have  been 
given  voice  and  vote  on  the  Synod 
Council. 

The  action  came  during  the 
council's  May  17-18  meeting  here, 
which  also  saw  two  other  new 
council  seats  created  —  one  for 
the  outgoing  synod  moderator  and 
one  for  the  chair  of  a  new  Mission 
Experience  Committee. 

The  action  to  give  the  three 
organizations  council  representa- 
tion was  recommended  last  Octo- 
ber by  a  standing  committee  of 
the  209th  Synod  Assembly,  which 
was  shortened  by  a  walkout  of 
African  American  commissioners. 
Because  there  was  also  a  minor- 
ity report,  the  council  in  Novem- 
ber referred  the  standing 
committee's  recommendation  to 
the  Planning  and  Evaluation 
Committee  for  review.  Planning 
and  Review  concurred  with  the 
majority  report's  recommendation 
for  representation. 

Synod  Executive  Carroll 
Jenkins  said  the  three  organiza- 
tions were  unique  because  they 
were  "inclusive"  across  the  synod 
and  did  not  involve  "narrowly 
defined  communities." 

If  the  210  Synod  Assembly  ap- 
proves the  council's  actions,  the 
council's  membership  will  in- 
crease from  22  to  27  members. 

Committee  created 

The  success  of  the  mission  ex- 
perience program  instigated  by 
Moderator  Betty  McGinnis  led  the 
council  to  approve  a  recommen- 
dation to  add  a  sixth  mission  area 
to  sjTiod  structure  —  Mission  Ex- 
perience. 

To  be  budgeted  only  for  three 
committee  meetings  per  year,  the 
committee's  purpose  will  be  to 
continue  the  program  which  seeks 
to  involve  church  members  in  the 
synod  in  local,  regional,  national 
and  international  mission  expe- 
riences. It  will  have  15  members 
maximum  —  one  from  each  of  the 
13  presbyteries  and  three  at  large 
—  and  will  be  formed  through  the 
same  nomination  and  represen- 
tation processes  used  to  create 
other  synod  mission  program  com- 
mittees. 

The  five  other  mission  areas 
are  Campus  Ministries,  Evange- 
lism, Justice/Mercy,  Partnership 
Ministries  and  Racial  Ethnic  Min- 
istries. 

Funding  agreement 

The  council  approved  the  Pro- 
tocol of  Agreement  produced  by  a 
March  22-23  consultation  with 
representatives  from  10  of  the  13 
presbyteries.  The  agreement  en- 
dorses the  concept  of  "revenue 
neutral  transfer"  of  mission  funds 
whereby  the  presbyteries  will  di- 
rectly fund  institutions  and  agen- 
cies instead  of  the  funds  going 
through  the  synod. 

While  a  formula  has  been  pro- 
posed demonstrating  how  this  can 
take  place  without  a  decrease  in 
funding  for  the  institutions  and 
agencies,  the  presbyteries  have 
not  been  unanimous  in  their  ap- 
proval of  the  revenue  neutral  con- 
cept. The  result  may  be  a  mixture 
of  funding —  some  direct  and  some 
via  synod. 

In  a  related  matter,  the  coun- 
cil appointed  three  of  its  mem- 
bers —  June  Bucy,  Karl  Green 
and  Sue  Fricks  —  to  a  special 
committee  which  will  work  with 
institutions  and  agencies  to  shape 
covenants  that  will  relate  them 
with  the  presbyteries  and  synod. 

The  council  lifted  out  part  of 
one  section  of  the  protocol  con- 
cerning sjmod  staffing  and  re- 


ferred it  to  the  synod's  Personnel 
Committee.  The  synod  is  about  to 
advertise  for  a  program  associate 
for  campus  ministries  and  part- 
nership ministries.  The  protocol 
asked  that  only  interim  staffing 
be  considered  for  campus  minis- 
tries through  1997. 

Jenkins  said  that  retired  Gen- 
eral Assembly  staff  member 
Mildred  Brown  will  serve  as  the 
interim  consultant  with  the  Ra- 
cial Ethnic,  Evangelism  and  Jus- 
tice/Mercy mission  committees 
which  will  meet  together  June  7- 
8  in  Richmond.  Another  interim 
consultant  is  close  to  being  named 
for  the  Partnership  Ministries  and 
Campus  Ministries  committees. 

The  synod  will  begin  advertis- 
ing for  the  two  program  associ- 
ates for  these  mission  areas  with 
the  intent  of  hiring  them  this  year. 

Audit  for  '95  accepted 

The  1995  audit  by  Rowles  and 
Co.  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  was  re- 
viewed and  accepted.  It  states  that 
the  sjTiod's  fmancial  statements 
are  in  compliance  with  established 
accounting  procedures. 

The  council  also  approved  re- 
vised governance  ($872,188)  and 
mission  program  ($1,468,183) 
budgets  for  1997,  and  revised 
planning  budgets  for  1998. 

Comptroller  Jack  Wheeler  re- 
ported that  finances  for  the  first 
quarter  of  1996  were  typical  as 
income  from  the  presbyteries  usu- 
ally lags  until  later  in  the  year. 

Chesapeake  update 

Patricia  Aaserude,  chair  of 
Chesapeake  Center  Committee, 
and  the  the  facility's  executive 
director.  Bill  Deutsch,  reported 
on  the  camping  facility  at  Port 
Deposit,  Md. 

Registrations  for  the  1996 
camping  season  have  increased 
over  last  year  and  there  is  defi- 
nite potential  for  new  income  dur- 
ing mid-week  periods  when  the 
facility  is  not  used  by  church 
groups,  according  to  Deutsch. 

Three  new  members  -  Winfred 
Massey,  Steve  Hundley  and  Ed 
Kreiner  -  were  elected  to  the 
Chesapeake  Center  Committee. 

Nominating  problems 

Nominating  Committee  Chair 
Atlanta  Brown  of  Wilmington, 
Del.,  told  the  council  about  prob- 


lems getting  the  presbyteries  to 
make  nominations  for  synod  com- 
mittees. 

For  example,  the  synod  has 
not  been  able  to  complete  the 
search  committees  for  the  two 
program  associate  positions  cre- 
ated in  January  1995.  There  have 
even  been  problems  getting  pres- 
byteries' representatives  to  the 
synod's  Nominating  Committee 
to  attend  meetings,  she  said,  but 
that  situation  appears  to  be  im- 
proving. 

In  other  business,  the  council: 

•  approved  revised  position 
descriptions  for  executive/stated 
clerk  and  treasurer.  The  other 
revised  synod  staff  position  de- 
scriptions were  approved  during 
the  council's  March  meeting. 

•  approved  new  role  descrip- 
tions for  moderator,  vice  modera- 
tor, council  chair,  council  vice 
chair,  council  presbytery  repre- 
sentative, committee  chair  and 
committee  member  were  ap- 
proved. These  will  be  used  as  a 
part  of  an  orientation  for  commit- 
tee members  and  council  repre- 
sentatives to  be  held  Oct.  18-19. 

•  at"  the  recommendation  of 
the  synod's  Board  of  Trustees,  the 
council  approved  up  to  $25,000 
for  the  purchase  of  a  1996  model 
van  to  replace  the  1989  Dodge 
Caravan  driven  by  the  synod  ex- 
ecutive. The  old  van  will  be  given 
to  Chesapeake  Center. 

•  approved  making  the  presi- 
dent of  the  synod's  trustees  a  vot- 
ing member  of  the  Finance  Com- 
mittee and  moving  the  synod's  vice 
moderator  to  membership  on  the 
Finance  Committee  instead  of  the 
Administration  Committee. 

•  co-opted  five  persons  for 
membership  on  the  Communica- 
tions Committee:  Ron  Simpson, 
Tom  Harrell,  Lloyd  Remington, 
James  (Carrot)  Williams,  John 
Mayes  and  Eunice  Kang. 

•  approved  $15,000  for  three 
summer  interns  placed  through 
the  synod's  Racial  Ethnic  Student 
Ministry  Partnership. 

•  approved  the  disbursal  of 
$2,000  in  interest  income  from 
the  McKay  Fund  to  Johnson  C. 
Smith  Theological  Seminary  "if 
the  way  be  clear,"  for  grants  to 
students  in  need  of  financial  aid. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  Synod 
Council  is  scheduled  for  July  24 
in  Raleigh,  N.C.,  prior  to  the  2 10th 
Synod  Assembly. 


YTERIAN 


One  Mission... 
Three  Great 
Retirement  Communities 


The  Presbyterian  Home 

Glenaire  of  High  Point  Scotia  Village 

200  West  Cornwall  Rd.      Box  500,  201  Greensboro  Rd.  2200  Elm  Avenue 

Gary,  NC  2751 1            Hi^h  Point,  NC  27260  Laimnburu,  NC  28352 

m-m-m)5             vum.i-'Jiii  o  10-277-2000 


Call  Today  For  A  Free  Brochu 


,  til 


'-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  June  1996 


Union  Theological 


Caravan  Visits  Eastern  Virginia  Presbytery 


Union  Seminary  's  spring  Caravan  traveled  in  mid-April 
to  40  churches  in  Eastern  Virginia  Presbytery.  Twenty-six 
students  and  1 4  members  of  the  faculty  and  administration 
made  the  trip  for  two  days  of  preaching,  teaching,  and  fel- 
lowship with  church  members  and  their  pastors,  many  of 
whom  are  Union  graduates.  Hosting  a  dinner  for  the  cara- 
van participants  was  the  congregation  of  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  Norfolk.  The  ReverendJ.  Shepherd  Russell,  a 
Union  alumnus,  is  pastor.  Participating  churches,  their  pas- 
tors, and  others  who  helped  organize  the  caravan  are 
listed  below.  Names  of  Union  graduates  are  highlighted. 

First,  Gloucester:  David  Q.  Garrison  andjaci  Cocks 
(chairman,  worship  committee);  First,  South  Norfolk:  Jan 
Scully;  Franklin,  Jim  Lambeth;  Grace  Covenant  of  Prin- 


cess Anne,  Edward  L.  Moore;  Greenbriar,  Chesapeake: 
Davis  L.  Main;  Groves  Memorial,  Hayes:  Fred  Reed; 
Holmes,  Cheriton:  AndionyDick;  Kirkwood,  Yorktown: 
Michael  Condrey;  Williamsburg:  Domi  K.  Langfitt. 

In  Hampton:  Community,  Ronald  T.  Blade;  First, 
George  E.  Oehler;  Lacrosse  Memorial,  J.  Barry  Shatzer; 
Wythe,  Mark  Stanley. 

In  Newport  News:  Denbigh,  Leigh  B.  Bunch  (associ- 
ate); First,  Gene  Soud;  Hilton,  Barbara  Bayley  (associate); 
Second,  T.  Donnell  Warters. 

In  Norfolk:  Calvin,  Bob  DeWitt  and  Elias  Etheridge 
(elder);  Covenant,  Octavius  Gaba;  First,  J.  Shepherd 
Russell;  First  United,  Ditawa  Nianda;  Norview,  Vernon 


Murray;  Oakdale,  Kenneth  R.  King;  Ocean  View,  James 
E.  Carriker;  Second,  Steven  E.  Frazier;  Squires  Memorial, 
Susan  H.  Cothran;  Third,  Steven  Cronn;  Willowwood, 
Frank  E.Drake. 

In  Portsmouth:  Community,  Wilbur  Douglass  III; 
Green  Acres,  Walter  C.  Hunting;  Simonsdale,  William  P. 
Matthews. 

In  Suffolk:  St.  Andrew,  Roger  Jackie;  Suffolk,  Don 
Hammond. 

In  Virginia  Beach:  Bayside,  Richard  J.  Keever;  Bow 
Creek,  Clement  A.  Sydnor  III;  Christ,  Clyde  H.  Johnson; 
First,  J.  Scottie  Griffin;  Lynnhaven,  S.  David  Carriker;  Provi- 
dence, Kenneth  Hicks;  Thalia  Trinity,  James  R.  M.  Young. 


il.  Ill  l\i,\  iii  Wainwright  (second  from  right)  preached  at  Grcenb 

riar  Prest 

Church,  ( 

hesaiKakc,  Virginia.  With  Kevin  and  his  wife,  Heather,  are  (from 

left)  Pe 

gy  Main, 

the  Rever 

nd  Davis  Main,  the  church's  pastor  and  a  Union  alumnus,  and 

church  n 

nembers 

Jill  Wrigh 

and  Becky  Mantz. 

)f  Pastoral  Counseling 


Continuing  Studies  &  Lay  Education 


Fall  1996 

September  23  or  24,  1996  (exact  date  TBA) 

Crisis  in  Character  (Presbytery  of  the  Peaks  Event) 

William  P.  Brown,  Associate  Professor  of  Old  Testament 

September  25-October  1, 1996 

NationalTrainingCenterforResource  Center  Directors 

October  7-10. 1996 

Managing  Church  Conflia 

Edward  A.  White,  Consultant,  the  Alban  Institute 
October  11-12, 1996 

Conference  of  the  Carl  Howie  Center  for  Art,  Science,  and  Theology 
Public  lecture:  Wade  Clark  Roof,  Professor  of  Sociology  of  Religion, 

University  of  California  at  Santa  Barbara 

(other  lecturers  TBA) 

October  13-15, 1996 

New  Hope  Presbytery  Event 
William  V.  Arnold,  Professor 

October  15  and  November  12, 1996 

Officer  Training  Teleconference,  Eastern  Virginia  Presbytery 
Louis  B.  Weeks,  President,  Union  Theological  Seminary 

October  23-29, 1996 

NationalTrainingCenterforResourceCenterDirectors 
November  9, 1996 

Presbyterians  in  Appalachia:  History,  Songs,  andStories 
Royal  Oak  Presbyterian  Church 
Marion,  Virginia 

November  11-13, 1996 

How  Mainline  Churches  Can  Grow  in  Quantity  and  Quality 

Edward  A.  White,  ,  Consultant,  the  Alban  Institute 

November  16, 1996 

Holocaust  Memorial  Museum,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Donald  Dawe,  Emeritus  Professor  of  Systematic  Theology 

For  more  information  on  these  programs  and  on  those  scheduled  after  November  1996: 
Office  of  Professional  Development  &  Doctor  of  Ministry  Studies 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia 
3401  BrookRoad,  Richmond,  Virginia  23227 
800.229.2990,  extension301(toUfree);804.278.430iaocal) 

ITF  Conference  Faculty  Includes  Trustees 

Two  members  of  Union  Seminary's  Board  of  Trustees  are  among  a  distinguished  faculty  of  bib- 
lical scholars,  theologians,  and  preachers  leading  the  conference  "Interpreting  the  Faith,  "June  24  - 
July  5 , 1 996.  The  trustees  are  Frances  Taylor  Gench,  associate  professor  of  bibUcal  studies  at 
Gettsyburg  Lutheran  Seminary,  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Reverend  Edward  Newberry,  pas- 
tor of  Memorial  Presbyterian  Church,  Charlotte,  North  Carolina.  Dr.  Gench,  a  Union  graduate,  will 
lectureon  "Women  in  the  New  Testament:  Selected  Portraits."  Mr.  Newberry  willpreachduringthe 
conference. 


CORRECTION 


In  the  seminary's  page  in  the  last  issue  of  the  synod  paper, 
names  in  a  photo  caption  were  incorrect  In  the  photograph 
were  George  and  Maxine  Fisher;  Maureen,  Emily,  and  Todd 
Wright;  andjoniand  Bob  Wright,  Todd'sparents.  Todd  Wriglit 
is  associate  pastorof  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Kinston,  NC, 
where  the  Fishers  are  members.  The  elder  Wrights,  of  Fairfax, 
VA,  and  the  Fishers  are  Key  Friends  of  the  seminary. 


J^I»lJ»1:l:VJd=^HLM»kl.^M>IHIi:J:;th^H;l>^»1JIIJIMJfcj5IJ«ll»Idt»^^ 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 


Seminary  in  Vilginia 


Campus  Forums  Spark  Lively, 
Constructive  Discussion 


Professors  Publish 
Books  on  Biblical 
Studies  and  Church 
History 

Old  Testament  wisdom  literature ,  a  controversy  in  the 
fifth-century  church,  and  John  Calvin  are  the  topics  of  new 
books  by  members  of  Union  Seminary' s  faculty. 

Associate  Professor  William  P.  Brown's  Character  in 
Crisis:  A  Fresh  Approach  to  the  Wisdom  Literature  in  the 
Old  Testament  (Eerdmans)  brings  the  insights  of  the  Old 
Testament  into  a  contemporary  Christian  context.  Dr. 
Brown  traces  the  theme  of  moral  identity  and  conduct  in 
the  wisdom  literature  of  the  Old  Testament— Job,  Prov- 
erbs, and  Ecclesiastes-concluding  with  a  reflection  on  the 
Epistle  of  James  in  the  New  Testament. 

Rebecca  HardenWeaver,professorof  church  history, 
is  the  author  of  a  book  on  the  Semi-Pelagian  Controversy. 
In  Divine  Grace  and  Human  Agency  (Mercer),  Dr.  Weaver 
explores  the  competing  arguments  of  Augustine,  his  sup>- 
porters,  and  critics.  She  also  examines  the  related  clashes 
between  congregations  made  up  of  ordinary  Christians 
and  monasteries  filled  with  a  spiritual  elite ,  and  between 
the  Eastern,  ascetic  theological  tradition  of  the  desert  fa- 
thers and  a  newly  emerging  Western  tradition.  By  the  time 
of  the  official  resolution  of  the  century-long  controversy  at 
the  Council  of  Orange  in  529,  a  distinctly  Western  theo- 
logical tradition  dominated  by  Augustinianism  had 
emerged.  Yet  it  was  an  Augustinian  view  of  grace  subtly 
modified  by  the  monastic  emphasis  on  human  agency  and 
accommodated  to  the  pastoral  realities  of  congregational 
life. 

Robert  Benedetto ,  associate  librarian  and  associate 
professor  of  bibliography,  is  editor  of  Interpreting  John 
Calvin  (Baker).  The  book  is  a  collection  of  essays,  some 
previously  unpublished ,  by  church  historian  Ford  Lewis 
Battles  ( 1 9 1 5- 1 979) .  Studies  include  Battle '  s  research  on 
Calvin's  humanist  roots,  exegesis  of  Scripture  and  the  Fa- 
thers, apologetic  method,  and  theological  themes. 

All  three  books  are  available  through  the  Campus 
Bookstore .  For  information  about  purchasing  by  mail,  caU 
Robin  Smith  or  Annette  Sparksat  804.353.681 5. 


by  Genie  Addleton 

A  series  of  weekly  campus  meetings  initiated  by  the 
faculty,  and  organized  with  the  help  of  students  by  the 
Campus  Life  and  Action  Committee  (CLAC),  has  brought 
the  seminary  community  together  to  talk  about  hot  topics. 
The  meetings  have  sparked  lively,  informal  discussion,  and 
people  say  they  are  fmding  new  reasons  and  ways  to  ap- 
preciate diversity  of  opinion,  and  each  other. 

Unilateral  agreement  on  issues  and  support  of  spe- 
cific, individual  positions  was  not  the  faculty  's  goal  in  initi- 
ating the  forums,  according  to  Professor  William  V.  Arnold, 
a  former  dean  of  the  faculty,  and  chair  of  CLAC.  "What  we 
hoped  for,  and  I  believe  what  we  accomplished,  was  an 
opening  of  discussion,  getting  questions  and  issues  out  in 
the  open,  encouraging  people  to  talk  with  each  other. " 

The  series  began  in  November  with  a  standing-room- 
only  crowdfdling  the  seminary'snew  "fellowship  hall "  in 
the  Belk  Center.  Members  of  the  faculty  and  administration 
presented  a  chronology  and  some  explanation  of  the  theo- 
logical debate  among  faculty  and  students,  which  had 
been  extended  beyond  the  seminary  campus  through  un- 
official communications. 

After  structured  presentations,  the  crowd  broke  into 
small  groups  to  identify  issues  and  concerns  they  wanted 
"aired"  publicly.  Since  the  first  gathering,  the  meetings 
have  become  forums  to  discuss— and  to  stimulate  further 
discussion  of— issues  identified  in  the  first  meeting.  "What 
people  said  they  want  to  talk  about  ranges  from  the  how 
and  why  of  certain  policies  and  procedures  of  the  semi- 
nary, todeeper  biblical  and  theological  issues,"  said  Dr. 
Arnold. 

Among  several  topics  addressed  early  on  were  the 
faculty  search  and  selection  process  and  the  selection  of 
Sprunt  lecturers.  Questions  about  the  rights  and  responsi- 
bilities of  elected  student  government  leaders  and  the 
democratic  representation  of  the  entire  student  body  were 
raised  in  a  special  meeting  of  the  Student  Government  As- 
sociation. 

Discussion  of  faculty  searches  revealed  a  process  that 
undergoes  continuous  review  and  improvement  from  the 
point  of  deciding  which  positions  need  to  be  filled, 
through  the  appointment  of  search  committees,  all  the  way 
to  actual  selection.  Internal  and  external  constituents,  in- 
cluding graduates  and  trustees,  serve  on  search  commit- 
tees. The  policy  also  allows  broad  access  to  candidates  for 
positions.  "There  are  various  opportunities  for  everyone  to 
have  at  least  some  familiarity  with  people  who  have  been 
nominated  or  have  applied  for  a  faculty  position, "  Dr. 
Arnold  explained. 

The  selection  of  speakers  for  the  seminary's  distin- 
guished Sprunt  lecture  series  came  into  question,  no 
.  doubt,  because  Rosemary  Radford  Ruether,  a  prominent 
and  controversial  feminist  theologian ,  had  been  invited  in 
1 994  to  deliver  the  lectures  in  1 998.  The  faculty's  Graduate 
Studies  Committee  receives  nominations  for  lecturers  from 
individual  members  of  the  faculty  and  from  students.  The 
nominees  are  presented  to  the  entire  faculty  who  select 
the  lecturers  by  democratic  process.  As  Director  of  Gradu- 
ate Studies,  Professor  H.  McKennie  Goodpasture  moder- 


ated the  forum  on  this  issue.  "I  think  we  left  the  meeting 
with  a  better  understanding  of  the  process  for  selecting 
lecturers.  We  could  also  sec  that  over  the  years  lecturers 
have  presented  opinions  and  points  of  view  not  embraced 
by  every  individual  or  group  of  our  seminary  constituents, " 
Dr.  Goodpasture  said.  "William Jennings  Bryan,  Robert  E. 
Speer,  Paul  Tillich ,  and  Stanley  Hauerwas  certainly  had 
some  controversy  about  them ,  "  he  added. 

An  overriding  question  during  the  first  campus-wide 
meeting  had  been  "What  do  we  really  mean  when  we  use 
the  terms . . .  Reformed,  confessional,'?"  And  so,  by  early 
spring,  the  talk  in  forums,  led  by  members  of  the  faculty, 
had  turned  theological— to  biblical  authority,  experience 
and  theology,  and  confessions  and  creeds.  It  seemed  to  be 
what  a  number  of  people  had  been  waiting  for.  After  the 
forum  led  by  Professor  Dean  McBride  on  the  topic  of  bib- 
lical authority,  a  student  reported  to  her  on-campus  job  ex- 
claiming, "It  was  great!  Just  the  kind  of  thing  you  hope  for 
in  seminary. "  She  held  up  a  diagram  Dr.  McBride  had  used 
to  explain  the  relationship  between  Scripture,  reason,  ex- 
perience ,  and  tradition ,  and  drew  staff  members  into  an 
animated  discussion. 

Another  forum  was  dedicated  to  discussion  of  confes- 
sions and  creeds  which  Dr.  Elizabeth  Achtemeier  ex- 
plained as  "expressions  of  unity,  and  of  the  faith  we  hold 
in  common,"  andas  "guides  forthe  interpretation  of  Scrip- 
ture."  Noting  revisions  to  the  WestminsterConfession,  she 
said,  "Confessions  are  always  subservient  to  Scripture . . . 
Parts  can  be  rejected  on  the  basis  of  Scripture . . .  Remem- 
ber, it  is  the  church  Reformed,  always  being  reformed. ' " 

As  discussion  continued,  students  began  talking  about 
ways  confessions  and  creeds  could  be  used  in  worship: 
"We  could  use  the  catechism  as  calls  to  worship;  the  con- 
fessions and  creeds  in  liturgy, "  one  said.  Throughout  the 
discussion  students  mentioned  ways  the  confessions  and 
creeds  had  been  taught  and  discussed  in  their  seminary 
course  worik. 

As  one  student  pointed  out,  there  is  tension  in  the 
church  and  individual  congregations  about  the  confes- 
sions. Dr.  Arnold,  who  was  among  the  participants  that 
day  said,  "It  's  important  for  us  to  continue  to  make  confes- 
sions even  as  we  struggle  with  the  tensions  we  feel, "  to 
which  Dr.  Achtemeier  replied,  "People  who  are  truly  dedi- 
cated Christians  can  do  this  sort  of  thing . . .  wrestle  with 
the  Word  of  God— together. " 

Dr.  Arnold  said  he  hopes  a  new  series  of  forums  will 
begin  in  the  fall .  "Good  theological  education  requires  the 
kind  of  discussions  we're  having  now . . .  The  wonderful 
thing  that's  coming  out  of  this  is  a  group  of  people  who 
are  learning  to  speak  and  listen  better  with  each  other. " 

Noting thatfaculty  publications,  the  confessions,  and 
Scripture  seem  to  be  increasingly  the  focus  of  informal 
campus  conversations,  he  said, "  I  think  talking  about  the 
issues  has  encouraged  all  of  us  to  read  more  carefully  and 
explore  our  convictions  more  fully.  We '  re  motivated  to 
look  critically  at  ourselves  and  others,  and  the  ways  we 
live  and  work  together.  I  see  all  of  this  as  a  hopeful  sign 
for  the  climate  at  Union  Seminary. " 


Union  to  Offer  Dual  Degree  in  Divinity, 
Criminal  Justice 


Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  (UTS)  and  the 
School  of  Theology  ofVirginia  Union  University  (STVU) 
wiU  offer  a  dual  degree  program  with  Virginia  Common- 
wealth University  (VCU)  beginning  next  fall .  Students  who 
complete  the  four-year  program  will  earn  a  Master  of  Di- 
vinity degree  from  one  of  the  seminaries  and  a  Master  of 
Science  in  criminal  justice  from  VCU .  Students  must  be  ac- 
cepted for  admission  by  one  of  the  theological  schools  and 
byVCU. 

The  program,  initiated  by  UTS  president  Louis  B. 
Weeks,  has  been  designed  by  faculty  members  and  admin- 
istrators from  all  three  institutions  in  response  to  a  rapidly 


growing  prison  population.  An  introductory'  brochure  pre- 
paredfor  the  program  says,  "The  psychological,  spiritual, 
and  emotional  needs  of  people  in  the  criminal  justice  sys- 
tem will  be  met  increasingly  by  churches  and  other  private 
and  public  community  organizations  and  agencies . . .  The 
Master  of  Divinity  and  Master  of  Science  in  Criminal  Justice 
offers  academic  and  praaical  training  to  equip  profession- 
als for  a  highly  specialized,  demanding  ministry ..." 

In  addition  to  courses  offered  at  their  own  institutions, 
Master  of  Divinity  students  at  the  two  institutions  will  take 
criminal  justice  courses  at  VCU. 


■i,riii,ia>];i:vja»Pk^itKyiiL-<iiKiij:ja«];iiq;K'ttjJIJJIMJtd5IJ^^ 


?9ge  (\  Mui-'U'entic  Presbj^erian,  June  1996 

'Horizons' 
Bible  study 
released 

Bender  to  write  study 
helps  for  Mid- Atlantic 

The  1996-97  Horizons  magazine 
Bible  study,  "Encounters  with 
Jesus:  The  Gospel  According  to 
Matthew,"  has  been  released.  The 
book  has  been  mailed  to  the 
magazine's  subscribers  and  is 
available  for  purchase  at  $3  per 
copy. 

According  to  an  announcement 
issued  hy  Horizons,  the  magazine 
of  Presbj^erian  Women,  the  new 
study  "features  nine  transform- 
ing encounters  with  Jesus  during 
his  earthly  ministry,  as  told  by 
Matthew." 

The  author  is  the  Rev.  Sara 
Covington  Juengst,  who  has 
served  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A. )  as  a  writer,  retreat  leader, 
Christian  educator,  missionary  to 
Zaire,  campus  minister.  General 
Assembly  staff  person  and  direc- 
tor of  continuing  education  at  Co- 
lumbia Theological  Seminary  in 
Decatur,  Ga. 

Also  available  is  "Women  Who 
Encounter  Jesus,"  a  set  of  six  post- 
ers designed  like  stained-glass 
windows  and  portraying  Jesus 
with  women  in  Matthew's  gospel. 

Worship  bulletins  highlighting 
the  Bible  study  and  audiocas- 
settes  will  be  available  in  mid- 


Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender 

May.  Later  this  summer,  the  Bible 
study  will  be  published  in  Span- 
ish and  Korean  ($2  per  copy)  as 
well  as  a  Braille  version  that  will 
be  free  of  charge. 

More  information  is  available 
by  calling  (800)  487-4875. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Carol  T.  "Pinky" 
Bender  will  contnue  writing  the 
Bible  study  helps  for  the  synod's 
Presbyterian  Women. 

The  first  set  of  helps  —  for  use 
in  September  —  will  appear  in 
the  July/August  issue  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  Presbyterian. 

Bender,  pastor  of  McQuay  Me- 
morial Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C., 
also  wrote  the  study  helps  for  the 
1995-96  Horizons  Bible  study.  She 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Synod  Coun- 
cil and  chairs  the  Partnership  Min- 
istries Committee. 


Church  leaders  encouraged 
by  renewed  emphasis  on  men 


By  JULIAN  SHIPP 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

Fresh  from  the  National  Council 
Meeting  of  Presbyterian  Men 
April  19-21  in  Pittsburgh,  Dr. 
Youngil  Cho,  national  president 
of  Presbyterian  Men,  says  he  be- 
lieves the  denomination  is  "stand- 
ing on  the  threshold  of  a  new  day 
for  men"  in  the  denomination. 

Cho,  of  Raleigh,  N.C.,  who  is 
also  the  1996-97  General  Assem- 
bly Council  chair,  has  served  as 
president  of  Presbyterian  Men 
since  1993.  During  the  meeting, 
he  presented  a  brief  update  on 
activities  for  men  that  are  occur- 
ring throughout  and  outside  of 
the  denomination. 

In  January  of  1995,  Cho  said 
he  asked  leaders  in  the  Christian 
Education  Program  Area  of  the 
Congregational  Ministries  Divi- 
sion (CMD)  to  consider  develop- 
ing a  new  Bible  study  program  for 
men.  After  many  conversations 
and  much  planning,  the  project 
was  approved.  The  Rev.  Curtis  A. 
Miller,  the  CMD's  associate  for 
men's  ministries,  accepted  the 
challenges  of  the  new  project  and 
began  work  on  the  Bible  study 
project  March  1,  1995. 

"For  us  this  is  a  very  exciting 
time  in  men's  ministries,"  Miller 
told  the  Presb3^erian  News  Ser- 
vice. "In  the  past  we've  heard  bad 
news  about  men  not  being  in  the 


church,  but  we're  looking  at  a  time 
when  men  are  looking  to  the 
church  for  answers  to  questions 
about  their  personhood,  their  fu- 
ture and  their  sense  of  purpose 
and  being.  And  these  are  ques- 
tions they've  not  asked  the  church 
in  a  long  time." 

To  date,  six  of  the  seven  stud- 
ies in  the  Bible  Study  for  Men 
series  have  been  produced.  Writ- 
ten by  John  C .  Purdy  and  William 
Ramsay,  the  resources  have  been 
warmly  received,  according  to  Cho 
and  Miller.  For  example,  Cho  said, 
as  part  of  the  development  of  the 
series,  the  1995  meeting  of  the 
National  Board  of  Presbyterian 
Men  in  Belleville,  111.,  was  de- 
voted to  studying  the  book  of  Job. 
Each  board  member  was  asked  to 
bring  two  other  men  —  one  under 
40  and  one  over  40. 

"Seventy-nine  men  gathered  for 
this  experience  and  words  cannot 
describe  the  excitement,  the  bond- 
ing, the  spiritual  encoimters,  and 
the  new  sense  of  purpose  that  took 
shape  during  those  seven  hours  of 
Bible  study,"  Cho  said.  "Usually 
such  an  experience  would  have  left 
the  men  weary,  but  they  walked 
away  excited  about  what  had  hap- 
pened and  excited  about  being  men 
together  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)." 

Cho  said  a  Coordinating  Com- 
mittee for  Men's  Ministries  has 
also  been  formed  with  four  mem- 


bers of  the  committee  from  Pres- 
byterian Men  (including  the  ex- 
officio  executive  secretary);  four 
involved  in  congregational  minis- 
tries with  men  (not  affiliated  with 
Presbyterian  Men);  and  Curtis, 
who  is  the  committee  chair.  The 
committee's  purpose  is  to  envi- 
sion future  ministries  for  men 
throughout  the  denomination  and 
develop  possible  strategies  for 
their  implementation. 

Cho  said  the  Association  for 
Men's  Ministries  continues  to  hold 
workshops  and  seminars  with 
presbjrteries,  individual  congre- 
gations and  national  gatherings 
focusing  on  men's  ministry.  Next 
year,  Cho  said,  the  association 
hopes  to  have  three  model  pro- 
grams in  place  as  examples  of 
how  presbyteries  can  be  struc- 
tured to  support  men's  ministries 
through  Presbyterian  Men,  the 
Bible  Study  for  Men  series  and 
through  congregational  minis- 
tries with  men. 

Cho  also  cited  the  first  "Men  of 
the  Church  Day,**  held  June  18, 
1995.  The  205th  General  Assem- 
bly voted  to  set  aside  the  third 
Sunday  in  June  (Father's  Day)  as 
a  time  for  emphasizing  the  contri- 
butions of  men  in  the  life  of  the 
family,  the  church  and  the  com- 
munity. 

"A  new  day  is  dawning  for 
men's  ministries  in  the  Presb5i;e- 
rian  Church  (U.S.A.),"  Cho  said. 


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To  receive  our  comprehensive 
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Founded  by  the  Piesbyteiy  of  Eastern  Virginia  and  the 
Episcopal  Diocese  of  Southern  yirginia,  serving  older 


Cannon  challenges  clergywomen  to  lead  church  out  of  doldrums 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

ATLANTA— The  Rev.  Katie  Can- 
non says  she's  never  seen  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  this  scared  be- 
fore. Not  in  her  46  years  of  being 
a  baptized  Presbyterian  can  she 
remember  the  denomination  so 
shaky  and  uncertain:  too  fearful 
of  diminishing  budgets  to  speak 
like  prophets,  too  willing  to  waste 
energy  in  factional  fighting  to  put 
it  into  ministries  that  liberate. 

"There  was  no  fear  in  my  expe- 
rience of  being  Presbyterian.  No 
doubt  about  [prophetic  work], 
about  where  you  were  called  to 
be.  We  stood  on  the  side  of  libera- 
tion —  that's  the  church  I  knew," 
she  told  the  Presbyterian  News 


Service,  remembering  white 
Northern  Presbyterians  who  came 
south  to  help  end  segregation. 

So  Cannon,  who  in  1974  was 
the  first  African-American  woman 
ordained  as  a  Presbyterian  min- 
ister, believes  that  now  is  the  time 
to  speak  up  and  remind  this 
church  not  to  become  "anemic  in 
your  justice  work"  just  because 
the  ground  is  shaking. 

Blacks  and  women,  she  says, 
have  been  living  on  shaky  ground 
for  a  long  time  —  and  they  have 
some  wisdom  about  how  to  sur- 
vive it.  And  she  told  the  National 
Association  of  Presbyterian 
Clergywomen  (NAPC),  which  met 
April  12-15  here  for  its  triennial 
conference  that  quietly  celebrated 
40  years  of  women's  ordination  in 


the  Presbyterian  Church,  not  to 
hesitate  to  be  prophets  and  min- 
isters to  a  church  that  needs  them 
badly. 

She's  not  the  only  one  who 
thinks  that  way.  Poet  Ann  Weems, 
another  NAPC  keynoter,  told 
clergywomen  it's  up  to  this 
denomination's  ministers  to  lead 
the  way  into  liberation  and  out  of 
fights  about  sex  and  money.  And 
Atlanta-based  preacher  Joanna 
Adams  urged  them  to  preach  so 
Presbyterians  feel  part  of  the 
gospel's  "fantastically  wonderful 
story." 

As  for  NAPC  itself,  scarcity 
and  uncertainty  have  been  part  of 
its  life  as  an  organization  for  the 
past  10  years:  Its  budget  is  built 
on  members'  $25  dues.  And  its 


Mail  To:  Stierry  OShell,  Admissions  Counselor 
Westminster-Canterbury 
3100  Shore  Drive 
Virginia  Beacti.VA  23451 


At  Westminster-Cianteibury  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  retirement 
means  opportunity!  There 
is  no  better  time  or  place  to 
make  the  most  of  life.  Our 
residents  do  all  the  things 
J  they've  always  done  or  always 
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and  go,  learn  and  explore, 
participate  and  enjoy  full, 
active  lifestyles  confident 
they  have  the  best  care  and 
services  available.  "With  so  much 
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(804)  980-9100 


membership  hasn't  climbed  much 
over  500,  despite  increasing  num- 
bers of  ordained  women. 

Members  at  this  meeting  voted 
to  commit  to  more  thorough  orga- 
nizing at  presbytery  and  synod 
levels  so  women  clergy  have  year- 
round  and  less  expensive  access 
to  skill-building,  professional  de- 
velopment and  the  natural  kinds 
of  networking  that  evolve  through 
relationship .  And  its  steering  com- 
mittee was  authorized  to  devise  a 
financial  strategy  to  support  more 
local  programming. 

"There's  a  myth  of  scarcity  [in 
the  church],  that  there  is  not 
enough,"  said  Tiare  Mathison- 
Bowie  of  Eugene,  Ore.,  NAPC's 
outgoing  moderator.  "But  look  at 
all  this  —  all  these  women  doing 
all  these  ministries  in  a  variety  of 
settings  and  placements.  They're 
in  churches  of  250  members  to  30 
members.  They're  hospital  chap- 
lains. The  diversity  is  just  phe- 
nomenal, and  for  me  that's  an 
image  of  plenty. 

"We  keep  making  a  way  ... 
making  a  way  out  of  no  way,"  she 
said,  noting  that  NAPC  keeps 
plugging  along  with  minimal  bud- 
get and  small  membership  — just 
like  many  of  its  members. 

FREK  ESTTMAT^^ 

7,    ■       A&H   ■  ■ 
>.m&  STAINED 

COMPANY,  ISC:. 


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Campus  Notes 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  J 


Potts  is  new  Barber-Scotia  president 

CONCORD,  N.C.  —  Dr.  Sammie  W.  Potts  has  been  appointed  the  14th 
president  of  the  129-year-old  Barber-Scotia  College,  effective  July  1. 
From  1979  to  1988,  Potts  served  Barber-Scotia  College  in  the  roles  of 
vice  president  for  student  affairs,  vice  president  for  development  and 
director  of  the  Institutional  Self-Study.  His  professional  career  also 
includes  administrative  experience  in  secondary  public  education. 
Potts,  a  native  of  the  Carolinas,  is  a  graduate  of  Benedict  College  and 
completed  graduate  degree  programs  (master's  and  doctorate)  at  the 
University  of  Massachusetts  in  Amherst. 

Rick  Hill  is  JMU  advisor  of  the  year 

HARRISONBURG,  Va.  —  Rick  Hill,  Presbyterian  Campus  Minister 
at  James  Madison  University,  was  recently  honored  by  the  James 
Madison  Leadership  Center  as  "Outstanding  Faculty/Staff  Advisor  of 
the  Year."  This  award  recognized  Hill's  work  with  the  JMU  chapter 
of  Habitat  for  Humanity.  The  chapter  was  begun  at  the  instigation  of 
Hill  and  several  students  as  an  interest  group  within  Presbyterian 
Campus  Ministry,  and  grew  to  the  point  of  becoming  an  independent 
student  organization  on  the  JMU  campus.  Hill  has  continued  to  serve 
as  faculty/staff  advisor  to  the  group. 

The  former  student  president  of  the  Habitat  chapter,  Lauren 
Cogswell,  was  also  honored  by  the  Leadership  Center.  She  was  chosen 
as  "Student  Leader  of  the  Year."  Lauren,  a  senior  from  Radford,  is  an 
active  member  of  Presbyterian  Campus  Ministry.  After  graduation 
she  is  going  to  work  for  the  Habitat  for  Humanity  organization  in 
Americus,  Ga.,  organizing  youth  and  campus  chapters  of  Habitat. 

Tthe  JMU  Habitat  chapter  has  been  chosen  as  the  college  chapter 
from  the  U.S.  to  travel  to  Zambia  this  summer  to  participate  in  a 
Habitat  International  project  there.  Sixteen  campus  chapters  were 
nominated  to  make  this  trip,  but  only  one  was  chosen.  — Bill  Painter, 
Shenandoah  Presbytery 

Latino  ministry  started  in  N.  Virginia 

ALEXANDRIA,  Va.  —  Luz  Carballo-Lugo,  an  ordained  ministry 
candidate  and  a  student  at  Wesley  Theological  Seminary  in  Washing- 
ton, D.C.,  has  been  named  chaplain  for  Latino  Ministries  by  the 
United  College  Ministries  in  Northern  Virginia.  A  native  of  Puerto 
Rico,  she  will  provide  ministry  with  the  Latino  communities  on  the 
campuses  of  Northern  Virginia  Community  College  and  George  Ma- 
son University.  She  will  also  develop  partnerships  between  Latino 
congregations  and  campus  organizations. 

The  new  ministry  initiative  is  funded  through  a  Bicentennial  Fimd 
greuit  from  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic.  "This  latest  extension  of  the 
outreach  of  United  College  Ministries  is  a  continuation  of  its  commitment 
to  provide  effective,  inclusive  ministry  with  the  multi-cultural  popula- 
tions of  Northern  Virginia,"  said  Minister  Director  Robert  T.  Thomason. 

Emmett  Cocke  awards  presented 

Tanya  Dallas,  a  senior  communications  student  at  George  Mason 
University,  received  the  third  annual  Emmett  Cocke  Scholarship 
Award  of  $500  during  a  service  of  worship  and  batiquet  May  5  at 
Fairlington  United  Methodist  Church  in  Alexandria,  Va.  The  scholar- 
ship award  is  provided  with  income  earned  by  the  Emmett  Cocke 
Memorial  Fund,  established  in  memory  of  Cocke,  campus  ministry 
leader  and  pastor.  United  Campus  Ministries  in  Northern  Virginia 
administers  the  fund  and  makes  the  award  annually. 

Dwala  Ferrell  and  Michael  Watts,  a  clergy  couple  in  Petersburg, 
Va.,  received  this  year's  Emmett  Cocke  Social  Justice  Award.  The 
plaque  also  honors  Cocke's  memory  and  seeks  to  further  his  life-long 
advocacy  for  social  justice  in  church  and  society. 

Spiritual  development  study  at  King 

BRISTOL,  Tenn.  —  Dr.  Karen  Gegner  Rohr,  associate  professor  of 
psychology  at  King  College,  has  received  a  $6,000  grant  for  a  project 
defining  the  Christian  dimensions  of  spiritual  development.  The 
grant  came  from  the  Appalachian  College  Association,  Inc.  Two 
students  will  work  with  Rohr  to  collect  responses  from  individuals  to 
queries  about  their  spiritual  life. 

Commencement  speakers 

Columbia  Theological  Seminary,  May  19  —  The  Rev.  Joseph  L. 
Roberts  Jr.,  pastor  of  Atlanta's  Ebenezer  Baptist  Church  since  1975 
Mary  Baldwin  College,  May  26  —  U.S.  Sen.  Kay  Bailey  Hutchison, 
first  woman  senator  from  Texas 

Montreat  College,  May  18  —  The  Rev.  Louis  H.  Evans  Jr.  and 
Colleen  Townsend  Evans  of  Menlo  Park,  Calif  He  is  former  pastor  of 
National  Church  in  Washington,  D  .C . ,  and  she  is  an  author  and  former 
board  member  of  Presbyterians  for  Renewal 

Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education,  June  2 — James  D. 
Brown,  executive  director  of  the  General  Assembly  Council,  PC(USA) 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia,  June  2  —  The  Rev. 
Dusty  Kenyon  Fiedler,  co-pastor  of  the  Clemmons  (N.C.)  Church  and 
a  1979  graduate  of  Union  Seminary 


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Davidson  to  strengthen  cliurcli  ties, 
making  covenants  with  presbyteries 


By  NELLE  CARTER  McCORKLE 
From  the  Presbyterian  Outlook 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.  —  Davidson 
Colleges  Board  of  Trustees  voted 
April  19  to  strengthen  ties  be- 
tween the  college  and  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.). 

Existing  requirements  that  all 
trustees  be  active  Christian 
church  members  and  that  the 
president  be  a  Presbyterian  will 
continue. 

The  board  also  voted  to  change 
the  college  by-laws  to  permit  non- 
Christians  to  teach  religion  at  the 
college.  Any  change  to  the  by- 
laws requires  a  two-thirds  vote  of 
those  present. 

Formerly  the  by-laws  stated 
that  religion  professors  "shall  be 
persons  who  in  addition  to  com- 
petence in  their  fields  give  evi- 
dence of  strong  Christian  convic- 
tions and  character."  Now,  the 
new  section  of  by-laws  reads,  "The 
Department  of  Religion  deals  with 


matters  which  are  particularly  im- 
portant to  the  life  of  the  church 
and  the  college.  Special  effort  shall 
be  made  to  secure  as  teachers 
who,  in  additions  to  competence 
in  their  fields,  demonstrate  vital 
Christian  faith  and  unusual 
teaching  gifts." 

Completion  of  at  least  one  reli- 
gion course  is  a  graduation  re- 
quirement at  Davdison. 

These  decisions  come  as  part 
of  a  careful  analysis  of  the  college 
relationship  to  the  church.  An 
trustee  ad  hoc  committee,  chaired 
by  alumnus  and  trustee  Ben 
Barker  of  Chapel  Hill,  N.C.  exam- 
ined four  areas  of  church/college 
ties: 

•  covenants  between  the  col- 
lege and  appropriate  governing 
bodies  of  the  church; 

•  the  religion  department's  hir- 
ing of  non-Christians; 

•  the  requirements  that  the 
college's  president  be  a  Christian 
affiliated  with  the  Presbyterian 


Church  (U.S.A.)  Who  participates 
in  Davidson  College  Presbyterian 
Church;  and 

•  the  rule  that  all  trustees  be 
active  members  of  a  Christian 
church. 

The  trustees  upheld  the  latter 
two  requirements.  The  college  has 
also  initiated  negotiations  for  cov- 
enants of  understanding  between 
Davidson  and  five  presbyterians 
of  the  PC(USA)  in  North  Caro- 
lina. 

"From  the  outset,  the  position 
of  the  board  was  not  only  to  pre- 
serve the  church  ties  but  to 
strengthen  them,"  said  Barker. 
"We  knew  the  secularization  of 
institutions  is  a  trend,  and  clearly, 
Davidson  does  not  want  to  be  a 
part  of  it.  At  the  same  time,  we  do 
want  to  be  an  open  campus." 

Davidson  College  was  founded 
by  members  of  Concord  Presby- 
tery in  1837.  It  is  one  of  11  Pres- 
byterian-related colleges  located 
within  the  synod. 


PSCE  trustees  call  for  renewed  vision 


RICHMOND,  Va.  —  At  its  May  7- 
9  meeting,  the  Presbyterian 
School  of  Christian  Education 
(PSCE)  Board  of  Trustees  adopted 
an  addendum  to  the  School's 
Stategic  Plan  that  calls  for: 

•  a  renewed  educational  vision 
that  includes  increased  training 
in  family  ministries,  especially 
with  children;  recreational  arts 
in  ministry;  and  the  use  of  elec- 
tronic media  in  teaching  educa- 
tors via  computer; 

•  a  major  renovation  of  Vir- 
ginia Hall,  turning  it  into  a  center 
of  state-of-the-art  technology  for 
teaching  and  the  arts; 

•  continued  consideration  of  a 
new  "federated"  partnership  with 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in 
Virginia  (UTS).  In  any  new  con- 
figuration, a  primary  concern  is 
to  perserve  the  uniqueness  and 
distinct  identity  of  PSCE;  and 

•  an  eventual  capital  campaign. 
"It  is  an  amazing,  exciting  time 

to  be  a  part  of  PSCE's  ministry  to 
the  wider  church,"  said  PSCE 
President  Wayne  Boulton.  "The 
year-long  Visioning  Process  has 
produced  a  sound,  relevant  aca- 
demic program,  thanks  to  the  in- 
tense effort  of  our  alumni/ae  and 
faculty.  Out  of  that  vision  came 
the  exciting  plans  to  renovate  Vir- 
ginia Hall. 

"Meanwhile  the  PSCE-UTS 
Joint  Committee  on  Partnership 
is  getting  a  strong  go-ahead  from 


alumni/ae  and  friends.  The  com- 
mittee plans  to  make  an  an- 
nouncement in  November." 

PSCE's  architect,  David  Oak- 
land of  VMDO  in  Charlottesville, 
presented  to  the  board  a  $3  mil- 
lion proposal  to  renovate  Virginia 
Hall.  Funding  for  the  renovation 
and  other  major  needs  at  the 
school — including  endowed  fac- 
ulty chairs — will  come  via  a  capi- 
tal campaign  currently  being  or- 
ganized. 

"We  want  our  alumni/ae  and 
friends  to  have  a  clear  picture  of 
the  new  PSCE  before  starting  a 
capital  campaign,"  said  President 
Boulton. 

"At  PSCE  we  will  continue  to 
do  what  we  have  traditionally 
done  very  well:  educational  min- 
istry focusing  on  congregations 
and  nurturing  faith  for  people  of 
all  ages,"  said  President  Boulton. 
"We  are  blessed  to  be  building  on 
our  sound  mission  with  a  look  to 
the  church's  current  and  future 
needs.  As  always,  we  are  called  to 
be  faithful  and  fruitful." 

Also  during  the  meeting,  out- 
going Board  chair  Dr.  R.  Jackson 
Sadler  of  Richmond  was  recog- 


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nized  for  his  four  years  of  Board 

In  other  action,  the  board: 

•  appointed  a  committee  to 
study  the  family  ministry  pro- 
grams of  the  Josephine  Newbury 
Center  at  PSCE.  Board  member 
William  Alexander  of  Orlando, 
FL,  wUl  chair  the  committee; 

•  granted  tenure  to  associate 
professor  Pamela  Mitchell  Legg; 
and 

•  bestowed  the  title  of  profes- 
sor emerita  on  Estelle  Rountree 
McCarthy,  who  will  retire  at  the 
end  of  the  academic  year. 

PSCE  is  one  of  11  theological 
institutions  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (USA)  and  the  country's 
only  graduate  school  solely  dedi- 
cated to  educational  ministry.  It 
graduates  students  from  Doctor 
of  Education,  Education  Special- 
ist and  Master  of  Arts  programs. 

•  — Deona  Houff 
PSCE  Communications  Director 


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GAG  and  Foundation  reach  agreement 
on  handling  of  restricted  funds 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— An  agreement 
hailed  as  the  beginning  of  the  end 
of  the  feud  between  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S. A.)  Fovmdation 
and  the  General  Assembly  Council 
(GAC)  was  imanimously  approved 
this  week  by  the  executive  commit- 
tees of  both  bodies. 

Coming  after  months  of  highly 
publicized  acrimony,  the  agree- 
ment reaffirms  the  two  entities' 
traditionally  separate  but  related 
mission  funding  responsibilites. 
It  also  puts  more  specific  systems 
into  place  to  monitor  management 
and  disbursement  of  General  As- 
sembly restricted  funds.  Such  sys- 
tems were  only  vaguely  described 
in  the  documents  that  laid  the 
groundwork  for  Presbyterian  re- 
union in  1983. 

Members  of  the  press  were  ex- 


cluded from  the  approximately 
seven-hour  closed  meeting  in  Chi- 
cago May  16  that  led  to  compro- 
mises from  both  negotiating 
teams. 

The  agreement  reached  in  Chi- 
cago places  enormous  emphasis 
on  joint  development  of  a  data 
base  to  research,  manage  and 
monitor  endowment  and  other 
restricted  funds  held  by  the  Foun- 
dation to  pay  for  General  Assem- 
bly mission. 

"It's  not  that  somebody  won  or 
somebody  lost  ...  We  discussed 
how  things  are  supposed  to  be," 
Foundation  President  Larry  Can- 
told  the  Presbyterian  News  Ser- 
vice. He  said  it  is  now  the  two 
entities'  responsibility  to  "every- 
one and  to  the  church  to  commu- 
nicate as  fully  in  our  agreement 
as  we  did  in  our  disagreement." 

The  agreement  specifies  that: 

•  the  GAC  is  "the  responsible 


body  for  mission  allocation  deci- 
sions" and  that  when  there  are 
questions  or  imcertainties  about 
the  "proper  use  or  nature  of  the 
[donor]  restriction," 

•  the  Foundation  Gift  Compli- 
ance Staff  has  the  final  say. 

•  the  Foundation  has  a  "non- 
delegable fiduciary  responsibility 
regarding  compliance  with  donor 
instructions  in  the  use  of  General 
Assembly  restricted  funds."  The 
Foundation  is  also  withdrawing 
its  proposal  to  the  Assembly  to 
allow  it  to  distribute  accumulated 
restricted  funds  through  middle 
governing  bodies  because  the  GAC 
is  "the  responsible  body  for  mis- 
sion allocation  decisions." 

"My  sense  is  trust  has  been 
restored ...  both  personal  and  cor- 
porate," GAC  Chair  the  Rev.  D. 
William  Mclvor  of  Spokane, 
Wash.,  told  the  Presbyterian 
News  Service. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


Moderator  Carpenter  reflects 
on  historical  visit  to  N.  Korea 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

When  General  Assembly  modera- 
tor Marj  Carpenter  worshiped  on 
Easter  with  the  Christian  Com- 
munity in  North  Korea  (CCNK)  in 
P'yongyang,  it  marked  the  first 
official  visit  of  a  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  moderator  to 
North  Korea. 

"We  consider  this  an  historic 
occasion,"  said  the  Rev.  Kang 
Young  Sop,  moderator  of  the 
CCNK.  Kang  represented  the 
CCNK  last  year  in  Cincinnati 
when  Christians  from  North  and 
South  Korea  tied  together  a  cross 
to  symbolize  their  hope  for  the 
peaceful  reunification  of  the 


By  JULIAN  SHIPP 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE ,  Ky .— A  proposal  by 
the  Presbyterian  Publishing  Cor- 
poration (PPC)  board  to  the  up- 
coming General  Assembly  that  the 
General  Assembly  Council  (GAC) 
assume  full  responsibility  for  the 
current  "Bible  Discovery"  and 
"Celebrate"  curricula  is  receiving 
favorable  response  from  church 
leaders. 

Meanwhile,  the  GAC's  Con- 
gregational Ministries  Division 
(CMD)  is  in  the  process  of  devel- 
oping a  business  proposal  for  this 
year's  General  Assembly  to  show 
how  the  division  plans  to  under- 
take all  curriculum  functions. 

Under  the  PPC  board's  pro- 
posal, which  was  approved  by  the 
GAC  executive  committee  during 
its  April  27-28  meeting  in  Spo- 
kane, Wash.,  the  GAC  will  de- 
velop and  market  future  PC  (USA) 
"denomination-specific"  curricu- 
lum. However,  both  PPC  and  the 
will  be  free  to  develop  new 
tior:  .1  resources  aimed  at 


Koreas. 

Two  Protestant  churches  and 
one  Catholic  church  meet  and  wor- 
ship publicly  in  P'yongyang,  and 
an  untold  number  of  "house 
churches"  meet  underground  in 
the  still  rigidly  controlled  North 
Korean  society. 

The  Rev.  Lee  Song  Bong  led 
the  Easter  worship  at  one  of  the 
Protestant  churches,  which  was 
celebrating  its  seventh  anniver- 
sary. The  other  Protestant  church 
in  Pyongyang  is  built  on  the  site 
of  a  former  Presbyterian  church 
that  was  attended  by  the  mother 
of  the  late  North  Korean  dictator. 
General  Kim  II  Sung. 

A  Presbyterian  mission  school 
attended  by  Kim  has  been  memo- 


broader  ecumenical  markets. 

Accordingto  PPC  officials,  PPC 
will  remain  the  denomination's 
publisher  and  will  continue  to 
produce  and  market  a  "wide  vari- 
ety of  theological  books"  through 
Westminster  John  Knox  Press, 
Geneva  Press,  Vacation  Bible 
School  materials,  "These  Days" 
devotional  magazine,  Presbyte- 
rian Sunday  bulletins,  pew  Bibles, 
"Presbyterian  Hymnal"  products 
and  other  educational  and  wor- 
ship resources  "alone  or  with  ecu- 
menical partners." 

However,  PPC  officials  say,  the 
transfer  of  curriculum  is  expected 
to  cut  PPC's  total  revenue  stream 
by  approximately  40  percent  and 
have  a  major  impact  on  more  than 
40  of  its  82  employees. 

Davis  Perkins,  PPC  president 
and  publisher,  told  the  Presbyte- 
rian News  Service  that  the  pro- 
posal represents  a  logical  means 
to  express  PPC's  continued  inter- 
est in  curriculum  while  respond- 
ing to  the  needs  and  concerns  of 
the  entire  denomination. 


rialized,  and  one  of  Kim's  teach- 
ers there  was  the  mother  of  the 
Rev.  Syngman  Rhee,  associate 
director  of  the  Worldwide  Minis- 
tries Division  in  Louisville,  who 
accompanied  Carpenter  on  her 
trip. 

During  the  service,  Rhee  and 
Carpenter  presented  Kang  with  a 
pulpit  robe.  The  service  concluded 
with  the  singing  of  "God  Be  with 
You  Till  We  Meet  Again." 

When  she  returned  to  the  U.S., 
Carpenter  reflected  on  her  expe- 
rience: "An  experience  never  to  be 
forgotten  was  going  into  North 
Korea  at  Easter.  I've  never  been 
welcomed  more  royally  than  in 
that  [P'yongyang]  airport. 

"Our  itinerary  included  many 
public  buildings  and  memorials 
and  a  very  impressive  clean  and 
caring  maternity  hospital  with 
free  care.  I  especially  enjoyed  the 
unit  where  they  were  bringing 
preemies'  up  to  full  weight.  They 
had  one  of  the  cutest  sets  of  trip- 
let girls  I've  ever  seen. 

"We  got  to  see  the  opening  of 
the  14th  April  Spring  Friendship 
Art  Festival,  which  is  a  kind  of 
family  reunion  of  what  was,  and 
in  some  places  still  is,  the  re- 
mains of  the  communist  bloc. 
There  were  artists  from  Mongolia, 
Nigeria,  Russia,  White  Russia, 
Kazhakstan,  Poland,  Romania, 
Bulgaria,  Yugoslavia,  Cuba  and 
China,  as  well  as  Koreans  from 
Japan,  the  U.S.  and  Canada. 

"The  North  Korean  portion  of 
the  progam  included  the  two 
women  who  sang  so  beautifully  at 
last  year's  General  Assembly." 

"The  border  between  the 
Koreas  was  tense,  but  you  couldn't 
tell  it  where  we  were.  The  high- 
light was  the  church  —  the  faces 
of  those  faithful  Christians  — 
their  applause  —  their  joy  at  Eas- 
ter —  their  singing  and  their  tears . 
And  as  I  walked  out  they  reached 
out  to  shake  hands  or  simply  touch 
me  as  I  went  by. 

"Once  the  seed  of  the  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ  is  planted  anywhere 
in  the  world,  you  never  lose  it. 
Certainly  not  in  North  Korea." 


Church  leaders  react  favorably 
to  PPC  curriculum  proposal 


News  in  Brief 


New  'PC(USA)  Guide  to  Resources' 
offers  one-stop  shopping 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— The  long-awaited  PC(USA)  Guide  to  Resources, 
which  lists  most  of  the  resources  Npublished  by  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  and  some  selected  resources  recommended  by  Gen- 
eral Assembly  program  areas,  is  now  available. 

All  items  listed  may  be  ordered  through  Presbyterian  Distribution 
Service,  using  a  church  account,  MasterCard  or  VISA. 

The  new  guide  replaces  Connections:  A  Resource  Guide  for  Church 
Leaders,  which  was  first  produced  in  1984  as  a  joint  project  of  the 
former  Communications  Unit  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  U.S.A.  and  Presbyterian  Publishing  House  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  U.S. following  reunion. 

The  front  section  of  the  Guide  includes  a  list  of  addresses  of  where 
to  order  direct,  a  "dictionary"  of  abbreviations  used  in  the  text,  and  an 
alphabetical  subject  list  of  contents.  The  rest  of  the  book  contains  an 
aphabetical  listing  of  resources,  a  video  resources  list,  appendixes 
listing  Korean  and  Spanish  language  resources  and  resource  centers 
by  synod,  and  order  forms. 

To  be  updated  annually  and  eventually  available  on  computer  disk, 
the  "PC(USA)  Guide  to  Resources"  can  be  ordered  for  $3  each  by  calling 
(800)  524-2612.  The  item  number  to  request  is  PDS#70920-96-001. 

Packet  published  for  1 996  elections 

Seven  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  agencies  have  joined  to  produce 
a  1996  election  packet  titled  Christian  and  Citizen.  Designed  for 
congregational  study  and  action,  the  packet  includes  a  three-part 
booklet  that  contains  a  theological  reflection  by  the  Rev.  Donald 
Shriver  Jr.  of  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  New  York  called  "A  Call 
to  Citizenship,"  an  issues  section  titled  "Current  Issues:  The  Public 
Agenda  in  American  Politics"  that  outlines  General  Assembly  policy 
on  certain  public  issues  and  a  study  guide  to  the  materials  for  adult 
church  school  classes.  The  packet  can  be  ordered  from  Presbyterian 
Distribution  Service  at  (800)  524-2612.  The  product  number  is 
PDS#74360-96-315. 

Missionary  Conference  relocates 

For  only  the  second  time  in  its  93-year  history,  the  New  Wilmington 
Missionary  Conference  will  not  be  held  on  the  Westminster  College 
campus  in  New  Wilmington,  Pa.  The  conference  is  slated  for  July  26- 
Aug.  3 .  Due  to  dormitory  renovations  at  Westminster  College  that  will 
not  be  completed  by  then,  this  year's  missionary  conference  will  be 
held  at  Allegheny  College  in  Meadville,  Pa.  The  conference  is  expected 
to  return  to  New  Wilmington  next  year. 

Keynote  speaker  is  the  Rev.  Renny  Domske,  pastor  of  Jamestown 
(Pa.)  Presbyterian  Church.  Information  about  the  conference  is  avail- 
able by  writing  to  219  South  Market  Street,  New  Wilmington,  PA 
16142,  by  calling  (412)  946-7195,  or  by  sending  e-mail  to 
71344.2141@compuserve.com. 

Originally  begun  as  a  high  school  conference  for  young  Presbyteri- 
ans with  an  interest  in  the  church's  missionary  enterprise,  the  New 
Wilmington  Missionary  Conference  has  grown  into  a  multi-genera- 
tional gathering  that  is  among  the  largest  in  the  country  dedicated  to 
mission.  Participants  are  expected  from  30  states  and  10  countries. 

Coffin  to  lead  investment  program 

The  Rev.  John  M.  Coffm,  retired  director  of  the  former  Stewardship 
and  Commimication  Development  Ministry  Unit,  has  agreed  to  serve 
as  interim  president  and  chief  executive  officer  of  the  Presbyterian 
Investment  and  Loan  Program  (PILP).  Coffin  will  serve  until  the  PILP 
board  of  directors  finds  a  permanent  replacement  for  the  Rev.  Robert 
D.  Curtis,  who  was  terminated  "without  prejudice"  on  April  13  after 
six  weeks  as  PILP  president/CEO.  The  board  cited  "differences  in  his 
and  the  board's  vision  for  the  direction  of  the  program"  as  the  reason 
for  Curtis'  dismissal. 

Asian  American  woman  chairs  SDOP 

OCHO  RIOS,  Jamaica-— At  its  May  15-20  meeting  here,  the  National 
Presbyterian  Committee  on  the  Self-Development  of  People  (SDOP) 
welcomed  its  new  chair  and  vice  chair,  both  of  whom  will  serve  for  a 
period  of  at  least  one  year.  Cindy  Joe  of  San  Francisco  assxmied  the 
office  of  chair.  Oscar  Heyward  of  Howard  Beach,  N.Y.,  assiuned  the 
office  of  vice  chair.  Both  officers  were  elected  in  January. 

A  former  chair  of  the  General  Assembly  Committee  on  Represen- 
tation, Joe  is  a  ruling  elder  and  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Chinatown  in  San  Francisco.  According  to  Frederic  T.  Walls,  SDOP 
coordinator,  Joe  is  also  the  first  Asian  American  woman  to  chair 
SDOP's  National  Committee. 

Seattle  to  retire  in  August 

The  Rev.  Frank  Beattie,  associate  director  for  evangelism  and  church 
development  in  the  National  Ministries  Division  in  Louisville,  has 
announced  his  retirement,  effective  at  the  end  of  August.  Beattie,  who 
was  formerly  executive  presbyter  for  Central  Washington  Presbytery, 
plans  to  return  tahis  home  in  Yakima,  Wash. 

Turner  chairs  ecumenical  association 

The  Rev.  Eugene  G.  Turner,  director  of  the  Department  of  Governing 
Body,  Ecumenical  and  Agency  Relations  in  the  Office  of  the  General 
Assembly,  has  been  elected  chair  of  the  National  Ecumenical  Officers 
Association.  His  election  took  place  in  conjunction  with  the  recent 
National  Workshop  on  Christian  Unity. 


General  Assembly  report  inside 


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For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


July/Au^st  1996 


Vol.  LXII,  Number  6 


Richmond,  Virginia 


4 

1 

1  1 

Forgiveness  and  calls  for  reconciliation 
are  Charlotte  church's  response  to  arson 


Matthews-Murkland  Pastor  Larry  Hill,  left,  walks  away  from 
the  ruins  of  the  church's  former  sanctuary  with  one  of  the 
pastors  from  the  Charlotte  area  who  had  attended  a  June  15 
prayer  breakfast  organized  in  response  to  the  Rre. 


CHARLOTTE,  N.C.  —  "Some- 
times God  allows  evil  to  reign 
only  so  good  people  can  show  the 
stuff  they're  made  of,"  the  Rev. 
Larry  Hill  told  an  interacial  gath- 
ering organized  in  response  to  the 
burning  of  black  churches. 

The  Rev.  Hill  and  the  125  mem- 
bers of  Matthews-Murkland 
Church  know  all  too  well  about 
evil.  A  deliberately  set  fire  de- 
stroyed the  church's  93-year-old 
former  sanctuary  on  June  6. 

They  also  know  how  good 
people  react  to  evil.  Hill  has 
prayed  with  the  father  of  the  13- 
year-old  white  girl  who  set  the 
fire.  By  this  and  other  examples, 
the  47-year-old  minister  has  led 
his  congregation  in  a  very  Chris- 
tian response  to  the  tragedy. 

Fire  levels  building 

The  blaze  was  reported  around 
11  p.m.  on  Thursday,  June  6.  The 
93-year-old  white  clapboard  build- 
ing was  separated  by  a  field  and  a 
parking  lot  from  the  current 
church,  which  replaced  the  old 
sanctuary  nearly  20  years  ago. 

The  old  sanctuary  was  no 
longer  used  for  worship  services, 
but  it  was  the  site  for  special  occa- 
sions such  as  weddings. 

The  girl  allegedly  made  both 


anti-Christian  and  racist  remarks 
before  the  fire,  but  police  investi- 
gators say  that  it  was  probably 
the  former  feelings  that  led  her  to 
burn  down  the  church  building. 
She  apparently  was  unaware  that 
the  Matthews-Murkland  congre- 
gation was  predominantly  Afri- 
can American. 

The  once-rural  location  where 
the  the  church  was  organized  in 
1864  is  now  an  affluent  and  mostly 
white  southeastern  Charlotte  sub- 
urb. 

Coming  in  the  wake  of  the  burn- 
ing of  nearly  40  black  churches 
since  January  1995  —  25  of  which 
have  been  determined  as  arson  — 
the  Matthews-Murkland  fire  was 
quickly  added  to  the  growing  evi- 
dence that  there  is  a  problem  with 
racial  violence  and  hatred  in  this 
country. 

Local,  state  and  national  lead- 
ers have  used  the  fire  as  a  symbol 
of  the  problem  and  the  need  to 
confront  it.  Hill  and  the  members 
of  his  church  have  added  to  that 
call  their  desire  to  forgive  and 
find  something  good  amid  the 
ashes. 

While  no  definite  plans  had 
been  announced  by  mid  July,  Hill 
and  the  members  of  Matthews- 
Murkland  were  considering  the 


idea  of  building  a  new  facility 
primarily  for  the  use  of  youth. 
Since  it  was  a  troubled  teen  who 
set  the  fire,  this  is  seen  as  another 
way  of  bringing  good  out  of  bad. 

To  help  in  whatever  rebuild- 
ing plans  are  adopted,  the  church 
will  have  more  than  $46,000  in 
contributions  made  through  the 
Charlotte  Presbytery  office.  As- 
sociate Presbyter  Jocelyn  Hill  said 
that  the  contributions  came  in 
more  than  250  letters  from  all 
over  the  country.  Some  individu- 
als and  churches  offered  their  la- 
bor. 

"The  notes  were  very,  very 
moving,"  said  the  presbytery  offi- 
cial. They  were  presented  to  the 
Rev.  HUl  during  a  July  16  meet- 
ing of  the  presbytery. 

Tragedy  upon  tragedy 

Three  days  after  the  fire  the 
Rev.  Hill  preached  a  sermon  of 
forgiveness  and  reconciliation. 
Songs,  tears  and  laughter  filled 
the  newer  sanctuary  as  services 
were  held  for  the  first  time  since 
the  fire. 

"To  whoever  started  this  fire 
—  it  took  you  about  $1.50  worth  of 
gas  and  two  boxes  of  matches  to 

continued  on  page  4 


Black  Caucus  shares  concerns  with  Synod  Council  during  summit 


In  the  wake  of  the  last  October's 
walkout  of  African  American  com- 
missioners to  the  209th  Synod 
Assembly  and  a  request  from  the 
synod's  Black  Caucus,  the  Sjnnod 
Council  and  representatives  of  the 
Black  Caucus  met  June  22  in  Rich- 
mond. 

The  all-day  session  gave  the 
caucus  an  opportunity  to  tell  the 
council  why  African  Americans 
are  upset  with  the  direction  the 
sjmod  and  the  church  in  general 
are  going. 

Black  Caucus  Moderator 
Lawrence  Bethel  prefaced  the  ses- 
sion by  noting  that  "much  of  rac- 
ism ...  is  based  on  our  non-knowl- 


edge of  one  another." 

The  basic  concerns  expressed 
were: 

•  African  American  Presbyte- 
rians gave  up  more  than  any  other 
racial  ethnic  group  at  the  time  of 
the  reunion  in  1983; 

•  Promises  made  during  the 
reunion  process  —  especially  re- 
garding black  new  church  devel- 
opment/church redevelopment 
and  campus  ministries  at  pre- 
dominantly racial  ethnic  colleges 
—  have  not  been  kept; 

•  African  American  church 
leaders  have  not  received  proper 
respect; 

•  Attacks  on  synods  are  seen 


as  racist  because  African  Ameri- 
cans see  synods  as  the  place  where 
they  have  a  voice;  and 

•  The  combination  of  these  and 
other  factors  is  what  is  leading 
some  AfricEui  American  Presby- 
terians to  consider  forming  their 
own  denomination. 

Speaking  about  what  synods 
mean  to  African  Americans,  re- 
tired pastor  Bob  Shirley  of  Char- 
lotte, N.C,  compared  reunion  to 
the  story  of  the  Trojan  Horse. 

"A  Trojan  Horse  mentality  is 
pervading  and  perverting  our 
church  at  every  judicatory  level, 
particularly  at  the  synod. ...  Harm 
and  damage  is  being  done  to  our 


ministry  and  mission,"  he  said. 
"If  we  are  not  ever  watchful  and 
vigilant  and  wUling  to  confront 
this  and  fight  it  if  necessary,  then 
we  too  shall  be  defeated  from  the 
inside." 

Shirley  added  that  the  presby- 
teries' withholding  of  funds  prom- 
ised to  synods  is  "ecclesiastical 
blackmail."  He  challenged  the 
councU  to  use  its  authority  emd 
demand  that  the  churches  rein- 
state funds  "rightfully  due  to 
synod." 

Synods  provide  African  Ameri- 
can Presbyterians  with  a  "thresh- 
old ...  unobtainable  at  the  local 
level,"  he  said. 


Marjorie  Ward  told  the  council 
that  African  Americans  gave  up 
everything  for  reunion  and  were 
the  only  racial  ethnic  group  to 
sacrifice  so  much. 

"We  put  our  complete  faith  and 
trust  in  the  majority  churches, 
but  many  in  the  majority  churches 
did  not  respond  [in  Idnd],"  she 
said. 

She  also  noted  that  before  re- 
union black  governing  body  ex- 
ecutives had  respect  and  author- 
ity. 

"We're  not  whiners;  we  just 
want  an  equal  place  at  the  table," 
she  said.  "We've  been  ignored  and 
continued  on  page  4 


Govans  Church  honored  by  PSCE 


Govans  Church  of  Baltimore,  Md., 
was  one  of  five  congregations  cited 
for  their  work  in  Christian  educa- 
tion and  outreach. 

The  awards  were  presented  by 
the  Presbyterian  School  of  Chris- 
tian Education  on  July  3  during 
the  208th  General  Assembly  in 
Albuquerque,  N.M. 

Govans  Church  and  Trinity 
Church  of  Pensacola,  Fla.,  shared 
the  Elinor  Curry  Award  for  Out- 
reach and  Social  Concern.  Govan's 
members  Charles  and  Marilyn 
Forbes  represented  Govans 
Church  during  the  award  cer- 
emony. 

Govans'  comprehensive  out- 
reach ministry  —  often  done  with 
ecumenical  partners  —  touches 
Baltimore's  poor  inner-city  fami- 
lies, elderly  and  mentally  ill  and 
retarded,  as  well  as  the  poor  of 
war-torn  San  Salvador.  Their 


many  programs  go  beyond  help- 
ing people  to  tackle  the  root  causes 
of  social  problems. 

Though  Govans  is  not  north 
Baltimore's  largest  congregation, 
its  commitment  has  made  it  the 
center  of  community  mission  and 
outreach. 

For  almost  20  years  Govans 
has  established  housing  minis- 
tries for  special  populations.  One, 
Epiphany  House  for  frail  elderly, 
is  staffed  by  church  volunteers. 

Govans  pastor  John  R.  Sharp, 
is  a  national  leader  in  urging  the 
church  and  communities  to  wel- 
come group  homes  for  the  men- 
tally ill.  Govans'  work  has  led  to 
three  such  homes  in  Baltimore. 

The  church's  old  manse  has 
been  converted  to  yet  another 
home,  York  House,  for  persons 
with  mental  retardation.  In  1993 
the  church  and  its  ecumenical 


partners  formed  a  development 
company  to  fund  these  homes. 

The  company  now  also  oper- 
ates a  single  resident  occupancy 
(SRO)  home  for  26  formerly  home- 
less men.  Another  SRO  for  per- 
sons with  AIDS  is  in  the  works. 

Govans  operates  a  weekday 
center  for  retired  persons;  helped 
organize  an  emergency  services 
program  for  those  threatened  with 
loss  of  housing,  food  or  medicine; 
and  helped  organize  a  business 
and  commiuiity  group  to  work  on 
crime,  business  development  and 
education  issues. 

For  each  of  the  past  10  years, 
the  church  has  sent  members  to 
stand  in  solidarity  with  the  San 
Roque  congregation  in  San  Sal- 
vador. Govans  supports  San 
Roque  through  financial  gifts,  lob- 
bjdng  in  Washington,  D.C.,  and  a 
continued  on  page  4 


Czech  Brethren  are  'alive, 
yet  struggling'  says  team 


By  MARILYN  SILVEY 

"More  Czechs  believe  in  UFOs 
than  in  God."  That  statement 
is  commonly  accepted  in  the 
Czech  Republic  and  found  in 
many  guidebooks  to  the  coun- 
try where,  paradoxically,  14th 
century  martyred  reformer  Jan 
Hus  remains  a  national  hero. 

The  16  participants  in  the 
.Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic's 
June  mission  trip  to  the  Czech 
Republic  found  the  country's 
main  Protestant  denomination 
very  much  alive,  yet  struggling. 
The  Evangelical  Church  of  the 
Czech  Brethren,  formed  in 
1918  when  Lutherans  and 
Presbyterians  united,  has  only 
156,000  members,  about  two 


percent  of  the  country's  popu- 
lation. Some  four  percent  of 
the  Czechs  are  Proie.st  ants  and 
14  percent  Roman  Catholics. 

"It  has  not  been  as  easy  as 
we  thought  for  people  to  come 
back  to  the  church  since  the 
end  of  Communism  in  1989," 
said  Czech  Brethren  modera- 
tor Pavel  Smetant.  "The  church 
lost  the  'middle  generation' 
during  the  40  years  of  Commu- 
nist rule."  For  example,  in  1994 
the  Czech  Brethren  recorded 
1,880  funerals,  but  only  274 
weddings  and  996  baptisms. 

The  church  has,  hov.  aver, 
expanded  its  missic 
the  community,  espt 
the  elderly  and  dis.: 
continuea 


Page  2,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1996 


Commentary  , 


is  best  in  tlie  iong  run 


Rejoice  in  the  Lord  always! 


By  BETTY  McGINNIS 

While  serving  the  synod  of  the  Mid- Atlan- 
tic, my  eyes  have  been  opened  by — and  my 
heart  has  rejoiced  in  —  the  exciting  minis- 
tries within  our  region.  However,  the  seem- 
ingly never-ending  changes  brought  about 
by  reunion  and  restructuring  have  been 
difficult  for  the  Synod. 

People  care  deeply  about  their  faith  and 
the  ministries  of  their  church.  The  changes 
wrought  by  reunion  and  r  estmcturing  have 
touched  and  sometimes  hurt  o\xr  brothers 
and  sisters. 

A  new  design  for  the  Synod  was  adopted 
18  months  ago  and  our  Synod  CouncU  has 
worked  diligently  since  then  and  commit- 
ted themselves  to  help  breathe  life  into 
that  new  structure. 

Yet,  we  are  still  at  a  crossroads. 

There  is  a  need  to  support  one  another, 
but  perhaps  in  different  and  creative  ways. 
Our  Synod  has  13  presbyteries,  each  func- 
tioning in  its  unique  manner.  Almost  1 ,500 
congregations  carry  out  a  myriad  of  minis- 


tries while  seeking  to  be  faithful  in  every 
imaginable  way.  All  bring  gifts  to  our  chal- 
ice from  which  we  can  drink  and  share. 
We  are  rich! 

Our  responsibility  to  one  another  is  es- 
sential. A  strong  commimity  of  faith  is 
crucial.  A  great  net  with  every  rope  con- 
necting, never  allowing  one  to  break,  will 
give  the  chxirch  great  hope. 

In  every  step  of  life,  we  must  listen  to 
God's  call,  allowing  the  Holy  Spirit  to  work 
in  and  among  us.  Scripture  must  be  taken 
seriously.  Weaving  the  great  tapestry  takes 
prayer  and  thoughtfulness,  patience  and 
time.  God  has  a  plan.  Each  of  us  has  a 
special  place  and  responsibility  in  building 
the  Kingdom  of  God. 

Thank  you  for  the  privilege  and  bless- 
ing of  serving  as  your  moderator.  May  God 
be  with  you  as  you  seek  to  be  faithful  and 
bless  you  as  you  serve  the  church  "to  glorify 
God  and  enjoy  God  forever." 

Betty  McGinnis,  an  elder  from  Arnold, 
Md.,  was  the  synod  moderator  for  1995-96. 


A  debt  as  inigh  as  the  sky 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

One  of  the  joys  of  "retired"  living  is  brows- 
ing in  libraries,  and  making  some  unex- 
pected discovery  of  a  book  that  finds  me.  I 
confess  1  am  an  inveterate  bookaholic  and 
this  will  be  a  lifelong  positive  addiction. 

Writers  know  the  sweat,  blood  and  tears 
that  go  into  any  book ...  so  I  have  learned  to 
read  the  dedications  of  books.  In  reality, 
these  dedications  are  subtle  clues  to  those 
significant  people  who  influenced  the  writ- 
ers. For  example,  Ernest  Hemingway  al- 
ways dedicated  his  books  to  individuals, 
but  only  told  us  their  initials,  so  we  are  left 
to  wonder  who  they  are. 

One  of  my  earliest  books  was  dedicated 
to  my  mother,  Margaret  Lyon  Morgan, 
"Who  was  the  first  to  believe  I  might  be- 
come a  writer."  I  really  didn't  fulfill  her 
dream  until  I  became  older,  for  only  then 
had  I  lived  long  enough  and  survived 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 
FAX:  (804)  355-8535 
Internet:  JOHN_SNIFFEN@pcusa.org 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
(USPS  604-120  /  ISSN  1071-345X) 
Is  produced  and  published  monthly 
(except  February,  August  and  December) 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
3218  Chamberlayne  Ave., 
Richmond,  VA  23227. 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  is  mailed  free 
to  members  of  PC(USA)  churches  within 
the  S3Tiod. 

POSTMASTER 

Please  send  address  changes  to 
MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
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Second-Class  Postage  Rates  Paid  at 
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post  offices. 

Vol.  LXII 
July/August  1996 
June  1996  circulation 
163,203 


enough  crises  to  know  what  life  is  all  about. 
My  brother,  John  C.  Morgan,  dedicated  his 
book,  Becoming  Old,  to  our  father,  Howard 
Moody  Morgan,  "Who  refused  to  be  CEilled 
a  senior  citizen." 

Consider  some  other  dedications.  Pres- 
b3rterian  writer  Ann  Weems  dedicated  her 
last  book.  Psalms  of  Lament,  "To  those  who 
weep  and  to  those  who  weep  with  those 
who  weep."  One  of  my  favorite  writers  was 
the  late  Kenneth  J.  Foreman.  His  book. 
Candles  on  the  Glacier,  was  dedicated  to 
"My  Mother  and  Father,  who  first  made 
real  for  me  the  power  of  faith,  the  charm  of 
fantasy,  and  the  manysidedness  of  truth." 

Rachel  Henderlite's  book,  A  Call  to  Faith, 
strikes  a  similar  note:  "Dedicated  to  my 
father,  mother,  sisters  and  brothers  who 
by  living  together  as  a  Christian  family 
and  arguing  heatedly  about  theology 
around  the  dinner  table  have  given  me  my 
faith." 

Robert  Vaughan  dedicated  his  book. 
Legacy,  to  "My  grandfather,  my  mother 
and  my  aunts,  who  connect  me  to  my  past." 
Carl  Sandburg's  classic  six-volume  work 
on  Abraham  Lincoln  was  dedicated  to  his 
parents,  "August  and  Clara  Sandburg, 
Workers  on  the  Prairie."  Former  baseball 
player  Willie  Mays  also  expresses  the  in- 
fluence of  his  family  in  his  autobiography. 
Say  Hey,  when  he  dedicated  his  book  to 
"My  father,  who  was  there  at  the  start;  to 
Leo,  who  was  there  when  it  counted,  and  to 
Mae,  who  was  there  when  it  mattered 
most."  And  Huston  Smith  in  his  monu- 
mental work.  Religions  of  Man,  dedicates 
his  book  to  his  missionary  parents  with 
these  words, 

"When  I  behold  the  sacred  laio  wo 

My  thoughts  return  to  those  who  begot 
me,  raised  me,  and  now  are  tired. 

I  would  repay  the  bounty  they  have  given 
me, 

But  it  is  as  the  sky;  it  can  never  be 
approached." 

Anyone  could  see  the  connection.  Our 
families  are  the  persons  who  influence  us 
the  most.  As  Frederick  Buechner  has  writ- 
ten: 

"Who  knows  what  all  of  us  have  in  us 
not  just  of  our  parents,  but  of  their  parents 
before  them  and  so  on  back  beyond  any 
names  we  know  or  faces  we  would  recog- 
nize if  we  came  upon  their  portraits  hang- 
ing on  an  antique  shop  wall." 

So,  we  can  pray  in  the  words  of  Dwyn 
Mounger's  hymn: 

My  God's  great  peace,  good  health 

and  joy 
Forever  fill  your  home; 
May  you  and  your  descendants  know 
Forever  God's  shalom! 

The  debt  we  owe  our  parents  is  as  high 
as  the  sky;  it  can  never  be  approached. 


Editor's  Note  —  While  discussing  ways  in 
which  the  synod  can  communicate,  it  was 
suggested  that  the  newspaper  could  be  used 
to  let  people  tell  their  faith  stories.  Since 
Lloyd  Remington,  a  member  of  our  Com- 
munication Committee,  made  the  sugges- 
tion, we  felt  it  was  only  fair  to  let  him  go 
first.  If  you  have  a  faith  story  you  would  like 
to  share,  please  write  it  out  and  send  it  to  the 
editor.  Articles  should  be  kept  to  about  300 
words  or  less. 

By  LLOYD  REMINGTON 

I  am  telling  the  story  of  this  event  in  my  life 
to  illustrate  that  aspect  of  Christianity 
which  caught  and  anchored  my 
faith,  more  securely,  than  Holy 
Scripture  had  ever  done.  The 
teachings  of  Jesus  are  more  than 
commandments;  they  are  also  the 
smartest  common  sense  advice 
there  is  for  those  who  want  to 
live  peacefully  in  a  civilized  soci- 
ety. 

The  roots  of  the  event  began 
early  in  childhood.  When  I  was 
age  five,  my  parents  moved  to 
Pinellas  Park,  Fla.,  lured  by  the 
great  land  development  boom  of 
the  '20s.  My  carpenter  father 
found  work  and  my  school  teacher 
mother  became  principal  of  the  elemen- 
tary school.  They  bought  a  lot  and  started 
their  dream  house.  They  finished  the  out- 
side and  we  moved  in;  we  would  finish  the 
inside  while  living  there.  I  was  the  only  one 
in  the  family  that  went  to  church;  the  rest 
of  them  were  too  busy. 

1  liked  to  sing,  there  were  girls  my  age  at 
church  and  the  Sunday  school  stories  in- 
terested me.  When  the  boom  crashed  in 
'29,  triggering  the  great  depression  of  the 
'30s,  90  percent  of  Pinellas  Park  moved 
north  to  survive.  My  father  was  unem- 
ployed for  eight  years.  We  were  marooned 
there,  tied  to  the  house  and  my  mother's 
teaching  job.  It  was  a  ghost  town.  There 
were  dozens  of  empty  and  abandoned 
houses  as  well  as  40-50  empty  city  blocks, 
some  lined  with  sidewalks,  and  paved 
streets  going  nowhere. 

My  father  dabbled  in  politics;  he  served 
one  term  as  councilman  and  ran  for  mayor. 
He  lost  to  a  well-established  farmer  who 
had  a  reputation  for  getting  what  he  wanted 
by  hook  or  by  crook.  This  guy  mounted  a 
campaign  to  run  us  out  of  town.  He  forced 
a  transfer  of  my  mother  to  a  school  outside 
of  "Penniless  Puddle"  but  she  commuted 
and  we  stayed  there. 

My  three  good  school  friends  lived  more 
than  a  mOe  away;  I  was  alone  with  my 
imagination  most  of  the  time.  I  dreamed 
up  little  building  projects  for  excitement.  I 
had  access  to  my  father's  tools  but  had  to 
scrounge  for  nails,  nuts,  bolts  wood  and 
metal.  There  was  an  ageing  cabinet  maker, 
named  "Daddy  Mack",  who  lived  four  blocks 
away.  He  and  his  auto  mechanic  son  let  me 
paw  through  their  box  of  leftovers  from 
their  work;  nobody  threw  anything  away 
in  the  '30s. 

My  parents  had  borrowed  money  from 
Daddy  Mack  to  bviild  the  house  but,  in  the 
depression,  they  were  barely  able  to  pay 
him  the  interest.  Then,  in  the  deepest  part 
of  the  depression,  he  foreclosed  on  the 
mortgage  and  evicted  us.  The  house  was 
sold,  moved  to  St.  Petersburg  and  is  stUl 
there,  as  far  as  1  know.  Now  the  story  can 
leap  ahead  to  the  early  post- WW  II  years  of 
'46  and  '47.  All  civilian  activity  had  been 
"on  hold"  during  the  war  but  that  dam  had 
broken.  There  was  a  madly  euphoric  flood 
of  "catching  up"  going  on.  Violet  and  I  and 
our  month-old  daughter  returned  in  late 
'45;  we  were  bursting  with  dreams  and 
energy.  Now  something  that  happened 
during  the  war  needs  to  be  told. 

The  tax  laws  of  Florida  declared  that 
any  property,  owing  delinquent  taxes,  could 
be  sold  at  auction  for  the  amount  of  taxes 
due;  the  buyer  would  get  an  immediate 
clean  deed.  The  submission  of  the  mini- 
mum bid  would  activate  the  auction.  (Mini- 
mum bid  was  10  percent  of  the  taxes  due.) 
There  were  hundreds  of  tax-delinquent 
lots,  in  Penniless  Puddle,  whose  owners 
had  forgotten  all  about  them;  they  were 
selling  at  the  minimum  bid.  The  town  clerk 


was  a  family  friend.  She  sent  us  a  list  of  the 
lots  available;  we  selected  several  to  buy 
including  two  to  build  on  that,  coinciden- 
tally,  were  right  next  door  to  Daddy  Mack. 
The  minimum  bids  were  $30  apiece.  She 
did  the  paperwork  and  we  were  the  owners 
of  the  lots.  Now,  on  with  the  story. 

I  had  cleared  the  fronts  of  our  building 
lots  and  poured  the  concrete  floor-pad  when, 
one  day.  Daddy  Mack  came  over  to  talk  to 
me.  He  said  that  he  had  always  meant  to 
buy  those  lots  but  had  never  gotten  around 
to  doing  it.  He  offered  to  buy  them  if  I 
would  name  a  price.  I  told  him  that  we  did 
not  want  to  sell.  He  kept  trying  to  negoti- 
ate but  I  still  said  no.  Finally  he  told  me 
why  he  wanted  those  particular 
lots.  It  seems  that,  in  the  rush  to 
get  lots  ready  to  sell  in  the  boom, 
the  surveyors  did  sloppy  work. 
The  official  county  records 
showed  that  Daddy  Mack's  lot 
was  several  feet  wider  than  there 
was  real  room  on  the  land  for  it 
to  be.  Their  sloppy  work  had 
added  several  imaginary  feet  to 
the  width  of  his  lot.  Conse- 
quently, the  house  he  built  actu- 
ally extended  sixteen  inches  onto 
our  lot.  Talk  about  sudden  sur- 
prises! 

Daddy  Mack  hurried  on  to  tell 
me  his  version  of  why  he  had  foreclosed  on 
our  home.  He  said  that  he  had  been  told 
that  my  parents  were,  deliberately,  behind 
on  the  taxes  so  that  they  could  buy  it  for 
delinquent  taxes  and  cheat  him  out  of  the 
mortgage  money.  A  lot  of  things  passed 
through  my  mind  in  a  hurry.  I  had  no 
problem  figuring  out  who  had  told  him 
that  tale  but  that  was  in  the  past.  I  had  to 
sort  out  the  most  important  things  for  the 
future  and  hold  onto  them. 

First  of  all,  we  were  going  to  finish 
building  our  home  and  raise  our  children 
there.  Secondly,  I  did  not  want  our  chil- 
dren to  spend  their  formative  years  in  a 
running  fight  with  our  next  door  neighbor. 
Also,  Daddy  Mack  did  not  fit  the  image  of 
a  Scrooge-like  miser. 

I  don't  remember  how  long  our  conver- 
sation lasted  but  we  did  reach  an  agree- 
ment then  and  there.  I  laid  out  this  propo- 
sition: If  he  would  pay  all  the  legal  fees  for 
changing  the  official  records  for  both  his 
lot  and  ours,  we  would  give  him  a  five-foot 
path  around  his  house  on  the  side  facing 
us.  So  that  is  what  we  did.  We  have  never 
been  sorry  about  that  decision.  Of  course 
we  could  see  that  it  was  what  Jesus  would 
want,  but  I  don't  think  1  even  considered 
that  in  the  heat  of  the  moment.  I  was  too 
busy  trjdng  to  assess  the  future  impact  of 
the  decision. 

I  don't  think  the  idea  of  selling  him  the 
land,  instead  of  giving  it,  ever  entered  my 
head  and  I'm  glad  that  it  didn't.  We  acci- 
dentally learned  a  valuable  lesson  about 
forgiveness.  If  you  are  going  to  forgive 
someone,  do  it  in  an  exaggerated  way  — 
like  the  father  of  the  prodigal  son.  It  makes 
all  the  difference  between,  making  a  good 
friend,  or  just  a  non-enemy.  In  our  case, 
the  good  friend  was  worth  far  more  than 
the  few  paltry  dollars  we  could  have  gotten 
by  selling  him  the  path  around  his  house. 

A  retired  chemistry  professor,  Lloyd 
Remington  is  an  elder  in  First  Church  of 
Asheville,  N.C.,  and  a  co-opted  member  of 
the  synod's  Communication  Committee. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ingfor  style,  clarity,  andlength. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Mid- Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/ August  1996,  Page  3 


Union  Theological  Seminaiy 

^  INVIRGINIA  ^ 


August  1996 


Union  Seminary 
Names  New 
Faculty 
Members 


Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  has 
announced  the  appointment  of  three  new  faculty 
members.  Joining  the  faculty  this  fall  are  Dr.  Brian  A. 
Gerrish  and  Dr.  Mark  Valeri.  Dr.  Stanley  Skreslet  will  begin 
work  in  the  1997-98  academic  year. 

Dr.  Gerrish,  named  Distinguished  Professor  of 
Theology,  retired  recently  from  the  Divinity  School  of  the 
University  of  Chicago  where  he  had  been  the  John 

Nuveen  Professor  and 
Professor  of  Historical 
Theology.  Dr.  Valeri, 
named  the  E.  T. 
Thompson  Professor  of 
Church  History,  is 
currently  associate 
professor  and  chair  of 
religious  studies  at  Lewis 
and  Clark  College, 
Portland,  Oregon.  Dr. 
Skreslet,  a  Union  alumnus, 
has  been  named  the  F.  S. 
Royster  Professor  of 
Christian  Missions.  He  is 
professor  of  church  history 
at  Evangelical  Theological  Seminary  in  Cairo,  Egypt. 
Currently  he  is  serving  a  year  as  missionary-in-residence 
for  the  Synod  of  Lincoln  Trails,  Champaign,  Illinois. 

Brian  Gerrish  is  one  of  the  world's  foremost  Reformed 
theologians,  and  he  is  an  ordained  minister  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (USA).  Prior  to  his  appointment  to  the 
faculty  of  the  University  of  Chicago,  he  served  on  the 
faculties  of  McCormick  Theological  Seminary  and  Union 
Theological  Seminary  (New  York).  Recent  books  by  Dr. 
Gerrish  include  Continuing  the  Reformation:  Essays  on 
Modem  Religious  Thought  (University  of  Chicago,  1993) 
and  Grace  and  Gratitude:  The  Eucharistic  Theology  of  John 
Calvin  (Fortress  Press,  1992). 

Dr.  Gerrish  earned  the  Ph.D.  degree  from  Columbia 
University  in  1958  and  the  S.T.M.  in  systematic  theology 
Csumtna  cum  laude)  in  1956  from  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  New  York.  He  earned  a  certificate  (with 
distinction  in  New  Testament)  from  Westminster  College, 
Cambridge,  in  1955.  He  received  the  Bachelor  of  Arts 
degree  in  1952  and  the  Master  of  Arts  degree  in  1956,  both 
from  Queens'  College,  University  of  Cambridge. 

He  has  received  numerous  academic  honors  including 
American  Association  of  Theological  Schools  Faculty 
Fellow,  John  Simon  Guggenheim  Memorial  Foundation 


Brian  Gerrish 


Fellow,  and  National  Endowment  for  the  Humanities 
Fellow.  He  has  .served  as  president  of  the  American 
Theological  Society  (Midwest  Division)  and  of  the 
Anerican  Society  of  Church  Hi.story.  In  1984  he  received 
the  D.D.  honoris  causa  from  the  University  of  St.  Andrews 
(Scotland),  and  in  1987  was  named  a  Fellow  of  the 
American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences. 

Mark  Valeri  is  a  1976  graduate  (surtima  cum  laude)  of 
■Whitworth  College.  He  received  the  Master  of  Divinity 
degree  from  Yale  University  Divinity  School  in  1976  and 
the  Ph.D.  degree  from  Princeton  University,  Department  of 
Religion,  in  1985.  He  is  an  ordained  minister  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (USA).  Prior  to  his  appointment  at 
Lewis  and  Clark  College,  he  taught  at  Princeton  University 
and  Whitworth  College. 

Dr.  Valeri  is  the  editor  of  The  Works  of  Jonathan 
Edwards:  Sermons,  to  be  published  by  Yale  University 
Press.  He  is  the  author  of  Law  and  Providence  in  Joseph 
Bellamys  .\cic  hiialaiul:  The  Origins  of  the  New  Divinity  in 
Rcniliihniuiiy  Aincntti  (Oxford  University  Press,  1994).  He 
has  also  written  numerous 
journal  and  reference 
articles,  book  chapters, 
and  book  reviews. 
"Religion,  Economics,  and 
the  Body  Social  in  Calvin's 
Geneva"  is  forthcoming  in 
The  Sixteenth  Century 
Journal.  "The  Economic 
Thought  of  Jonathan 
Edwards"  was  published 
in  Church  History  (March 
1991)  and  "The  New 
Divinity  and  the  American 
Mark  Valeri  Revolution"  in  The  William 

and  Mary  Quarterly 
(October  1989).  In  progress  is  "Religion,  Moral  Discipline, 
and  Economic  Life  in  Eariy  America,"  a  monograph-length 
study  of  the  relation  between  religion,  moral  discipline, 
and  economic  ethics  from  1630  to  1800,  with  background 
chapters  on  Calvin's  Geneva  and  English  Puritanism. 

Dr.  Skreslet  is  a  1975  graduate  of  Lewis  and  Clark 
College,  Portland,  Oregon.  He  received  the  Doctor  of 
Ministry  degree  in  1980  from  Union  Theological  Seminary 
in  Virginia.  From  1982  to  1987,  he  was  a  student  at  Yale 
University  where  he  earned  M.A.,  M.Phil.,  and  Ph.D. 
degrees.  He  is  an  ordained  minister  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (USA). 

Dr.  Skreslet  served  as  Union  Seminary's  director  of 
admissions  from  1980  to  1982.  He  has  also  taught  at  Yale 
University  in  the  College  and  in  the  Divinity  School,  and  at 
the  College  of  Idaho. 

He  is  the  author  of  Fundamentals  of  New  Testament 
Greek,  a  textbook  and  reference  grammar  written  in  Arabic 
and  published  by  the  Bible  Society  of  Egypt  in  1995.  He  is 
also  the  author  of  "The  Empty  Basket  of  Presbyterian 
Mission:  Limits  and  Possibilities  of  Partnership, "  published 
in  1995  in  the  International  Bulletin  of  Missionary 
Research. 


Union  Receives  $125,000  Grant 


Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  has  received 
a  grant  of  $125,000  from  the  Arthur  Vining  Davis  Foun- 
dations. The  grant  will  help  fund  construction  of  the 
seminary's  new  library,  which  is  scheduled  to  open  this  fall. 

Previous  gifts  to  the  seminary  from  the  Foundations 
include  a  $25,000  grant  in  1978  for  the  seminary's  Media 
Services  department,  and  an  $80,000  grant  in  1985  to 
provide  on-campus  housing  for  participants  in  continuing 
education  events. 

There  are  three  Arthur  Vining  Davis  Foundations. 
Their  purpose  is  to  provide  financial  assistance  to 
educational,  cultural,  .scientific,  and  religious  institutions.  In 
the  field  of  religion,  their  principal  commitment  is  to  grad- 
uate theological  education,  with  the  majority  of  grants 


going  to  fully  accredited  graduate  seminaries  that  primarily 
produce  persons  prepared  for  ordination  to  pastoral  or 
pulpit  ministry  of  all  denomin 


With  seminary  librarian  John  Trotti  Clefv  is  emeritus  professor 
John  Leith.  Dr.  Leith  not  only  found  the  rare  first  edition  of John 

Calvin 's  Institutes,  but  also  helped  the  seminary  raise  funds  to 
purchase  it. 

Union  Acquires  Rare 
First  Edition  of  John 
Calvin's  Institutes 


Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  has  acquired 
a  rare  first  edition  of  John  Calvin's  (1509-1564)  Institution 
Christinae  religionis.  Calvin,  a  lawyer  by  training,  led  the 
Swiss  Reformation.  He  reformed  the  government  of 
Geneva  where  he  sought  to  establish  a  Christian 
commonwealth.  "While  Calvin's  ideas  formed  the  basis  of 
the  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  tradition,  they  also 
influenced  western  legal  systems.. 

This  book  is  the  last  of  several  redactions  of  the 
Institutes,  and  was  completed  by  Calvin  in  1559.  According 
to  seminary  librarian  John  B.  Trotti,  this  edition  is  one  of 
the  most  important  doctrinal  works  of  the  Protestant 
Reformation.  Dr.  Trotti  said,  "Calvin  himself  said  that  this 
edition  was  'in  the  highest  and  most  outstanding  position 
of  all  his  studies.'" 

The  564-page  volume  is  in  excellent  condition 
according  to  Dr.  Trotti.  "It  has  been  well-preserved.  Of 
course,  it's  100%  rag  content  paper,  and  that  survives  very 
well."  The  volume  has  gilt  ornamentation  and  the  printer's 
mark  is  on  the  title  page.  It  also  contains  notations  by  one 
of  the  books  earliest  owners.  Christian  Hebrew  scholar 
Comeille  Bertram  (1531-1594).  "This  is  the  capstone  of  our 
Calvin  collection,"  Dr.  Trotti  said.  "We've  been  looking  for 
it  for  years." 

This  Calvin  volume  has  been  dedicated  in  honor  of 
emeritus  professor  John  Leith  who  is  credited  with  the  find 
and  with  helping  to  secure  donations  to  purchase  the 
book.  Dr.  Trotti  said,  "Professor  Leith  mentioned  to  Milton 
Carothers,  a  Union  graduate,  that  the  seminary  was 
looking  for  this  edition  of  the  Institutes.  Milton  said  he  had 
just  noticed  a  listing  in  a  rare  book  dealer's  catalog.  And  it 
just  happened  to  be  the  very  one  we  were  looking  for. 
Then  Dr.  Leith  helped  us  raise  the  money  to  buy  it. " 

Tliis  treasure  joins  Union  Seminary's  rare  book 
collection  which  includes  additional  works  by  Calvin, 
other  early  Refomied  theology  bqoks,  a  collection  of 
William  Blake  items  including  Ilhtstrations  of  the  Book  of 
Job,  as  well  as  rare  early  American  and  Southern 
Presbyterian  imprints. 


Seminary  Faculty  to  Lead 
Mid-East  Travel  Seminar 

Union  Seminar)'  will  offer  a  travel  seminar  to  tlie 
Middle  East  in  January'  1997.  Led  by  members  of  the  Old 
Testament  faculty-,  participants  will  travel  to  Egypt,  Israel, 
the  West  Bank,  Jordan,  and  Syria.  Cost  of  the  23-day  trip 
is  approximately  $3000.  For  more  infomiation,  pli  a^^e 
contact  Jill  Torben  at  800.229-2990,  extension  : 
free),  or  804.278.4280  Oocal). 


Page  4,  Mid-Atlantic  Presb3rterian,  July/August  1996 


Sept.  1  is  Christian  Vocation  Sunday 


In  keeping  with  the  tradition  of 
celebrating  Christian  Vocation 
Sunday  on  the  Simday  before 
Labor  Day  in  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic,  this  year  it  will  be 
observed  on  Sept.  1. 

"Churches  use  this  Sunday  to 
emphasize  the  connection  be- 
tween work,  life  and  faith,"  said 
Dr.  Elbert  Patton,  Ed.D.,  direc- 
tor of  the  Career  and  Personal 
Counseling  Service  located  in 
Laurinburg  and  Charlotte,  N.C. 

The  coimseling  service  oper- 
ates on  a  basic  premise  that  each 
individual  is  called  to  serve  God 
through  every  area  of  life.  The 
purpose  of  observing  Christian 
Vocation  Sunday  is  to  help 
people: 

•  understand  the  concept  of 
Christian  vocation  as  the  call  to 
serve  God  and  humanity  through 
every  area  of  life; 

•  seek  the  will  of  God  in  every 
choice  of  work; 

•  understand  how  Christians' 
work  and  working  relationships 
witness  to  their  faith; 

•  deal  creatively  with  career 
change  or  retirement  within  the 
concept  of  Christian  vocation; 


•  be  aware  of  services  offered 
by  synod's  counseling  centers. 

CPCS  offers  a  comprehensive, 
three-day  program  that  focuses 
on  all  aspects  of  one's  life  in  deter- 
mining the  vocational  call.  An  al- 
ternate two-day  program  focuses 
more  strictly  on  career  planning. 
These  programs  are  for  adults  and 
college  students. 

For  more  than  45  years,  CPCS 
has  offered  a  program  for  high 
school  youth  who  need  to  know 
about  possible  educational  and 
occupational  choices  and/or  who 
may  need  assistance  in  planning 
for  post-high  school  education  or 
training.  This  program  is  coordi- 
nated through  the  churches  of  the 
synod  or  students  may  choose  to 
come  on  an  individual  basis. 

Special  programs  for  church 
professionals  and  candidates  for 
the  ministry  are  also  offered.  In 
addition,  the  Laurinburg  Center 
serves  the  career  and  personal 
counseling  needs  of  St.  Andrews 
Presbyterian  College  students, 
faculty  and  staff. 

In  past  years  the  Career  and 
Personal  Counseling  Service 
(CPCS)    mailed    packets  to 


Black  Caucus  meets  with  council 


continued  from  page  1 

our  leaders  have  been  made  to 

bear  unnecessary  crosses." 

Sterling  Morse,  speaking  about 
the  lack  of  black  new  church  de- 
velopment and  church  redevelop- 
ment, noted  that  the  only  times 
they  happen  are  "under  the  guises 
of  a  merger  ...  putting  two  sick 
puppies  together  ...  or  in  a  crisis. 
It's  not  done  out  of  love  or  vision." 

There  seems  to  be  no  interest 
in  the  expansion  and  growth  of 
black  churches  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  he  said.  "I  find  my- 
self, after  13  years  of  reunion, 
longing  for  the  clarity  we  once 
had.  We  weren't  rich,  but  we  were 
true.  Most  of  our  (black)  churches 
are  100  years  old.  We  can't  win  a 
vote.  Our  numbers  have  been  di- 
luted so  much  we  can't  hear  our- 
selves speak." 

A  process  similar  to  the  June 
22  summit  was  planned  for  com- 
missioners to  the  210th  SsTiod 


Assembly  which  met  Jtdy  25-27 
in  Raleigh,  N.C.  It  was  also  sug- 
gested that  the  summit  concept 
be  recommended  for  use  at  the 
presbytery  level. 

While  the  summit  meeting  did 
not  result  in  any  official  council 
actions  at  that  time,  some  sug- 
gestions came  out  of  the  small 
group  discussions.  They  included: 

•  Establish  parity  between 
campus  ministries  at  racial  eth- 
nic schools  and  majority  schools 
—  especially  between  North  Caro- 
lina A&T  and  UNC-Greensboro. 

•Instead  of  establishing  "clus- 
ters" of  campus  ministries  within 
the  synod,  use  the  money  for  pro- 
moting black  campus  ministries. 

•Place  renewed  focus  on  black 
new  church  development/redevel- 
opment. 

•  Have  the  synod  help  initiate 
as  a  demonstration  project  a  new 
church  development  that  is  ra- 
cially mixed  from  the  start. 


^our  Legacy  Can  Be 
*^  A  Song  Of  Praise 
ToQod. 

By  taking  the  time  to  plan  your  estate,  your  wishes  can 

'III  h{  f'lrinirij'Nn^mj 

be  orchestrated  to  provide  for  your  loved  ones.. .to 


support  the  charitable  mission  causes  which  have  been. 


1  be,  a  part  of  your  personal  song  to  God.  Planning 


for  the  future  can  keep  the  song  of  God's  praise  flowing. 

For  help  and  mforrruiaon  about  Christian  estate  planning  or  a  free 
copy  of  OUT  brochure  "Composing  A  Legacy,"  call  us  at 
800-858-6127  or  write  to  the  Presbytenan  Church  (U.S.A.) 
Foundadon.  200  East  Twelfth  Street,  feffersonville.  IN  47B0. 


Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.I  Foundation 


churches  suggesting  how  they 
might  observe  the  day.  This  year, 
a  letter  was  mailed  in  April  to  the 
ministers  and  Christian  educa- 
tors reminding  them  that  CPCS 
is  stiU  involved  in  providing  ser- 
vices for  high  school  youth,  adults, 
coUege  students,  inquirers/candi- 
dates,  and  church  professionals. 

Vocational  Sunday  packets 
with  sermon  topic  suggestions  are 
still  available  through  CPCS. 

For  information  contact: 

Glenda  Phillips  or  Dr.  Patton 
at  Career  and  Personal  Coimsel- 
ing Service,  St.  Andrews  Presby- 
terian College,  Laurinburg,  NC 
28352;  phone  (910)  276-3162;  or 

Sue  Setzer  at  Career  and  Per- 
sonal Counseling  Service,  4108 
Park  Rd.,  Ste.  200,  Charlotte,  NC 
28209;  phone  (704)  523-7751). 


The  former  Matthews-Murkland  sanctuary  as  it  appeared 
before  the  fire.  The  building  was  not  in  everyday  use,  having 
been  replaced  about  20  years  ago  by  a  modem  structure. 


Arsonist  destroyed  a  building,  but  not  the 
church,  says  Matthews-Murkland  pastor 


continued  from 
destroy  a  building,"  Hill  said  dur- 
ing an  emotional  sermon  to  an 
overflow  crowd  of  more  than  200 
worshipers .  "What  you  don't  know 
is  that  all  you  destroyed  was  a 
building.  You  did  not  destroy  the 
church!" 

That  Sunday  night  police  ar- 
rested the  13-year-old  girl,  who 
lives  in  an  affluent  neighborhood 
several  miles  from  the  Matthews- 
Murkland  Church.  Hill,  who 
found  himself  at  the  center  of 
media  and  community  attention, 
told  a  news  conference, "...  I  feel  a 
deep  sense  of  sorrow  for  a  13- 
year-old  child  who  has  not  only 
ruined  a  church  but  her  life."  He 
told  CNN  it  was  a  "tragedy  upon  a 
tragedy." 


After  praying  with  the  girl's 
father,  Hill  told  his  congregation, 
"Even  when  you're  going  through 
your  own  struggles,  as  a  Chris- 
tian, you  have  to  pray  for  others." 

HUl's  leadership  in  the  after- 
math of  the  tragedy  quickly  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  the  me- 
dia. Charlotte  Observer  Religion 
Editor  Ken  Garfield  called  Hill  "a 
national  symbol  of  grace." 

"Through  it  all  —  even  when 
the  New  York  Times  identified 
him  as  Larry  King  —  Hill 
preached  understanding,"  wrote 
Garfield.  "His  was  the  voice  of 
restraint,  even  when  it  grew 
hoarse  from  wear." 

The  Raleigh  News  and  Ob- 
server named  Hill  its  "Tar  Heel  of 
the  Week"  for  June  23.  "Through 


How  to  respond  to  burned 
churches,  racial  violence 


The  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)'s  response  to  the  burning 
of  African  American  churches  has 
taken  several  forms. 

The  208th  General  Assembly 
approved  a  resolution  on  July  6 
decrying  the  arsons  and  calling 
for  the  church  to  commit  itself  to 
work  with  ecumenical  and  inter- 
faith  partners  to  prevent  future 
acts  of  racial  hatred  and  violence. 

Several  weeks  earlier,  the 
newly-organized  National  Black 
Presbyterian  Women  (NBPW) 
adopted  a  statement  of  concern 
condemning  the  fires.  In  the  one- 
page  statement,  the  group  called 
upon  church  leaders  to  "speak 
upon  the  ashes"  as  anti-slavery 
activist  Sojourner  Truth  did,  and 
to  "continue  to  speak  out  with 
love  and  compassion  against  the 
evil  forces  which  would  try  to  hold 
back  God's  people." 

The  Rev.  John  Buchanan,  mod- 
erator of  the  208th  General 
Asssembly,  visited  Charlotte  on 
July  17  and  met  with  Matthews- 
Murkland  pastor  Larry  Hill. 
Buchanan,  new  GA  Stated  Clerk 
Clifton  Kirkpatrick  and  National 
Ministries  Division  Director 
Curtis  Kearns  also  participated 
in  a  Charlotte  Presbytery  spon- 
sored discussion  on  racism. 

=  PEW  CUSHIONS 

FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 


^  1-800-572-2283  =^ 


Financial  contributions  to  help 
rebiuld  the  churches  may  be  sent 
to  the  PC(USA)  Central  Receiv- 
ing Services,  lOOWitherspoonSt., 
Louisville,  KY  40202-1396.  They 
should  be  designated  for  "Re- 
sponse to  Church  Burnings,  9- 
2000126." 

Those  wishing  to  help  the 
Matthews-Murkland  Church  may 
send  gifts  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Charlotte,  5700  Executive  Cen- 
ter Dr.,  Suite  200,  Charlotte,  NC 
28212. 

The  National  Council  of 
Chiu-ches,  which  is  composed  of  33 
Protestemt  and  Orthodox  member 
denominations,  including  the 
PC(USA),has  established  a  Burned 
Churches  Fimd.  Donations  should 
be  sent  to  the  attention  of  Joan 
Campbell,  NCC  General  Secretary, 
Room  880,  475  Riverside  Drive, 
New  York,  NY  10115. 

Presbj^erians  are  encouraged 
to  continue  to  work  in  their  com- 
munities to  combat  racial  vio- 
lence. Breaking  Down  the  Walls: 
Responding  to  the  Racism  that 
Divides  Us  (PDS  #  225-92-271) 
helps  examine  and  deal  with  rac- 
ism. For  more  information  con- 
tact the  Presbyterian  Peacemak- 
ing Program  at  (800)  338-4987. 


FREE  ESTIMATES^ 

A&H  ; 

^RT  &  STAINED  GLAS^ 
^     COMPANY,  IMi;  .  . 


all  the  attention,  HUl  has  quietly 
tried  to  show  his  congregation, 
the  city  of  Charlotte  and  the  coun- 
try what  a  true  Christian  is,"  wrote 
staff  writer  Shannon  Buggs. 

"He  reminds  us  that  God  loves 
the  person  who  set  our  church  on 
fire  just  as  much  as  he  loves  all  of 
us,"  Matthews-Murkland  deacon 
Frances  Funderburk  told  the 
News  and  Observer. 

Hill  was  very  busy  in  the  weeks 
following  the  fire.  He  received  a 
phone  call  from  President  Bill 
Clinton  and  walked  around  the 
fu-e  site  with  NAACP  Chair  Myrlie 
Evers-WUliams.  He  hosted  an  ecu- 
menical prayer  breakfast  on  June 
15  and  participated  in  a  commu- 
nity wide  gathering  to  promote 
unity  on  Jime  22. 

On  Sunday,  June  23,  Hill  led 
his  congregation  over  to  the  re- 
mains of  the  former  sanctuary 
and  held  the  benediction  there. 
"We're  going  to  put  closure  to  this 
event,"  he  said.  "We're  going  to 
ask  God  to  take  this  burnt-out 
rubble  and  heal  us." 

Turning  the  other  cheek  has 
not  been  easy.  Hill  told  a  reporter. 
"This  has  been  a  true  test.  I've 
had  one  good  cry.  It  renewed  and 
unburdened  me  and  allowed  me 
to  keep  helping  others." 

(Information  for  this  story  was 
also  compiled  from  the  Presbyte- 
rian News  Service,  the  Associated 
Press,  the  Charlotte  Observer,  and 
the  Raleigh  News  and  Observer) 


Govans  Church 
receives  award 

continued  from  page  1 
daily  prayer  ministry. 

The  awards  are  named  for  out- 
standing Presbyterians  from 
Richmond,  Va.,  and  presented 
annually  to  Presbyterian 
churches.  All  churches  are  eli- 
gible to  apply. 

"PSCE  is  privileged  to  honor 
these  outstanding  congregations," 
said  Wa5Tie  G.  Boulton,  president 
of  PSCE.  "Every  year  we  are  de- 
lighted and  amazed  at  the  work 
being  done  in  local  churches .  Their 
innovation  and  commitment  are 
inspirational  and  instructive  in 
our  mission  to  supply  the  church 
with  outstanding  Christian  edu- 
cation professionals." 


PEWREFINISHING  ♦  CARPET 
PEWS  ♦  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 
CHURCH  LIGHTING 


CHURCH  FURNISHINGS,  INC. 
Monroe,  NC  28111  1-800-414-5817 


Wrap-up 


General 
Assembly 


News 


July  6,  1996 


OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 


Kirkpatrick  elected  and  installed  as  Stated  Clerk 


The  Rev.  Clifton  Kirkpatrick  was 
installed  as  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.SA)  during 
the  final  session  of  the  208th  General 
Assembly  in  Albuquerque  Saturday, 
July  6. 

Kirkpatrick  easily  won  on  the  first 
ballot  of  a  five-way  race  the  previous 
day.  He  received  386  votes  or  71  per- 
cent of  the  ballots  cast.  Closest  run- 
ners up  were  the  Rev.  W.  Clark 
Chamberlain  with  63  votes  and  James 
B.  Railing  with  61  votes.  John  Matta 
received  27  votes  and  the  Rev.  Richard 
A.  Dolin  got  five. 

The  Stated  Clerk  serves  a  four-year 
term,  so  Kirkpatrick's  tenure  should 
carry  through  the  year  2000.  He  suc- 
ceeds the  Rev.  James  E.  Andrews  who 
has  held  the  post  for  12  years. 

The  installation  service  was  a  family 
affair  as  Kirkpatrick's  daughter,  the 
Rev.  Elizabeth  R.  Kirkpatrick-Brucken 
read  the  charge  to  the  new  stated  clerk. 
"Dad,  you  are  an  agent  of  God's  recon- 
ciling love.  You  bring  with  you  to  this 
office  God's  gift  of  a  peacemaker,  a 
leader,  an  administrator  and  a  dedicat- 
ed servant,"  she  said  during  the  charge. 

It  was  a  trade-out  of  roles  as  10 
months  ago  the  father  read  the  charge 
to  the  daughter  when  she  became  pas- 
tor of  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Eminence,  Ky.  Also  by  Kirkpatrick's 


The  Rev.  Clifton  Kirkpatrick 

side  after  the  election  and  for  the 
installation  was  his  wife,  Diane.  A  son, 
David,  recently  returned  from  Scotland 
and  was  not  able  to  be  present. 

After  the  election,  Kirkpatrick  met 
with  the  General  Assembly  Council  to 
tender  his  resignation  as  director  of 
the  Worldwide  Ministries  Division 
effective  Aug.  5.  He  has  served  as 
leader  of  international  ministries  for 
this  denomination  and  one  of  its  pre- 
decessors since  1981. 

Brian  Ellison,  chair  of  the  Stated 
Clerk  Review/Nominating  Committee, 
noted  that  while  the  PC(USA)'s  interna- 


tional ministries  division  was  losing  a 
leader,  the  denomination  was  really 
gaining  a  new  missionary.  "Cliff's  vision 
...  has  everything  to  do  with  mission, 
indeed  with  proclaiming  the  good  news 
of  Jesus  Christ.  There  is  a  sense  in 
which  we  are  not  merely  here  to  install 
a  stated  clerk  today,  but  to  commission 
a  missionary,  a  missionary  to  us." 

Ellison's  committee,  which  started 
work  11  months  ago,  unanimously 
nominated  Kirkpatrick  at  the  start  of 
the  Assembly  in  Albuquerque.  After 
four  candidates  were  nominated  from 
the  floor  on  June  29,  10  commission- 
ers were  named  by  Moderator  Marj 
Carpenter  to  join  the  nine  members  of 
the  original  nomination  committee. 
After  interviewing  the  candidates,  lis- 
tening to  their  supporters  and  review- 
ing their  qualifications,  this  enlarged 
group,  also  led  by  Ellison,  submitted 
Kirkpatrick  as  the  best  qualified  of  the 
five  candidates. 

After  electing  Kirkpatrick,  the 
Assembly  also  approved  the  review 
committee's  recommendation  that  the 
Committee  on  the  Office  of  the 
General  Assembly  review  the  standing 
rules  for  electing  a  stated  clerk. 

During  his  pre-election  speech  to  the 
Assembly,  Kirkpatrick  said  he  wanted 
to  work  to  bring  together  the  diverse 
factions  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


"We  can  all  agree  that  win-lose  poli- 
tics, turf  battles,  big  egos,  narrow  self- 
interest  groups,  all  of  which  are  far  too 
common  in  our  church,  have  no  place 
in  this  vision  of  leadership,"  he  said. 
"On  the  other  hand  there  is  plenty  of 
space  for  win-win  approaches  to  con- 
flict resolution,  for  carrying  out  our 
ministries  in  ways  that  also  affirm  oth- 
ers." 

In  response  to  a  question  about  the 
potential  loss  of  churches  from  the 
denomination,  Kirkpatrick  said  it  was 
his  intention  to  start  working  immedi- 
ately after  the  Assembly  ends  to  do 
everything  possible  to  convince 
churches  that  leaving  the  PC  (USA)  is 
not  the  answer  to  their  concerns. 

He  said  that  the  church  in  which  he 
grew  up  was  now  part  of  another 
Presbyterian  denomination.  Noting  the 
pain  such  a  decision  puts  upon  a  con- 
gregation and  the  need  for  unity  in  the 
church,  he  said  he  doesn't  want  to  see 
it  happen  to  other  churches. 

A  native  of  Harlingen,  Texas, 
Kirkpatrick  holds  a  doctor  of  ministry 
degree  from  McCormick  Theological 
Seminary  and  is  a  graduate  of 
Davidson  College.  Prior  to  joining  the 
PC(USA)'s  national  staff,  he  worked  for 
ecumenical  organizations  in  Dallas, 
Fort  Worth  and  Houston. 
by  John  Sniffen 


Assembly  approves  sending  "fidelity,  chastity"  amendment  to  presbyteries 


Silence  fell  on  the  208th  General 
Assembly  (1996)  at  about  3:10  p.m. 
Friday,  July  5.  The  commissioners  had 
just  approved  sending  an  amendment 
to  the  presbyteries  that  would  require 
fidelity  in  marriage  or  chastity  in 
singleness  for  all  church  officers. 
The  vote  was  313  for,  236  against, 
0  abstained. 

If  approved  by  a  majority  of  the  pres- 
byteries during  the  coming  year,  the 
amendment  would  place  into  the  con- 
stitution of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.SA)  wording  that  would  not  allow 
self-acknowledged,  practicing  homo- 
sexual persons  to  be  ordained.  It  also 
covers  "any  self-acknowledged  practice 
which  the  confessions  call  sin"  and 
says,  "persons  refusing  to  repent"  of 
these  "shall  not  be  ordained  and/or 
installed  as  deacons,  elders,  or  minis- 
ters of  the  Word  and  Sacrament." 

The  vote  followed  a  45-minute 
"informational  presentation  and 
prayerful  reflection"  on  both  the 


majority  and  minority  reports  from 
the  Ordination  and  Human  Sexuality 
committee,  about  90  minutes  of  debate 
on  the  two  reports  and  amendments 
offered  from  the  floor,  and  two  min- 
utes of  prayer. 

The  silence — a  gesture  of  respect  for 
one  another's  feelings  after  the  debate 
and  vote — ^was  broken  only  by  the 
voice  of  Assembly  Moderator  John 
Buchanan  who  simply  called  for  the 
next  item  of  business. 

After  the  full  committee  report  was 
finished,  several  hundred  gays,  les- 
bians and  their  supporters  demonstrat- 
ed by  marching  in  a  long  column 
through  the  aisles  of  the  hall  singing 
with  harmony  and  descant,  "We  are 
marching  in  the  light  of  God."  Many 
demonstrators  wore  stoles  and  handed 
out  stoles  showing  support  for  gays 
and  lesbians.  Many  commissioners 
stood  in  silence  with  them.  Moderator 
Buchanan  allowed  them  10  minutes  to 
express  their  pain  in  this  way. 


The  full  text  of  the  amendment  says, 
"Those  who  are  called  to  office  in  the 
church  are  to  lead  a  life  in  obedience 
to  Scripture  and  in  conformity  to  the 
historic  confessional  standards  of  the 
church.  Among  these  standards  is  the 
requirement  to  live  either  in  fidelity 
within  the  covenant  of  marriage  of  a 
man  and  a  woman  (W-4.9001),  or 
chastity  in  singleness.  Persons  refusing 
to  repent  of  any  self-acknowledged 
practice  which  the  Confessions  call  sin 
shall  not  be  ordained  and/or  installed 
as  deacons,  elders,  or  ministers  of  the 
Word  and  Sacrament." 

The  minority  report,  signed  by 
19  members  of  the  50-member 
Ordination  and  Human  Sexuality  com- 
mittee, called  for  the  Assembly  to 
approve  an  authoritative  interpretation 
of  the  constitution  that  would  have 
allowed  each  presbytery  and  session  to 
decide  whether  to  ordain  or  not- 
known  as  "local  option."  The  minority 
report  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  226 


for,  323  against,  and  0  abstained. 

Another  motion,  one  to  take  no 
action  and  study  the  issue  for  an  indef- 
inite time,  was  defeated  220  for,  314 
against,  0  abstained. 

The  Assembly  also  adopted  an  over- 
ture calling  for  ministries  of  compas- 
sion and  healing  for  those  whose  sexu- 
al practices  bring  alienation  and  pain, 
and  for  church  members  who  feel 
alienation  and  pain  over  the  action  of 
the  Church. 

The  preamble  to  the  committee's 
report,  which  was  not  put  up  for 
approval  by  the  Assembly,  says  in  part, 
"We  hear  the  church's  desire  to  send  a 
clear  word  that  speaks  to  the  moral 
confusion  in  our  culture....  In  sending 
this  resolution,  we  as  a  church  are  act- 
ing like  Jesus,  who  loves  all  persons, 
who  did  not  come  to  condemn  anyone, 
but  calls  all  to  repentance,  turning 
from  sin..." 

by  Bill  Lancaster 


PAGE  2 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAYJULY  6,  1996 


General  Assembly  approves  extended  roles  for  commissioned  lay  pastors 


The  208th  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  approved 
July  4  a  proposal  that  would  give  com- 
missioned lay  pastors  the  authority  to 
perform  baptisms  and  weddings 
among  other  added  roles. 

If  approved  by  a  majority  of  the 
denomination's  171  presbyteries,  the 
changes  to  the  PCUSA's  Book  of  Order 
will  also  make  it  possible  for  the  com- 
missioned lay  pastors  to  have  voice  and 
vote  in  their  presbyteries,  and  to  serve 
as  moderator  of  their  church  session. 

The  Assembly  upheld  a  committee 
amendment  which  specified  that  com- 
missioned lay  pastors  must  be 
ordained  Presbyterian  elders.  While 
considering  the  proposal  from  the 
PCUSA's  National  Ministries  Division, 
the  Assembly  Committee  on  Church 
Orders  and  Ministry  added  the  require- 
ment. An  attempt  on  the  floor  of  the 
Assembly  to  allow  non-ordained  per- 
sons to  perform  that  role  was  defeated. 

However,  the  commissioners  did 


narrowly  approve  giving  presbyteries 
the  power  to  authorize  non  elders  to 
perform  these  functions,  as  well  as 
others  already  assigned  to  commis- 
sioned lay  pastors.  Such  authorization 
would  require  a  75  percent  majority 
vote  of  the  presbytery. 

Limiting  the  position  to  ordained 
elders  brings  to  it  education/training 
standards  and  accountability  (through 
ordination  vows).  The  presbyteries  — 
which  will  decide  which  of  these  pow- 
ers each  commissioned  lay  pastor  may 
possess  —  will  be  responsible  for  train- 
ing and  monitoring  their  work. 

As  approved,  the  proposal  calls  for 
commissioned  lay  pastors  to  receive 
training  in  the  Bible,  Reformed  theolo- 
gy and  sacraments,  Presbyterian  polity, 
preaching,  leading  worship,  pastoral 
care  and  teaching. 

The  Assembly's  vote  to  approve  the 
amended  proposal  was  386  to  146. 

Proponents  of  commissioned  lay 
pastors  say  they  will  help  the  church 


grow  in  coming  years  by  evangelizing 
and  starting  churches  among  fast- 
growing  communities.  They  are  also 
promoted  as  the  solution  to  church 
development  and  redevelopment 
among  ethnic  communities  and  small 
congregations  in  rural  and  urban  set- 
tings. 

The  proposal's  opponents  have  ques- 
tioned the  need  for  commissioned  lay 
pastors  and  expressed  concern  that  the 
church  is  creating  a  second  category  of 
ministers  who  will  compete  with 
ordained  ministers  of  word  and  sacra- 
ment for  pastorates. 

If  the  presbyteries  approve  the  Book 
of  Order  changes  and  the  proposal 
goes  into  effect  in  1997,  lay  pastors 
already  commissioned  by  presbyteries 
will  not  have  to  meet  the  elder  require- 
ment for  the  term  of  their  commis- 
sions. 

In  other  business  coming  from  the 
Church  Orders  and  Ministry 
Committee,  the  Assembly  approved  an 


overture  from  Baltimore  Presbytery  to 
allow  a  presbytery  to  waive  ordination 
requirements  for  a  candidate  for  min- 
istry under  certain  conditions  without 
obtaining  approval  from  its  synod.  The 
committee  amended  the  proposal  to 
require  that  the  presbytery  have  its 
synod  first  approve  a  process  for  exam- 
ining such  candidates. 

An  overture  from  Central  Florida 
Presbytery  which  would  have  allowed 
assistant  and  associate  pastors  to  be 
called  as  co-pastors  of  the  churches 
they  serve  was  defeated. 

An  overture  from  Santa  Fe 
Presbytery  was  approved  as  amended 
by  both  the  committee  and  the 
Assembly.  It  would  not  allow  a  parish 
associate  to  be  called  to  be  pastor  or 
associate  pastor  of  the  church  he  or 
she  serves  unless  at  least  six  months 
have  elapsed  since  the  end  of  the 
parish  associate  relationship. 

by  John  Sniffen 


GA  declines  to  confirm  GAG 
executive  director's  election 


At  the  end  of  the  report  of  the 
General  Assembly  Council  on  Thursday 
afternoon  on  the  4th  of  July,  the  208th 
General  Assembly  stood  to  applaud  the 
service  of  General  Assembly  Council 
Executive  Director  James  Brown. 
Minutes  before,  they  had  voted  258  to 
222  not  to  confirm  his  reelection  to  a 
second  four-year  term. 

During  the  debate  on  the  floor  of  the 
Assembly,  GAC  vice-chair  and  personnel 
subcommittee  chair  Pat  Niles  told  com- 
missioners that  the  procedure  followed 
faithfully  in  the  evaluation  and  election 
of  Brown  by  the  Council  came  from  the 
Manual  of  the  General  Assembly 
Council.  She  said  that  75  percent  of  the 
Council  had  voted  for  his  confirmation. 

The  Assembly  Committee  on  Mission 
Priorities  and  Budgets,  to  which  the 
confirmation  had  been  referred,  voted 
unanimously  to  recommend  confirma- 
tion, according  to  committee  chair 
Gordon  Tower. 

Minister  commissioner  David 
Henderson  from  Pueblo  Presbytery,  a 
member  of  the  committee  on  Mission 
Priorities  and  Budgets,  tried  unsuc- 
cessfully to  get  a  motion  passed  that 
would  defer  the  confirmation  vote 
until  Saturday  morning  when  commis- 
sioners would  have  an  opportunity  to 
hear  the  concerns  attached  to  the  com- 
mittee's recommendation  for  confir- 
mation as  a  response  to  overture  96- 
124.  Mark  Diehl,  minister  commission- 
er from  Middle  Tennessee  Presbytery, 
who  was  also  a  member  of  the  commit- 
tee, said  he  felt  the  work  of  the  com- 
mittee had  been  blocked  by  skillful 
political  maneuvering. 

There  was  a  20-minute  limit  on 
debate  of  each  item  on  the  afternoon's 
docket.  During  that  time,  several  com- 
missioners spoke  both  for  and  against 
confirmation. 


The  Rev.  James  D.  Brown 

Minister  commissioner  Janice 
Hilkerbaumer  from  Miami  Presbytery 
spoke  in  favor  of  confirmation.  She  said 
there  is  widespread  disagreement  on 
the  kind  of  leadership  Presbyterians 
want  and  that  we  tend  to  take  out  our 
frustrations  on  our  leader. 

Minister  commissioner  William  Craig 
from  the  Presbytery  of  San  Fernando, 
said  he  recognized  the  wonderful  pas- 
toral gifts  of  Brown,  but  thought  more 
management  skills  are  needed  in  the 
executive  director's  position. 

William  Mclvor,  chair  of  the  General 
Assembly  Council,  said  the  position  of 
executive  director  will  be  vacant  when 
Brown's  term  expires  on  September  16, 
1996.  He  said  that  the  GAC  will  form  a 
search  committee  and  present  a  candi- 
date to  the  Council  for  election,  who  is 
to  be  confirmed  by  the  next  General 
Assembly,  according  to  the  Manual. 

On  Friday  evening,  July  5,  there  was 
a  motion  to  reconsider  the  vote  on  con- 
firmation. The  motion  failed  by  a  vote 
of  3 19  to  208. 
by  Jane  Mines 


Mclvor  and  Brown 
take  stock,  look  ahead 


In  a  Saturday  morning  press  confer- 
ence, General  Assembly  Council  lead- 
ers assessed  the  implications  of  this 
traumatic  week  and  lined  things  up  for 
the  future.  Council  Chair  William 
Mclvor  spoke  briefly  about  what  he 
called  "a  difficult  period,"  then  gave 
way  to  Executive  Director  James 
Brown;  Brown  made  efforts  to  debrief 
the  pain  and  disappointment  occa- 
sioned by  the  Assembly's  failure  to  con- 
firm his  election  to  a  second  term,  but 
also  pointed  to  signs  of  hope  for  the 
future  of  the  PCUSA. 

Looking  to  the  future,  Mclvor  spoke 
of  the  50  new  members  coming  onto 
the  Council  —  including  new  pres- 
bytery representatives  mandated  by 
this  meeting.  He  also  spoke  about  the 
"ripple  effect"  in  the  Presbyterian 
Center  in  Louisville,  aftermath  of  the 
Brown  decision.  "We  were  just  begin- 
ning to  recover  from  some  disruptions, 
and  have  more  to  come." 

What's  next?  He  reported  a  very 
recent  meeting  at  which  the  resignation 
of  Cliff  Kirkpatrick  was  received  (he  was 
elected  as  the  denomination's  Stated 
Clerk)  and  noted  wryly  that  Jim  Brown 
would  be  the  one  to  name  the  interim 
director  of  Worldwide  Ministries. 

Brown  acknowledged  this  as  "a 
tumultuous  couple  of  days"  and,  with 
something  of  a  smile,  spoke  of  "reality 
checks"  in  store  for  him  and  for  the 
Council.  He  said  he  is  going  out  "with 
my  head  up,"  grateful  for  what  has 
been  accomplished  during  a  time  of 
"turbulence  and  discombobulation," 
saddened  by  what  he  perceives  to  have 
been  some  unfair  tactics  used  to 
unseat  him. 

Brown  mentioned  four  key  problems 
which  have  marked  his  term:  downsiz- 
ing, Reimagining,  reconciliation  (with 
the  Presbyterian  Lay  Committee),  and 
quadrennial  review,  the  impact  of 
restructuring  proposed  by  the  1995 
GA.  He  listed  significant  achievements 


by  the  mission  arms  and  divisions: 
from  a  financial  deficit  to  a  balanced 
budget;  programs  promoting  the 
renaissance  of  youth  ministry;  the  Year 
with  Africa  (and  now  Latin  America); 
working  things  out  with  the 
Presbyterian  Foundation  and  the 
Presbyterian  Publishing  Corporation, 
and  the  new  beginnings  of  "Covenant 
2000,"  a  partnership  program  to  pre- 
pare for  the  new  century.  He  called  the 
last  five  months  "the  most  productive 
of  my  ministry,"  and  expressed  regret 
that  no  note  was  taken  of  that;  instead, 
he  said,  he  feels  like  the  Assembly's 
summary  evaluation  had  elements  of 
"caricature  and  misinformation." 

Signs  of  hope  include  the  church's 
new  humility;  the  vitality  in  congrega- 
tional life;  new  worship  forms;  the  new 
vitality  of  the  laity;  and  significant  suc- 
cesses by  all  the  national  divisions  and 
agencies,  for  which  little  credit  has 
been  generated. 

Advice  for  his  successor?  He  will 
urge  him  or  her  to  nurture  the  com- 
munity at  100  Witherspoon  Street  and 
to  focus  the  role  of  the  executive  direc- 
tor more  sharply.  He  spoke  of  his  job  as 
"hard  to  focus;  when  I  squint  it  doesn't 
quite  come  into  focus."  He  said  he 
hoped  the  GAC  would  not  give  in  to 
critics  and  choose  someone  from  the 
business  world.  He  also  said  he 
thought  the  office  was  understaffed, 
and  that  there  was  need  for  a  person  to 
help  in  the  operational  side  of  the  job. 

He  spoke  sharply  and  directly  about 
his  critics:  "I  hope  the  Genevans  will 
take  stock  of  what  they  are  about;  they 
have  the  right  to  organize,  but  not  to 
caricature."  Of  the  Presbyterian 
Layman,  he  said,  "Not  once  in  my  four 
years  have  they  called  to  verify  the 
facts  or  a  quotation."  He  said,  "I  don't 
expect  people  to  agree,  but  I  do  expect 
more  attention  to  truth-telling." 
by  Houston  Hodges 


SATURDAY,  JULY  6,  1996 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


PAGE  3 


208th  Assembly  elects  Buchanan  moderator 


John  M.  Buchanan 


The  Rev.  John  M.  Buchanan,  pastor 
of  Fourth  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Chicago,  was  elected  moderator  of  the 
208th  General  Assembly  on  June  29, 
1996,  in  Albuquerque,  New  Mexico. 

Buchanan  was  elected  on  the  second 
ballot  with  309  votes.  John  Clark 
Poling  received  210  votes  on  the  sec- 
ond ballot  and  Norman  D.  Pott 
received  30  votes.  On  the  first  ballot, 
Buchanan's  total  was  243;  Poling's  vote 
was  207  and  Pott  received  93  votes. 

Buchanan  was  described  as  a  leader 
of  leaders  and  a  voice  of  reconciliation 
in  the  nominating  speech  by  Elder 
Commissioner  Gay  Mothershed  of 
Grace  Presbytery.  Citing  his  experience 


in  leading  the  denomination  through  a 
time  of  crisis  as  he  moderated  the 
206th  General  Assembly  committee 
which  dealt  with  the  "Reimagining" 
issue,  Mothershed  assured  commis- 
sioners that  the  evidence  of  his  leader- 
ship was  what  is  needed  now  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 

Buchanan  said  that  the  206th 
Assembly  had  said  "Theology  matters" 
and  the  207th  had  said  "Mission  mat- 
ters." For  the  208th,  he  declared  that 
the  "Church  matters."  "We  need  to 
make  that  as  strong  as  we  can,"  he  told 
commissioners. 

"These  are  great  days  and  we  have 
important  work  to  do,"  he  said,  claim- 
ing a  vision  of  a  Presbyterian  Church 
free  to  love  the  Lord  and  be  as  inclu- 
sive in  loving  as  Jesus  was. 

In  his  opening  remarks  and  in 
answers  to  questions,  candidate 
Norman  Pott  made  it  clear  that  he 
believes  it  is  time  now  for  the 
Presbyterian  Church  to  say  yes  to  the 
ordination  of  practicing  homosexuals. 
His  remarks  were  greeted  with 
applause  but  the  vote  did  not  reflect 
enthusiasm  for  his  position. 

John  Clark  Poling  gave  thoughtful 
responses  to  questions  and  was  a  calm 
voice  for  affirming  the  authority  of 
Scripture  and  the  order  of  creation. 
Commissioners  responded  Vv'ith  an 
impressive  number  of  votes  in  favor  of 
his  election. 


It  was  finally  Buchanan's  quiet  pas- 
sion for  the  peace  and  unity  of  the 
church,  as  he  urged  Presbyterians  to 
talk  to  each  other  and  work  out  differ- 
ences, that  carried  the  day  for  his  can- 
didacy. 

Questions  from  the  floor  reflected 
the  concerns  of  commissioners  about 
the  youth  of  the  church,  about  racial 
tensions,  about  the  church  of  the  next 
century,  about  the  church  and  higher 
education,  as  well  as  questions  about 
human  sexuality.  The  candidates 


answered  thoughtfully  in  response  to 
thoughtful  questions.  Finally 
Moderator  Marj  Carpenter  said,  "I  wish 
you  all  would  give  shorter  answers 
even  if  you  are  preachers." 

The  answers  were  heard  and  the  vote 
was  taken.  John  Buchanan  will  lead 
the  denomination  in  the  next  year  as 
the  highest  elected  non-paid  official  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.), 
promising  to  listen  and  to  lead  on  a 
path  of  reason  and  reconciliation. 
by  Jane  Mines 


Messages  from  Moderator,  Stated  Clerk  opened  Assembly 


Gay  Mothershed  is 
vice-moderator 


Moderator  John  Buchanan  and  vice-moder- 
ator Gay  Mothershed 

Elder  Gay  Mothershed  was  appointed 
vice-moderator  of  the  208th  General 
Assembly  by  Moderator  John  Buchanan. 
Her  appointment  was  announced 
July  1. 

Mothershed  is  from  Dallas,  Texas, 
where  she  serves  as  associate  executive 
presbyter  for  Grace  Presbytery.  She  is  a 
member  of  Preston  Hollow 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  a  certified 
Christian  educator.  She  has  served  the 
church  at  every  level,  including  terms 
on  the  General  Assembly  Council  and 
on  the  General  Assembly  Mission  Board 
of  the  former  Presbyterian  Church, 
U.S.  She  is  known  for  her  wit  and  hos- 
pitality. Mothershed  nominated  John 
Buchanan  for  moderator. 
by  Peggy  Rounseville 


"We  have  a  lot  to  do!"  stated  Marj 
Carpenter  as  she  gavelled  the  208th 
General  Assembly  to  order  at  one 
minute  past  three  Saturday  afternoon 
June  29. 

Her  official  actions  at  this  opening 
session  were  largely  to  introduce  oth- 
ers who  would  inform,  enlighten  and 
orient  commissioners  for  the  tasks 
ahead  of  them  and  take  care  of  a  vari- 
ety of  housekeeping  chores  necessary 
to  get  the  Assembly  geared  for  action. 
When  these  were  accomplished,  she 
began  her  final  moderator's  report  to 
the  church,  a  series  of  enthusiastic 
thank-yous  for: 

•  "allowing  me  this  wonderful  year  ... 
letting  me  stress  'mission-mission- 
mission'  to  take  our  minds  off  'sex- 
sex-sex'  ...  for  sharing  your  stories 
about  mission  you  have  done  and 
your  dreams  about  mission  you  are 
planning  to  do; 

•  "for  showing  me  how  important 
youth  are,  for  emphasizing  higher 
education  and  campus  ministry,  for 
the  opportunities  to  talk  to  hospital, 
military  and  prison  chaplains  and 
assure  them  that  they  are  not  second- 
class  ministers,  for  allowing  me  the 
privilege  of  holding  the  moderator's 
mission  forum; 

•  "for  the  opportunity  to  speak  to  gen- 
erals in  Guatemala,  to  157  women 
seminarians  in  South  Korea,  to 
North  Koreans  who  have  gone  40 
years  without  a  church,  to 
Presbyterians  in  Northern  Ireland, 


the  Ivory  Coast,  Venezuela  and  in 
border  projects  in  Mexico; 
•  "for  your  degrees,  your  invitations, 
your  flowers,  banners,  bagpipes, 
parades,  worship  services,  meals 
(even  the  hundreds  of  platefuls  of 
chicken-rice-and  carrots),  for  pray- 
ing me  through  all  kinds  of  places  in 
all  kinds  of  weather." 
In  conclusion  Moderator  Carpenter 
implored  the  Assembly  participants  to 
pray  for  the  church.  They  stood  to 
respond  with  deafening  and  sustained 
applause  expressing  the  church-wide 
popularity  of  their  1995  moderator. 

The  opening  docket  also  included  a 
final  report  to  the  church  by  Stated 
Clerk  James  Andrews.  The  retiring 
Stated  Clerk  compared  the  impact  on 
the  church  of  overwhelming  changes 


Jim  Andrews  and  Wil  Chinery  shared  a 
moment  of  levity  at  a  reception  given  in 
honor  of  Jim 's  retirement. 


of  the  past  100  years  and  the  impact  of 
changes  possible  and  probable  in  the 
years  ahead.  He  foresees  the  continued 
failure  of  centralized  authority, 
increasing  need  for  commitment  to 
building  community,  the  individualiza- 
tion of  religious  expression,  and 
widened  participation  as  essential  for 
any  expression  of  trust  in  the  church 
as  institution. 

Andrews  stressed  stronger  focus  on 
theology,  need  for  far-longer-range 
planning,  and  the  development  of  a 
new  set  of  concerns. 

Following  sustained  applause,  the 
Assembly  approved  a  commissioner's 
motion  that  both  addresses  be  printed 
and  distributed  to  the  Assembly  as  well 
as  included  in  the  minutes. 

The  remainder  of  the  business  ses- 
sion was  devoted  to  honoring  Andrews 
as  he  retired  from  the  office  of  Stated 
Clerk  and  more  than  40  years  of  serv- 
ing the  church.  His  family  and  friends 
joined  him  on  stage,  looked  with  him 
at  the  picture  of  one  of  his  retirement 
gifts,  a  Hitchcock  rocking  chair  that 
will  be  delivered  to  him  soon,  and 
heard  praise  and  commendations,  seri- 
ous and  humorous,  from  former  col- 
leagues. These  included  Vic  Jameson, 
editor  emeritus  of  Presbyterian  Survey, 
Freda  Gardiner  from  the  Synod  of  the 
Northeast,  and  Ben  Gutierrez,  coordi- 
nator for  South  America  in  the 
Worldwide  Ministries  Division. 

by  Midge  Mack 


PAGE  4 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAY,  JULY  6,  1996 


COMMENTARY 


Fireworks  in  New  Mexico: 
General  Assembly  208 


In  a  photograph  of  the  spectacular 
New  Mexico  scenery,  sometimes  the 
light  looks  strange.  It  may  have  been 
taken  at  sunrise;  perhaps  at  sunset;  or 
it  could  also  be  the  result  of  one  of  the 
sudden  mountain  storms  that  sweep 
down  from  the  peaks.  Actions  of  the 
Albuquerque  General  Assembly  will  be 
interpreted  in  very  different  ways; 
some  will  call  it  sunrise,  some  will 
think  it  sunset,  and  others  will  assess 
the  events  as  random  storms  that 
scour  the  mesas  and  canyons  before 
they  disappear. 

This  set  of  commissioners  was  fierce- 
ly independent,  minutemen  (and 
women)  called  from  city,  farm,  house- 
hold, and  parish  kirk  to  take  up  voting 
keypads  and  oppose  the  forces  of 
wickedness.  Nine  hundred  agenda 
items  stressed  them  fiercely:  they  were 
forced  to  celebrate  the  Fourth  of  July 
in  thrall  to  a  cruel  monarch,  the  agen- 
da, driven  by  a  clock  that  ran  faster 
every  day:  what  a  fun  holiday  week! 

Switch  metaphors:  GA  208  picked  its 
way  through  minefields,  adopting  part 
and  rejecting  part  of  nearly  every  impor- 
tant proposal,  seeking  a  middle  way  of 
cautious  progress.  This  will  be  called  the 
"However  Assembly,"  since  nearly  every 
decision  was  balanced  by  another.  No 
wonder:  seldom  have  commissioners 
been  selected  with  such  careful  atten- 
tion to  their  political  leanings,  so  this 
was  an  assembly  of  partisans.  Of  course 
the  decisions  were  60/40;  that  may  be  a 
mirror  of  our  church. 

They  began  that  pattern  in  the  elec- 
tion of  a  moderator,  choosing  from  the 
middle  of  three  good  white  male  min- 
isters. The  vote  was  56  percent.  John 
Buchanan  proved  a  worthy  choice, 
steering  with  even-handed  dispatch 
through  the  mines. 

—They  declined  to  retrofit  the 
national  structure  of  the  church  — 
however,  they  chose  significant 
changes  in  the  way  we  do  business,  to 
tighten  our  ties. 

— They  refused  to  make  a  major 
change  in  the  pattern  of  odd-year 
Assemblies,  however  restored  Youth 
Advisory  Delegates  to  each  presbytery 
every  year. 

— Under  Theology  and  Worship, 
once  more  the  body  chose  selectively: 
they  were  asked  to  define  the  "essential 
tenets"  of  Presbyterianism,  but 
declined  that  privilege. 

— They  expanded  the  privileges  of 
commissioned  lay  pastors,  but  stiffened 
requirements  for  the  office. 

In  the  human  sexuality  matter,  as  in 
no  other,  the  conflicted  emotions  of 
our  church  were  on  display.  The 
Assembly  voted  to  send  to  the  presby- 
teries an  overture  adding  requirements 
for  "fidelity"  and  "chastity"  to  the 
Form  of  Government.  However,  they 
passed  that  motion  by  a  margin  of  57 
percent,  hardly  a  landslide;  then 
received  quietly  a  quiet  singing  march 
by  hundreds  of  "those  who  felt  the  pain 
most  acutely."  Under  another  report 
they  affirmed  civil  rights  for  non-tradi- 
tional couples. 

The  election  of  the  Stated  Clerk  was 


no  exception  to  the  "tinker  and  fiddle" 
motif:  Not  one,  but  five  choices: 
observers  pointed  out  how  strange  this 
process  would  feel  if  it  were  carried  out 
at  the  congregational  level,  if  a  pastor 
nominating  committee's  selection  were 
to  be  met  by  four  other  nominees  for 
the  job  of  pastor.  The  other  four 
showed  competence  and  flair  in  certain 
areas  —  but  the  body  went  with  the 
eminently  practical  choice  of  the  expe- 
rienced Cliff  Kirkpatrick. 

In  the  COCU  question  the  Assembly 
was  perhaps  most  doggedly 
Presbyterian;  they  ended  the  continu- 
ing controversy  about  "Presbyterian 
bishops"  by  abolishing  them  before 
their  investiture;  in  place  of  this  vexing 
shadow  officer  the  Assembly  proposed 
to  send  a  representative  commission 
made  up  of  elders  and  ministers  to  fill 
the  Presbyterian  slot  in  the  regional 
covenanting  councils  of  COCU.  "You're 
expecting  our  bishop?  Here's  our  com- 
mission!" It  remains  to  be  seen 
whether  the  other  covenanting  bodies 
will  accept  the  PCUSA  proposal. 

It  was  in  the  matter  of  the  re-elec- 
tion of  James  D.  Brown  as  executive 
director  of  the  General  Assembly 
Council  that  the  body  showed  its 
unpredictability  and  its  stubborn  inde- 
pendence most  clearly.  Twice.  Even 
seasoned  observers  were  astonished 
when  the  vote  was  taken:  222  to  con- 
firm; 258  to  oppose.  Unwilling  or 
unable  to  accept  this  verdict,  support- 
ers moved  reconsideration  F  riday 
night;  the  margin  of  defeat  was  greater 
than  before. 

Questions  to  commissioners  sup- 
ported the  view  that  Brown  had  fallen 
victim  to  a  cluster  of  factors  which  all 
exploded  at  once:  general  distrust  of 
Louisville  leadership;  lack  of  confi- 
dence in  the  capability  of  the  GAC; 
uneasy  resolutions  of  the  Reimagining 
controversy;  and  even  criticisms  of  the 
method  by  which  the  matter  was  han- 
dled in  committee  and  on  the  floor. 

An  Assembly  of  process;  however,  one 
of  poetry  as  well.  The  GA  Poet  Laureate, 
Ann  Weems,  ended  the  Assembly  with  a 
pair  of  book-ends.  One  poem  spoke  of 
"place  at  the  table  for  damaged  hearts," 
of  which  there  were  many  in 
Albuquerque.  The  other  said,  "If  I 
could,  I'd  write  you  a  rainbow."  The 
meaning  of  the  Albuquerque  Assembly 
will  have  to  wait  until  the  new  century 
for  assessment;  it  will  take  three  years 
to  tell  which  of  these  hesitant  "howev- 
ers"  has  become  the  Presbyterian 
theme  for  the  next  century. 
by  Houston  Hodges 
editor,  Monday  Morning 


We  are  not  lemmings... but 

The  Board  of  Pensions  sponsored 
its  first  5K  (3.1-mile)  walk/runAvhat- 
ever  event  on  July  4.  As  nearly  100 
Presbyterians  set  out  on  their  early 
morning  trek,  one  participant  was 
heard  to  utter:  "This  is  the  first  time 
in  208  years  everyone  is  going  in  the 
same  direction." 


COMMENTARY 


Feeling  the  heat 
in  Albuquerque 


From  93-degree  days  to  103-degree 
salsa,  the  208th  GA  lived  up  to  all 
expectations.  We  Presbyterians  felt  the 
heat  in  Albuquerque. 

The  highest  temperatures  came  from 
within  the  convention  center  from  two 
Presbyterian  heat  sources:  an  angry 
heat  reacting  to  divisiveness  and  a 
visionary  heat  determining  to  surge 
ahead  in  mission. 

The  heat  of  anger  was  most  concen- 
trated in  the  Assembly's  response  to 
national  staff  conflicts. 

"Peace  agreements"  were  adopted 
between  conflicting  entities,  but  the 
Assembly  went  further.  It  adopted  most 
of  the  proposals  offered  by  the 
Quadrennial  Review  Committee,  tack- 
ling the  abysmal  morale  felt  among 
national  staff  and  the  widespread  per- 
ception of  the  lack  of  accountability  by 
the  national  entities  to  the  church  at 
large. 

The  heat  of  peace-seeking  anger 
reached  scalding  levels  when  the 
Assembly  addressed  its  top  program 
leader.  Widely  perceived  as  the  com- 
mon denominator  in  many  of  the 
church's  conflicts,  James  Brown's  con- 
firmation as  GAC  chair  still  seemed 
inevitable.  But  when  the  results  of  the 
vote  were  broadcast  on  the  monitors, 
the  gasp  of  stunned  silence  said  it  all. 
The  Assembly  had  said  "No"  to  confir- 
mation of  his  call.  A  sad  chill  immedi- 
ately filled  the  hall. 

Then  again,  a  pervasive  warmth  filled 
the  Assembly  as  it  elected  John  "The 
Church  Matters"  Buchanan  as  its  mod- 
erator, reflecting  the  common  desire  to 
hold  together  as  a  family.  That  warmth 
intensified  as  Clifton  "Communication 
Matters"  Kirkpatrick  garnered  an  over- 
whelming 71  percent  vote,  bringing  to 
the  office  of  stated  clerk  his  wide  wing- 
spread — one  long  proven  effective  at 
reaching  and  embracing  the  whole 
breadth  of  the  church. 

The  Assembly's  response  to  COCU 
warmed  in  unconceived  ways.  A 
diehard  resistance  to  the  creation  of 
bishops  stood  its  ground.  But  a  sur- 
prising possibility  emerged:  reclaiming 
each  presbytery's  role  of  being  our  col- 
lective bishop  and  continuing  to  utilize 
commissions  to  act  on  the  presbytery's 
behalf  in  ordaining.  If  the  other  COCU 
denominations  buy  it,  and  if  the  pres- 
byteries approve  it,  the  covenanting 
can  go  forward  without  our  presbyter- 
ian  polity  being  compromised. 

Everyone  knew  sexuality  would  gen- 
erate heat.  On  the  positive  side,  the 
presentations  before  the  committee 
were  much  less  incendiary  than  in  pre- 
vious years.  While  numerous  homosex- 
uals and  relatives  of  homosexuals 
pleaded  for  acceptance,  a  dozen  others 
testified  of  their  freedom  from  homo- 
sexuality. On  the  negative  side,  it  soon 
became  clear  that  the  task  before  them 
offered  no  options  that  could  bring 
consensus,  no  less  unanimity. 

However,  the  "Ordination  and 
Human  Sexuality"  committee  deter- 
mined to  face  the  heat.  They  eschewed 
any  thought  of  being  a  "do  nothing" 
Assembly.  The  time  had  come  to  deal 


with  the  issues  and  move  on. 

In  fact,  after  exhausting  all  alterna- 
tive possibilities,  they  formulated  their 
proposal  to  amend  the  Book  of  Order 
by  requiring  repentance  not  just  from 
homosexual  behavior  but  from  any 
self-acknowledged  practice  which  the 
confessions  call  sin.  Echoed  by  the 
whole  Assembly's  vote,  it  now  falls 
upon  the  presbyteries  to  bring  closure 
to  this  protracted  debate.  Of  course, 
nobody  holds  forth  the  illusion  that 
the  issues  surrounding  homosexual 
orientation  and  practice  will  go  away. 
The  Nicean  Creed  did  not  do  away  with 
debates  about  the  divinity  and  humani- 
ty of  Christ  either.  But  a  cooling  of  the 
heated  volatility  of  these  years'  argu- 
ments and  skirmishes  was  offered  as 
the  possible  outcome  was  held  forth 

No  victory  parade  followed  the  vote. 
First  came  prayer,  then  came  hundreds 
of  demonstrators  marching  through 
the  assembly  hall  to  express  their  dis- 
may, while  the  others  sat  in  respectful 
silence. 

Fueling  the  heat  dealing  with  the 
controversial  issues  was  a  yearning  to 
turn  the  church's  attention  to  the  real 
task  before  us.  Marj  Carpenter's  words, 
"Mission,  mission,  mission"  still 
echoed  through  the  halls.  And  those 
words  came  to  life  in  the  adoption  of  a 
new  emphasis  upon  evangelism  for  the 
whole  church.  Specific  plans  were 
adopted  to  surge  ahead  in  racial-ethnic 
evangelism.  New  impetus  was  given 
toward  campus  and  military  evange- 
lism. The  commissioned  lay  pastor 
program  was  empowered  to  raise  up  a 
whole  new  cadre  of  leadership  for  min- 
istry in  the  years  ahead. 

Yes,  a  lot  of  heat  was  generated  in 
Albuquerque.  But  from  this  vantage 
point,  it  appears  that  a  lot  of  light  was 
shed,  too. 

by  Jack  Haberer,  pastor 

Clear  Lake  Presbyterian  Church 

Houston,  Texas 


General  Assembly 
News  Staff 

Newsroom  director:  Jane  Mead 

Reporters:  Bob  Bolt,  Nancy  Borst, 
Jane  Hines,  Joanne  Hines,  Bill 
Lancaster,  Midge  Mack,  Peggy 
Rounseviile,  Julian  Shipp,  Alexa 
Smith,  John  Sniffen,  Jerry  Van 
Marter,  Dee  Wade 

Designer/formatter:  Carol  Eberhart 

Photographer:  Ann  Rowe 

Secular  press  Haisorv:  Gary  Luhr 

Secretarial  staff:  RuthAnn  Gill, 
Tina  Moulton 

Volunteers:  Emett  Barfield, 
Elizabeth  Gill,  Elizabeth  Funk, 
George  Mack,  William  Montgomery, 
Chuck  Proudfoot 


SATURDAY,  JULY  6,  1996 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


PAGES 


Assembly  adopts  sustainable  development  policy  paper 


The  General  Assembly  approved  the 
report  of  the  committee  on  Faith  and 
Sustainable  Development  July  5,  which 
calls  for  an  improvement  in  the  quality 
of  life  for  all  with  an  emphasis  on  the 
structural  adjustment  of  policies  and 
programs  affecting  poor  women  in 
developing  countries. 

"Hope  for  a  Global  Future:  Toward 
Just  and  Sustainable  Human 
Development,"  was  presented  to  the 
Assembly  by  the  denomination's 
Advisory  Committee  on  Social  Witness 
Policy  (ACSWP).  The  document  exam- 
ines the  social,  economic  and  ecologi- 
cal effects  of  U.S.  economic  policies  on 
some  of  the  world's  poorest  nations. 

"We  feel  that  this  is  a  very  important 
document,"  said  Florence  Johnson, 
committee  moderator  of  Pittsburgh 
Presbytery.  "We  pretty  much  went 
through  this  document  paragraph  by 
paragraph." 

Even  so,  approval  of  the  document 


The  40th  anniversary  of  the 
Presbyterian  Health,  Education  and 
Welfare  Association  was  celebrated  by  a 
crowd  of  500  people  in  Albuquerque 
the  evening  of  July  1.  They  heard  a 
speech  by  former  General  Assembly 
Moderator  Bob  Bohl,  who  said:  "Thank 
God  you  exist... Thank  you  for  what  you 
have  done  in  a  variety  of  ways  for  a 
variety  of  people." 

The  Assembly  approved  the  report  on 
PHEWA  July  5,  which  was  conducted 
by  the  National  Ministries  Division  as 
mandated  by  the  207th  General 
Assembly,  with  these  recommenda- 
tions added  to  it:  (1)  that  PHEWA 
finances  and  accounting  be  subject  to 
the  same  accounting  standards  of  all 
the  entities  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),  and  (2)  that  the  General 
Assembly  Council  through  the 
National  Ministries  Division  review  the 


The  report  of  the  Assembly  Com- 
mittee on  Stewardship  and  Communi- 
cation began  with  a  presentation  from 
the  Presbyterian  Foundation  led  by 
Jim  Bellatti,  chair,  and  Georgette  Huie, 
vice-chair.  Their  announcement  of  the 
Foundation's  official  agreement  of 
cooperation  with  the  General  Assembly 
Council  was  celebrated  by  committee 
chair  Thomas  Huser,  and  hailed  by  the 
applause  of  the  whole  Assembly. 

Barbara  Roche,  editor  of  Horizons 
magazine,  received  the  committee's 
congratulations  for  the  125th  anniver- 
sary of  women  owning  and  publishing 
magazines  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 

The  majority  report  on  special  offer- 
ings— keeping  the  Peacemaking 
Offering,  One  Great  Hour  of  Sharing, 
and  the  Christmas  Joy  Offering  virtual- 
ly the  same,  while  changing  the  cur- 
rent Witness  Offering  to  the  "Pentecost 
Offering,"  supporting  the  causes  of 
youth  and  young  adult  mission,  and 
aid  for  "children  at  risk" — ^was  accept- 


did  not  come  without  compromise.  For 
example,  after  spending  more  than  one 
hour  defeating  an  attached  minority 
report,  the  Assembly  questioned  the 
financial  implications  of  the  paper,  par- 
ticularly a  proposed  $133,286  from 
unrestricted  mission  funds  to  establish 
a  four-year  emphasis,  including  salary 
and  benefits,  for  a  full-time  staff  posi- 
tion to  propel  the  paper's  policies  for- 
ward in  the  life  of  the  church  national- 
ly and  locally. 

The  proposal  was  defeated  by  a  vote 
of  315  to  154,  since  no  new  money  will 
be  available  for  Faith  and  Sustainable 
Development  now  that  it  has  been 
approved  by  the  Assembly.  Moreover,  in 
order  to  implement  the  paper  in  accor- 
dance with  its  original  recommenda- 
tions, the  budget  of  one  of  the  denomi- 
nation's three  divisions  would  have  had 
to  have  been  adjusted  accordingly 
based  on  priorities. 

Commissioners  speaking  against  cre- 


memorandum  of  understanding  to 
consider  revisions  that  will  address  the 
concerns  of  inclusiveness  and  political 
advocacy  and  the  financial  implications 
involved. 

The  Assembly  disapproved  an  over- 
ture from  the  Presbytery  of  Shenango 
asking  that  mission  budget  support  for 
PHEWA  be  abolished.  An  overture 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Southern 
Kansas  was  answered  with  a  resolution 
that  instructs  GA  Moderator  John 
Buchanan  to  appoint  a  committee  to 
address  the  concerns  about  PHEWA 
expressed  in  the  overture  and,  in  light 
of  stories  about  the  "great  things  God 
is  doing  in  the  ministries  of  the  var- 
ious networks  of  PHEWA,. ..to  create  a 
vehicle  which  can  multiply  the  oppor- 
tunities for  additional  network  min- 
istries." 

by  Jane  Nines  and  Jerry  Van  Marter 


ed  by  the  Assembly. 

This  majority  report  was  drafted  by 
the  committee  in  place  of  a  proposal 
originally  made  by  the  task  group  on 
special  offerings  of  the  GAC,  whose 
proposed  changes,  especially  to  the 
Christmas  Joy  Offering,  would  have 
been  more  extensive. 

The  committee  also  reported  to  the 
Assembly  its  "mediation"  of  a  disagree- 
ment among  several  parties  involved  in 
or  responsible  for  mission  work  at 
Ganado,  Ariz.,  and  at  Cook  College 
near  Phoenix.  This  disagreement,  over 
the  spending  of  dollars'from  the  Jennie 
Wimer  Fund  which  the  Foundation 
held,  had  been  one  of  the  presenting 
issues  of  a  wider  misunderstanding 
between  the  General  Assembly  Council 
and  the  Foundation. 

Though  the  GAC  and  the  Foundation 
reached  its  new  understanding  in  the 
weeks  leading  to  the  General  Assembly, 
the  particular  issue  of  the  Wimer  Fund 
was  left  hanging,  i. 


ating  a  new  full-time  staff  position  rea- 
soned it  is  more  economical  to  let 
existing  staff  assume  the  responsibility 
of  carrying  out  the  paper's  policy. 
Those  favoring  creating  an  additional 
position  argued  that  many  of  the 
world's  people  are  in  need  of  receiving 
the  paper's  recommendations  now,  and 
consider  that  it  is  unwise  to  burden  the 
Presbyterian  Center  staff  in  Louisville 
with  additional  duties. 

Even  so,  the  Assembly  did  approve 
$22,500  for  the  report's  printing  and 
distribution  costs,  some  of  which  may 
be  performed  in-house  and/or  electron- 
ically, thus  saving  even  more  money. 

The  Rev.  Peter  A.  Sulyok,  ACSWP 
associate,  said  he  was  pleased  that  the 
paper  was  adopted  as  a  policy  statement 
and  not  a  study  document  as  earlier  pro- 
posed, since  the  church  now  has  "policy 
to  guide  it  in  its  work  and  mission." 

by  Julian  Shipp 


A  new  eauor  ror  a  new  magazine:  Houston 
Hodges  touts  Monday  Morning.  The 
redesigned,  "magazine  for  Presbyterian 
leaders"  is  available  by  subscription  only. 


In  the  committee's  work,  it  was  able 
to  bring  all  the  parties  together,  hear- 
ing their  respective  concerns.  After  the 
committee  drafted  its  response  to  the 
issue,  all  of  these  parties  expressed 
thanks  for  having  their  concerns 
heard.  Each  agreed  with  the  commit- 
tee's recommendation  to  let  the  new 
relationship  between  the  Foundation 
and  the  GAC  follow  its  course,  feeling 
that  the  matter  would  be  resolved  for 
the  good  of  all. 

The  Assembly  affirmed  this  media- 
tion by  vote,  and  further  approved  a 
process  for  handling  any  such  disputes 
in  the  future,  mandating  a  system  in 
which  all  governing  bodies  are  recog- 
nized as  partners  in  the  allocations  of 
mission  funds  given  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  After  one 
hour  on  the  floor,  the  committee's 
work  on  behalf  of  the  General 
Assembly  was  completed. 
by  Dee  Wade 


Assembly 
approves  COCU 
amendments 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)'s 
continued  participation  in  the 
Consultation  on  Church  Union  (COCU) 
received  a  boost  July  5  when  the  208th 
General  Assembly  approved  related  con- 
stitutional amendments. 

The  Assembly  committee  on 
Catholicity's  proposal  regarding  COCU 
was  approved  by  a  421-to-103  vote  with- 
out any  changes.  The  amendments  to 
the  Book  of  Order  now  go  to  the 
PCUSA's  171  presbyteries  for  approval. 

If  a  simple  majority  of  the  presbyter- 
ies approve  the  changes,  they  will  come 
back  to  the  209th  (1997)  General 
Assembly,  which  would  report  the 
results.  The  changes  would  become 
operative  when  COCU  inaugurates  the 
Church  of  Christ  Uniting. 

Considering  the  controversy  that  sur- 
rounded COCU  during  the  1995  General 
Assembly,  this  year's  discussion  and  vote 
were  surprisingly  short  and  supportive. 
Last  year's  Assembly  sent  a  set  of  pro- 
posed amendments  back  to  the  special 
committee  on  COCU  for  review  and 
refinement.  That  committee's  proposal 
was  further  modified  by  this  Assembly's 
commissioner  committee. 

Among  other  things,  the  Assembly 
committee  deleted  the  terms  "represen- 
tative bishops"  and  "representative 
elders."  These  positions  were  to  be  cre- 
ated to  represent  presbyteries  in  region- 
al covenanting  councils  of  COCU 
churches.  Under  the  revised  proposal, 
presbyteries  would  instead  create  com- 
missions of  equal  numbers  of  elders  and 
ministers  to  perform  the  same  task. 

While  it  remains  unclear  how  other 
COCU  denominations  will  react  to  the 
commission  concept,  the  Assembly 
committee  stated  that  its  priority  was 
to  come  up  with  a  plan  that  fits 
Presbyterian  polity  and  tradition.  It  was 
also  pointed  out  during  a  question-and- 
answer  session  that  in  addition  to  bish- 
ops, the  other  denominations  will  be 
sending  presbyters,  deacons  and  lay 
persons  to  the  councils. 

It  was  also  explained  that  the  other 
COCU  denominations  will  play  no  part 
in  approving  PCUSA  ministers  for  ordi- 
nation. They  will,  however,  be  invited  to 
participate  in  ordination  services. 

The  Rev.  Maria  R.  Price,  a  pastor 
from  Northeast  Georgia  Presbytery,  led 
the  51-member  committee.  The  Rev. 
Michael  Livingstone  is  chair  of  the  spe- 
cial committee  on  COCU,  which  repre- 
sents the  PCUSA  in  ongoing  consulta- 
tions with  eight  other  denominations. 
by  John  Sniffen 


Who  is  Adam  Hasten? 

Computer  users  who  use  spell-check 
know  how  the  program  automatically 
suggests  replacements  for  incorrect  or 
unfamiliar  words,  including  many 
names.  Thus,  when  a  typist  re-drafted 
the  Peacemaking  Committee's 
response  to  overture  96-26  on  lifting 
the  U.N.  sanctions  in  Iraq,  the  comput- 
er suggested  Adam  Hasten  replace 
Saddam  Hussein. 


PHEWA  ministry  applauded,  concerns  addressed 


GAC  and  Foundation  agreement  approved 


PAGE  6 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAYJULY  6,  1996 


Mar]  says  mission  is  still  the  heart  of  the  church 


Native  American  children  from  the  Laguna  Presbyterian  Church 
helped  carry  baskets  of  bread  baked  and  brought  to  worship  by 
other  church  members  to  be  used  in  the  communion  service. 


In  her  final  official  act  as  outgoing 
General  Assembly  moderator,  Marj 
Carpenter  said  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  "must  call  mission 
back  to  the  heart  of  the  church." 

Carpenter,  who  has  logged  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  miles  flying  around  the 
nation  and  the  world  making  her  "mis- 
sion, mission,  mission"  speeches  to 
churches  and  Presbyterian  governing 
bodies,  gave  the  sermon  during  the 
opening  worship  and  communion  ser- 
vice for  the  208th  General  Assembly 
June  30  in  the  Albuquerque 
Convention  Center. 

About  3,500  persons  filled  the  main 
assembly  hall  and  another  1,600  par- 
ticipated via  television  hookup  in  the 
nearby  Kiva  Auditorium. 

Carpenter  based  her  sermon  on  John 
3:16:  "For  God  so  loved  the  world  that 
he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  so  that 
whosoever  believeth  in  him  may  not 
perish  but  have  everlasting  life."  To 
appreciate  that  scripture,  she  said,  one 
must  go  back  to  the  Old  Testament 
story  of  Abraham's  willingness  to  sacri- 
fice his  son,  Isaac,  as  a  sign  of  his  devo- 
tion to  God. 

"I  couldn't  do  that ...  I  couldn't  do 
what  Abraham  did,"  said  Carpenter. 
"That  story  is  the  only  story  that 
makes  us  appreciate  what  God  did 
when  he  sacrificed  his  only  son,  Jesus." 


Carpenter's  sermon 
was  also  based  on 
Matthew  28:16-20 
which  includes  "Go 
therefore  and  make 
disciples  of  all 
nations ..." 
"I  couldn't  do  that 
either,"  she  said.  "As  I 
have  been  out  in  the 
mission  fields,  I  have 
realized  that  I  am  not 
a  missionary;  I  am  a 
messenger.  I've 
always  been  a  mes- 
senger. I'm  a 
reporter,  a  communi- 
cator ...  and  I  am  the 
messenger  for  mis- 
sionaries. ...  I  go 
home,  but  our  mis- 
sionaries stay." 
From  her  firsthand  experiences, 
Carpenter  listed  examples  of  missionar- 
ies' service  in  South  and  North  Korea, 
India,  Ethiopia,  Pakistan,  Japan,  the 
Philippines,  Bangladesh,  Taiwan,  Zaire, 
Rwanda,  the  former  Yugoslavia,  Siberia, 
Guatemala,  and  the  Cameroons. 

"God  gives  you  the  strength  if  He 
gives  you  the  call,"  she  said.  "I  do 
know  that  our  wonderful  Presbyterian 
church  must  call  mission  back  to  the 
heart  and  get  on  with  it.  You  see,  I 
have  really  enjoyed  serving  as  your 
moderator,  the  messenger,  the 
reporter,  the  communicator,  because  I 
couldn't  do  what  Abraham  did.  I'm 
awed  by  God's  sacrifice  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Of  all  the  people  I've  seen  in  this  won- 
derful church,  only  the  missionaries 
come  close  to  that  kind  of  sacrifice." 

In  addition  to  serving  as  Carpenter's 
valedictory  address,  the  sermon  also 
led  into  the  commissioning  of  new 
mission  personnel  and  honoring  those 
who  are  retiring.  Approximately  50  of 
more  than  400  new  mission  personnel 
were  on  hand  for  the  commissioning 
ceremony.  Four  of  the  12  retiring  mis- 
sionaries were  present.  Worldwide 
Ministries  division  director,  Clifton 
Kirkpatrick,  noted  that  the  12  repre- 
sented 336  total  years  of  service. 

During  1995, 1,050  persons  served 
in  mission  posts  in  the  U.S.,  Puerto 


Rico  and  83  other  countries  around 
the  world. 

An  offering  of  $34,743  was  collected 
during  the  service.  It  will  be  split  three 
ways  among  the  Menaul  School  in 
Albuquerque;  Pan  American  School  in 
Kingsville,  Texas;  and  the  Burned 
Churches  Fund  of  the  National 
Council  of  Churches.  The  latter  cause 
was  added  in  the  wake  of  church  burn- 
ings across  the  south  which  have  dam- 
aged or  destroyed  more  than  40 
African  American  church  buildings. 

Carpenter  added  a  twist  to  the  end  of 
the  service  by  having  her  two  grand- 
sons, Chad  and  Cody,  join  her  on  the 
stage  while  she  led  the  Assembly  in  an 
a  capella  singing  of  "Jesus  Loves  Me." 
With  the  boys  carrying  the  Christ  can- 
dle, the  worship  leaders  then  left  the 
stage  to  Dixieland  versions  of  "Onward 


missioners  and  guests  while  flanking 
bagpipers  played  "Jesus  Loves  Me." 

The  communion  service  featured 
loaves  of  bread  baked  and  brought  into 
the  hall  by  members  of  Laguna 
Presbyterian  Church,  the  only  Native 
American  church  in  the  Presbytery  of 
Santa  Fe.  The  church's  choir  also  pro- 
vided Keres  language  renditions  of  sev- 
eral hymns  during  the  service. 

Music  for  the  service  was  provided 
by  approximately  250  choir  members 
of  churches  from  around  the  Synod  of 
the  Southwest.  They,  and  an  accompa- 
nying orchestra,  were  directed  by  Jeff 
Jolly,  choir  director  at  Covenant 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Albuquerque. 
Jolly  also  composed  the  anthem, 
"Hymn  to  the  Holy  Spirit,"  for  the 
208th  General  Assembly. 

The  backdrop  for  the  service  was  a 


Shown  above  are  some  of  the  more  than  four  hundred  new  mission  personnel  who  will  be 
serving  worldwide  next  year.  Approximately  50  were  commissioned  on  June  30. 


Christian  Soldiers"  and  "When  the 
Saints  Go  Marching  In." 

"I  always  said  I'd  go  out  to  'Onward 
Christian  Soldiers'....  It's  not  printed  in 
the  program,  so  sing  the  first  verse 
over  and  over.  But  remember  that  the 
third  verse  says  'We  are  not  divided,  all 
one  body  we',"  Carpenter  explained.  At 
the  doors,  she  greeted  departing  com- 


series  of  brightly  colored  banners 
depicting  the  active  spirit  of  God,  for- 
ever flowing  freely  and  graciously.  The 
banners,  bulletin  cover,  pulpit  hang- 
ings and  communion  table  covers  were 
created  by  textile  artist  Jean  Jones  of 
Santa  Fe. 

by  John  Sniffen  i 


Hungarian  bishop  says  "Overseers" 
are  essential  to  church  unity 


Ecumenical  and  overseas  delegates  were  honored  guests  at  morning  worship  on  July  3 
when  the  Bishop  Dr.  Lorant  Hegedus,  head  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church 
of  Hungary,  brought  a  message  of  being  called  to  service  as  elder-bishop-overseer. 


During  many  years  of  the  domina- 
tion of  Hungary  by  the  USSR,  the 
church  was  not  recognized  and  Bishop 
Lorant  Hegedus  was  imprisoned.  In 
the  years  since,  the  Bishop  has  been 
writing  and  teaching  in  the  area  of 
reformed  theology. 

In  his  message  Hegedus  used  the 
terms  elder,  bishop  and  overseer  inter- 
changeably based  on  passages  in  1 
Timothy  3  and  Acts  20.  The  office  is 
needed  in  a  special  way,  Hegedus  stat- 
ed, "because  divisions  have  never 
ceased  to  menace  the  church.  In 
securing  the  unity  and  functions  of  the 
church,  the  bishop  is  charged  with  the 
comprehensive  and  unifying  service  of 
overseer."  And  in  referring  to  his  ser- 


mon's title,  "Desiring  a  Good  Work," 
he  added  that  if  anyone  sets  his  heart 
on  being  an  overseer,  they  desire  a 
noble  task." 

Hegedus  related  the  office  to  how 
the  church  kept  itself  together  through 
40  years  of  atheistic  dictatorship  and  is 
organizing  its  current  resurgence 
through  89  schools,  31  diaconal  insti- 
tutes and  51  conference  sites.  As 
announced  by  Stated  Clerk  James 
Andrews  at  the  beginning  of  the  ser- 
vice, the  offering  for  this  day  was  des- 
ignated for  the  Soli  Deo  Gloria 
Conference  Center  at  Balatonszarszo, 
Hungary.  The  offering  taken  amounted 
to  $4,224.34. 
by  Midge  Mack 


SATURDAY,  JULY  6,  1996 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


PAGE  7 


Assembly  addresses  mission,  evangelism,  role  of  youth 


Year  with  Latin 
Americans  emphasized 

Prayers  for  the  "brokenhearted  in 
Lebanon  and  in  Guatemala,"  for  those 
who  are  "uprooted  and  displaced"  and 
for  those  who  grieve  and  those  who 
"cannot  forgive  past  hurts"  were 
offered  in  the  midst  of  the  report  of  the 
Assembly  committee  on  Global 
Partnerships. 

In  other  business,  the  Assembly 
approved  a  sweeping  agenda  for  min- 
istries across  the  world,  focusing  large- 
ly on  churches  in  China  and  Taiwan 
and  initiating  a  church-wide  emphasis 
on  partnerships  with  Latin  Americans. 

The  "Year  With  Latin  Americans" 
calls  on  each  congregation  and  each 
member  to  "get  to  know  Latin 
Americans  in  this  country  and  in  this 
hemisphere;  pray  for  them;  stand  in 
solidarity  with  them;  and  join  them  in 
fellowship,  celebration  and  mission." 

In  the  same  action,  the  General 
Assembly  authorized  its  churches  and 
governing  bodies  to  use  study 
resources  for  the  "Year  With  Latin 
Americans"  and  encouraged  the 
General  Assembly  Council  to  consult 
with  partner  churches  and  ecumenical 
agencies  in  planning  four  regional  con- 
ferences and  travel  study  seminars  in 
Latin  America  and  with  Latin 
Americans  in  the  United  States. 

As  tensions  in  the  Taiwan  Straits 
begin  making  news  and  as  Hong  Kong 
prepares  for  its  return  to  Chinese  sov- 
ereignty, the  General  Assembly  reaf- 
firmed its  partnership  in  mission  with 
Christians  in  Hong  Kong,  Taiwan  and 
China  —  and  authorized  a  mission  trip 
to  both  Taiwan  and  China. 

In  other  action,  the  denomination 
voted  to  join  with  other  denominations 
and  churches  who  are  working  toward 
the  goal  of  the  AD  2000  movement. 
Identified  as  a  grassroots  initiative,  the 
movement  proclaims:  "a  church  for 
every  people  and  the  gospel  for  every 
person  by  the  year  2000." 

The  Assembly  also  adopted  as  a  goal 
engaging  in  mission  and  evangelism 
among  200  of  "the  least  evangelized 
groups  during  the  decade  of  the  1990s." 

byAlexa  Smith 

Definition  of  "essential" 
tenets  "rejected" 

An  attempt  to  amend  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  to  be  somewhat  more  specific 
about  what  constitutes  'the  essential 
tenets'  of  the  faith  was  soundly  defeat- 
ed on  the  floor  of  the  208th  General 
Assembly  on  July  3. 

"It's  not  sufficient  to  say  theology 
matters  and  not  have  some  definition 
of  what  we're  talking  about,"  said 
elder-commissioner  Charles  Higgins  of 
the  Assembly  committee  on  Theology 
and  Worship  as  he  presented  a  minori- 
ty report  on  the  floor. 

But  a  motion  to  consider  the  minori- 
ty report  was  defeated  by  a  335-163 
vote  —  with  one  abstention  —  after 
brief  debate. 

The  Assembly  approved  the  commit- 
tee's comment  on  the  overture  as  well, 


acknowledging  "the  pain  presently  felt 
in  parts  of  the  church  over  a  perceived 
lack  of  doctrinal  clarity."  It  commends 
Chapter  II  of  the  Book  of  Order  to  the 
church  as  "a  helpful  tool  in  interpret- 
ing the  concept  of  'essential  tenets.'" 
It  also  voted  to  extend  the  deadline 
for  completion  of  the  work  of  the 
Special  Committee  to  Write  a  New 
Presbyterian  Catechism  for  one  year  to 
allow  time  for  field  testing  the  materi- 
al. The  final  report  is  to  be  presented  to 
the  210th  General  Assembly  in  1998. 

by  Alexa  Smith 

Assembly  adopts 
evangelism  priorities 

The  General  Assembly  approved  the 
report  of  the  committee  on  Evangelism 
which  stressed  evangelism  as  a  priority 
for  the  whole  church.  The  consent 
agenda,  which  contained  the  minutes 
of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  invest- 
ment and  loan  program,  were  approved 
as  was  the  continuation  of  a  media 
campaign  for  the  denomination  which 
is  still  in  progress. 

The  Assembly  approved  the  recom- 
mendation that  a  Middle  Eastern  cau- 
cus be  granted  national  status  similar 
to  the  other  four  existing  caucuses. 
They  also  voted  the  continuation  of 
comprehensive  strategies  for  Hispanic 
and  Native  American  constituencies  in 
the  areas  of  new  church  development, 
redevelopment  and  revitalization.  Goals 
for  increasing  the  racial  ethnic  mem- 
bership of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  to  ten  percent  of  the  denomi- 
nation by  the  year  2005  and  20  percent 
by  the  year  2010  were  affirmed. 

In  order  to  further  evangelism 
efforts  the  Assembly  concurred  with 
the  committee's  recommendation  call- 
ing for  more  intensive  recruitment  and 
training  of  racial  ethnic  leadership  by 
the  seminaries,  ample  funding  from 
the  unified  budget  and  the  necessary 
increases  in  staff  and  budget  resources 
essential  for  meeting  all  objectives. 

Commissioners'  resolutions  were 
also  approved  which  ask  for  studies  to 
conduct,  collect  and  disseminate 
research  on  what  motivates  people  to 
join  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Creative 
models  of  evangelism,  church  growth, 
new  church  development  and  church 
redevelopment  will  be  sought  to  help 
the  church  engage  in  evangelism.  An 
overture  to  explore  and  implement  cre- 
ative designs  to  reach  young  people  on 
college  campuses,  in  the  Peace  Corps, 
and  the  military  was  also  approved. 
This  overture  urged  particular  atten- 
tion to  the  status,  needs  and  future  for 
campus  ministry  by  the  PC  (USA). 

The  Assembly  voted  approval  of  a 
slate  of  officers  to  oversee  the  Invest- 
ment and  Loan  Program  which  will 
fund  new  church  development  and 
redevelopment. 

It  also  voted  to  concur  in  the  disap- 
proval of  a  resolution  to  reject  the 
notion  of  coercive  proselytism  or  tar- 
get evangelism  based  upon  a  negative 
judgment  of  any  living  faith. 

Resolutions  referred  to  the  National 
Ministries  Division  included  program 
development  for  lay  leaders  to  use  in 
new  church  development  formation 


and  a  video  to  show  examples  and 
models  of  new  church  development.  A 
resolution  to  ask  the  evangelism  and 
church  development  office  to  work 
with  future  General  Assemblies  to 
develop  evangelism  strategies  for  faith 
sharing  and  mission  emphasis  during 
GA,  also  passed. 

Perhaps  the  most  unusual  resolution 
was  the  opportunity  to  establish  a  pro- 
totype church  in  the  Walt  Disney 
World  community  of  Celebration,  Fla. 
to  model  creative  ministry  with  leading 
edge  technology.  The  church  will  serve 
as  the  spiritual  center  for  people  living 
in  Celebration  as  well  as  national  and 
international  visitors  to  Central  Florida 
attractions. 

by  Joanne  Mines 

Full  YAD  participation 
restored 

In  its  first  vote  on  a  committee 
report,  the  208th  General  Assembly 
approved  a  recommendation  from  the 
General  Assembly  Procedures  commit- 
tee to  reverse  the  action  of  last  year's 
Assembly  and  restore  full  annual  partic- 
ipation of  Youth  Advisory  Delegates 
(YADs)  from  all  presbyteries.  The  over- 
ture, approved  in  response  to  11  similar 
overtures,  came  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Lehigh. 

Related  actions  raised  the  required 
age  for  YADs  by  one  year  to  17  to  23 
years,  instructed  the  General  Assembly 
Council  to  provide  funding  for  the 
Triennial  Youth  Connection  since  one 
source  of  its  funding  has  been  removed 
by  the  YAD  action,  and  requested  the 
Council's  Youth  Ministry  office  to  clari- 
fy the  role  and  objectives  of  Youth 
Advisory  Delegates  as  well  as  provide 
for  a  higher  level  of  selection  standards 
and  training. 

Commissioners  approved  all  recom- 
mendations of  this  committee  includ- 
ing overtures  101,  103,  and  116;  also 
an  OGA  report  recommendation  to 
transfer  the  Presbyterian  chaplains 
and  military  personnel  funding  from 
per  capita  to  mission  budget,  over  a 
period  of  three  years.  Disapproval 
was  recommended,  and  voted,  for 
overture  102. 

by  Midge  Mack 

Reserve  dollars  must 
cover  Assembly  actions 

Per  capita  ($4.52  per  member)  will 
not  be  increased  for  1997  even  though 
funding  of  some  Assembly  actions  is  on" 
hold. 

Assembly  actions  approved  for  cur- 
rent funding  will  require  an  additional 
$125,084  before  the  end  of  1996,  an 
amount  which  will  have  to  come  from 
reserves  since  most  of  1996  per  capita 
income  is  already  in  hand  at  the  above 
rate. 

These  same  actions  will  add  $78,668 
in  1997,  but  will  save  $9124  in  1998.  A 
saving  will  be  realized  in  both  '97  and 
'98  due  to  transfer  of  funding  for  the 
council  of  military  chaplains  from  per 
capita  to  mission  budgets. 

A  major  part  of  additional  funds 
needed  this  year  is  $41,750  to  fund  25 


newly-elected  presbytery  slots  on  the 
General  Assembly  Council.  Related  GA 
nominating  committee  costs  will  add 
$28,190.  Congregational  and  govern- 
mental communications  on  various 
matters  total  $11,400  and  publica- 
tion/distribution of  two  major  docu- 
ments adds  $40,000.  Letters  to  congre- 
gations, the  U.S.  and  other  govern- 
ments on  various  matters  makes  up 
the  rest. 

Actions  on  hold  are  Assembly- 
approved  resolutions  that  could  cost  an 
additional  $198,550  but  will  be  funded 
this  year  only  if  additional  funds  come 
in  or  through  negotiation  and  concur- 
rence of  the  joint  per  capita  budget 
table  team  of  the  General  Assembly 
Council  and  the  office  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

These  include  $125,000  for  a  con- 
sulting firm  to  analyze  and  recom- 
mend changes  in  the  office  of  the  exec- 
utive director  of  the  GAC.  A  committee 
to  implement  this  action  would  add 
$10,425.  A  two-year,  nine-member 
committee  to  review  middle  governing 
body  relationship  would  add  $20,825, 
while  a  task  force  to  develop  relations 
with  church-related  groups  would 
require  $19,350. 

Some  objections  to  the  per  capita 
budgetary  implication  report  brought 
to  the  Assembly's  final  session  were 
critical  on  grounds  that  it  compro- 
mised the  effectiveness  and  integrity  of 
other  committee  actions. 

Sue  Dallam,  moderator  of  the 
General  Assembly  Procedures  commit- 
tee reminded  commissioners  that  "per 
capita  is  the  price  of  privilege  of  being 
Presbyterian."  She  reported  $450,000 
to  be  unpaid  in  1995  and  implored 
commissioners  to  "go  home  and  per- 
suade presbyteries  to  work  with  con- 
gregations toward  paying  full  per  capi- 
ta apportionment." 

by  Midge  Mack 

Bicentennial  Fund 
accountability  addressed 

Approving  a  recommendation  of  its 
committee  on  Mission  Priorities  and 
Budgets,  the  208th  General  Assembly 
asked  for  encouragement  of  the  church 
at  large  to  continue  to  fulfill  its  obliga- 
tions to  the  Bicentennial  Fund  by  shar- 
ing a  summary  of  the  programmatic 
successes  funded  to  date  by  the  cam- 
paign; by  encouraging  all  governing 
bodies  to  submit  Bicentennial  Fund 
receipts  and  reports  in  a  timely  man- 
ner; and  by  strongly  encouraging  pres- 
byteries to  refrain  from  using 
Bicentennial  Funds  for  other  purposes. 

The  Assembly  also  approved  a  com- 
ment from  the  Assembly  com.mittee  on 
Mission  Priorities  and  Budgets  request- 
ing that  the  Bicentennial  Fund 
accountability  committee  determine 
which  churches  and  presbyteries  are 
using  funds  in  ways  unrelated  to  the 
purposes  of  the  Bicentennial  Fund,  the 
amount  of  funds  so  involved,  and 
report  this  to  the  209th  General 
Assembly  (1997). 

by  Jane  Mines 


PAGES 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAY,  JULY  6,  1996 


Auburn  Seminary  added  to  Presbyterian  family 


Arthur  DeYoung  was  the  second-place  walk  winner  in  the  Board  of  Pensions  5-K  Run/Walk. 
Bemellyn  Carey,  manager  of  the  office  of  health  promotion  presented  his  award. 


Medical  plan  for  abortion  foes  rejected 


The  Assembly  voted  July  3  to  estab- 
lish a  covenant  relationship  with 
Auburn  Theological  Seminary  in  New 
York,  N.Y.  Dr.  Douglas  W.  Oldenburg, 
Decatur,  Ga.,  president  of  Columbia 
Theological  Seminary,  applauded  the 
Assembly's  action.  "This  culminates 
almost  200  years  of  Auburn  seeking  to 
clarify  its  relationship  with  the  General 
Assembly,"  he  noted.  The  action  was 
part  of  the  report  of  the  Christian 
Education  and  Theological  Institutions 
committee  report. 

Oldenburg  told  commissioners  that 
Auburn  had  three  main  functions.  The 
first  is  to  provide  Presbyterian  students 
at  Union  [Theological  Seminary]  in  N.Y. 
with  courses  in  Presbyterian  polity  and 
reformed  theology.  The  second  is  to 
offer  continuing  education  opportuni- 
ties for  people  living  in  the  Northeast. 
The  third  is  to  conduct  research  on 
theological  education  through  its 
Center  for  the  Study  of  Theological 
Education.  Auburn  "is  the  only  place  in 
the  world"  that  does  such  research, 
Oldenburg  reported. 

Auburn  was  established  in  1818.  It  is 
located  currently  on  the  campus  of 
Union  Theological  Seminary  (N.Y.), 
although  it  is  not  part  of  Union.  It  does 
not  grant  theological  degrees. 

Oldenburg  stressed  that  "Auburn 
will  not  ask  for  funding  from  the  one 
percent  fund"  and  has  promised  to 
support  that  fund  in  the  congregations 
of  the  Northeast.  The  "one  percent 
fund"  is  the  Theological  Education 
Fund  which  congregations  may  parti- 
cipate in  by  pledging  one  percent  of 
their  budget. 


As  it  has  repeatedly  over  many  years, 
the  General  Assembly  has  rejected  a 
recommendation  that  the  format  of  the 
annual  meeting  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  be  changed.  The  vote 
by  commissioners  was  365-161. 

Usually,  suggestions  have  been  to 
move  from  annual  to  biennial  meet- 
ings of  the  Assembly.  This  year,  the  GA 
committee  on  Quadrennial  Review, 
concurring  with  a  recommendation 
from  the  special  committee  on  review 
(CR)  by  a  vote  of  28-19,  proposed  con- 
tinuing annual  meetings,  with  a  twist. 

The  committee  recommended  that  in 
odd-numbered  years,  no  more  than 
three  days  of  the  Assembly  be  used  to 
conduct  formal  business.  The  remainder 
of  those  Assemblies  would  "be  devoted 
to  worship  and  celebration,  continuing 
education,  discussions  on  subjects  of 
churchwide  interest,  leadership  develop- 
ment, and  programmatic  information." 

In  other  key  actions,  the  Assembly 
approved  a  six-point  plan  the  commit- 
tee said  was  designed  to  implement  an 
overture  (95-74)  referred  from  last 
year's  Assembly.  The  overture  had 
called  for  direct  election  of  General 
Assembly-level  committee  members  by 
presbyteries  as  a  better  way  to  involve 
lower  governing  bodies  in  the  work  of 
the  nation  church. 

The  Assembly  rejected  the  direct 
election  proposal,  opting  instead  for: 
•  conversion  of  the  25  existing  at-large 

seats  on  the  General  Assembly 


"What  you  have  done,"  Oldenburg  told 
commissioners,  "has  added  another  star 
in  the  crown  of  theological  education  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.SA). 

The  General  Assembly  also  approved 
a  new  vision  statement  for  campus 
ministry.  The  statement  describes  cam- 
pus ministry's  target  audience  and 
defines  its  tasks.  It  was  approved  over- 
v;helmingly  on  a  voice  vote. 

A  study  committee  currently  work- 
ing on  campus  ministry  issues  was 
instructed  to  "provide  a  plan  that 
would  provide  adequate  budget  and 
staff  support"  for  campus  ministry  and 
student  Christian  associations. 

The  Assembly  also  voiced  its  concern 
about  family  and  single  adult  min- 
istries. The  Congregational  Ministries 
Division  of  the  General  Assembly 
Council  eliminated  the  office  of  family 
and  single  adult  ministries  effective 
January  1,  1997.  It  did  this  as  part  of 
its  effort  to  present  a  balanced  budget 
proposal  for  1997. 

The  Assembly  "state[d]  its  conviction 
that  all  families  are  important  to  the 
church."  It  requested  that  "the 
Congregational  Ministries  Division  or 
the  General  Assembly  Council  take 
whatever  action  may  be  necessary  to 
continue  support"  for  family  and  single 
adult  ministries.  It  further  asked  that 
such  action  "be  in  place  before  the  end 
of  1996."  It  also  requested  the  same 
two  groups  "to  consider  ways  in  which 
family  ministry  to  single-parent  and 
two-parent  families  with  children  in 
their  formative  years  might  be 
enhanced"  by  the  church. 
by  Peggy  Rounseville 


Council  to  presbytery  rotation  slots; 

•  the  addition  of  up  to  15  new  at-large 
seats  to  allow  the  General  Assembly 
nominating  committee  to  fulfill  the 
inclusiveness  requirements  of  the 
Book  of  Order  in  proposing  slates  of 
nominees  for  election; 

•  commissioning  of  persons  elected  to 
General  Assembly  entities  by  their 
governing  bodies; 

•  provisions  for  persons  serving  on 
General  Assembly  entities  to  formally 
report  back  to  their  governing  bodies; 

•  encouragement  to  governing  bodies 
to  seek  qualified  Presbyterians  for 
service  on  national  entities; 

•  establishment  of  a  nine-person  com- 
mittee on  middle  governing  body 
relationships  to  rebuild  connections 

-   between  the  General  Assembly  and 
synods,  presbyteries  and  sessions. 
And  the  Assembly,  mindful  of  the 
feelings  of  alienation  and  disconnec- 
tion in  the  church,  called  the  church 
to  "a  year  of  prayer  marked  by  self- 
examination,  confession,  repentance 
and  thanksgiving..." 
by  Jerry  Van  Marter 


With  no  opposition  expressed,  the 
General  Assembly  rejected  two  over- 
tures July  3  that  would  have  directed 
the  Presbyterian  Church's  Board  of 
Pensions  to  set  up  a  separate  major 
medical  plan  for  church  employers 
who  oppose  abortion. 

The  Board  of  Pensions  instituted  a 
"capture  of  dues"  program  in  1992  to 
segregate  the  major  medical  dues  of 
employing  organizations  that  are  con- 
scientiously opposed  to  abortion.  The 
program  was  modified  last  year  after 
consultation  with  pro-life  groups  and 
is  now  called  "relief  of  conscience."  In 
January,  the  Board  announced  that  it 
would  review  the  effectiveness  of  the 
program  after  two  years. 

Under  the  "relief  of  conscience"  pro- 
gram the  dues  of  anti-abortion  employ- 
ers are  placed  in  a  separate  account  out 
of  which  all  claims  by  those  employers 
are  paid.  Every  six  months,  if  the  claim 
fund  IS  short,  money  is  transferred 
from  the  Board's  general  fund.  If  the 
claim  fund  shows  a  surplus,  money  is 
shifted  to  the  "administrative  expense" 
line  of  the  Board's  general  fund.  Critics 
have  argued  that  this  shifting  indirect- 
ly supports  payment  for  abortions. 

The  Assembly  asked  the  Board  of 
Pensions  to  continue  to  monitor  the 


The  208th  General  Assembly 
approved  a  total  of  $114,409,468  for 
the  General  Assembly  mission  budget 
and  program  in  1996. 

Mission  budgets  for  1997 
($113,868,075)  and  1998 
($112,269,025)  were  approved  with  a 
comment  that  urges  the  General 
Assembly  Council  and  its  executive 
director  to  continue  to  evaluate  all 
programs  in  light  of  the  four  priority 
goals  set  forth  by  the  205th  General 
Assembly;  and  in  light  of  the  continu- 
ing changes  in  patterns  of  giving,  to 


"relief  of  conscience"  program  and 
make  an  interim  progress  report  to 
next  year's  Assembly  and  to  continue 
to  explore  other  medical  coverage 
options  that  may  more  fully  satisfy 
abortion  opponents. 

In  other  abortion-related  business 
from  the  committee,  the  Assembly 
rejected  an  overture  from  Prospect  Hill 
Presbytery  that  would  have  declared 
"any  abortion  performed  after  five 
months  of  pregnancy,  except  to  save 
the  life  of  the  mother,  is  sin." 

By  a  vote  of  27-7,  the  committee  rec- 
ommended disapproval  of  the  overture. 
A  minority  report  was  introduced  on  the 
floor  with  milder  language  than  the 
overture,  declaring  that  such  abortions 
"fall  short  of  God's  plan  for  humankind." 
The  minority  report  was  rejected  320- 
192  and  then  the  committee's  recom- 
mendation was  adopted  332-166. 

The  Assembly  joyfully  approved  an 
"experience  apportionment"  of  eight 
percent.  The  apportionment,  which 
was  proposed  by  the  Board  of  Pensions, 
means  an  eight  percent  increase  in  the 
pensions  of  retired  members  of  the 
Board's  pension  plan  and  an  eight  per- 
cent increase  in  the  pension  credits  of 
active  plan  members. 
by  Jerry  Van  Marter 


pay  close  attention  to  the  impact  of  the 
reduction  of  staff  upon  ongoing  pro- 
grams and  upon  the  existing  staff 
responsible  for  these  programs. 
Further,  the  GAC  is  urged  to  commu- 
nicate in  an  understandable  way  to  the 
church  at  large  the  impact  of  budget 
reductions  on  programs  and  staff. 

A  motion  was  passed  that  directs  the 
GAC  to  reprioritize  existing  work  to 
ensure  funding  is  available  to  cover  the 
cost  of  all  actions  approved  by  the 
Assembly  with  financial  implications 
totaling  $66,595  for  1996;  $295,462  for 
1997;  and  $352,802  for  1998.  Such 
costs  should  be  funded  from  the 
approved  1996-97-98  budgets;  and  the 
GAC  is  directed  to  report  to  future 
Assemblies  on  the  implementation  of 
all  actions  with  financial  implications. 
by  Jane  Mines 


After  the  Witherspoon  Dance  on  July  2,  a  tired  but  grateful  disc  jockey  who 
spun  the  records  for  the  party  told  event  planners:  "I  really  didn't  want  to  do 
this  tonight  [play  music],  but  as  it  turned  out  I  needed  it  —  men  dancing  with 
men,  women  dancing  with  women,  men  and  women  dancing  together,  young 
and  old  together.  I  really  needed  to  see  such  community.  People  who  were  so 
different  having  so  much  fun  together."  Some  500  persons  attended  the  dance. 


GA  rejects  changes  In  Assembly  form 


Mission  budgets  adopted  for  1996-1998 


SATURDAYJULY  6,  1996 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


PAGE  9 


GAC  awards  celebrate  'Mission  for  Christ' 


The  General  Assembly  Council 
awards  celebration  honored  nine  GAC 
program  areas  Wednesday  for  their 
achievements  in  becoming  "Partners 
in  Mission  for  Christ."  This  is  the  sec- 
ond year  for  this  awards  format — 
accomplished  in  a  fast-paced,  upbeat, 
colorful  multimedia  presentation. 

Here  is  a  summary  of  the  awards. 

•  New  Church  Developments:  43 

new  church  developments  born  in 
1995  were  honored.  Each  was  given 
a  certificate  bearing  the  first  verse  of 
Psalm  127— "Unless  the  Lord  builds 
the  house,  those  who  build  it  labor 
in  vain."  This  marked  the  sixth  con- 
secutive year  for  celebrating  new 
churches.  Those  honored  are:  Soos 
Creek  Presbyterian,  Kent, 
Washington;  St.  Andrews 
Presbyterian,  Beulah,  Mich.; 
Heartland  Presbyterian,  West  Des 
Moines,  Iowa;  Rolling  Hills 
Presbyterian,  Spearfish,  S.D.; 
Community  Presbyterian,  Rochester, 
Minn.;  Ebenezer  Presbyterian, 
Chicago;  Good  Shepherd 
Presbyterian,  Rock  Island,  111.; 
Korean  Presbyterian,  Lawrence, 
Kan.;  Central  Sung  Ahm 
Presbyterian,  Chicago;  Irvington 
Presbyterian,  Indianapolis;  and 
Calvary-Third  United  Presbyterian, 
Ft.  Wayne,  Ind. 

Also,  LaGrange  Presbyterian, 
LaGrange,  Tenn.;  Grace  Chapel  • 
Presbyterian,  Madison,  Miss.;  United 
Presbyterian,  Granite  City,  111.; 
United  Presbyterian,  Roxana,  111.; 
Arrow  Rock  Federated  Presbyterian, 
Arrow  Rock,  Mo.;  Salt  &  Light 
Presbyterian,  Lutherville,  Md.; 
United  Presbyterian,  Amsterdam, 
N.Y.;  Good  Shepherd  Presbyterian, 
Yonkers,  N.Y.;  Imani  Community 
Presbyterian,  Trenton,  N.J.; 
Princeton  Glory  Presbyterian, 
Monmouth  Jet.,  N.J.;  Korean 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Tri-Valley, 
Pleasanton,  Calif.;  Blackfoot 
Community  Presbyterian,  Ovando, 
Mont.;  Blackfoot  Church  of 
Potomac,  Bonner,  Mont.;  Mountain 
Lakes  Presbyterian,  Seeley  Lake, 
Mont.;  Oviedo  Presbyterian,  Oviedo, 
Fla.;  Dong-Sahn  Presbyterian, 
Norcross,  Ga.;  and  Church  of  the 
Hills,  Duluth,  Ga. 

Also,  Belair  Community 
Presbyterian,  Evans,  Ga.;  Grace 
Presbyterian,  Ft.  Mill,  S.C.;  Gardens 
Presbyterian,  Lake  Park,  Fla.;  Hahn 


Frank  Beattie,  associate  director  for  evan- 
gelism and  church  development  in  the 
National  Ministries  Division(left)  and 
Moderator  John  Buchanan  present  a  new 
church  development  award  to  the  Rev. 
Charles  Proudfoot,  pastor  of  the  Rolling 
Hills  Presbyterian  Church  in  Spearfish,  S.D. 

Bit  Presbyterian,  Decatur,  Ga.; 
California  New  Canaan  Presbyterian, 
Los  Angeles;  Korean  Hope 
Presbyterian,  Cerritos,  Calif.;  Faith 
Presbyterian,  San  Diego,  Calif.;  West 
Valley  Presbyterian,  Avondale,  Ariz.; 
Community  Presbyterian,  Alpine, 
Ariz.;  Iglesia  Presbiteriana  Hispana, 
Roswell,  N.M.;  Korean  Presbyterian, 
Tulsa,  Okla.;  Covenant  Presbyterian, 
Sherman,  Texas;  Korean 
Presbyterian,  Corpus  Christi,  Texas; 
First  Presbyterian,  Nocona,  Texas; 
and  Ohio  Presbyterian,  Aliquippa, 
Penn. 

•  Higher  Education:  Dr.  Cordell 
Wynn,  president  of  Stillman  College, 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  received  the  1996 
Higher  Education  Award.  The  award, 
given  annually  since  1988,  goes  to 
an  individual  who  has  "rendered 
long  and  distinguished  service"  on 
behalf  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Wynn,  who  has  been  Stillman's  pres- 
ident for  more  than  15  years,  also 
has  chaired  the  College  Fund,  United 
Negro  College  Fund,  and  the 
National  Association  for  Equal 
Opportunity.  Wynn  said  the  award 
affirmed  what  his  grandmother 
taught  him  about  success — "Success 
is  measured  not  in  achievements  but 
in  lessons  learned  and  lives  that  are 
touched  along  the  way,"  and  certain- 
ly by  faith  in  a  sovereign  God.  This 
year,  five  individuals  also  were  placed 
on  the  1996  Honor  Roll,  indicative  of 
the  strong  group  of  nominees.  They 
are  the  Rev.  Robert  K.  Bondurant; 
Henry  Luce,  III;  Dr.  Charles  Ping; 
Dr.  Ruth  Schmidt,  and  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Walter  A.  Soboleff,  Sr. 

•  Commitment  to  Evangelism: 

Five  presbyteries  where  more  than 
50  percent  of  the  churches  have 
signed  the  Commitment  to 
Evangelism  were  honored — the 
presbyteries  of  Abingdon  and 
Shenandoah,  Synod  of  the  Mid- 
Atlantic;  the  presbyteries  of  Central 
Florida  and  Tampa  Bay,  Synod  of  the 
South  Atlantic,  and  the  Presbytery  of 
Grand  Canyon,  Synod  of  the 
Southwest. 


Sam  and  Helen  R.  Walton 
Fund  Grants:  New  church  devel- 
opments which  had  been  named 
recipients  of  $30,000  Sam  and  Helen 
R.  Walton  Fund  Grants  were  recog- 
nized: Covenant  Community 
Church,  Vacaville,  Calif.;  Eastfield 
Road  Presbyterian  NCD, 
Huntersville,  N.C.;  First  African 
Presbyterian,  Lithonia,  Ga.;  Macland 
Presbyterian,  Powder  Springs,  Ga.; 
New  Hope  Presbyterian,  Fishers, 
Ind.;  Plymouth  Presbyterian, 
Plymouth,  Minn.;  Southminster 
Presbyterian,  Gastonia,  N.C.;  and 
Taiwanese  Presbyterian  Church  in 
South  Bay,  Redondo  Beach,  Calif. 

Commitment  to  Peacemaking: 

Two  presbyteries  and  one  synod 
where  more  than  50  percent  of  the 
congregations  have  adopted  the 
Commitment  to  Peacemaking  were 
honored —  the  Presbytery  of 
Missouri  River  Valley;  the  Presbytery 
of  Whitewater  Valley,  and  the  Synod 
of  the  Northeast.  Six  presbyteries 
where  75  percent  of  the  congrega- 
tions have  adopted  the  commitment 
also  were  honored  —  the 
Presbyteries  of  Western  Reserve, 
Milwaukee,  Boise,  Stockton,  Santa 
Barbara,  and  Kendall. 

Restorative  Justice  Award:  The 

Honorable  Patrick  J.  Morris,  a  judge 
of  the  Superior  Court  of  San 
Bernardino  County,  Calif.,  received 
the  1996  Restorative  Justice  Award. 
The  award  defines  restorative  justice 
as  the  belief  that  "neither  punish- 
ment nor  incarcerating  people  are 
the  point,  but  that  as  Christians  we 
are  in  the  business  of  redemption 
and  change."  Morris  told  the 
Assembly,  "Please  pray  for  the 
judges." 

PHEWA:  Two  local  programs  were 
honored  by  the  Presbyterian  Health, 
Education  and  Welfare  Association, 
which  is  celebrating  its  40th 
anniversary  at  this  General 
Assembly.  Doorstep  Ministry,  Topeka, 
Kan.,  was  honored  by  the 
Community  Ministries  and 
Neighborhood  Organization  network 
of  PHEWA.  Doorstep  is  a  social  wel- 
fare ministry  sponsored  by  48  con- 
gregations, five  of  which  are 
Presbyterian.  Seventh  Avenue 
Presbyterian  Church,  San  Francisco, 
was  honored  for  its  work  as  an  urban 
congregation  by  the  Urban 
Presbyterian  Pastors'  Association,  a 
PHEWA  network. 

Ecumenical  Service  Awards: 

Two  presbyteries  and  two  congrega- 
tions were  honored  with  Ecumenical 
Service  Awards.  The  Presbytery  of 
Indian  Nations  was  commended  for 
its  participation  and  leadership  in 
the  ecumenical  response  following 
the  bombing  of  the  Alfred  P.  Murrah 
Federal  Building  on  April  19, 1995. 

The  Presbytery  of  Northern  Plains 
was  honored  for  its  leadership  with 
ecumenical  partners  that  brought 
together  more  than  2,000  people 
from  several  Christian  traditions  to 


worship  together  in  an  historic 
Ecumenical  Assembly  June  9-11, 
1995,  in  Bismarck,  N.D. 

The  United  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Silver  Bay,  Minn.,  was  commended 
for  its  "great  experiment"  in  ecu- 
menism and  community.  Silver  Bay 
was  "born"  in  the  1950s  when  a 
taconite  plant  was  built,  and  the 
church  was  established  to  serve  the 
families. 

The  United  Protestant  Church, 
which  relates  to  five  denominations, 
was  commended  for  its  work  to 
make  visible  the  unity  of  the 
Church. 

•  General  Assembly  Mission: 

Eight  presbyteries  were  recognized 
for  excellence  in  support  of  General 
Assembly  mission.  The  awards  went 
to  the  presbyteries  that  have  given 
the  greatest  number  of  dollars  total, 
and  on  a  per  member  basis,  in  five 
mission  categories. 

-  Basic  Mission  Support:  the 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  with 
total  giving  of  $504,130;  the 
Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  with  per 
member  giving  of  $20.94. 

-  Churchwide  Special  Offerings: 
the  Presbytery  of  National  Capital, 
with  total  giving  of  $380,986;  the 
Presbytery  of  Santa  Fe,  with  per 
member  giving  of  $12.14. 

-  Other  Specific  Appeals:  the 
Presbytery  of  Pittsburgh,  with  total 
giving  of  $195,072;  the  Presbytery 
of  Sheppards  and  Lapsley,  with  per 
member  giving  of  $8.64. 

-  Presbyterian  Women's  Giving: 
the  Presbytery  of  Pittsburgh,  with 
total  giving  of  $167,158;  the 
Presbytery  of  Eastern  Oregon,  with 
per  member  giving  of  $7.62. 

-  All  General  Assembly  Mission 
Support:  the  Presbytery  of 
Philadelphia,  with  total  giving  of 
$1,096,051;  the  Presbytery  of 
Donegal,  with  per  member  giving 
of  $35.57. 

by  Nancy  Borst 


PAGE  10 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAY,  JULY  6,  1996 


OVERTURES  TO  THE  208TH  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 


1995  Overtures 

Overture  95-1   On  Clarifying  Constitutional 
Bounds  of  Inclusiveness — From  the  Synod  of  the 
Northeast  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  95-12  On  Declaring  Paragraph  14  of 
the  Policy  Statement  of  the  190th  General 
Assembly  (1978)  Regarding  Ordination  of 
Homosexual  Persons  on  Authoritative 
Interpretation  of  the  Constitution — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Heartland.  -  Answered  by  action 
taken  on  Overture  96-13 

1996  Overtures 

Overture  96-1  On  Amending  the  Standing  Rules 
of  the  General  Assembly  So  That  Each  Presbytery 
Shall  Appoint  a  Youth  Advisory  Delegate 
Annually — From  the  Presbytery  of  Winnebago. 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-12 
Ovorturo  96  3  On  Objooting  to  the  Roduotion  of 
Youth  Advioory  Dologatoa  at  the  a08th  GA.  and 

Proobytorioo  to  Portioipoto  in  All  Aooomblico — 


Withdrawn 

Overture  96-3  On  Amending  G- 1 1 .020 1  To 
Increase  the  Number  of  Elders  and  Ministers 
Required  to  Call  a  Special  Meeting  of 
Presbytery — From  the  Presbytery  of  Greater 
Atlanta. 

Overtiu-e  96-4  On  Strengthening  Support  for 
Taiwan  and  ReafFuming  Solidarity  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Taiwan— From  the 
Presbytery  of  Greater  Atlanta.  -  Answered  by 
approval  of  resolutions  contained  in  36.448-.453, 
36.454-.455,  and  36.456 
Overture  96-5  On  Amending  W-3.3616d.  to 
Allow  Only  Ordained  Officers  to  Serve  the  Bread 
and  Cup — From  the  Presbytery  of  Nevada. 
Disapproved 

Overture  96-6  On  Seating  a  Youth  Advisory 
Delegate  at  the  Presbytery's  Expense  in 
Alternating  Years — From  the  Presbytery  of  San 
Gabriel.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture 
96-12 

Overture  96-7  On  Amending  G-14.0501a  and  G- 
14.0513  to  Change  the  Words  "Permanent"  and 
"Temporary"  to  "Elected"  and  "Appointed,"  and 
Adding  a  New  Section  G-14.0513g— From  the 
Presbytery  of  Nevada.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-8  On  Restoring  the  Former 
Representation  Levels  of  Youth  Advisory 
Delegates —  From  the  Presbytery  of  Prospect  HiU. 
-  Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-12 
Overture  96-9  On  Including  Vows  for  Diaconal 
Responsibilities  for  Elders  in  Churches  Not  Using 
the  Office  of  Deacon — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Salem.  -  Disapproved 

Overture  96-10  On  Rescinding  the  Definitive 
Guidance  (1978,  1979)  and  the  Authoritative 
hiterpretation  (1993),  and  Amending  G-4.0403  to 
Add  the  Words  "As  Well  as  Different  Sexual 
Orientations" — From  the  Presbytery  of  Northern 
New  England.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-11  On  Affirming  the  General 
Assembly  Permanent  Judicial  Commission  as  the 
Sole  Source  of  Authoritative  Interpretation,  and 
Revoking  Authoritative  Interpretations  Since  1983 
That  Are  Not  Contained  In  GA  PJC  Decisions— 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Winnebago.AnsM'ererf  by 
action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-12  On  Amending  Standing  Rule 
A.2.C.  to  Allow  Each  Presbytery  to  Appoint  a 
Youth  Advisory  Delegate  to  General  Assembly — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Lehigh.  -  Approved  with 
amendment,  with  recommendations,  and  with 
comment 

Overture  96-13  On  Amending  G-6.0 106  to 
Require  Fidehty  Within  the  Covenant  of 
Marriage,  or  Chastity  in  Singleness,  of  Church 
Officers — From  the  Presbytery  of  Satl  Gabriel.  - 
Approved  with  amendment 
Overture  96-14  On  the  Formation  of  a  Non- 
Geographical,  Korean  Language  Presbytery 
Within  the  Bounds  of  the  Synod  of  the  Northeast 
For  the  Duration  of  Twelve  Years — From  the 
Synod  of  the  Northeast.  -  Approved 
Overture  96-15  On  Rescinding  the  Definitive 
Guidance  and  Authoritative  Interpretation 
Regarding  the  Ordination  of  Homosexual 
Persons — From  the  Presbytery  of  Heartland.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-16  On  Amending  G-6.0 106  to 
Require  Fidelity  Within  the  Covenant  of 
Marriage,  or  Chastity  in  Singleness,  of  Church 
Officers— From  the  Presbytery  of  Seattle. 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-17  On  Transferring  the  Church 
Jurisdiction  of  Big  Sioux  Township,  Union 


County,  South  Dakota,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
South  Dakota  to  the  Presbytery  of  Prospect  Hill— 
From  the  Synod  of  Lakes  and  Prairies.  -  Approved 
Overture  96-18  On  Adopting  an  Authoritative 
Interpretation  Under  G-13.0103r  Affirming  the 
Right  and  Responsibihty  of  Congregations, 
Sessions,  and  Presbyteries  to  Determine  Who  May 
Be  Ordained — From  the  Presbytery  of  Boston.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-19  On  Urging  Common  Sense 
Legislation  to  Begin  the  Urgent  Task  of  Making 
our  Cities  and  Nation  Free  From  the  Disgraceful 
Scourge  of  Gun  Violence — From  the  Presbytery 
of  National  Capital  -  Approved  with  amendment 
and  with  comment 

Overture  96-20  On  Reaffuming  the  Process  for 
Amendments  to  the  Boole  of  Order,  and  Adopting 
an  Authoritative  Interpretation  Stating  That 
Congregations,  Sessions,  and  Presbyteries  Are 
Neither  Required  Nor  Prohibited  from  Ordaining 
Homosexual  Persons — From  the  Presbytery  of 
National  Capital  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-21   On  Amending  G-14.0101  To 
State  That  Any  Church  Member  in  Good  Standing 
May  Not  Be  Disqualified  for  Ordination  to 
Church  Office  Because  of  Sexual  Orientation — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  National  Capital.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-22  On  Amending  G- 10.0103  and  G- 
11.0104  Regarding  the  Authority  of  the  Session 
and  the  Presbytery — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Hudson  River  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-23  On  Amending  Standing  Rule 
A.2.C.  So  that  Each  Presbytery  Shall  Appoint  a 
Youth  Advisory  Delegate — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Transylvania.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-12 

Overture  96-24  On  Amending  G-14.0313b  to 
Ehminate  the  Requirement  for  Review  by  Synod 
of  a  Waiver  of  the  Requirement  for  Ordination 
Examinations — From  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore. 

-  Approved  as  amended 

Overture  96-25  On  Interpreting  the  Inclusiveness 

Requirements  of  the  Book  of  Order — From  the 

Presbytery  of  Baltimore.  Answered  by  action 

taken  on  Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-26  On  Lifting  U.  S.  Sanctions  in 

Iraq — From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Francisco.  - 

Approved  alternate  resolution 

Overtme  96-27  On  Amending  G-4.030 lb 

Concerning  "Ruhng  Elder"  and  "Teaching  Elder" 

Designations — From  the  Presbytery  of  San 

Francisco.  -  Approved 

Overture  96-28  On  Amending  The  Rules  of 
Discipline  to  Allow  the  Option  of  Alternative 
Forms  of  Resolution  in  Disciplinary  Cases  After 
Allegations  Have  Been  Filed — From  the 
Presbytery  of  San  Francisco.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-29  On  Withdrawing  Previous 
Definitive  Guidance  and  Authoritative 
Interpretations,  and  Issuing  a  New  Interpretation 
of  G-6.0106— From  the  Presbytery  of  San 
Francisco.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-30  On  Deleting  G-13.0103r,  and 
Amending  G-13.0112d  and  D-4.0200c  To  Clarify 
Procedures  for  Interpreting  and  Amending  The 
Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.) — From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Francisco. 

-  Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-3 1  On  Declaring  that  Authoritative 
Interpretations  Do  Not  Have  the  Authority  of  an 
Amendment  to  the  Constitution,  and  That  PJC 
Decisions  Must  be  Based  Only  on  the 
Constitution — From  the  Presbytery  of  Cayuga- 
Syracuse.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-32  On  Amending  the  Book  of  Order 
by  Adding  Section  G-2.0600  "Essential  Tenets," 
and  by  Adding  Section  G-2.0700 
"Subscription" — From  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Covenant.  -  Disapproved  w/comment 
Overture  96-33  On  Adopting  an  Authoritative 
Interpretation  Removing  Impediments  to 
Diversity  and  Inclusiveness  and  the  Full  Exercise 
of  the  Right  of  Congregations  and  Presbyteries  to 
Ordain  Officers — From  the  Presbytery  of  the 
Redwoods.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-34  On  Amending  G-6.0106  and  G- 
6.0108b  to  Require  Fidelity  Within  the  Covenant 
of  Marriage  or  Celibacy  of  Those  Called  to 
Church  Office — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Mississippi.  Georgia  -  Answered  by  action  taken 
on  Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-35  On  Amending  G-6.0106  to  Bring 
the  Book  of  Order  into  Conformity  With  the 


Authoritative  Interpretation  of  the  General 
Assembly  Regarding  Ordination  of  Self- 
Affirming,  Practicing  Homosexual  Persons — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Santa  Barbara.  -  Answered 
by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-36  On  Amending  the  Standing 
Rules  to  Seat  a  Youth  Advisory  Delegate  from 
Each  Presbytery  at  Every  General  Assembly,  With 
a  Presbytery  Paying  One-Half  the  Expense — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  the  John  Knox.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-12 
Overture  96-37  On  Adopting  a  Vision  Statement 
for  Campus  Ministry  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)— From  the  Presbytery  of  Shenandoah.- 
Approved 

Overture  96-38  On  Reaffirming  Our 
Commitment  With  Partner  Churches  to  Honor 
One  Another's  Communion,  Baptisms,  and 
Ordinations,  and  to  Withdraw  From  COCU, 
Dismissing  Our  Delegation  with  Thanks — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Plains  and  Peaks.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-39  On  Studying  the  Needs  of  Single 
Clergy  and  the  Church's  Nominating  Committees, 
and  Reporting  Findings  to  the  209th  General 
Assembly  (1997) — From  the  Presbytery  of  Sierra 
Blanca.  -  Approved  as  amended 
Overture  96-40  On  Communicating  to  COCU 
Denominations  that  the  PC(USA)  Will  Not  be 
Entering  Into  Covenant  Communion,  and  On 
Amending  G- 15.0201  to  Strengthen  the  Long- 
standing Recognition  by  the  PC(USA)  of  All 
COCU  Member  Churches— From  the  Presbytery 
of  Los  Ranchos.-  Disapproved 
Overture  96-41   On  Amending  G-6.0 1 06  and  G- 
6.0108b  Regarding  Standards  for  Ordination,  and 
D-3.0200  Regarding  a  Higher  Governing  Body's 
Responsibihty  When  an  Irregularity  or 
Delinquency  Has  Occurred — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Los  Ranchos.  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-42  On  Amending  G-2.0200,  G- 
6.0108,  G-11.0303,  G-12.0302,  and  G-13.0109 
Requiring  Affirmation  of  Five  Essentials  of 
Christian  Faith  As  Conditions  of  Service  for  All 
Ordained  Persons  and  Non-Ordained  Staff 
Persons  In  Positions  of  Leadership — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Los  Ranchos.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-43  On  Amending  G-6.0106  and  G- 
6.0108b  Regarding  Standards  of  Ordination — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Fernando.  -  Answered 
by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-44  On  Amending  G-6.0106  and  G- 
6.0108b  Regarding  Standards  of  Ordination — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  South  Alabama.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-45  On  Amending  G-6.0 108b  to 
Prohibit  Adultery,  Fornication,  and  Homosexual 
Behavior — From  the  Presbytery  of  Pueblo.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-46  On  Studying  Issues  Relating  to 
Gambhng  and  Games  of  Chance  in  Order  to 
Provide  Scriptural,  Theological,  Historical, 
Economic  and  Sociological  Background  to 
Thoughtful  Presbyterians — From  the  Synod  of  the 
Trinity.  -  Approved  with  amendment 
Overture  96-47  On  Amending  Standing  Rule 
A.2.C.  Regarding  the  Reinstatement  of  Annual 
Youth  Advisory  Delegates  from  Each 
Presbytery — From  the  Presbytery  of  Pittsburgh.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-12 
Overture  96-48  On  Amending  the  Rules  of 
Disciphne  to  Allow  the  Option  of  Alternative 
Forms  of  Resolution  in  Disciplinary  Cases  After 
Allegations  Have  Been  Filed — From  the  Synod  of 
the  Pacific.  Approved  alternate  resolution 
Overture  96-49  On  Adopting  an  Authoritative 
Interpretation  Under  G-13.0103r  to  Affirm  the 
Principles  of  Diversity  and  Inclusiveness  in  the 
Book  of  Order — From  the  Presbytery  of  Genesee 
Valley.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture 
96-13 

Overture  96-50  On  Amending  G-14.0707  to 
Include  Responsibihties  of  Elders  in  Unicameral 
Churches  in  the  Constitutional  Questions  to 
Officers — From  the  Presbytery  of  Arkansas.  - 
Referred  to  the  General  Assembly  Council  with 
comment 

Overture  96-5 1   On  Increasing  the  Numbers  of 

YADS  Attending  GA  to  One  Per  Presbytery— 

From  the  Presbytery  of  the  James.  -  Answered  by 

action  taken  on  Overture  96-12 

Overture  96-52  On  Amending  G-14.0501  to 

Permit  a  Church  to  Call  on  Associate  Pastor  to 

Serve  as  Co-Pastor — From  the  Presbytery  of 

Central  Florida.  -  Disapproved 

Overture  96-53  On  Conducting  Research  in 

Evangelism — From  the  Presbytery  of  Cherokee.  - 

Approved  with  amendment 

Overture  96-54  On  Amending  G-11.0410  to 


Allow  an  Alternative  Means  for  Active  Members 
in  Other  Service  in  the  Church  to  Report  Changes 
in  Terms  of  Call — From  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick.  -  Approved 

Overture  96-55  On  Studying  the  Necessity  for 
Synods  as  Part  of  Our  Church  Structure — From 
the  Presbytery  of  the  James.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-56  On  Amending  the  Book  of  Order 
by  Adding  a  New  Section  G- 10.0 103  and 
Renumbering  the  Current  G- 10.0 103  as  G- 
10.0104,  and  by  Adding  a  New  Section  G- 
1 1 .0103— From  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-57  On  Amending  G-4.0000  by 
Adding  New  G-4.0501  Distinctiveness  and 
Disciphne-  -From  the  Presbytery  of  Cherokee.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96- 13 
Overture  96-58  On  Amending  G-1 1.0400  to 
Requiring  Proof  of  Insurance  by  Ministers  Not 
Covered  by  Social  Security — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Central  Florida.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-59  On  Rescinding  the  Action  to 
Reduce  the  Number  of  Youth  Advisory  Delegates 
to  General  Assembly — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Central  Florida.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-12 

Overture  96-60  On  Transferring  the  Korean 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  Los  Angeles, 
Cahfomia  to  the  Presbytery  of  Hanmi — From  the 
Presbytery  of  the  Pacific.  Approved 
Overture  96-61   On  Amending  G- 14.0506  Form 
of  Call,  to  Provide  Acknowledgment  of  a  Duty  to 
Fulfill  the  Responsibilities — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Cincinnati.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-62  On  Asking  Whether  a 
Congregation,  Session  or  Presbytery  is  Required 
to  Consider  or  Prohibited  from  Considering 
Sexual  Orientation — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Cincinnati.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-63  On  Amending  G-6.0106  and  G- 
6.0108b  to  Require  Fidelity  in  Marriage  and 
Celibacy,  With  a  Definition  of  Celibacy— From 
the  Presbytery  of  Western  Colorado.  -  Answered 
by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-64  On  Amending  G- 14.05 1 3a  to 
Permit  a  Stated  Supply  Minister  to  Move  to  a 
Permanent  Pastoral  Relationship — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Central  Nebraska.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-65  On  Rescinding  the  1978  Action 
on  Ordination  of  Affuming  Practicing 
Homosexual  People  and  Declaring  Local 
Churches  and  Presbyteries  have  Authority  to 
Decide — From  the  Presbytery  of  Cimarron.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-66  On  Rescinding  1978,  1979  and 
1993  Authoritative  Interpretations  and  Declaring 
Sessions  and  Presbyteries  Discern  the  Moral 
Fitness  of  Candidates — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Chicago.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture 
96-13 

Overture  96-67  Concerning  the  Church's 
Response  to  Those  Engaged  in  All  Sexual 
Relations  Except  Those  Between  a  Man  and  a 
Woman  Within  the  Covenant  of  Marriage — From 
the  Presbytery  of  San  Joaquin.  -  Answered  by 
action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-68  On  Directing  the  Board  of 
Pensions  to  Provide  a  Medical  Benefits  Plan 
Which  Will  Not  Pay  for  Abortions — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Shenango.  Disapproved  with  com- 
ments and  with  recommendation 
Overture  96-69  On  Ruling  That  the  Definitive 
Guidance  of  1978  and  1979  and  Authoritative 
Interpretation  Are  No  Longer  Binding — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Santa  Fe.  -  Answered  by  action 
taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-70  On  Participation  by  Cuban 
Presbyterians  in  the  Pension  Plan  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Santa  Fe.  Approved  alternate  resolution 
Overture  96-71  On  Amending  G-6.0106  to 
Require  Fidehty  Within  the  Covenant  of 
Marriage —  From  the  Presbytery  of  Prospect  Hill. 
-  Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-72  On  Amending  G-6.0106  and  G- 
6.0108b  to  Require  Fidelity  in  Marriage— From 
the  Presbytery  of  Charleston-Atlantic.  -  Answered 
by  action  taken  on  Overture  96- 13 
Overture  96-73  On  Amending  G-6.0106  and  G- 
6.0108b  to  Require  Fidehty  Within  the  Covenant 
of  Marriage — From  the  Presbytery  of  Sheppards 
and  Lapsley.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-74  On  Amending  G- 1 4.05 1 5a  to 
Limit  Eligibihty  of  Parish  Associate  to  Be  Called 
as  Pastor — From  the  Presbytery  of  Santa  Fe.  - 
Approved  as  amended 

1 


SATURDAY,  JULY  6,  1996 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


PAGE  11 


Presbyterians  gather  for  food,  fun  and  fellowship  at  Menaul  School 


Commissioners  and  guests  enjoyed  a  hearty  dinner  at  the  Menaul  School  where  the 
Committee  on  Local  Arrangements  offered  them  an  opportunity  to  taste  the  culture,  the 
native  foods,  arts  and  crafts,  and  music  and  dance  of  New  Mexico. 


Thousands  of  Presbyterians  gath- 
ered at  the  historic  Menaul  School 
here  July  4th  for  an  evening  of  food, 
fun  and  fellowship. 

Presented  the  opportunity  to  sample 
some  of  the  best  food  in  the  Southwest, 
ranging  from  Native  American  and  New 
Mexican  cuisine  to  "gringo"  hamburg- 
ers and  hot  dogs,  visitors  scarfed  it 
down  to  the  delight  of  their  hosts. 

Between  bites,  they  watched  as  vari- 
ous Pueblo  and  Northern  New  Mexico 
artists  demonstrated  their  artwork.  They 
also  danced  and  swayed  to  a  synthesis  of 
musical  merriment  including  a  water- 
melon jug  band,  mariachis,  Scottish  bag 
pipers,  Native  American  choirs,  Mexican 
dancers,  jazz  and  Dbcieland  musicians, 
sacred  music  and  more. 

By  event's  end,  no  one  seemed  to  care 
that  there  were  no  fireworks  whizzing 
through  the  air  to  commemorate 
Independence  Day. 

Edmundo  E.  Vasquez,  former  Menaul 
School  president  from  1972-78,  said 
the  school  prides  itself  on  graduating 
students  who  understand  that  success 


hinges  upon  their  ability'  to  live  with, 
work  with,  and  love  people. 

"We've  worked  hard  to  keep  our 
school  going  over  the  years,"  said 
Vasquez,  a  class  of  1949  graduate. 

Menaul  School  was  founded  in  1881 
as  a  response  to  Presbyterian  concern 
for  education  for  Native  New  Mexican 
people,  for  whom  access  to  education 
was  almost  nonexistent.  The  Rev. 
James  Menaul,  the  school's  founder, 
particularly  wanted  to  train  future 
teachers  and  pastors. 

For  100  years,  the  school  has  contin- 
ued in  this  tradition  of  providing  high 
quality  education  to  racially  and  ethni- 
cally diverse  youth  by  preparing  them 
to  serve  in  their  communities  and  the 
world.  The  school  blends  the  Anglo, 
Hispanic,  and  Native  American  cul- 
tures that  dominate  the  region,  while 
emphasizing  the  strong  spiritual  devel- 
opment of  its  students  through 
Christian  education. 

"We  still  feel  that  Reformed  theolo- 
gy, as  represented  by  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  is  good  for  any  society,  "said 


Paul  Baez,  chair  of  the  school's  14- 
member  board  of  trustees.  "More  than 
90  percent  of  Menaul  graduates  go  to 


college,  so  we  prepare  a  lot  of  future 
leaders  out  of  our  student  population." 
by  Julian  Shipp 


Overtures,  continued  from  page  10 

Overture  96-75  On  Abobshing  Support  for 
Presbyterian  Health  Education  and  Welfare 
Association — From  the  Presbytery  of  Shenango.  - 
Disapproved 

Overture  96-76  On  Amending  G-6.0 106  and  G- 
6.0108b  to  Require  Fidehty  Within  the  Covenant 
of  Marriage  or  Chastity  of  Those  Called  to 
Church  Office — From  the  Presbytery  of  Olympia. 
-  Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-77  On  Amending  G-6.0 106  and  G- 
6.0108b  to  Require  Fidelity  in  Marriage  or  Chaste 
Celibacy  and  W-4.9001  to  Prohibit  Blessing 
Same-Sex  Unions — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Wabash  Valley.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-78  On  Amending  G-6.0 106  and  G- 
6.0108b  to  Require  Fidehty  in  the  Covenant  of 
Marriage — From  the  Presbytery  of  Cherokee.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-79  On  Amending  G-6.0 106  and  G- 
6.0108b  to  Require  Fidehty  in  the  Covenant  of 
Marriage — From  the  Presbytery  of  San  Jose.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-80  On  Amending  G- 14.03 14a  and 
G-14.0402a,  and  G-14.0404a  Regarding  Allowing 
the  Presbytery  of  Call  Ordinarily  to  Conduct 
Examinations  and  Ordinations — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Trinity.  -  Approved  as  amended 
Overture  96-81   On  Amending  G-13.0112d 
Regarding  the  Advisory  Committee  on  the 
Constitution's  Making  Recommendations  to 
Commissioners  which  Advocate  for  Their 
Position — From  the  Presbytery  of  Trinity.  - 
Disapproved 

Overture  96-82  On  Providing  Sufficient  Funds  in 
the  General  Mission  Budget  to  Publish  a  High 
Quahty  Curriculum — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Greater  Atlanta.  Disapproved  with  comment 
Overture  96-83  On  Amending  G-6.0106,  G- 
6.0108b  and  D-3.0200  to  Require  Fidehty  in 
Marriage,  Chastity  in  Singleness — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Greater  Atlanta.  Answered  by 
action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-84  On  Amending  G-6.0106  and  G- 
6.0108b  Regarding  Standards  for  Ordination,  and 
D-3.0200  and  D-3.0400  Regarding  a  Higher 
Governing  Body's  Responsibility  When  an 
Irregularity  or  Delinquency  Has  Occurred — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Lake  Erie.  -  Answered  by  action 
taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-85  On  Amending  G-6.0106  and 
G-6.0108b  Regarding  Standards  for  Ordination, 
And  Suspending  Consideration  of  The  Issue  For 
the  Foreseeable  Future — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Miami.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture 
96-13 

Overture  96-86  On  Amending  G-6.0106 
Regarding  Standards  for  Ordination  by  Adding 
Three  New  Subsections — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Redstone.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overture  96-87  On  Clarifying  Baptism  as  a 


Response  to  the  Great  Commission — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Central  Nebraska.  -  Approved  alter- 
nate resolution 

Overture  96-88  On  Reaffirming  the  Process  for 
Amendments  to  the  Book  of  Order,  and  Adopting 
an  Authoritative  Interpretation  Stating  That 
Congregations,  Sessions,  and  Presbyteries  Are 
Neither  Required  Nor  Prohibited  from  Ordaining 
Homosexual  Persons — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Detroit.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture 
96-13 

Overture  96-89  On  Recognizing  the  175th 
Anniversary  of  the  Life  and  Ministry  of  Fairview 
Presbyterian  Church,  Lawrenceville,  Georgia — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Greater  Atlanta.- 
Approved 

Overture  96-90  On  Amending  G-6.0106  and  G- 
6.0108b  Regarding  Standards  for  Ordination,  and 
D-3.0200  and  D-3.0400  Regarding  a  Higher 
Governing  Body's  ResponsibiUty  When  an 
Irregularity  or  Dehnquency  Has  Occurred — From 
the  Presbytery  of  San  Juan.  -  Answered  by  action 
taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overtiire  96-91  On  Setting  Aside  the  Definitive 
Guidance  of  1978,  and  on  Adopting  a  New 
Authoritative  Interpretation  Under  G-13.0103r— 
From  the  Presbytery  of  the  Twin  Cities  Area.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-92  On  Amending  G- 13.01 03r 
Stating  that  Authoritative  Interpretation  Under 
That  Section  is  Not  Binding  On  Governing 
Bodies  Until  it  is  Added  to  the  Form  of 
Government — From  the  Presbytery  of  the  Twin 
Cities  Area.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on 
Overture  96-13 

Overtoire  96-93  On  Reinstatement  of  Original 
Quotas  of  Youth  Advisory  Delegates  to  Annual 
Meetings  of  the  General  Assembly — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Southeastern  Illinois.  -  Answered  by 
action  taken  on  Overture  96-12 
Overture  96-94  On  Amending  G-6.0106  and  G- 
6.0108b  Regarding  Standards  for  Ordination — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Washington.  - 
Answered  by  action  taken  on  Overture  96-13 
Overture  96-95  On  Amending  G-5.0202  to 
Clarify  Members'  Rights  to  Hold  Office— From 
the  Presbytery  of  East  Iowa.-  Disapproved 
Overture  96-96  On  Seeking  to  Be  Faithful 
Together — From  the  Presbytery  of  East  Iowa.  - 
Approved 

Overture  96-97  On  Refocusing  Attention  to  the 
Needs  of  Infants,  Children,  and  Young  People — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  East  Iowa.  -  Approved 
with  amendment 

Overture  96-98  On  Delaying  Action  on  the  Issue 
of  Ordination  of  Homosexual  Persons — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Mission.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-99  On  Declaring  a  Commitment  to 
Equal  Treatment  of  All  Independently 
Incorporated  Advocacy  and  Service  Organizations 
or  Coalitions  of  Organizations — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Southern  Kansas.  -  Approved  alter- 
nate resolution 

Overture  96-100  On  Affirming  Rule  By  Elders 


Mutually  With  Ministers  of  the  Word  and 
Sacrament,  and  Encouraging  Study  of  the  Role, 
History,  and  Theology  of  the  Office  of  Elder — 
From  the  Presbytery  of  Missouri  Union.  - 
Disapproved 

Overture  96-101  On  Amending  Standing  Rule 
C.6.d.  Regarding  Distribution  of  Materials  at  the 
General  Assembly — From  the  Presbytery  of  the 
Pines  -  Referred  to  Committee  on  the  Office  of 
the  General  Assembly  for  report  to  209th  GA 
Overture  96-102  On  Amending  Standing  Rules 

B.  6.  and  C.6.a.  Regarding  the  Referral  of  Material 
to  the  Assembly  Committee  on  Mission  Priorities 
and  Budgets,  or  Its  Successor  Committee — From 
the  Presbytery  of  the  Pines.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-103  On  Amending  Standing  Rule 

C.  3.C.  Regarding  Eligibihty  as  Committee 
Assistant —  From  the  Presbytery  of  the  Pines.  - 
Approved 

Overture  96-104  On  Partnership  in  Allocations 
for  Mission  Funding — From  the  Synod  of  the 
Southwest.  Approved  alternate  resolution 
Overture  96-105  On  Urging  Humble  Prayer  and 
Silence — From  the  Presbytery  of  the  Cascades.  - 
Approved 

Overture  96-106  On  Transfening  the 
Presbyterian  Church  Of  Meade,  Kansas,  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Cimarron — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Southern  Kansas.  -  Approved 
Overture  96-107  On  Allocating  Mission  Funds  at 
the  Governing  Body  Level  "Where  It  Can  Be  Done 
Most  Efficiently  and  Effectively — From  the 
Synod  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  -  Answered  by 
action  taken  on  Overture  96-104 
Overture  96-108  On  Continuing  Support  of 
Campus  Ministries  Through  the  National  Ministry 
Division — From  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick.-  Approved  with  amendment  and  with 
comment 

Ovemire  96-109  On  Communicating  to  COCU 
Churches  That  The  Churches  in  Covenant 
Communion  Document  Offers  Too  Significant  a 
Departure  From  Presbyterian  Ecclesiology  and 
Polity — From  the  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon  - 
Disapproved 

Overture  96-110  On  Requesting  the  208th 
General  Assembly  (1996)  to  Appoint  an 
Additional  Native  American  Representative  From 
the  Presbytery  of  Grand  Canyon  to  the  General 
Assembly  Native  American  Task  Force — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Grand  Canyon.  -  Approved  with 
amendments 

Overture  96-111   On  Reinstating  Full  Youth 
Advisory  Delegate  Representation — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Newton.  -  Answered  by  action 
taken  on  Overture  96-12 
Overture  96-112  On  Directing  die  Board  of 
Pensions  to  Provide  a  Medical  Benefits  Plan 
Which  Will  Not  Pay  for  Abortions— From  the 
Presbytery  of  Cincinnati.  -  Disapproved  with 
comments  and  with  recommendation 
Overture  96- 113  On  Directing  the  Office  of  the 
General  Assembly  to  Cease  Collecting  Data 
Regarding  the  Racial  Ethnic  Composition  of 


Church  Membership — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Pittsburgh.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96-114  On  Urging  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  to  Work  for  Ministries  of 
Compassion  and  Healing  for  Those  Caught  Up  In 
Sexual  Practices  Which  Bring  Alienation  and 
Pain — From  the  Presbytery  of  Alaska.  -  Approved 
with  amendment 

Overture  96-115  On  Urging  Support  for  Alaska 
Native  and  Native  American  Tribal  Rights — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Alaska  -  Approved  with  amend- 

Overture  96-116  On  Amending  the  Standing 
Rules  Regarding  the  Number  of  Commissioners 
from  a  Presbytery  to  General  Assembly — From 
the  Presbytery  of  Donegal.  -  Approved 
Overture  96-117  On  Partnership  in  the 
Allocation  of  Denominational  Funds — From  the 
Synod  of  Living  Waters.  -  Answered  by  action 
taken  on  Overture  96-104 
Overture  96-118  On  Calling  All  Congregations 
and  Governing  Bodies  to  Share  in  a  Three- Year 
Study  to  Expand  the  Strength,  Growth,  and 
Influence  of  the  PC(USA),  Locally  and 
Throughout  the  World — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Central  Florida.  -  Approved  with  amendment  and 
with  comment 

Overture  96-119  On  Developing  and 
Implementing  a  Plan  of  Action  to  Bring  the 
Church's  Influence  to  Bear  So  That  Media  Will 
Act  to  Strengthen  Moral  Values — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Louisville.  -  Approved  with  amend- 

Overture  96-120  On  Affirming  That  Any 
Abortion  Performed  After  Five  Months,  Except  to 
Save  the  Life  of  the  Mother,  is  a  Sin. — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Prospect  Hill.  -  Disapproved 
Overture  96- 1 2 1   On  Estabhshing  Ministries  to 
Those  in  Sexual  Brokenness — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Prospect  Hill.  -  Disapproved. 
Overture  96-122  On  Calling  for  an  Investigation 
of  Human  Rights  Violations  in  the  Peoples 
Republic  of  China — From  the  Presbytery  of 
Riverside.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on  36.149- 
.151  wUh  comment 

Overture  96-123  On  Directing  the  General 
Assembly  Council  and  the  Foundation  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  to  Resolve  the 
Matter  of  the  Disbursements  from  the  Jennie  M. 
Wimer  Restricted  Fund  Account — From  the 
Presbytery  of  Grand  Canyon-Disapproved  with 
comment 

Overture  96-124  On  Referring  the  Confirmation 
of  the  Second  Term  of  the  Executive  Director  of 
the  General  Assembly  Council  to  the  Appropriate 
Assembly  Committee  for  Consideration  and 
Recommendation — From  the  Presbytery  of  South 
Alabama.  -  Answered  by  action  taken  on  31.010 
with  comment 

Overture  96- 1 25  On  Creating  and  Funding 
Substance  Abuse  Awareness  and  Prevention 
Curriculum  Materials  for  Elementary  Aged 
Children  and  Their  Parents — From  the  Presbytery 
of  Detroit  -  Approved  with  comment 


PAGE  12 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  NEWS 


SATURDAY,  JULY  6,  1996 


Assembly  favors  same  sex  civil  rights 


After  debate  that  stretched  over  two 
sessions,  the  Assembly  voted  July  5 
afternoon  to  authorize  the  Stated  Clerk 
to  explore  entering  friend-of-the-court 
briefs  in  favor  of  civil  rights  for  same- 
sex  couples. 

The  vote  was  281-244  for  the  majori- 
ty report  from  the  committee  on 
National  and  Urban  Issues,  and  the 
action  concluded  an  item  that  had  con- 
sumed hours  of  committee  and 
Assembly  time. 

The  majority  report  affirmed  the 
Presbyterian  church's  historic  defini- 
tion of  marriage  as  a  civil  contract 
between  a  man  and  a  woman,  yet  rec- 
ognized that  "committed  same-sex 
partners  seek  equal  civil  liberties  in  a 
contractual  relationship  with  all  the 
civil  rights  of  married  couples." 

The  action  calls  for  the  church  to 
support,  if  feasible,  a  ruling  from  the 
Hawaii  Supreme  Court  that  it  is 
unconstitutional  to  deny  the  rights  and 
responsibilities  of  the  civil  status  of 
marriage  on  the  basis  of  gender. 

In  so  doing,  the  Assembly  apparently 
chose  the  view  that  the  issue  was  one 
of  civil  rights  (as  proponents  of  the 
majority  report  stated),  rather  than  an 
endorsement  of  homosexual  marriage 
(the  principal  argument  offered  by 
those  against  the  report). 
Other  committee  items: 

The  Assembly  reversed  an  earlier 
decision  and  passed  the  committee's 
recommendations  in  regard  to 
women's  issues  that  came  from  the 
Advocacy  Committee  for  Women's 
Concerns  and  included  items  from  the 
UN  Fourth  World  Conference  on 


Women  held  in  Beijing,  China,  in 
September  1995.  Among  those  16  rec- 
ommendations was  one  to  "commend 
for  serious  study  and  appropriate 
action"  the  Beijing  declaration  and 
platform  for  action. 

The  Assembly  adopted  recommenda- 
tions that  call  for  meaningful  dialogue 
on  racial  justice  and  cultural  diversity, 
including  preparation  of  resources  and 
training  events  to  foster  such  dialogue. 

They  also  adopted  overture  96-115  as 
amended,  which  charges  the  church  to 
become  fully  aware  of  the  sovereignty 
issues  confronting  Alaskan  Natives  and 
Native  Americans. 

The  last  items  adopted  included  rec- 
ommendations: 

-  to  add  an  additional  female  lay  per- 
son member  to  the  Native  American 
task  force; 

-  to  continue  development  of  a  plan 
seeking  more  responsible  moral 
behavior  by  the  media; 

-  to  support  government  efforts  to  end 
child  hunger; 

-  to  monitor  a  wage  issue  involving  K- 
Mart  Corporation; 

-  to  call  for  intense  efforts  to  end  child 
labor  abuse  in  factories  producing 
U.S.  goods; 

-  to  study  gambling  and  gaming  in 
order  to  help  Presbyterians  make 
choices  related  to  Christian  behavior. 
The  Assembly  referred  a  commis- 
sioner's resolution  to  the  Advisory 
Committee  on  Social  Witness  Policy 
dealing  with  political  prisoners  in 
Puerto  Rico.  A  report  is  to  be  made  to 
the  209th  General  Assembly  (1997). 

by  Nancy  Borst 


The  Assembly,  upon  recommenda- 
tion of  its  Church  Polity  committee, 
approved  a  commissioners'  resolution 
calling  upon  the  Assembly  "to  develop 
a  way  within  the  governance  of  the 
church  to  provide  for  the  establish- 


Closer  ties  with  churcli  related  groups  souglit 


ment  of  relationships  of  accountability 
between  the  PCUSA  and  any  groups 
wanting  to  be  considered  part  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church." 

This  resolution,  which  sounded  to 
some  on  the  committee  like  the  former 
Chapter  Nine  method 
of  working  with 
church-related  organi- 
zations slipped 
through  with  no  com- 
ment from  the  floor. 

A  minority  report 
seeking  approval  of 
overture  96-48  was 
adopted  by  the 
Assembly.  This  over- 
ture provides  for  alter- 
native forms  of  resolu- 
tion in  disciplinary 
cases  after  allegations 
have  been  filed. 

by  Bob  Bolt 


(X  dkidij^  mn\ed  jocjcio  \ 
^ihe\\  ttected  Me  s  co%m$^ic^i  J 


Gift  from  Rwanda  church  symbolizes 
hopes  for  peace,  unity 


A  set  of  five  finely  woven,  nested  bas- 
kets, presented  by  Overseas  Delegate 
and  Peacemaking  committee  member 
Andre  Karamaga  of  Rwanda,  reminded 
the  Assembly  that  "we  can  be  one  bas- 
ket, each  included  in  the  other,  each 
accepting  the  responsibility  to  carry 
each  other  in  the  struggle  for  life." 
Moderator  Emily  Wigger  of  the  com- 
mittee on  Peacemaking  and 
International  Justice  shared  the  signif- 
icance of  the  gift  with  commissioners 
just  prior  to  presenting  the  lengthy 
agenda  they  approved  July  5. 

Commissioners  approved  a  three- 
part,  35-page  report,  including  a  con- 
sent agenda  (part  one)  reaffirming  the 
Commitment  to  Peacemaking,  the 
church's  commitment  to  concern  for 
those  in  need,  resolutions  in  continued 
support  to  UNICEF  and  recognizing 
that  agency's  50th  birthday,  and  accep- 
tance of  responses  to  last  year's  peace- 
making actions. 

Part  two  dealt  with  human  rights  in 
various  parts  of  the  world  and  included 
overture  122  from  Riverside  Presbytery 
urging  the  Peoples  Republic  of  China, 
through  governmental  channels,  to 
adhere  to  international  human  rights 
standards.  Also  included  was  commis- 
sioners' resolution  11,  requesting 
investigation  of  both  human  rights 
conditions  in  Tibet  and  the  where- 
abouts of  the  young  boy,  recently  miss- 
ing, who  is  designated  to  be  Panchen 
Lama.  Commissioners'  resolution  34, 
also  approved,  recognized  the  state- 
ment of  conscience  sponsored  by  the 
National  Association  of  Evangelicals, 
along  with  various  freedom  of  religion 
efforts  of  other  bodies  and  referred 
them  with  other  issues  of  religious 
persecution  to  the  Worldwide 
Ministries  Division  for  study  and  fur- 
ther action. 

Part  three  grouped  carefully  written 
resolutions  approved  unanimously  in 
committee  and  by  87  percent  of  com- 
missioners. These  included  responses 


to  overture  26  and  commissioners'  res- 
olution 28: 

•  recognition  of  Rich  Killmer,  until 
January  of  1996  coordinator  of  the 
Presbyterian  Peacemaking  Program; 

•  continuing  support  of  a  comprehen- 
sive test  ban  treaty,  the  strategic 
arms  reduction  treaty,  and  the 
process  of  completing  ratification  of 
the  chemical  weapons  treaty,  along 
with  efforts  to  further  the  abolition 
of  nuclear  weapons; 

•  seeking  to  increase  humanitarian 
measures  that  could  alleviate  the 
suffering  of  the  Iraqi  people  due  to 
U.N.  sanctions  imposed  on  that 
nation;  these  could  be  accomplished 
through  the  "just  peace"  study 
process,  provision  of  background 
information  to  congregations  for 
study,  urging  the  UN  to  consider 
modifying  the  sanctions,  commend- 
ing and  cooperating  with  efforts  of 
the  Middle  East  Council  of 
Churches,  and  enhancing  contact 
and  relationships  with  the 
Evangelical  Churches  of  Iraq; 

•  adoption  of  "Concerns  for  the  Arab- 
Israeli  Peace  Process,"  a  report  of  the 
Worldwide  Ministries  Division,  to 
which  comment  was  added  to  "con- 
vey to  the  Israeli  people  the 
Assembly's  thanks  to  God  for  the 
courage  and  commitment  to  peace  of 
the  late  Prime  Minister  Rabin  and 
continued  prayers  for  the  peace 
process. 

Three  times  commissioners  objected 
to  the  process  of  quick  approval  of 
committee  recommendations,  on  the 
basis  of  either  financial  or  conscience 
concerns.  They  were  quickly  assured 
by  both  committee  members  and  lead- 
ers of  the  careful  editing  done  on  all 
documents  in  the  interest  of  fairness, 
openness  and  diplomacy,  and  the 
entire  report  was  accepted  without 
lengthy  discussion  or  debate. 

by  Midge  Mack 


Campus  Notes 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1996,  Page  5 


Smith  Seminary  tops  $1  million  goal 

ATLANTA,  Ga  —  A  gift  of  $150,000  from  an  anonymous  source  to 
Johnson  C.  Smith  Theological  Seminary  enables  the  school  to  go  over 
its  $1  Million  Scholarship  Campaign  goal,  according  to  Dean  David  L. 
Wallace.  The  three-year  campaign  has  increased  individual  and 
congregational  support  for  the  school.  Its  latter  stages  were  boosted 
by  Dr.  George  Brooks  of  Southminister  Presbyterian  Church  in  Phoe- 
nix, Ariz.,  who  presented  a  $40,000  gift  to  the  seminary. 

JCSU  cited  for  innovative  teaching 

CHARLOTTE,  N.C.  —  Johnson  C.  Smith  University  is  among  a  half- 
dozen  U.S.  colleges  to  win  MacArthur  Foundation  grants  for  innova- 
tive teaching.  The  John  D.  and  Catherine  T.  MacArthur  Foundation, 
best  know  for  its  "genius"  grants  to  individuals,  announced  the  one- 
time gifts  to  small  liberal  arts  colleges  on  June  26.  The  $750,000 
grants  came  with  "no  strings  attached." 

The  foundation  recognized  JCSU  for  requiring  that  all  students  do 
some  kind  of  "service  learning"  in  the  community.  The  university  also 
emphasizes  joint  student-faculty  research  and  faculty  development. 

Union  starts  Appalachia  program 

RICHMOND,  Va.  —  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  has 
expanded  its  program  in  intercultural  studies  to  include  an  "Appala- 
chia Collegium."  This  is  the  ninth  group  in  the  Goodpasture  Intercul- 
tural Collegia,  a  program  designed  to  bring  people  together  monthly 
to  discuss  religious,  social  and  political  issues  affecting  the  work  of  the 
church  in  a  particular  part  of  the  world.  The  program  was  begun  by 
H.  McKennie  Goodpasture,  retiring  professor  of  missiology  at  Union. 

ITC's  Farlough  passes  May  28 

H.  Eugene  Farlough  Jr.  died  May  28  of  a  massive  heart  attack  at  the 
home  he  maintained  with  his  wife,  Arlyce,  in  Richmond,  Calif  At  his 
death,  Farlough  was  serving  as  director  of  student  affairs  for  the 
Interdenominational  Theological  Center  in  Atlanta,  which  includes 
Johnson  C.  Smith  Seminary.  Prior  to  that  he  served  on  the  faculty  of 
San  Francisco  Theological  Seminary.  He  was  also  founding  pastor  of 
Sojourner  Truth  Presbyterian  Church  in  Richmond,  Calif,  a  small  but 
vital  congregation  in  the  San  Francisco  Bay  Area  that  has  produced 
numerous  African  American  Presbyterian  ministers  because  of 
Farlough's  inspired  leadership. 

Farlough  was  an  advocate  for  the  civil  rights  of  black  Americans 
and  for  greater  inclusion  of  black  Presbyterians  in  the  life  of  the 
Presbj^erian  Church.  He  was  one  of  the  driving  forces  behind  the 
creation  of  the  Self  Development  of  People  program  and  numerous 
other  efforts  to  raise  the  Presbyterian  Church's  awareness  of  and 
commitment  to  the  cause  of  racial  justice  . 

Peace,  King  mission  trips  reported 

Twelve  Peace  College  students  made  a  10-day  mission  trip  to  Haiti 
during  May.  They  were  accompanied  by  Ann  Laird  Jones,  Peace 
College  chaplain  and  moderator  of  New  Hope  Presbytery,  which 
sponsored  the  trip.  Students  from  NC  State  and  UNC-Chapel  Hill  also 
participated. 

Eighteen  King  College  students  spent  the  month  of  May  working 
in  Ghana,  Africa,  as  part  of  the  schools  missions  outreach  program. 
Led  by  Dr.  Errol  Rohr,  vice  president  for  Christian  ministries,  the 
students  taught  and  presented  dramatic  and  musical  performances  in 
churches  and  schools.  They  also  helped  build  a  church  in  one  village. 

Davidson  attempts  to  undo  'puzzle' 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.  —  An  alumnus  and  his  wife  who  suffered  their 
daughters'  frustrations  over  choosing  a  college  have  funded  a  unique 
admissions  program  to  help  make  the  process  easier  on  other  alumni 
and  their  children.  Mary  and  Jim  McNabb  Jr.  of  Dallas,  Texas,  created 
the  McNab  Legacy  Adminissions  Program  which  brought  237  mem- 
bers of  76  families  to  the  Davidson  campus  in  Jime  for  an  all-expense- 
paid  look  at  "The  College  Admissions  Puzzle. 

The  result  of  the  help  sessions  should  be  preliminary  lists  of 
colleges  that  each  of  the  80  or  so  rising  high  school  sophomores,  juniors 
and  seniors  involved  should  investigate  further.  While  Davidson 
officials  would  not  mind  if  their  school  is  on  those  lists,  they  note  that 
the  program  is  not  specifically  designed  to  steer  students  in  their 
direction. 

Faculty/staff  appointments 

Gloria  Cauthorn  ('67)  is  the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian 
Education's  (PSCE)  new  director  of  alumni/ae  and  church  relations.  A 
former  member  of  both  Alumni/ae  Council  and  the  PSCE  staff,  she 
succeeds  Lou  Johnson  ('92),  who  has  accepted  a  call  as  DCE  at 
Westminster  church  in  Greenwood,  S.C. 

Columbia  Theological  Seminary  has  announced  that  the  Rev.  D. 
Cameron  Murchison  will  join  Columbia's  facvdty  in  the  fall  of  1996 
as  professor  of  ministry.  For  the  past  eight  years,  Murchison  has 
served  as  pastor  of  the  Blacksburg  Presbyterian  Church  in  Blacksburg, 
Va.  From  1977  to  1987,  he  was  a  faculty  member  at  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Virginia. 


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Campus  Ministry  Corner 


Spring  break  with  the  homeless  in  Atlanta 


'Hey,  Natasha.  Where  were  you 
spring  break  ?  Obviously  not  some- 
where to  get  a  tan  ..." 

"Well,  I  sort  of  went  on  an  alter- 
native spring  break  — to  Atlanta. " 

"Cool.  So  who'd  you  hang  out 
with?" 

"You  know  —  people  in  At- 
lanta. " 

"So,  you  visited  Georgia  State, 
or  at  Tech?" 

"We  did  visit  Georgia  State,  but 
we  didn't  visit  college  students." 

"So,  who'd  you  hang  out  with, 
Natasha?" 

"Well,  just  some  people  who  live 
on  the  streets. " 

"Street  people?  What  kind  of 
spring  break  was  that?" 

Natasha's  spring  break 
journal  -  Atlanta  or  bust 

Day  1:  Maybe  I  should  have 
gone  to  Daytona  Beach  with  my 
friends.  The  first  place  the  cam- 
pus minister  took  us  was  this  huge 
inner-city  hospital.  I  saw  rooms 
full  of  people  sitting  around,  wait- 
ing all  day  to  see  a  doctor.  Worst 
of  all,  we  saw  these  very  tiny  ba- 
bies —  some  were  addicted  to 
drugs  and  one  had  AJDs.  The  day 
go  better  though.  We  had  dinner 
at  Planet  Hollywood.  That  is  my 
kind  of  restaurant.  Film  clips  run 
while  you  eat.  Then  we  took  an 
outdoor  glass  elevator  up  to  the 
top  of  a  tall  building.  I  got  to  see 
the  whole  city  from  the  top  —  and 
that  Olympic  stadium  is  not  even 
half-way  finished. 

Day  2:  Got  up  way  too  early! 
We  had  to  catch  the  MARTA, 
Atlanta's  subway,  into  downtown. 
There  were  all  kinds  of  interest- 


ing people  riding  it.  Two  people 
were  singing  in  our  car.  Actually, 
I  got  kind  of  scared.  Some  of  them 
weren't  dressed  too  nice.  I  met  my 
first  homeless  person.  We  were  at 
Central  Presbyterian  Church  in 
their  Outreach  Office.  My  job  was 
to  hand  out  mail  to  the  homeless. 
One  man  —  a  young  man  —  got 
really  upset.  He  was  expecting  a 
check  —  but  it  didn't  come  in.  1 
looked  through  the  stack  again 
and  again,  but  it  wasn't  there.  He 
said  he  didn't  have  any  money  to 
buy  his  next  meal.  We  pulled  some 
canned  food  off  the  shelf  and 
handed  it  to  him.  Bummer.  But  I 
cheered  up  when  we  went  to  The 
World  of  Coke.  I  sampled  Cokes 
from  around  the  world.  Every- 
body inside  seemed  happy  and 
were  clean. 

Day  3:  My  feet  were  glued  to 
the  floor.  Were  at  the  Open  Door 
Community  serving  lunch  to  the 
homeless.  My  campus  minister 
expected  me  to  move  around  those 
homeless  people  serving  them 
soup,  pouring  their  drinks  and 
giving  them  silverware.  What  was 
she  thinking!  Those  people 
smelled.  Their  hair  was  messed 
up.  They  were  dangerous.  But, 
eventually  I  moved  and  began  to 
serve  them.  No  one  hurt  me  and 
most  of  the  guests  even  said, 
"Thank  you."  Later  at  Columbia 
Seminary,  a  professor  asked  me 
how  I  felt  while  serving.  I  told 
him  I  was  afraid.  I  was  afraid 
because  I  always  thought  home- 
less people  were  mean  or  bad.  The 
day  sure  changed.  We  took 
MARTA  to  Buckhead,  to  a  beauti- 
ful mall.  There  were  no  homeless 
people  there  —  only  stores  and 


Korean  Presbyterians  honor 
war  veterans  in  Richmond 


RICHMOND,  Va.  —  About  500 
people  attended  a  June  15  service 
at  Richmond  Korean  Presbyterian 
Church  to  honor  veterans  of  the 
Korean  War. 

Several  U.S.  Army  bands  and 
color  guard  provided  the  military 
presence. 

Those  attending  were  wel- 


Edmarc  one  of 
nine  hospices  to 
benefit  from  race 

NEWPORT  NEWS,  Va.  —  The 
Hospice  Regatta  of  Greater 
Hampton  Roads  will  be  held  Oct. 
12  to  raise  money  for  10  area 
organizations  that  care  for  the 
terminally  ill  and  their  families. 

One  of  these  is  Edmarc,  a 
program  supported  in  part  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  and 
local  Presbyterian  congregations. 
Julie  Sligh,  Edmarc's  executive 
director,  is  serving  as  chair  of  the 
regatta  board.  For  more  informa- 
tion, contact  Pat  Almond  at  (804) 
725-3063. 


comed  by  the  Rev.  Hyan  Chan 
Bae,  senior  pastor,  who  also  gave 
the  invocation. 

Elder  Michael  M.  K.  Young 
represented  the  Korean  Ameri- 
cans in  presenting  an  expression 
of  gratitude  to  the  veterans  who 
fought  in  Korea. 

Don  Cush,  national  coordina- 
tor of  the  Korean  War  Veterans 
National  Reunion,  responded  on 
their  behalf. 

Other  service  participants  in- 
cluded the  Hon.  Jong  Chan  Won, 
consul  general  from  the  South 
Korean  Embassy,  and  Richmond 
Mayor  Leonidas  B.  Young  II. 

Following  the  service,  there 
was  a  mixed  program  of  military 
band  music  and  Korean  food, 
music  and  dance. 

The  Rev.  William  M.  Boyce  Jr. , 
a  Korean  War  veteran  and  Pres- 
bytery of  the  James  stated  clerk, 
gave  the  benediction. 


AUTHORS  WANTED 

Leading  subsidy  book  publishers  seeks  manu- 
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illustrated  booklet.  H-101 ,  Vantage  Press,  516 
W.  34tti  St,  New  York.  NY  10001 . 


Coming  to  Williamsburg  August  1/11 


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ly  daunting  challenges  in  a 
lat  bierng  chosen  by  God  for 
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SEND  QUERIES  TO  THE  LYRIC  THEATRE.  P.O.  BOX  158,  WILLIAMSBURG,  VA  23187-0158 


great  coffee  shops.  I  needed  that 
coffee  to  warm  my  cold  body. 

Day  4:  We  spent  our  last  night 
volunteering  at  a  men's  homeless 
shelter.  I  wasn't  as  afraid  of  them 
now.  Over  dinner  some  of  the  men 
told  us  how  they  got  to  be  on  the 
street.  One  man  lost  his  job;  an- 
other got  divorced.  A  third  said  he 
drank  too  much.  One  man  seemed 
to  be  mentally  unstable.  Most 
them  had  some  education.  It 
makes  me  think  I  could  happen  to 
me.  How  lucky  I  am.  I  should 
probably  appreciate  what  I  have 
and  not  take  things  for  granted. 

Day  5:  Before  church,  we  held 
an  informal  Sunday  school.  My 
campus  minister  asked  me  to  read 
Matthew  25:31-46.  Jesus  is  ex- 
plaining how  the  righteous  acted 
—  "for  I  was  hungry  and  you  gave 
me  food,  I  was  thirst  and  you  gave 
me  drink,  I  was  a  stranger  and 
you  welcomed  me  ..."(V.  35).  Then 
she  asked  us  where  we  saw  Jesus 
this  week.  I  saw  Jesus  in  all  the 
helpers  who  were  serving  the 
homeless.  And  I  guess  I  saw  Jesus 
in  the  homeless  people,  too.  I  may 
not  have  a  tan  this  spring  break, 
but  I  hung  out  with  some  new 
people. 

Lou  Ann  Sellers,  campus  min- 
ister for  the  Presbyterian  / Meth- 
odist /  Lutheran  ministry  at  UNC- 
Charlotte,  wrote  this  imaginary 
journal  after  an  interview  of  sopho- 
more Natasha  Herold,  who  par- 
ticipated in  the  ministry's  spring 
break  trip  to  Atlanta. 


A  Little-Known  Fact  About 
Westminster-Canterbury- 


...swinging  is  allowed! 

Whether  you  want  to  swing 
a  club,  swim  a  lap,  sing  a  hymn 
or  practically  anything  else  that 
constitutes  an  activity  for  body, 
mind,  or  spirit,  you'll  find  it  at 
Westminster-Canterbury. 

You  will  also  find  on-site  assisted 
living  ,  nursing  care  and  a 
resident  clinic.  In  other  words, 
lifecare.  all  under  one  roof,  all 
located  right  on  the  spectacular 
Chesapeake  Bay. 

To  receive  our  comprehensive 
information  packet,  please 
mail  the  coupon  or  call  our 
admissions  counselor.  Sherry  O' 
Shell,  at  1-757-496-1 14«  or  1-800- 
349-1722.  She'll  swing  into  action 
for  you. 

yO^stminster 
Canterbury 

Retirement  Living  on  ttie  Chesapeake  Boy 


I  3100  Shore  Drive 
I  Virginia  Beach,  VA  23451 


Page  6,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Jvily/August  1996 


Barium  Springs  Home  For  Children 

CCXJNCIL  ON  ACCREOtlATION 
OF  SEIfVICES  FOR  FAMIUES 
AND  CHILDREN,  INC 


A  Presbyterian  Family  l\/linistry 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Rosemary  H.  Martin,  Editor 


PAL  grads  (I.  to  r.)  Melissa  Barnett,  Kelly  Turnham, 
Michael  Mauro,  and  Alike  Alston. 


PAL  Program  Announces  1996  Graduates 

something."  He  plans  to  remain  at 
PAL  until  early  1997. 

North  Carolina  Scholar  Kelly 
Turnham  graduated  from  South 
Iredell  High  School  on  June  7. 
Kelly  received  Certified  Nursing 
Assistant  training  and  completed 
a  hospital  internship  during  high 
school.  This  summer  she  will  work 
both  as  a  camp  counselor  and  as  a 
CNA  at  a  residential  care  facility. 
Then  in  the  fall  Kelly  will  head 
west  to  Montreat  College,  where 
she  plans  to  get  a  degree  in  human 
services  and  eventually  become  a 
counselor  at  a  group  home. 

Kelly  has  been  at  PAL  since 
October  1995.  She  feels  that  being 
at  PAL  has  helped  her  immensely: 
"I've  been  a  whole  lot  happier 
here... the  staff  has  helped  me  in 
making  good  grades."  Kelly's  en- 
thusiasm for  PAL  must  be  conta- 
gious, because  she  says  her  younger 
sister  wants  to  come  here  too. 

Both  Kelly  and  Melissa  will  get 
higher  education  funds  from 
Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 
to  assist  with  their  college  tuition. 

The  PAL  program  is  housed  in 
Howard  Cottage  at  the  Adolescent 
Center.  It  is  for  youth  ages  16  to  22 
who  have  fewer  social,  emotional 
and  academic  problems  than  youth 
in  the  Adolescent  Center  program, 
and  whose  home  situations  are  such 
that  they  cannot  return  there  to  live. 

Youth  living  at  PAL  maintain 
full-  or  part-time  jobs  while  attend- 
ing school,  and  learn  life  skills  such 
as  cooking,  keeping  a  checking  or 
savings  account,  job  interviewing 
skills,  and  much  more.  Like  Mel- 
issa and  Kelly,  they  can  also  apply 
for  scholarships  to  help  them  with 
their  higher  education. 

Please  join  the  staff  of  Barium 
Springs  Home  for  Children  in 
sending  congratulations  to  PAL's 
proud  graduates,  and  congratulate 
yourselves  as  well  for  helping  make 
their  successes  possible! 


June  is  traditionally  the  season 
for  graduates,  and  the  Preparation 
for  Adult  Living  (PAL)  program  is 
no  exception!  Four  of  PAL's  resi- 
dents are  recent  high  school  gradu- 
ates: Alike  Alston,  Melissa  Barnett, 
Michael  Mauro  and  Kelly 
Turnham.  All  four  have  distinct 
plans  for  the  future. 

Alike  Alston  is  actually  the 
newest  face  at  PAL,  having  arrived 
the  first  week  of  June.  She  gradu- 
ated from  Jordan  High  School  in 
Durham  on  May  29,  and  plans  to 
get  a  job  this  summer  and  then  be- 
gin classes  at  Mitchell  Community 
College  in  the  fall.  Alike  is  lean- 
ing toward  the  medical  field,  and 
her  high  school  classes  in  anatomy, 
biology  and  ecology  should  serve 
her  well. 

She  heard  about  PAL  from  a 
hospital  social  worker  and  says  she 
hopes  the  program  will  enable  her 
to  "learn  to  be  more  independent 
and  responsible."  Alike  plans  to  be 
at  PAL  between  one  and  two  years. 

June  7  was  a  red-letter  day  for 
Melissa  Barnett.  It  was  the  day  she 
received  her  diploma  from  South 
Iredell  High  School,  where  she  ran 
track  and  was  in  the  ROTC  pro- 
gram. A  resident  of  PAL  for  the 
past  14  months,  Melissa  will  be 
leaving  Barium  Springs  this  fall  to 
attend  Winston-Salem  State  Uni- 


versity. She  hopes  that  her  chosen 
field,  psychology,  will  lead  to  a  job 
as  a  social  worker  or  counselor,  and 
intends  to  open  her  own  practice 
eventually. 

By  her  own  admission,  Melissa 
has  come  a  long  way  since  enter- 
ing PAL.  She  said  she  used  to  have 
problems  taking  responsibility  for 
her  actions.  "Now  I've  learned  to 
respect  adults  here  and  give  them 
credit  for  what  they're  doing." 
Melissa  had  also  found  a  previous 
program  to  be  more  critical  than 
the  one  at  PAL:  "Here  they're  un- 
derstanding and  give  you  another 
chance... I  Hke  being  here." 

Michael  Mauro  received  his 
GED  in  November  1995,  and  has 
been  at  PAL  for  about  four  months. 
He  is  currently  working  full-fime 
and  attending  the  CNA  (Certified 
Nursing  Assistant)  program  at 
Mitchell  Community  College.  Af- 
ter completing  school  this  summer, 
Michael  plans  to  become  either  a 
registered  nurse  or  a  recreational 
occupational  therapist.  In  fact,  he 
currently  has  job  offers  from  some 
home  healthcare  agencies. 

For  several  years  before  com- 
ing to  PAL,  Michael  lacked  a  stable 
environment,  which  he  says  made 
it  difficult  for  him  to  plan  for  his 
future.  Now  he  has  time  to  weigh 
his  options  "instead  of  rushing  into 


Food  Lion  Community  Way  Days  Are  Here! 


First,  the  good  news:  it's  time 
once  again  for  Food  Lion's  Com- 
munity Way  Days. 

Now,  the  really  good  news:  it's 
easier  than  ever  for  North  Carolina 
Presbyterians  to  participate! 

To  take  part  in  this  summer's 
Community  Way  Days  to  benefit 
Barium  Springs  Home  for  Chil- 
dren, simply  buy  your  groceries  at 
any  North  Carolina  Food  Lion  on 
August  19,  20,  or  21,  1996,  and 
present  a  CWD  voucher  to  the 
cashier  at  the  beginning  of  the  gro- 
cery scanning  process.  Once  the 
transaction  is  complete  and  the 
voucher  has  been  scanned,  the 
cashier  will  keep  the  voucher.  The 
system  automatically  calculates  5% 
of  the  total  retail  order,  and  that  5% 
is  Food  Lion's  contribution  to 
Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 
on  your  behalf 

There's  even  a  bonus:  purchase 
any  MVP  product(s)  and  present 
your  MVp  card  along  with  the 
■  n  additional  25  cent 


That's  it — there  are  no  messy 
receipts  for  you  to  keep  track  of 
What  an  easy  way  to  contribute  to 
a  great  cause! 

The  Home  will  be  sending 
CWD  vouchers  to  North  Carolina 
Presbyterians  who  are  on  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  Presbyterian  mailing  list. 

There  are  a  couple  of  rules  to 
keep  in  mind.  First,  this  project  is 
only  for  North  Carolina  Food  Li- 
ons— no  other  states  are  valid.  Sec- 
ond, participants  are  not  permitted 
to  distribute  vouchers  in  the  store 
or  parking  lot,  or  ask  Food  Lion 
employees  to  distribute  vouchers 
for  them.  (You  may,  however,  give 


a  voucher  to  a  friend  or  relative  to 
use.)  If  either  rule  is  violated,  our 
project  may  be  disqualified. 

This  is  the  sixth  year  the  Home 
has  taken  advantage  of  this  won- 
derful opportunity  afforded  us  by 
our  generous  friends  at  Food  Lion. 
And  thanks  to  your  efforts,  we  have 
received  almost  $45,000  from  the 
company  over  the  past  five  years. 

Your  help  makes  a  world  of 
difference,  one  family  at  a  time, 
through  Barium  Springs  Home  for 
Children.  So  please  plan  to  do  your 
grocery  shopping  at  Food  Lion 
August  19-21.  Our  kids  and  their 
families  are  counting  on  you! 


SEE  BACK  FOR  CASHIB)  INSTRUCTIONS  *" 


iiiniii 

^0068   1  1232  5 


A  Word  from  the  President 

Other 

People's 

Children 

Robert  W.  Stansell,  Jr. 


Recendy  the  headlines  in  our 
local  newspaper  told  of  a  child 
abuse  hearing,  charges  against  a 
13-year-old  child  for  burning  a 
church,  and  a  story  of  a  12-year- 
old  child  who  shot  a  16- year-old 
child.  These  tragic  stories  caused 
me  to  focus  once  again  on  the 
words  of  Lillian  Katz,  who  wrote: 

"Each  of  us  must  come  to  care 
about  everyone  else's  children.  We 
must  recognize  that  the  welfare  of 
our  children  and  grandchildren  is 
intimately  linked  to  the  welfare  of 
all  other  people's  children.  After 
all,  when  one  of  our  children  needs 
life-saving  surgery,  someone  else's 
child  will  perform  it.  If  one  of  our 
children  is  threatened  or  harmed 
by  violence,  someone  else's  child 
will  have  been  responsible  for  the 
violent  threat  or  act.  The  good  life 


for  our  own  children  can  be  secured 
only  if  a  good  life  is  also  secured 
for  other  people's  children." 

It  seems  to  me  that  Lillian  Katz 
has  captured  the  essence  of  the  na- 
tional challenge  that  faces  us.  Our 
mission  at  Barium  Springs  is  to 
respond  to  this  challenge  by  sup- 
porting families  in  their  efforts  to 
raise  healthy,  happy,  productive 
children  who  will  ultimately  make 
a  positive  contribution  to  their  own 
families  and  communities. 

It  is  a  joy  and  a  privilege  to  be 
a  part  of  this  105-year-old  mission 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  I  am 
grateful  for  your  continued  prayers 
and  support. 


^^^^H    New  ^^^^H 

•  Sporting  equipment: 

•  Upholstered  couch/love  seat 

Sleeping  bags 

•  End  table  lamps  (3) 

Fishing  rods  &  reels 

•  Upholstered  armchairs  (2) 

Canoe(s) 

•  Linens 

Small  john  boats 

•  Towels 

Tennis  racquets  &  balls 

•  Heavy-duty  dressers 

Softballs  &  gloves 

•  Tickets  to  sporting  events  in 

Outdoor  games 

Charlotte,  Winston-Salem,  or 

•  Toiletries 

Hickory  area 

•  Refrigerator 

•  Electric  range 

If  you  are  interested  in  donating 

•  Microwave  oven 

any  of  these  new  items  for  the 

•  Washer  &  dryer 

children,  call  or  write:  Mr.  Reade 

•  Long  bibs  with  vinyl 

Baker,  Vice  President,  Financial 

backing 

Resources,  Barium  Springs 

•  Socks  (infant  -  5  years) 

Home  for  Children,  PO.  Box  1, 

•  Hardback  picture  & 

Barium  Springs,  NC  28010; 

storybooks  (infant  -  5  years) 

(704)872-4157.  Thank  you! 

Informative  Programs  for  Your  Church. 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children  offers  free  informational  programs 
for  family  nights,  Sunday  schools,  mission  programs,  mission  fairs, 
worship  services,  Presbyterian  women,  Presbyterian  men, 
youth  groups,  and  other  special  church  groups. 

Call  Bill  Cowfer  to  schedule: 
704/872-4157 


MEMORIAL  &  HONOR  GIFTS 
BarhimSprii^HQiiieforChildren 


I  wish  to  □  Remember     Q  Honor 

Name  of  deceased  or  honoree  

Address   


On  the  occasion  of  

Date  of  death  (if  applicable)  _ 

Survivor  to  notify  

Address  


Relationship  of  survivor  to  deceased  

Please  return  to:  Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 
P.O.  Box  1.  Barium  Springs.  NC  28010 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbj^erian,  July/Aug 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps  —  Lesson  One,  September  1996 

'Encounters  With  Jesus'  —  Chapter  One 
Encountering  Jesus  Through  His  Family 


By  the  Rev.  Dr.  CAROL  T.  "PINKY"  BENDER 

As  this  lesson  is  being  written,  the  print  and  broad- 
cast media  are  crammed  with  news  about  psychics, 
spiritualism,  and  New  Age  gurus  as  they  pertain  to 
certain  well-known  figures  in  our  country.  The  pre- 
dictions or  readings  or  interpretations  or  whatever 
these  folks  do  are  totally  unnecessary  as  readers 
begin  their  study  of  Matthew!  The  S3Tiod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  resounds  with  a  col- 
lective SIGH  from  the  Presbyterian 
Women  that  "this  year  we're  going  to  have 
an  easy  time;  all  we  have  to  do  is  learn  one 
Gospel!" 

Don't  be  fooled!  We  are  going  to  be 
digging  into  some  tough  stuff.  Hopefully 
these  Bible  study  helps  based  on  the  book 
Encounters  With  Jesus:  The  Gospel  Ac- 
cording to  Matthew  by  Sara  Covin  Juengst 
will  aid  each  person  in  her  study. 

The  sessions  will  be  aimed  at  Bible 
moderators  who  will  lead  the  circle  dis- 
cussions, circle  participants  who  will  study 
beforehand  so  as  to  enter  into  the  dia- 
logue more  readily,  homebound  circle  members 
whose  friends  will  give  them  a  study  book  and  those 
who  have  never  darkened  the  circle  door!  (This  last 
category  of  folks  can  use  the  book  for  their  personal 
devotion  time!)  That  should  take  care  of  just  about 
everyone  who  will  come  in  contact  with  this  excel- 
lent study! 

Before  beginning! 

The  first  "assignment"  for  this  study  is  to  "make" 
an  hour  or  so  of  time;  choose  a  comfortable,  quiet 
place;  select  either  your  favorite  Bible  or  a  new 
translation  that  you  haven't  used  before...  and  then 
read  the  entire  Gospel  of  Matthew  in  one  sitting. 
This  will  allow  you  a  wonderful  overview  to  enrich 
your  study  for  the  coming  year  by  giving  the  broad 
sweep  of  the  book  with  its  many  themes  that  make 
up  the  message  of  Matthew.  Keep  a  pad  and  pencil 
close  by  to  jot  down  any  thoughts  or  ideas  that  cross 
your  mind  while  reading.  Let  Matthew  speak  to  you 
as  you  peruse  his  message! 

Now  look  through  the  study  book  familiarizing 
yourself  with  the  titles  of  the  chapters  found  in  the 
"Contents,"  the  "Notes"  which  begin  on  page  75  and 
provide  a  rich  source  of  extra  "helps,"  the  "Glossary" 
on  page  77  which  keeps  us  from  running  to  the 
dictionary  and  the  list  under  "For  Further  Reading" 
on  page  79  which  gives  the  basic  list  of  commentar- 
ies that  might  be  useful.  (Douglas  Hare's  volume  in 
the  "Interpretation"  series  can  be  read  almost  like  a 
novel!)  "Suggestions  for  Leaders"  by  Nancy  Scott 
begin  on  page  81  and  are  not  limited  to  those  who 
will  "lead"  but  apply  to  all  the  folks  who  will  be  using 
this  book! 

Gather  resources 

If  you  will  be  leading  discussions  on  any  of  the 
lessons  during  the  year,  you  may  want  to  begin 
gathering  books  and  articles  that  relate  to  your 
topic.  Perhaps  your  local  Presbyterian  Women  could 
invest  in  one  commentary  to  be  shared.  Another 
good  source  of  materials  is  your  Presbytery  Re- 
source Center  or  your  pastor.  Remember  that  what 
we  are  called  to  do  during  the  coming  year  is  study 
the  Gospel  of  Matthew  with  honesty  and  integrity 
using  the  Bible  study  book  as  a  tool. 

Background  material  on  Matthew  can  be  gleaned 
from  college  or  seminary  textbooks,  from  chapter 
introductions  in  a  study  Bible  or  from  a  dictionary 
of  the  Bible.  Dr.  Juengst's  "Introduction"  alerts  the 
reader  to  the  differences  that  occur  in  Matthew  that 
are  omitted  in  Mark  and  Luke.  Matthew  is  the  most 
Jewish  of  the  synoptic  gospels  and  the  writer  takes 
on  the  task  of  showing  that  Jesus  is  the  Messiah 
prophesied  in  the  Old  Testament  as  well  as  the 
person  who  "has  turned  upside  down  many  of  the 
assumptions  about  what  that  fulfillment  means." 
(Juengst,  page  4) 

The  author  suggests  different  divisions  of  the 
chapters  for  additional  lessons  in  "The  Purpose  of 
This  Study."  These  study  helps  written  for  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  newspaper  will  also  pro- 
vide "extra"  lessons  if  your  circle  meets  more  than 
nine  times  a  year.  Please  save  them! 

A  sneak  preview! 

One  idea  mentioned  in  this  section  ...  and  out- 
lined more  fully  in  the  "Suggestions  for  Leaders," 
pages  81  and  82  ...  is  the  "Blessing  Book."  When  I 
began  studying  to  teach  a  workshop  on  the  Bible 
study  book  for  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  PW 
Gathering  last  June,  I  put  the  suggested  headings 
on  pages  in  an  inexpensive  spiral  notebook.  This  is 
the  "pad"  that  I  keep  by  my  Bible  to  jot  down  ideas 
and  questions  that  occur  to  me  while  reading  and 


studying  Matthew.  I  have  found  the  exercise  of 
journaling  quite  beneficial  for  spiritual  growth  and 
recommend  that  each  person  bring  her  own  book  to 
the  first  circle  meeting.  (I  am  using  a  portion  of  my 
book  to  record  my  reflections  on  the  questions  con- 
tained in  each  chapter  and  highlighted  by  the  figure 
of  an  angel  on  a  circle.) 

With  all  the  "housekeeping"  details  taken  care  of, 
start  the  actual  work  in  Lesson  One!  In 
Matthew  1:  1-17,  "The  Genealogy  of 
Jesus,"  we  find  four  women  (in  addition  to 
Mary,  the  mother  of  Jesus)  who  are  "sur- 
prise entries"  because  they  are  not  typical 
as  far  as  class  and  status  and  would  not  be 
listed  in  what  we  might  call  "Mothers  of 
the  Faith!"  Using  the  biblical  references 
given  on  page  seven,  assign  Tamar,  Rahab, 
Ruth  and  Bathsheba  to  four  groups  or 
pairs  for  a  quick  study.  Using  only  Bibles 
and  the  passage  given  for  each,  describe 
the  woman  assigned  to  your  group.  What 
characteristics  are  most  prominent?  What 
can  we  learn  from  these  women  despite 
their  "shady"  reputations  as  portrayed  in 
these  references?  In  what  ways  do  you  see  God  at 
work  in  the  lives  of  these  women? 

After  feedback  from  each  group,  consider  the 
question  raised  by  Juengst,  "Why  are  these  Gentile 
women  included  in  Jesus'  genealogy?"  Which  of  the 
four  theories  listed  on  pages  seven  and  eight  do  you 
think  describes  the  women  in  your  passage?  Why? 

Joseph  and  Mary 

Move  on  to  the  section  titled,  "Joseph  and  Mary," 
using  Matthew  1:  17-25  and  2:  13-23.  What  kind  of 
man  was  Joseph?  What  character  traits  of  this 
unusual  man  emerge  from  these  passages?  How 
would  YOU  have  reacted  if  Mary  had  told  you  her 
"news?"  How  did  God  speak  to  Joseph?  And  how  does 
God  speak  today?  Notice  in  2:  13-23  that  Herod's 
edict  echoes  what  Pharaoh  did  in  Exodus  1:  15-22. 
How  would  you  feel  about  Herod's  decree  as  the 
mother,  grandmother,  sister  or  aunt  of  a  child  two 
years  or  under?  The  number  of  children  actually 
killed  may  have  been  small  around  a  tiny  town  like 
Bethlehem,  but  what  if  one  of  those  killed  was  your 
child  or  relative? 

Cost  of  discipleship 

In  Matthew  10:  34-39  and  12:  46-50,  the  reader 
faces  some  strong  language  and  tough  words!  Keep 
this  in  mind:  what  Jesus  is  dealing  with  in  these 
references  is  the  cost  of  discipleship.  God  insists  on 
being  Number  One  in  our  lives,  insists  on  being  the 
top  priority.  (If  you  get  "stuck"  on  these  final  texts. 
Hare's  commentary  offers  excellent  help.) 

Begin  discussion  of  this  section  by  asking  the 
circle  to  define  "family."  Record  the  words  or  phrases. 
Check  your  group's  input  against  page  83,  "Sugges- 
tions for  Leaders"  for  the  dictionary  definition.  Con- 
tinue the  dialogue  by  using  questions  like  the  fol- 
lowing: How  would  you  describe  "family  values" 
today?  What  are  we  promoting  when  we  try  to 
preserve  family  values? 

Another  idea  for  discussion  would  be  to  look  at 
how  following  Jesus  can  divide  families.  Hare  says 
of  12:46-50:  "That  this  passage  was  widely  quoted  in 
early  Christian  literature  is  readily  understand- 
able. Wherever  the  gospel  was  received,  families 
were  divided,  and  those  cut  off  from  their  blood 
relatives  found  great  comfort  in  the  thought  that 
they  belonged  to  Jesus'  true  family.  The  same,  of 
course,  is  true  today,  not  only  in  non-Christian 
culture  where  baptism  may  be  accompanied  by  dis- 
ownment  but  also  in  secularized  families  of 
"Christendom,'  where  commitment  to  Christian  ser- 
vice may  result  in  alienation  from  family  members 
who  cannot  comprehend  or  tolerate  such  a  waste  of 
time  and  talent.  The  passage  is  also  particularly 
meaningful  to  those  who  have  been  liberated  from 
an  emotional  slavery  to  dysfunctional  families  and 
who  find  a  substitute  family  in  the  church."  (Hare, 
page  145) 

Reflections  and  insights 

One  way  to  close  the  session  would  be  to  ask  for 
volunteers  to  finish  this  sentence,  "For  me,  "family' 
means  ...."  A  closing  prayer  could  center  aroimd 
giving  thanks  for  those  family  members  who  have 
enriched  our  lives  or  the  singing  of  a  hymn  about 
family. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender  is  pastor  of 
McQuay  Memorial  Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C.  The 
Bible  Study  Helps  are  commissioned  by  the  Presby- 
terian Women  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  as 
supplements  to  the  Horizon's  Magazine  Bible  study 
for  1996-97,  "Encounters  with  Jesus:  The  Gospel 
According  to  Matthew"  by  the  Rev.  Sara  Covington 
Juengst. 


Synod  mission  team  worlds 
with  Czech  Brethren 


continued  from  page  1 
sons,  and  now  employs  more  work- 
ers in  the  "Diakonia"  than  minis- 
ters. 

Traditionally,  the  state  pays 
ministers'  salaries,  a  practice  con- 
tinued by  the  Communists  so  they 
could  control  the  clergy,  although 
now  the  salaries  are  the  lowest 
wages  in  the  country  and  require 
a  minister's  spouse  to  also  be 
employed  to  support  a  family.  The 
Czech  government  has  proposed 
cutting  its  support  in  1997 ,  mean- 
ing that  church  members  would 
have  to  pay  ministers'  salaries. 

"We  hope  the  faithful  will  be 
able  to  make  up  the  gap ,"  Smetana 
said.  The  change  may  result  in 
part-time  pastors  who  must  hold 
other  jobs  as  well.  A  typical  Czech 
Brethren  congregation  has  only 
50-60  members. 

The  synod  mission  team  was 
impressed  by  the  involvement  and 
dedication  of  the  Czech  Brethren 
clergy  and  laity.  "Instead  of  ask- 
ing What  can  the  church  offer 
me?'  it's  "What  can  I  offer  the 
church?',"  said  the  Rev.  Tom  Kort, 
pastor  of  Sardis  Church  in  Char- 
lotte, N.C.  "Parishioners  in  the 
Czech  Republic  are  not  shopping 
for  church  programs  as  Ameri- 
cans do.  Instead,  they  want  to 
serve.  It  is  very  refreshing." 

The  mission  team,  which 
ranged  in  ages  from  14  to  64, 
agreed  that  the  best  part  of  the 
trip  was  knowing  the  Czech  people 
in  the  churches.  "It  was  wonder- 
ful to  really  know  people  who  live 
there  rather  than  just  talking  to 
waiters  in  hotels  as  I  have  done  in 
my  travels,"  said  Eileen  Major  of 
Wilmington,  Del.  She  was  one  of 
three  team  member  with  Czech 
heritage. 

"It's  extraordinary  how  we  can 
meet,  work  together,  share,  and 
get  to  know  these  people  so  well  in 
such  a  short  time,"  said  Jeff 
Gallaher  of  Sevema  Park,  Md. 

Trip  organizer  (and  synod  mod- 
erator) Betty  McGinnis  said  "One 
of  my  goals  is  to  actually  have  the 
trip  members  experience  the  life 
of  the  church  people." 

The  first  part  of  the  mission 
experience  was  spent  at  a  church 
camp  near  the  village  of  Belec, 
where  the  team  worked  with  stu- 
dents fi-om  a  nearby  school  in  re- 
pairing the  camp.  In  addition  to  the 
repair  work,  the  synod  visitors  and 
students  —  joined  by  a  group  of 
disabled  persons  at  the  camp  — 
engaged  in  worship,  fellowship, 
games  and  cultural  programs. 

This  was  followed  by  a  two-day 
stay  in  hom.es  of  the  parishes 
around  the  village  of  Letohrad  in 
eastern  Bohemia  near  the  Polish 
border.  Church  members  shared 
in  a  dinner  for  the  team  and  the 
mayor  hosted  a  gala  reception  in 


the  group's  honor.  The  trip  ended 
with  three  days  in  Prague  where 
members  listened  to  and  shared 
information  with  church  officials 
and  did  a  little  sight  seeing. 

Many  team  members  had 
heard  that  the  Czechs  are  "re- 
served," but  found  them  to  be  very 
warm  and  friendly,  and  eager  to 
share  their  homes  and  hearts.  "We 
came  as  strangers  and  left  as 
friends,"  said  Marian  James  of 
Maple  Hill,  N.C. 

Because  of  the  language  dif- 
ference communication  was  often 
difiicult.  Sharing  work,  worship 
and  music  helped  bridge  that  gap. 
"I  never  dreamed  so  many  of  our 
songs  would  be  similar  and  that  I 
would  learn  spirituals  from  the 
Czechs,"  said  Audrey  Gatewood 
of  Charlotte,  N.C. 

It  also  helped  that  the  Czechs 
loved  to  learn  English.  And  some 
team  members  now  are  interested 
in  another  language,  too.  "1  am 
ready  to  return  next  year,  and  I 
am  going  home  and  study  Czech," 
said  Niki  Artes  of  Baltimore,  Md. 

The  mission  team's  greatest 
gift  came  from  Jan  Slaman,  the 
Czech  Brethren  staff  person  in 
charge  of  engineering.  "You  have 
helped  us  greatly  and  we  thank 
you,"  he  told  them. 

Many  Czech's  told  the  Ameri- 
cans that  it  was  hard  to  believe 
they  would  pay  to  come  to  the  Czech 
Republic  and  work  hard.  When  we 
applied  for  the  mission  experience 
we  were  told  that  we  would  learn 
far  more  than  we  would  give.  The 
team  certainly  did. 

And  we  are  ready  to  return  to 
support  our  brothers  and  sisters 
in  the  Czech  Republic  and  the 
Evangelical  Church  of  the  Czech 
Brethren. 

Members  of  the  synod  mission 
team  to  the  Czech  Republic  were 
Ryan  and  Nicki  Artes  of  Balti- 
more, Md.;Jack  Crawford  of  Black 
Mountain,  N.C;  Jeff  Gallaher  and 
Tim  Havlicek  of  Severna  Park, 
Md.;  Audrey  Gatewood,  Tom  Kort, 
Sue  Thrower  and  Joanne  Wolfe  of 
Charlotte,  N.C;  Marian  James  of 
Maple  Hill,  N.C;  John,  Betty. 
John  Byron  and  Mary  Shannon 
McGinnis  of  Arnold,  Md.;  Eileen 
Major  of  Wilmington,  Del.; 
Marilyn  Silvey  ofReston,  Va. 

The  Evangelical  Church  of  the 
Czech  Brethren  has  a  pension  (ac- 
commodation) in  Prague.  In  an 
ideal  location  near  Wenceslaus 
Square,  is  clean,  offers  a  wonder- 
ful breakfast  (included  in  room 
charge)  and  hosts  are  delightful. 
The  address  is:  Kirchliche  Pen- 
sion, Hus  Haus,  Junmannova  9, 
1100  00,  Prag  1,  The  Czech  Re- 
public. FAX 42  2  24  22  2217  8  cl 
o  Fran  Jirina  Storkova  and  Herr  , 
Miloslav  Storek. 


'Passages'  program  wins  award 


PITTSBURGH,  Pa.  —  "PAS- 
SAGES," a  90-second  radio  show 
produced  by  the  Presbyterian 
Media  Mission  (PMM)  here,  took 
top  honors  in  the  world-renowned 
29th  Annual  WorldFest-Houston 
International  Film  Festival. 

It  was  the  only  religious  pro- 
duction to  win  an  award  in  this, 
the  largest  and  oldest  continuous 
film,  video  and  radio  competition 
in  the  world.  A  total  of  more  than 
4,300  entries  from  38  countries 
were  judged  at  the  1996  event  in 
mid-April.  Winners  were  notified 
in  May. 

"PASSAGES"  received  the 
Grand  Award  in  the  Best  Radio 
Advertisement  category. 

"PASSAGES,"  produced  by 
Presbyterian  Media  Mission 
(PMM)  and  United  Methodist 


Communications  (UMCom)  as 
cooperative  media  ministry  ven- 
ture is  carried  on  morfe  than  600 
radio  stations  nationwide.  The 
program  includes  a  weekly  series 
of  audio  parables  in  which  people 
share  their  journeys  through 
struggle  and  triumph. 

PMM  is  supported  in  part  by 
the  Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic. 


KIVETT'S  INC. 


li  'd-Zitlantic  Presbyterian,  July/August  1996 


Ecumenists'  gathering 

in  Riclimond  strikes  inopefui  note 


By  JERRY  VAN  MARTER 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

RICHMOND,  Va.— Buoyed  by  a 
number  of  high-level  dialogues 
currently  going  on  among  several 
denominations,  400  ecumenical 
leaders  from  across  the  country 
gathered  here  May  6-9  for  the 
1996  National  Workshop  on 
Christian  Unity  (NWCU). 

The  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  was  represented  on  the 
planning  committee  for  the  work- 
shop by  the  Rev.  Lewis  Lancaster 
of  Louisville,  chair,  and  the  Rev. 
Kathy  Reeves,  associate  for  ecu- 
menical programming  and  edu- 
cation in  the  Ecumenical  and  In- 
terfaith  Relations  program  area 
of  the  Worldwide  Ministries  Divi- 
sion. Approximately  20  Presby- 
terians attended  the  workshop. 

Reflecting  on  the  various  ecu- 
menical conversations  under  way 
among  many  major  American 


churches,  Michael  Root,  director 
and  research  professor  for  ecu- 
menical research  in  Strasbourg, 
France,  said  the  nvunber  and  level 
of  talks  "represents  a  striking  con- 
vergence in  U.S.  ecumenism."  He 
said  ecumenical  developments  in 
the  U.S.  are  "the  best  contempo- 
rary chance  at  ecumenical 
progress." 

One  kejTiote  speaker.  Presid- 
ing Bishop  Philip  R.  Cousin  of  the 
African  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  challenged  workshop  par- 
ticipants to  open  their  church 
doors  to  greater  inclusiveness.  He 
urged  religious  leaders  "to 
struggle  against  our  tendency  to 
want  'our  shop'  to  remain  'our 
shop'  and  to  think  of  our  churches 
as  our  house,  not  God's." 

Mary  Tanner,  who  heads  the 
Council  for  Christian  Unity  of  the 
Church  of  England  and  is  mod- 
erator of  the  World  Council  of 
Churches'  Faith  and  Order  work- 


ing group,  said  ecumenical 
progress  "provides  an  opportunity 
for  the  renewal  of  the  whole 
church." 

Participants  addressed  a  vari- 
ety of  topics  in  seminars,  including: 

•  "All  God's  Children  Got 
Shoes :  African  Americans  and  the 
Ecumenical  Movement"; 

•  "The  Peace  Churches:  Their 
Gift  to  the  Ecumenical  Enter- 
prise"; 

•  "Does  the  Church  Have  a  Place 
for  Me?"  exploring  how  churches 
can  reach  out  effectively  to  people 
who  find  difficulty  fitting  into  main- 
stream churches;  and 

•  "Hate-Violence:  An  Ecumeni- 
cal Response,"  which  dealt  with 
responses  by  the  religious  com- 
munity to  the  1995  bombing  of 
the  Murrah  Federal  Building  in 
Oklahoma  City  and  to  the  resur- 
gence of  hate  groups  in  places  like 
Montana  and  church  arsons  in 
the  Southeast. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


A  travel-worn  Marj  Carpenter  speaks  out 


By  BETTY  JO  HAMILTON 

"Go  therefore  and  make  disciples 
of  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in 
the  name  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  teach- 
ing them  to  observe  all  that  I  have 
commandedyou;andlo,I  amwith 
you  always,  to  the  close  of  the  age. " 

Matthew  28:  19-20 

BETHEL  GREEN,  Va.  —  It  is  a 
mid  afternoon  in  the  middle  of 
May.  Marj  Carpenter  is  slumped 
in  a  chair.  Shoes  off,  her  feet  are 
propped  on  the  seat  of  another 
chair.  She  doesn't  need  to  explain 
that  she  is  exhausted.  There  is 
exhaustion  planly  visible  from  her 
bare  feet  to  her  tousled  white  hair. 

Eating  a  banana,  she  is  mak- 
ing the  most  of  a  very  brief  break 
in  an  incredibly  busy  schedule. 
She  looks  more  the  part  of  a  foot 
soldier,  weary  and  worn  from 
marking  day  after  day,  than  she 
does  the  moderator  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.). 

But  her  pace  since  July  1995 
has  been  very  much  that  of  a  foot 
soldier  with  wings.  She  has  been 
home  —  an  apartment  in  Big 
Spring,  Texas  —  only  five  days  in 
the  past  10  months.  She  has  flown 
practically  every  day  of  her  term, 
jetting  across  the  country  and 
around  the  world.  The  staff  in 
Louisville  and  the  airlines  ahve 
all  but  given  up  keeping  track  of 
her  frequent-flyer  miles  as  she 
has  traveled  from  one  church  to 
the  next,  from  one  speaking  en- 
gagement to  another,  in  one  day 
and  out  the  day  after  —  Newark, 
San  Francisco,  Seoul,  Charlotte, 
Atlanta,  New  York,  Washington 
—  the  faces  and  the  places  may 
blur,  but  this  foot  soldier  has 
drawn  up  her  oen  orders  which 
she  keeps  sharply  in  focus. 

Her  self-assigned  task  during 
her  year  as  moderator  is  to  visit 
as  many  churches  as  she  can  — 
with  small  churches  and  those 
which  haven't  been  visited  by  a 
moderator  for  some  time  (and 
some  never  have)  taking  priority 
over  the  denomination's  mega- 
churches. 

Her  message?  Mission.  Mis- 
Mission. 


The  following  are  excerpts  from 
an  interview  with  her  when  she 
visited  Bethel  Church  near 
Staunton,  Va.  In  some  cases  re- 
sponses are  paraphrased.  Direct 
quotes  are  noted  as  such. 

What  are  the  top  five  problems 
in  the  world  today? 

1.  Hunger,  which  causes  a  lot 
of  wars. 

2.  The  determination  of  some 
faiths,  especially  Muslims,  to 
want  to  run  the  governments  of 
countries. 

3.  Arguments  over  land,  espe- 
cially in  Latin  America. 

4.  The  need  to  control  nuclear 
arms  and  to  work  for  peace. 

5.  The  inability  of  nations  to 
work  together  and  realize  we  made 
this  nation  too  small  to  be  isola- 
tionists. We  can't  just  put  a  fence 
around  our  coimtry  anymore,  and 
neither  can  anybody  else. 

What  are  the  top  five  solutions 
to  the  world's  problems? 

1.  We  need  to  find  the  basic 
causes  of  hunger  —  not  just  keep 
passing  out  food  —  and  some  of 
that  has  to  do  with  who  controls 
the  land.  As  long  as  we  have  as 
much  bounty  in  this  country,  we 
have  to  keep  trying  to  feed  the 
world. 

2.  We  have  to  keep  trying  to 
develop  interfaith  relations,  al- 
though it  is  very  difficult.  We  find 
it  much  easier  to  work  with  coun- 
tries into  which  we  haye  man- 
aged to  take  Christianity. 

3.  We  have  to  keep  trying  to 
encourage  Latin  American  coun- 
tries to  distribute  land  to  the  poor, 
in  a  system  similar  to  our  home- 
steading  early  in  this  country's 
history.  Possession  of  land  in  some 
countries  is  so  unequal. 

4.  We  need  to  support  peace 
agreements  which  control  the  use 
of  nuclear  arms.  We've  made  some 
strides  in  this  area,  mostly  be- 
cause we  got  scared. 

5.  We  need  to  use  our  highest 
technologies  and  every  skill  we 
have  to  develop  love  in  every  na- 
tion. We  need  to  remember  our 
God  is  love,  and  that's  not  always 
easy. 

What  is  the  greatest  threat  tothe 


Presbyterian  Church  as  a  whole? 

We  need  to  get  away  from  con- 
stant discussions  of  single  issues 
like  ordaining  homosexuals,  abor- 
tion, gun  control  and  affirmative 
action.  These  tend  to  tear  us  apart 
because  we  get  so  emotional.  We 
need  to  learn  to  disagree  without 
being  disagreeable.  We  need  to 
remember  that  we  are  reformed 
and  constantly  reforming. 

We  need  to  get  back  to  the 
basics  of  mission,  evangelism  and 
youth  work. 

What  has  brought  about  the 
greatest  change  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church? 

Accepting  that  Paul's  opinions 
were  not  necessarily  the  only  ones 
that  mattered,  which  cleared  the 
way  for  the  ordination  of  women 
into  the  clergy. 

What  do  you  want  to  be  your 
legacy  to  the  Presbyterian  Church? 

That  they  would  not  forget 
mission. 

If  you  could  say  one  thing  to 
every  Presbyterian  in  the  country, 
what  would  you  say? 

"Don't  forget  to  take  the  Gos- 
pel into  all  the  world.  That's  the 
last  thing  our  Lord  told  us  to  do." 

On  faith  and  commitment ... 

"We  need  to  make  members 
realize  that  the  most  important 
thing  you  do  in  your  life  is  what 
you  do  for  your  church." 

"The  church  is  not  a  cruise  ship. 
It's  not  supposed  to  offer  47  dif- 
ferent types  of  activities  to  keep 
us  happy.  We  need  to  serve  the 
church  and  not  expect  the  church 
to  entertain  us." 

"The  most  important  thing  we 
teach  our  children  is  about  the 
church,  not  whether  the/re  the 
best  soccer  player  on  the  block. 
My  father  used  to  say  he  didn't 
care  if  we  skipped  school.  He  said 
if  we  skipped  school  we'd  just  grow 
up  ignorant  and  have  to  dig 
ditches.  But  he  told  us  if  we 
skipped  church,  we'd  go  to  hell. 
And  he  firmly  believed  that." 

Betty  Jo  Hamilton,  a  member 
of  Bethel  Church,  is  editor  of  "Au- 
gusta Country,"  a  monthly  news 
magazine. 


Souper  Bowl  program  scores 

a  touchdown  with  Presbyterian  youth 

Presbj^erian  youth  groups  played  a  major  role  in  this  year's  "Souper 
Bowl  Program,"  which  in  one  day  raised  more  than  $1.3  million  to  feed 
the  poor  and  hungry  across  America.  More  than  1,100  Presbyterian 
youths  participated  in  this  year's  Souper  Bowl,  according  to  Gary  R. 
Cook,  associate  for  the  Presbyterian  Hunger  Program  in  the  World- 
wide Ministries  Division,  and  Rodger  Nishioka,  associate  for  youth 
ministry  in  the  Congregational  Ministries  Division. 

"On  behalf  of  the  Presbyterian  Hunger  Program  and  the  Youth 
Ministries  Office,  we  thank  our  youths  for  their  participation  in 
Souper  Bowl  1996,"  Cook  said.  "Their  hard  work  made  a  big  difference 
for  himgry  people  in  our  communities." 

Worshipers  gave  $1  as  they  left  church  on  Super  Bowl  Sunday. 
Young  people  collected  the  contributions  in  large  soup  bowls  and 
donated  the  money  to  the  anti-hunger  ministry  they  felt  best  serves 
their  community.  —  Julian  Shipp,  PC(USA)  News  Service 

Church  leader  Neigh  dies  May  5 

The  Rev.  Kenneth  G.  Neigh  died  of  Parkinson's  Disease  on  May  5  at 
the  Presbyterian  Homes  of  New  Jersey  at  Meadow  Lakes  in 
Heightstown,  N.J.  He  was  88.  A  memorial  service  was  held  June  16, 
at  the  Allen  Park  (Mich.)  Church  Neigh  began  serving  in  1937,  just 
after  his  graduation  from  McCormick  Theological  Seminary. 

Over  four  decades.  Neigh  ministered  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
and  the  ecumenical  movement.  Called  an  "architect  of  the  modern 
mission  movement"  by  the  "Christian  Century,"  Neigh  served  as  the 
general  secretary  of  the  Board  of  National  Missions  in  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  from  1959-72.  He  was  a  founding  member  of  the 
Consultation  on  Church  Union  and  a  former  vice  president  of  the 
National  Council  of  Churches  (NCC). 

Most  teenagers  read  the  Bible 

PRINCETON,  N.J.— Most  teenagers  in  this  country  read  the  Bible  at 
least  once  a  month,  according  to  recent  interviews  by  the  Gallup 
organization.  Included  among  current  readers  are  10  percent  who 
claim  daily  readership,  28  percent  who  read  it  at  least  weekly  and 
another  15  percent  who  say  they  read  scripture  at  least  monthly. 

An  additional  16  percent  say  they  read  it  infrequently  and  31 
percent  say  they  never  look  at  it.  This  represents  a  decline  of  7 
percentage  points  since  1988  in  the  number  of  teenagers  who  say  they 
read  the  Bible.  Bible  readership  is  strongest  in  the  Midwest  and  South 
and  weakest  in  the  East  and  West.  Across  the  country,  young  people 
living  in  small  towns  and  rural  areas  are  more  likely  to  read  it  than 
those  residing  in  large  cities  and  their  suburbs. 

Young  Protestants,  whose  denominations  generally  emphasize 
independent  Bible  study,  are  more  likely  than  Roman  Catholics  to 
report  frequent  Bible  reading.  Among  those  who  have  not  been  to 
church  recently,  half  say  they  never  read  the  Bible.  Readership  also 
tends  to  become  less  frequent  as  teens  grow  older. 

The  findings  are  based  on  a  nationwide  sample  of  507  teenagers, 
aged  13-17,  interviewed  during  the  period  from  November  1995  to 
February  1996.  The  margin  of  error  could  be  4  percentage  points  in 
either  direction. 

Presbyterians  TodayXo  feature  Norris 

The  September  issue  of  Presbyterians  Today,  the  magazine  for  the 
people  of  the  Presbjrterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  will  feature  an  interview 
with  poet  Kathleen  Norris,  author  of  Dakota:  A  Spiritual  Journey. 
That  1993  book  tells  of  her  decision  to  leave  the  Manhattan  arts  scene 
and  settle  in  her  late  grandmother's  house  in  rural  Lemmon,  S.D.  — 
a  decision  that  profoundly  affected  her  life  and  writing. 

Associate  Editor  Eva  Stimson  interviewed  Norris  when  the  poet 
was  in  Chicago  promoting  her  latest  book.  The  Cloister  Walk.  The 
resulting  article,  "Home  on  the  Plains,"  offers  a  fascinating  glimpse  of 
the  role  faith  plays  in  the  life  of  one  of  today's  most  insightful  writers. 

For  information  about  subscribing  to  Presbyterians  Today,  phone 
(800)  524-2612.  Discounts  are  available  to  churches  ordering  through 
one  of  several  group  plans. 

Long  cited  as  most  effective  preacher 

PRINCETON,  N.J. — Princeton  Seminary  professor  of  preaching  and 
worship  Thomas  G.  Long  has  been  named  one  of  the  top  12  most 
effective  preachers  in  the  English-speaking  world,  according  to 
"Newsweek"  magazine,  which  quotes  a  survey  unveiled  in  March  by 
Baylor  University.  The  list  includes  Billy  Graham,  James  Forbes, 
pastor  of  Riverside  Church  in  New  York  City,  and  Gardner  C.  Taylor, 
pastor  emeritus  of  the  Concord  Baptist  Church  of  Christ  in  Brooklyn. 


A  Peak  at  the  Peaks 


Chatham  celebrates  150  years 

CHATHAM,  Va.  —  The  Chatham  Church  celebrated  its  150th  anni- 
versary on  May  4-5  with  much  ceremony,  including  the  recognition  of 
four  former  pastors  who  returned  for  the  occasion.  They  are  John 
Lamotte,  now  pastor  of  Wake  Forest  (N.C.)  Church;  Jim  Grant,  pastor 
of  Tazewell  (Va.)  Church;  John  Evans,  retired  from  his  post  as  general 
presb3rtery  of  New  Harmony  Presbytery  in  South  Carolina;  and  Fleet 
Powell,  retired  from  his  pastorate  at  Colonial  Church  in  Roanoke. 
Relatives  of  Dr.  George  Belk,  Chatham's  pastor  from  1891  to  1900, 
were  also  present.  Walker  Pettyjohn  is  the  current  pastor 

Patton  is  interim  executive  in  Ohio 

COLUMBUS,  Ohio  —  Edith  Patton  has  been  named  interim  executive 
presbyter  for  the  Presbytery  of  Scioto  Valley.  She  began  her  duties 
June  1.  Patton  has  been  in  executive  service  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  for  a  number  of  years,  most  recently  as  acting  general  presby- 
ter for  the  Presbytery  of  the  Peaks. 


Synod  Assembly  report  —  p.  3 

»BXBCFFZ********S-.OIGIT  27  514 
#00548651»*  '•S?  465 

UNIV    OF    N    CAROLINA  LI9RARV 
MORTH    CAROLINA  COLLECTION 
WILSON    LIBRARY    CB  5930 
CHAPEL    HILL    «C  27514-8890 
-  I,))...l.l.iu..ii.lMliHl.lui.i.!Mil.u.ll..i 
For  address  changes  sena  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


September  1996 


Vol.  LXII,  Number  7 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Moderator 
The  Rev.  J.  Miller  Liston 


Vice  Moderator 
The  Rev.  Rogers  E.  Randall 


Liston,  Randall 
elected  to  lead  synod 


RALEIGH,  N.C.  —  The  Rev.  J. 
Miller  Liston  of  Big  Stone  Gap, 
Va.,  was  elected  moderator  of  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
during  its  annual  assembly  here 
July  25-27. 

The  Rev.  Rogers  E.  Randall  Jr. 
of  Fayettevile,  N.C,  was  elected 
vice  moderator. 

During  the  Nominating  Com- 
mittee report  the  synod  also  re- 
elected June  Bucy  and  the  Rev. 
David  Thornton  to  serve  another 
term  as  chair  and  vice  chair,  re- 
spectively, of  the  Synod  Council. 

The  son  and  grandson  of  Pres- 
byterian ministers,  Liston  is  pas- 
tor of  the  Big  Stone  Gap  and 
Norton  churches.  Prior  to  coming 
to  Southwest  Virginia,  he  served 
pastorates  in  Georgia,  Tennessee 
and  Florida.  He  is  a  member  of 
Abingdon  Presbytery. 

Bom  in  Richmond,  Va.,  Liston 
grew  up  in  Bristol,  Tenn.,  where 
his  father,  the  late  Robert  Todd 
Lapsley  Liston,  was  president  of 
King  College  from  1943  to  1968. 

Liston  is  a  graduate  of  King 
College  and  Columbia  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  in  Decatur,  Ga. 

He  was  a  U.S.  Navy  aviator  for 
12  years  before  transferring  to 


the  chaplain  corps  where  he 
served  for  26  years.  He  now  holds 
the  rank  of  captain  in  the  U.S. 
Naval  Reserve.  He  is  married  to 
the  former  Anne  Clemmons  and 
they  have  two  daughters. 

As  the  synod's  chief  elected  of- 
ficer, the  moderator  presides  over 
the  annual  synod  assembly  and 
for  the  following  year  serves  on 
the  Synod  Council. 

Vice  Moderator  Randall  has 
been  pastor  of  the  Mars  Hill 
Church  in  Hope  Mills  and  the 
Silver  Hill  Church  in  Marston. 

Former  pastorates  he  has 
served  include  the  Chestnut 
Street  Church  in  Wilmington, 
N.C,  and  the  St.  Paul  Church  in 
Charlotte,  N.C.  He  served  as  a 
commissioner  to  the  206th  (1994) 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.)  from 
Coastal  Carolina  Presbytery. 

Randall  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Johnson  C  Smith  Theological 
Seminary  in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  and 
Dakota  Wesleyan  University  in 
Mitchell,  S.D.  He  and  his  wife, 
Hermena,  reside  in  Fayetteville 
with  a  son.  Wade. 

The  vice  moderator  is  modera- 
tor-in-nomination  for  the  next 
synod  assembly. 


Rebuild  trust,  Buchanan  tells 
synod  meeting  commissioners 


itALEIGH,  N.C.  —  Rebuilding 
trust  should  be  a  top  priority  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A. ), 
the  Rev.  John  Buchanan,  mod- 
erator of  the  208th  General  As- 
sembly, told  commissioners  to 
sjTiod's  210th  meeting. 

Noting  the  ongoing  squabbles 
within  the  PC(USA),  Buchanan 
said,  "We  must  be  about  the  re- 
building of  trust ...  it  is  our  most 
vulnerable  point,  it  is  our  first 
and  most  critical  priority. 

"How  in  the  world  do  you  re- 
build trust  in  an  institution  that 
seems  to  have  forgotten  how? 
Well,  why  don't  we  just  do  it?  Why 
don't  we  just  try  to  trust?  Why 
don't  we  try  to  see  one  another 
differently,  not  as  ideological  op- 
ponents, but  as  fellow  Christians 
who  are  trying  as  best  we  know 
how  to  follow  Jesus  Christ  faith- 
fully?" he  said. 

"How  about  we  call  a  cease  fire 
...?"  said  Buchanan.  "How  about 
we  declare  a  general  amnesty?  ... 
turn  down  the  volume  a  little  bit 
and  stop  maligning  individuals, 
stop  calling  [their]  faith  and  in- 
tegrity into  question?" 

"Wouldn't  it  be  something  if 
we  could  ...  show  the  world  the 
transforming  power  of  a  gospel 
that  turns  ideological  opponents 
into  brothers  and  sisters  who  love 
one  another,  who  can't  stop  enjoy- 
ing ...  praying ...  caring  for  ...  pro- 
tecting and  standing  up  for  one 
another.  If  we  did  that,  the  world 
might  even  find  us  interesting 
again ...  It  might  demand  to  know 
the  secret  of  this  amazing  trans- 
forming power." 

Early  in  his  talk  on  Friday, 
July  26,  he  said  his  emphasis  for 
the  coming  year  will  be  "the  church 
matters." 

"I  am  proposing  that  the  church 
matters.  And  that  it  is  the  time  in 
our  history  to  say  that  and  to  love 
this  church  of  ours  and  to 
strengthen  it  and  to  attend  to  it," 
said  Buchanan,  pastor  of  Fourth 


Presbyterian  Church  in  Chicago. 

Following  his  report  on  the 
actions  of  the  208th  General  As- 
sembly, he  noted  that  he  "came 
home  hopeful  because  of  remind- 
ers that  this  is  a  resilient  and 
faithful  church  and  it  belongs  not 
to  us  ultimately,  but  to  Jesus 
Christ,  who  is  its  Lord  and  we 
need  to  always  remember  that." 

Buchanan  listed  several 
"hopes"  he  has  for  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  the  coming  year 
and  the  future. 

"My  hope  for  the  church  is 
based  on  the  notion  that  we  are  a 
church  that  values  and 
appreciates  and  cel- 
ebrates its  tradition 
and  knows  that  its  tra- 
dition is  the  Reformed 
tradition.  That  refor- 
mation and  creative 
engagement  with  the 
world  is  what  being  a 
Presbyterian  is  all 
about. 

"I  hope  we  will  ac- 
knowledge and  cel- 
ebrate the  fact  that  re- 
formation is  continuing 
to  happen  in  our  midst 
as  energy  ...  shifts  from  national 
structures  to  synods  and  presby- 
teries and  congregations  .... 

"I  hope  we  will  come  up  with 
the  energy  and  imagination  and 
intelligence  and  love  to  be  bold 
enough  to  reinvent  the  church  in 
urban  and  rural  areas  where  we 
are  declining  most  disastrously. 
We  have  an  old  model  of  church 
that  doesn't  work  in  about  75  per- 
cent of  the  places  .... 

"Ever  since  I  was  ordained  in 
1963  we've  been  wringing  our 
hands  about  the  loss  of  members 
...  We've  lost  25  to  30  percent  in 
that  time  [and  the]  most  creative 
thing  we  could  do  was  to  find 
somebody  to  blame."  Buchanan 
said  the  causes  were,  in  fact,  easy 
to  pinpoint:  a  low  birthrate  among 
Presbyterians  and  too  few  new 


church  developments.  Noting  that 
it  costs  about  $  1  million  to  start  a 
new  church  today  in  the  tradi- 
tional manner,  he  said  the  de- 
nomination needs  to  find  innova- 
tive ways  to  start  new  churches. 

The  moderator  also  said  the 
Presbyterian  Church  needs  to 
learn  how  to  communicate.  Spe- 
cifically, he  said  there  is  a  need 
for  a  denomination-wide  publica- 
tion. "We  have  to  figure  a  way  to 
get  into  every  Presbyterian  home 
with  a  well-crafted,  creative  and 
readable  publication." 

Higher  education  is  another  of 
the  moderator's  priori- 
ties. In  fact,  he  will  be 
hosting  a  forum  on  the 
subject  next  spring.  He 
said  it  is  time  for  Pres- 
byterians to  get  more 
involved  in  campus 
ministries  and  to  "re- 
establish meaningful 
and  creative  dialogues 
with  the  campuses." 

Noting  the  vastly 
changed  political  align- 
ments of  the  world, 
Buchanan  said  the 
church  should  be  more 
active  in  global  ecumenical  rela- 
tions. "Wouldn't  it  be  something 
...  to  be  in  dialogue  and  in  mean- 
ingful mission,  evangelistic  and 
educational  mission,  with  the 
Russian  Orthodox  Church?" 

Having  just  completed  a  visit 
to  several  of  the  burned  churches 
in  the  South,  Buchanan  touched 
on  the  need  for  better  relations  in 
this  country  as  well.  "I  want  us  to 
reclaim  our  commitment  to  be  a 
racially  inclusive  church  in  a  ra- 
cially inclusive  culture,"  he  said. 

"Wouldn't  it  be  something,  if 
out  of  this  crisis,  we  could  refocus 
the  energy  and  resources  —  fi- 
nancial and  personnel  —  to  say  a 
good  word  about  justice  and  heal- 
ing and  hope  in  a  racially  inclu- 
sive country." 


Church-related  higher  education  needed 
now  more  than  ever  say  administrators 


HARRISONBURG,  Va.  —  Admin- 
istrators firom  three  Presbyterian- 
related  colleges  told  participants 
at  the  73rd  annual  Massanetta 
Springs  Bible  Conference  that 
church-related  higher  education 
is  needed  now  more  than  ever. 

The  session  on  Aug.8  was  in- 
troduced by  the  Rev.  George  Conn, 
formerly  a  PC(USA)  associate  who 
worked  with  racial  ethnic  colleges 
and  now  pastor  of  Massanutten 
Church  in  nearby  Penn  Laird,  Va. 

Conn  said  church-related 
higher  education  was  at  a  turning 
point.  Some  schools,  like  Occiden- 
tal College  in  Los  Angeles,  are 
completely  severing  their  ties  with 
the  church.  Others,  like  Davidson 
College  in  North  Carolina,  are  re- 
emphasizing  their  Presbyterian 
heritage. 

Sammie  Potts,  who  became 
president  of  Barber-Scotia  Col- 


lege in  July,  said  it  is  his  policy 
that  students  are  told  clearly  that 
while  "we  don't  intend  to  make 
them  Presbyterians,  we  are  a 
Presbyterian  institution,  by  our 
faculty,  by  our  theology,  by  all  the 
things  we  do." 

Prior  to  coming  to  Barber- 
Scotia  College  in  July,  Potts  was 
president  for  eight  years  at  Mary 
Holmes  College  in  Mississippi. 
Barber-Scotia  and  Mary  Holmes 
are  both  historically  African 
American  schools  and  are  the  only 
two  colleges  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  owns. 

Potts  said  he  hopes  to  bring  to 
Barber-Scotia  some  of  the  same 
qualities  that  exist  at  Mary 
Holmes,  where  the  largest  orga- 
nization on  campus  is  the  Stu- 
dent Christian  Organization.  He 
said  the  college  should  seen  "not 
just  as  the  school  up  on  the  hill," 


but  as  an  active,  positive  partici- 
pant in  the  community  and  "the 
epitome  of  what  the  church  stands 
for." 

C3Tithia  Tyson,  president  of 
Mary  Baldwin  College  in 
Staunton,  Va.,  said  that  school 
"has  always  been  and  wants  to  be 
a  Presbyterian-related  coUege.  We 
are  proud  of  that  heritage  and  it 
gives  us  our  context  for  values." 

She  noted  that  the  women's 
college  has.a  Presbyterian  minis- 
ter as  chaplain.  While  colleges 
often  see  that  as  the  first  position 
to  be  discontinued  during  hard 
times,  Tyson  said  that  was  not 
the  case  at  Mary  Baldwin.  "We 
want  her  (the  chaplain)  there.  She 
ministers  to  all  of  us  and  she  does 
so  with  her  faith  centered  in  the 
Presbyterian  church." 


Dr.  Sammie  Potts  (right),  the  new  president  of  Barber-Scotia 
College,  answers  a  question  from  the  audience  during  a 
presentation  on  church-related  higher  education  as  part  of  the 
annual  Bible  Conference  last  month  at  Massanetta  c-- '  f's.  At 
his  left  is  the  Rev.  George  M,  Conn  Jr.,  former  PC(US  e 
for  racial  ethnic  schools  and  colleges  and  no  '.  ;  >f 
continued  on  page  5    Massanutten  Churcl  'i  Penn  Laird,  Va.. 


Page  2,  Mid  Atlantic  Presbjrterian,  September  1996 


Commentary 


Talking  about  how  we 
become  a  community 


Editor's  Note  —  The  following  comments 
are  excerpted  from  remarks  made  by  Synod 
Executive  and  Stated  Clerk  Carroll  Jenkins 
near  the  conclusion  of  the  210th  Synod 
Assembly  on  July  27. 

"[This  meeting]  has  been  one  we  hoped 
that  we  had  been  moving  toward, 
one  that  would  allow  us  to  shape 
together  were  we  are  going  as 
the  S3Tiod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic.  It 
is  not  only  important  to  look  at 
where  we  are  today,  but  it  is  very 
important  that  we  begin  to  look 
toward  where  we  would  like  to 
be  tomorrow.  ... 

It  has  been  very  interesting 
to  watch  how  we  have  moved 
past  the  point  of  being  concerned 
about  structures  and  beginning 
to  look  at  how  we  can  involve 
people  in  where  we  are  and  what 
we  hope  to  do. 

As  I  view  the  life  of  the  synod, 
we  are  now  moving  beyond  being 
just  a  group  of  churches  gathered  in  a 
region  and  just  a  group  of  folks  gathered  in 
a  meeting.  We're  beginning  to  talk  about 
how  we  become  a  community  of  presbyter- 


ies because  that's  really  what  ministry  of 
the  synod  is  ...  working  with  presbyteries 
to  enable  presbyteries  to  more  effectively 
support  the  ministry  and  the  work  of  indi- 
vidual congregations  and  through  those 
congregations  to  strengthen  the  witness 
and  the  ministry  of  every  individual  that's 
a  part  of  this  geographical  area. 

I  view  that  as  tremendously 
important  because  we  represent 
the  largest  synod  now  in  the 
PC(USA).  ...  With  that  goes  the 
challenge  of  being  an  inclusive 
and  diverse  community  because 
we  happen  to  include  one  of  the 
most  diverse  and  inclusive  re- 
gions in  this  nation.  That's  tre- 
mendously important,  not  be- 
cause of  its  history,  but  because 
of  the  opportimities  and  the  chal- 
lenges. 

The  gospel  never  causes  us  to 
look  back  at  where  we've  been.  It 
always  challenges  us  to  look  for- 
ward to  where  we  need  to  go  and 
e  need  to  do. 

—  Carroll  Jenkins 
Synod  Executive  and  Stated  Clerk 


what  v\ 


Seek  first  the  will  of  God 


Editor's  Note  —  General  Assembly  Council 
Chair  Youngil  Cho,  an  elder  from  Raleigh, 
N.C.,  made  the  following  remarks  in  his 
sermon  during  the  opening  worship  of  the 
Synod  Assembly. 

"We  must  wake  up  and  pay  attention  to 
what  is  really  happening  in  our  institu- 
tional church,"  said  Cho,  an  elder  from 
Raleigh  and  former  president  of  the  na- 
tional Presb3rterian  Men.  "Institutional 
organization  and  structure  is,  at  best,  sup- 
posed to  be  designed  to  enable  us  to  carry 
out  the  will  of  Grod  as  revealed  to  us  in 
scripture." 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 
FAX:  (804)  355-8535 
Internet:  JOHN_SNIFFEN@pcusa.org 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
(USPS  604-120  /  ISSN  1071-345X) 
Is  produced  and  published  monthly 
(except  February,  August  and  December) 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
3218  Chamberlayne  Ave., 
Richmond,  VA  23227. 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  is  mailed  free 
to  members  of  PC(USA)  churches  within 
the  synod. 

POSTMASTER 

Please  send  address  changes  to 
MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026. 
Second-Class  Postage  Rates  Paid  at 
Richmond,  Virginia,  and  additional 


Vol.  LXII 
Septemberl996 
JulyXAugust  1996  circulation 
162,086 


"I  feel  that  even  as  some  of  us  have 
made  God  of  the  book,  others  have  made 
God  of  the  church.  In  so  doing,  we  have 
acquired  a  weak,  powerless  structure  and 
lost  the  experience  of  the  living  person  and 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit,"  he  said. 

Cho,  who  started  his  year  as  GAC  chair 
in  July,  said  he  wondered  whether  the 
church  was  a  "sleeping  giant  or  [a]  holy 
remnant."  Later  in  his  sermon,  he  said, 
"Within  our  GAC  I  honestly  believe  that 
there  is  a  holy  remnant.  It  is  one  that  will 
lead  our  council  to  dependence,  rebirth 
and  response  to  the  will  of  God." 

Speaking  of  more  than  400  letters  he 
has  received  from  churches  across  the  de- 
nomination, Cho  said,  "There  is  through- 
out the  church  and  society  a  craving  for 
spirituality.  Few  know  what  it  is,  but  it 
represents  a  void  in  life  and  we  go  off  on  to 
a  lot  of  other  trails  led  by  the  leadership  of 
the  church." 

He  also  recounted  how,  as  president  of 
Presbyterian  Men,  he  visited  about  200 
churches  nationwide.  "A  few  were  empty . . . 
where  there  used  to  be  1,000  [members] ... 
there  were  only  70  or  50  left ...  They  don't 
know  what  happened,  but  I  told  them  Tou 
forgot  your  God'." 

"In  Deuteronomy,  chapter  eight,  God 
warned  the  Israeli  people  three  times  [not 
to  forget  their  God]  ...  but  we  all  forget 
God,"  he  said. 

"My  message  today  emphasizes  Mat- 
thew, chapter  six,  verse  33:  'Seek  first  His 
kingdom  and  His  righteousness.'  We  have 
to  find  our  God.  We  had  it.  We  forgot.  The 
GAC,  the  General  Assembly,  the  synod, 
and  the  presbyteries  cannot  provide  it.  You 
have  to  find  it." 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and  length. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid- Atlantic  Presbyteriem 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


'Peacing  Together  the  Pieces' 
symposia  planned  in  five  cities 


The  synod  has  scheduled  free  symposiums  in 
five  cities  this  fall  on  the  topic  "Peacing 
Together  the  Pieces:  Celebrating  Diversity." 

The  symposiums  are  a  result  of  Synod 
Council  actions  taken  after  the  walkout  of 
African  American  commissioners  and  oth- 
ers from  the  209th  Synod  Assembly  last 
October  in  Richmond.  While  that  walkout 
and  subsequent  dialogue  with  the  ssmod's 
Black  Caucus  led  to  planning  these  events, 
they  also  are  in  response  to  a  general  need 
to  discuss  racism  in  our  society. 

Symposiums  are  scheduled  for  Satur- 
day, Nov.  2,  at  Berwyn  Church  in  College 
Park,  Md.,  and  Hudson  Memorial  Church 
in  Raleigh,  N.C.  On  Saturday,  Nov.  9,  they 
are  scheduled  for  Three  Chopt  Church  in 
Richmond,  First  Church  in  Roanoke,  Va., 
and  at  StatesvUIe  Avenue  Church  in  Char- 
lotte, N.C. 

The  symposiums  will  start  at  1 1  a.m.  and 
last  until  4:30  p.m.  All  interested  persons 
are  invited  to  attend.  For  details  call  the 
synod  office  at  (804)  342-0016. 


The  Rev.  Sandy  Seaton-Todd,  co-chair  of 
the  task  group  which  is  planning  the  sympo- 
siums, said  the  program  has  two  parts. 

First,  it  is  designed  to  let  participants 
air  their  feelings.  Working  with  profes- 
sional consultants,  participants  will  start 
in  one-on-one  situations  and  build  up  to 
small  groups  and  then  larger  groups. 

Second,  the  program  will  provide  par- 
ticipants with  models  to  take  back  and  use 
in  their  presbyteries  and  local  churches. 
These  will  include  bibliographies  of  re- 
sources available  on  the  topic. 

"We  hope  they  wiU  take  with  them  the 
desire  and  commitment  to  do  similar  sym- 
posiums in  their  presbyteries  and 
churches,"  said  Ms.  Seaton-Todd,  pastor  of 
the  Oakwood  and  Vansant  churches  in 
Abingdon  Presbytery. 

Symposium  leaders  will  include  minis- 
ters, laypersons,  members  of  the  synod's 
Black  Caucus,  and  members  of  the  plan- 
ning group.  Actively  Including  Oxu-  Neigh- 
bors (ACTION). 


Nominees  needed  for  committees 


The  Nominating  Committee  of  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  is  beginning  to  search 
for  those  persons  who  have  gifts  which 
they  can  give  to  the  synod.  The  S3mod 
council,  its  committees,  the  trustees  and 
all  other  synod  organizations  need  dedi- 
cated church  members  who  feel  called  by 
God  to  build  the  synod  and  the  connec- 
tional  church. 

Needed  in  the  next  year  will  be  persons 
for  moderator,  vice  moderator,  presbytery 
representatives  on  the  S5Tiod  council  and 
other  council  positions,  trustees,  chairs  of 
committees,  committee  members,  etc. 

The  synod  needs  people  with  a  vision  who 
are  willing  to  organize  and  implement  and 


follow  through  so  that  the  work  of  the  synod 
can  build  and  grow  and  a  real  dynamic  life 
can  be  put  into  this  new  structure. 

If  you  know  of  good  of  someone  who  can 
help  or  are  interested  yourself,  write  or 
call:  Betty  McGinnis,  1234TamarackTrail, 
Arnold,  MD  21012;  phone  (410)  647-7494 
or  fax  (410)  647-4482. 

The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  needs 
your  help  in  locating  excellent  people  to 
serve  in  these  many  positions.  Each  person 
reading  this  paper  is  probably  a  member  of 
the  synod;  therefore  you  are  the  synod. 
Help  to  build  it  by  giving  the  Nominating 
Committee  excellent  persons  to  serve. 

—  Betty  McGinnis 


Prayer  top  priority  for  synod's  evangelism 


RALEIGH,  N.C. — Encouraging  prayer  for 
peace,  purity  and  unity  in  the  church  was 
approved  as  the  Sjmod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic's 
top  priority  in  evangelism  by  the  210th 
Synod  Assembly. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Evan- 
gelism's  report  was  quickly  approved  by 
the  commissioners.  Items  approved  to  meet 
the  above-stated  priority  include: 

•  Composition  of  a  simple  prayer  which 
will  be  published  in  the  Mid-Atlantic  Pres- 
byterian and  Evangelnet  with  an  accom- 
panying article  explaining  its  purpose. 

•  Having  the  Evangelism  Committee 


contact  presbj^ry  officials  and  asking  that 
prayers  for  peace,  purity  and  imity  in  the 
church  and  for  evangelism  of  the  Gospel  be 
offered  at  each  presbji;ery  meeting. 

•  Writing  and  publishing  in  the  Mid- 
Atlantic  Presbyterian  and  Evangelnet  ar- 
ticles on  small  prayer  groups  or  prayer 
cells  and  their  effectiveness. 

•  Obtaining  from  local  churches  reports 
on  local  prayer  groups/ceUs  and  whether 
they  pray  for  the  larger  church. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Evange- 
lism was  chaired  by  Beth  Lambert,  an 
elder  commissioner  from  Charlotte,  N.C. 


Synod  Calendar  —  Fall  1996 


Campus  Ministries  Committee 
Youth  Council 
Synod  Council 

Partnership  Ministries 

Resource  Center 
Steering  Committee 
Mission  Committee 
Member  Orientation 
Finance  Committee 
Communication  Committee 
Personnel  Committee 
Committee  on  Representation 
Korean  American 
Presbytery  Task  Force 
Administration  Committee 
Synod  Trustees 
Peacemaking  Partnership 
Youth  Leadership  Conference 

Speer  Fund  Committee 
Sjrnod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Campus  Ministers 


10  a.m.  to  6  p.m.  Sept.  9, 

at  Holiday  Inn  -  Central,  Richmond 
7  p.m.  Sept.  13  to  noon  Sept.  14  at 
Holiday  Inn  -  W.  Broad,  Richmond 
2  p.m.  Sept.  20  to  noon  Sept.  21  at 
Holiday  Inn  -  Central,  Richmond 
Friday,  Nov.  15,  to  Saturday,  Nov.  16 
Sept.  27  -  28 
location  to  be  announced 

11  a.m.  to  3  p.m.  Oct.  10 

at  the  Synod  Office,  Richmond 
Oct.  18-19 

at  Holiday  Inn  -  Bells  Road,  Richmond 
Oct.  18-19  at  Synod  Office,  Richmond 
Oct.  18-19  at  Richmond 
Oct.  21-22  at  Richmond 
Oct.  24-25at  Richmond 
Oct.  24  at  Synod  Office 

Oct.  28-29  at  Synod  Office 
Oct.  29-30  at  Richmond 
Oct.  29-30 

Nov.  l-3at  Massanetta  Springs 
Conference  Center,  Harrisonburg,  Va. 
Nov.  17-18  at  the  Synod  Office 
Nov.  25-26 

at  Rosslyn  Conference  Ctr.,  Richmond 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  1996.  Page  3 


Youth  get  council  seat;  funding  plan  tabled  for  agencies,  schools 


RALEIGH,  N.C.  —  Apparently 
agreeing  that  it  was  too  early  to 
make  many  changes  in  a  struc- 
ture approved  in  January  1995, 
commissioners  to  the  2 10th  Synod 
Assembly  (July  25-27)  rejected 
three  of  four  proposals  to  enlarge 
the  S3mod  Council. 

The  exception  was  approval  of 
a  voting  representative  for  the 
Synod  Youth  Council,  thereby  in- 
creasing the  Synod  Council  to  23 
members.  The  Standing  Commit- 
tee on  Review  of  Synod  Council 
Minutes  opposed  all  four  council 
additions,  but  there  was  little  op- 
position when  the  assembly  voted 
to  add  the  youth  representative. 

On  the  other  hand,  Presbyte- 
rian Men  and  Presbyterian 
Women  were  denied  representa- 
tion by  margins  of  close  to  2-to-l 
when  the  assembly  voted. 

Also  denied  a  place  on  the  coun- 
cil was  a  new  organization  to  pro- 
vide mission  experiences  for  per- 
sons from  within  the  synod.  Fol- 
lowing the  standing  committee's 
recommendation,  the  assembly  in- 
stead made  the  mission  experience 
organization  a  subcommittee  of  an 
existing  committee. 

Mission  experience  grew  out  of 
an  effort  by  then-moderator  Betty 
McGinnis  to  have  church  mem- 
bers from  the  synod  go  on  mission 
work  trips  both  within  and  out- 
side the  synod. 

The  concept  received  popular 
support  from  the  council,  which 
in  May  approved  creating  a  sixth 
mission  committee.  Mission  Ex- 
perience, whose  chair  would  have 
had  a  seat  on  the  council. 


Standing  committee  chair  Glen 
Batten  told  the  assembly  that 
while  the  group's  work  is  valu- 
able, it  could  be  carried  out  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Justice/Mercy 
Committee  without  enlarging  the 
structure.  The  assembly  agreed, 
approving  the  motion  36  to  18. 

In  other  business  coming  out 
of  the  standing  committee's  re- 
port, the  assembly  urged  the  coun- 
cil to  complete  hiring  of  synod 
office  personnel  —  especially  two 
program  associates  —  by  Dec.  31. 

Rethink  funding  plan 
for  agencies,  schools 

Commissioners  said  that  the 
sjmod  and  presb3^eries  should  sit 
down  with  representatives  from 
the  care  agencies  and  institutions 
and  devise  a  mutually  acceptable 
plan  for  future  funding. 

Last  year's  assembly  voted  that 
the  care  agencies  and  institutions 
would  not  be  a  part  of  the  synod's 
budget  starting  in  1997.  The  only 
plan  suggested  to  replace  synod 
funding  is  the  so-called  "revenue 
neutral"  transfer  of  funds.  It  as- 
simies  that  each  presbytery  will 
pay  its  share  of  supporting  the 
schools,  agencies  and  institutions 
directly  to  those  recipients. 

Revenue  neutral,  however, 
does  not  have  the  unanimous  sup- 
port of  the  synod's  13  presbyter- 
ies. Several  say  they  will  continue 
sending  funds  to  the  synod  for 
disbursement  to  the  care  agen- 
cies and  institutions. 

In  addition  to  calling  for  a  new 
dialogue  with  the  care  agencies 


and  institutions,  the  assembly 
also  tabled  the  revenue  neutral 
agreement  drawn  up  last  March. 

Involved  in  the  funding  di- 
lemma are  nine  Presbyterian-re- 
lated colleges  and  universities, 
three  agencies  which  sponsor 
older  adult  communities,  and  six 
agencies  which  provide  care  for 
children  and  mentally  retarded 
young  adults. 

Before  the  meeting  began,  rep- 
resentatives from  institutions  ques- 
tioned the  Synod  Council  on  July 
24  about  what  changes  in  the 
synod's  structure  will  mean  regard- 
ing their  relationship  to  the  synod 
and  its  presbyteries  and  churches. 

While  the  fund  recipients  are 
concerned  about  the  money,  they 
are  also  concerned  about  how  they 
relate  to  Presbyterians  across  the 
synod.  "They  (the  agencies  and  in- 
stitutions) want  access  to  congre- 
gations and  individuals  via  their 
relationship  with  synod,"  Synod 
Council  Chair  June  Bucy  told  the 
Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian. 

"One  of  our  major  challenges  is 
to  work  out  a  good  partnership 
relationship  with  the  presbyter- 
ies, especially  relating  to  synod's 
highly  valued  agencies  and  insti- 
tutions," added  Bucy. 

Funding  equity  sought 
for  campus  ministries 

Seeking  to  bring  equity  to  fund- 
ing of  racial  ethnic  campus  minis- 
tries in  the  synod,  the  assembly 
asked  the  Synod  Council  to  find 
more  money  within  its  mission 
budget  for  this  purpose. 


The  action  came  after  an  ini- 
tial request  to  use  funds  from  the 
governance  budget  for  this  pur- 
pose was  deemed  unworkable.  The 
Standing  Committee  on  Campus 
Ministries  had  recommended  that 
$21,465  earmarked  for  regional 
(cluster)  meetings  of  campus  min- 
isters be  used  for  racial  ethnic 
campus  ministries. 

The  synod  works  with  a  two- 
part  budget  made  up  of  governance 
and  mission.  Meetings  are  funded 
from  the  governance  budget,  in- 
come for  which  comes  from  per 
capita  payments  from  the  presby- 
teries. Campus  ministries  are 
funded  from  the  mission  budget. 

Finance  Committee  Chair  Fred 
Ward  and  Synod  Executive  Carroll 
Jenkins  said  that  funds  from  the 
governance  budget  cannot  be  used 
for  mission  programming.  Jenkins 
suggested  that  the  assembly  direct 
the  council  to  look  for  "salvage" 
(unused)  money  in  the  mission  bud- 
get and  redirect  it  for  use  with 
racial  ethnic  campus  ministries. 

Standing  committee  chair 
Peggy  Woods,  an  elder  from 
Roanoke,  Va.,  made  the  motion 
and  it  passed. 

Inequity  in  the  funding  of  ra- 
cial ethnic  campus  ministries  was 
one  of  the  major  points  made  by 
the  S3niod's  Black  Caucus  after 
African  American  commissioners 
walked  out  of  last  October's  as- 
sembly in  Richmond.  Some  com- 
missioners to  the  1996  assembly 
were  obviously  frustrated  that 
they  could  not  begin  to  answer 
that  criticism. 

"If  it  had  been  in  our  power  to 


rectify  the  discrepancy  of  funds 
going  to  African  American  cam- 
pus ministries,  we  would  have 
voted  to  do  so,"  said  minister  com- 
missioner Rufus  C.  McClean  Jr. 
from  Monroe,  N.C.  "I  would  like 
the  synod  body  to  know  that  we 
tried  to  do  our  best  working  with 
what  we  had  to  work  with." 

Budgets  should  fit 
mission  priorities 

The  assembly  approved  the  1997 
synod  mission  budget  of 
$1,468,183,  but  asked  that  the 
1998  planning  budget  for  mission 
be  reconsidered. 

The  Standing  Committee  on 
Finance  recommended  —  and  the 
assembly  approved  —  that  future 
mission  budgets  be  based  more 
on  the  synod's  mission  statement 
and  less  on  historical  precedence. 
"We  need  a  process  of  looking  at 
our  priorities  and  seeing  if  our 
financial  figures  reflect  those  pri- 
orities," said  committee  chair,  the 
Rev.  John  M.  Willingham  of 
Matthews,  N.C. 

Also  approved  was  a  1997 
synod  governance  budget  of 
$872,188  and  a  fee  to  the  presby- 
teries of  $2.45  per  church  mem- 
ber to  finance  it. 

The  assembly  also  endorsed 
planning  in  progress  which  may 
lead  to  the  creation  of  a  Korean- 
language  presbytery  within  the 
synod.  That  process  and  contin- 
ued emphasis  on  the  issue  of  rac- 
ism were  the  top  priorities  named 
for  the  Racial  Ethnic  Ministries 
portion  of  synod's  mission. 


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Occoquan.  An  evening 
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Westminster  at  Lake  Ridge 
residents  enjoy  all  of  the  culture  and 
conveniences  of  the  nation's  most 
exciting  metropolitan  area,  just  30 
minutes  away,  as  well  as  the  quiet 
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Value,   imagine  spacious  and  charming 

apartment  or  cottage  living,  free 
J"^.  1  worries  of  home 

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^^■H^V    Delicious  dining,  scheduled 
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Life  Care,  imagine 

feeling  the  peace  of  mind 
that  comes  from  knowing 
your  future  is  secure;  that 
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loved  ones;  that  you  are  free  to  enjoy  life  to  the  ' 
fullest,  any  way  you  choose. 
This  is  the  peace  of  mind 
Life  Care  can  bring  to  you. 


Announcing  Plans 
For  40  New 
Apartment 
Residences. 

Westminster  at  Lake 
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now  being  accepted  for  a 
new  addition.  This  is  a  wonder- 
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Ridge,  ("all  tcxlay  for  rrore  details. 
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Q  Yes.  I  want  to  see  Westminster  at  Lake  Ridge  for  myself. 
Please  call  me  to  schedule  a  tour. 

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atLakeRidge 


12191  Clipper  Drive  =  Uke  Ridge,  Virginia  22192 

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Quick  and  easy  directions  to  Westminster  at  Lake  Ridge.  A  convenient  location  right  in  the  heart  of  Northern  Virginia.  T(Ae  95  South  J  0  minutes  beyond  495  at  Sprin^ld.  Exit  J  60  OccoqwmJLake  R 
to  Route  i  23  Turn  left  at  second  traffic  light  onto  Old  Bridge  Road.  Turn  right  onto  Clipper  Drive.  The  site  entrance  is  at  the  end  of  Clipper  Drive.  The  Marketing  Office  is  in  the  main  building  


?6ge  4,  Mi'i  Atlantic  P*resb3rterian,  September  1996 


Presbytery  committee  vindicates 
two  synod  commissioners 


RICHMOND,  Va.  —  A  special  dis- 
ciplinary committee  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  the  James  has  "com- 
pletel}^  vindicated  two  minister 
commissioners  to  the  209th  meet- 
ing of  the  SjTiod  of  the  Mid-Atlan- 
tic of  charges  that  they  behaved 
in  a  "racist,  ungodly,  unchristian 
and  unethical"  manner. 

The  Rev.  Cheryl  Duke  and  the 
Rev.  James  Payne  were  cleared  of 
all  accusations  made  in  a  letter 
from  the  Rev.  Warren  J.  Lesane 
Jr,  who  is  also  a  member  of  the 
presbjrtery.  Lesane  was  serving 
as  a  transitional  associate  execu- 
tive on  the  synod  staff  at  the  time 
of  the  Oct.  12-15,  1995,  synod 
meeting  in  Richmond. 

During  the  meeting  both  Duke 
and  Payne  requested  that  items 
from  the  omnibus  motion  of  Synod 
Council  actions  be  removed  for 
individual  consideration  by  the 
Synod  Assembly.  The  following 
morning,  all  African  American 
commissioners  walked  out  of  the 
meeting  in  protest  of  what  they 
termed  the  unjust  treatment  of 
Synod  Executive  Carroll  D. 
Jenkins  and  racist  behavior  in 


the  chxirch  in  general. 

In  Lesane's  Oct.  18,  1995,  let- 
ter to  the  Rev.  John  Rickard,  in- 
terim executive  of  the  presbytery, 
he  said  the  James  Presbytery  com- 
missioners' actions  during  the 
meeting  "sought  to  discredit  and 
challenge  both  the  authority  of 
the  synod  executive  and  synod 
council  in  matters  that  are 
uniquely  theirs  to  resolve.  The 
very  tone  of  the  questions  and 
comments  were  racist  in  my  as- 
sessment as  well  as  in  the  assess- 
ment of  other  black  and  white 
commissioners  present." 

Lesane  also  sent  copies  of  his 
letter  to  the  presbytery  council, 
the  presbyterj^s  commissioners 
and  all  African  American  com- 
missioners to  the  209th  Synod 
Assembly,  and  chairs  of  the 
synod's  and  presbytery's  black 
caucuses. 

In  the  wake  of  the  synod  meet- 
ing and  Lesane's  accusations,  the 
presbytery  ordered  a  six-month 
inquiry  into  the  charges.  That  re- 
port exonerated  Duke  and  Payne 
of  any  wrongdoing,  but  affirmed 
that  African  American 


sioners  "perceived"  some  actions 
at  the  meeting  as  racist. 

Noting  that  no  specific  evidence 
was  produced  to  support  the 
charges  of  racism,  Duke  and 
Pajrne  called  for  vindication,  a 
judicial  process  that  involves  the 
appointment  by  the  presbytery  of 
a  special  disciplinary  committee. 
The  five-member,  racially  mixed 
panel,  moderated  by  the  Rev. 
Nathan  Dell  of  Richmond,  re- 
viewed the  transcripts  of  tapes  of 
the  209th  Synod  Assembly  and 
heard  a  presentation  by  Lesane. 

In  its  report  dated  July  10,  the 
committee  stated  that  it  "finds 
that  the  records  show  no  evidence 
to  support  the  accusations  made 
by  Mr.  Lesane  against  Mrs.  Cheryl 
Duke  and  Mr.  James  Payne  .... 
The  committee  also  agrees  that 
no  evidence  was  given  by  Mr. 
Lesane  in  his  presentation  to  this 
committee  to  substantiate  the 
accusations." 

The  special  committee's  report 
to  the  presbs^tery,  which  is  non- 
debatable,  was  accepted  into  the 
record  of  the  presbytery's  Aug.  27 
meeting  at  Bon  Air  Church. 


Getting  in  the  spirit 


Emily  Flannagan  of  Byrd  Church  in  Goochland,  Va.,  was  one  of 
20  young  people  to  particpate  in  the  church's  vacation  Bible 
school  this  summer.  The  program  featured  "journeys"  around 
the  biblical  Middle  East  and  included  making  traditional 
Middle  Eastern  head  coverings  like  that  modeled  by  Emily. 


Presbyterian  ministers  lielped  Kmart  workers  gain  better  contract 


By  JULIAN  SHIPP 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

GREENSBORO,  N.C.— Four 
Presbyterian  pastors  among  the 
residents  here  are  excited  over 
the  ratification  July  25  of  a  new 
collective  bargaining  agreement 
by  members  of  the  Union  of 
Needletrades,  Industrial  and  Tex- 
tile Employees  (UNITE)  working 
at  the  Kmart  distribution  center. 

The  agreement  brings  to  an 
end  a  nearly  three-year  battle  that 
spilled  over  into  civil  disobedi- 
ence demonstrations  at  Kmart 
stores  by  Kmart  employees, 
Greensboro  religious  leaders  and 
community  supporters. 

The  Rev.  James  Herbert 

"  free  estimates  ~\ 

K  '  Stameci  (7tM«  ImMallaUOns  ■ 

I  'Stalasrf  GIa»a  ReBt»«Uol> 

P'^i^  -  A  &  H  x-vVv! 
UfRT  &  STAINED  GLASS,  j 


(TtVt)  546-2687 


Nelson  II,  the  Rev.  Thomas  K. 
Lane,  the  Rev.  Frank  M.  Dew  and 
the  Rev.  Zeb  N.  Holler  were  among 
the  Presbyterian  ministers  in- 
volved in  the  union  protests  as 
members  of  the  Greensboro  Pul- 
pit Forum,  a  predominantly  Afri- 
can-American ministerial  alli- 
ance. 

The  Kmart  shipping  workers 
said  they  were  paid  significantly 
less  than  their  Kmart  counter- 
parts in  other  parts  of  the  coun- 
try. They  complained  that  distri- 
bution center  employees  in 
Greensboro  earned  an  average  of 
$4.60  less  per  hour  than  employ- 
ees at  the  other  12  Kmart  distri- 
bution centers  across  the  nation. 

According  to  the  Pulpit  Forum, 
Greensboro  also  has  the  only  Kmart 
distribution  center  where  the  ma- 
jority of  workers  are  minorities  and 
where  workers  received  fewer  ben- 
efits than  employees  at  any  of  the 
other  centers. 

Workers  at  the  Kmart  distri- 
bution center  in  Greensboro  first 
voted  for  union  representation  in 
September  of  1993.  In  April  of  the 


following  year,  64  workers  were 
arrested  after  participating  in  a 
sit-in  demonstration  at  the 
Greater  Greensboro  Open,  a  golf 
tournament  sponsored  by  Kmart. 

Last  November,  Pulpit  Forum 
members  endorsed  a  boycott 
against  area  Kmart  stores  to  sup- 
port the  workers.  Ministers,  work- 
ers and  community  activists  par- 
ticipated in  civil  disobedience 
demonstrations  over  the  next  sev- 
eral months.  More  than  150 
people,  including  Nelson,  Lane 
and  Holler,  were  arrested. 

"I  feel  good  that  the  workers 
came  to  an  agreement  with  a  con- 
tract and  that  Kmart  finally  ne- 
gotiated in  good  faith,"  Nelson 
said.  "I  think  that  this  also  estab- 
lishes for  us,  and  I  think  for  the 
nation,  a  model  for  a  new  way  of 
advocating  for  the  rights  of  work- 
ers and  for  fairness  in  wages  in 
the  workplace." 

Lane  credited  the  religious  and 
secular  communities  for  their  sup- 
port of  the  workers  during  the 
demonstrations  and  praised  their 
efforts  to  keep  the  boycott  in  the 


Live  where 
Learning  Is 
A  Lifelong 

PURSUITJ 


Retirement  at  Westminster-Canterbury 
of  the  Blue  Ridge  is  a  learning  experience 
—  from  continuing  education  programs 
to  cultural  activities,  there's  always  some- 
thmg  new  to  stimulate  your  mind. 

Of  course,  the  body  needs  attention 
too,  so  there  are  also  trails,  gardens,  a 
pool,  and  an  exercise  area.  And  as  a  con- 
tinuing care  retirement  community,  we 
offer  the  assurance  of  knowing  your 
health  needs  will  be  met,  no  matter  how 
they  might  change. 

In  life,  there's  always  more  to  learn.  Call 
or  write  us  today  for  more  information. 


Mail  to:  250  Pantops  Mountain  Road,  CharlottesviUe.VA  22911 


ipirit  ot  U.S.  ^o'"^  'O 


national  spotlight. 

"I  think  that  in  general  there 
was  a  lot  of  feeling  in  Greensboro 
that  it  was  really  important  for 
the  community  to  begin  to  try  to 
set  what  are  acceptable  norms  for 
treating  people  in  the  workplace," 
Lane  said.  "The  community  was 
supportive,  but  especially  the 
church  community.  I  felt,  for  ex- 
ample, that  Salem  Presb3^ery,  our 
presbytery,  was  very  supportive." 

Pressure  was  also  exerted  by 
the  208th  General  Assembly 
(1996),  which  adopted  a  resolu- 
tion expressing  concern  over  the 
Kmart  labor  dispute  and  hinting 
at  a  possible  boycott  of  the  giant 
retailer  and  sell-off  of  stock  if  the 
dispute  was  not  settled  by  the  end 
of  the  year. 

The  denomination  holds 
202,000  shares  of  Kmart  stock 
worth  approximately  $1.2  million. 

"The  action  that  the  General 
Assembly  took  was  very  impor- 
tant," Dew  said.  "And  we  as  Pres- 
b5i;erians  here  felt  very  proud  of 
that  and  felt  it  was  instrumental 


in  the  contract  [negotiations]." 

According  to  UNITE  spokes- 
person Ben  Hensler,  the  main  fea- 
tures of  the  new  agreement  in- 
clude pay  increases  ranging  from 
22  percent  to  52  percent  over  the 
next  12  months,  a  $2.50  increase 
in  the  top  wage,  two  new  paid 
holidays  per  year,  and  increases 
in  paid  sick  leave. 

The  union  did  not  get  every- 
thing it  wanted.  Top  wages  are 
still  $2  an  hour  less  than  the 
Kmart  distribution  center  aver- 
age nationwide,  according  to 
Bruce  Raynor,  executive  vice 
president  and  Southern  regional 
director  of  UNITE.  Nevertheless, 
he  was  upbeat  about  the  deal. 

"This  is  an  excellent  new  con- 
tract," said  Raynor.  "It  was  a  long, 
tough  battle,  but  the  Kmart  work- 
ers, with  the  tremendous  support 
from  the  Greensboro  community, 
were  able  to  force  the  company  to 
'agree  to  a  contract  that  offers  them 
the  highest  wage  increases  that 
any  hardline  distribution  center 
has  ever  received." 


Foundation  receipts 

in  synod  total  $7.3  million 


The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
Foundation  reports  that  during 
1995  new  account  receipts  totaled 
$7,323,605  in  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic. 

The  amount  includes  deferred 
gifts,  investment  management 
accoimts  and  bequests  processed 
through  the  foundation's  four  de- 
velopment officers  serving  the 
sjmod.  The  four  officers  meet  with 
individuals  about  planned  gifts 
and  wills;  visit  with  pastors,  ses- 
sion and  church  committees;  and 
work  with  institutional  and  other 
governing  body  staff. 

According  to  the  foundation,  a 
growing  number  of  churches 
throughout  the  synod  have  had 
wills  emphasis  and  planned  giv- 
ing seminars,  begun  investment 
accounts  for  reserve  and  restricted 
funds,  and  developed  endowment 
programs. 

Across  the  denomination,  more 
than  $100  million  is  now  received 
annually  from  bequests,  "evidence 
the  foundation's  wills  emphasis 


program  is  bearing  fniit  that  will 
positively  impact  funding  of  mis- 
sion at  all  levels  of  the  church." 

Primary  foundation  services 
focus  on  the  areas  of  wills  empha- 
sis; life  income  plans  such  as 
trusts  and  annuities;  endowment 
program  and  planning;  and  in- 
vestment management  of  reserve 
and  restricted  fimds. 

The  foundation  development 
officers  in  the  synod  are: 

Riley  McDonald  serving  the 
presbyteries  of  New  Castle,  Bal- 
timore and  National  Capital 
(phone  410  381-0689); 

John  Pilutti  serving  presby- 
teries of  New  Hope,  Coastal  Caro- 
lina and  Eastern  Virginia  (phone 
919  231-9524); 

Douglas  Aitken  serving  pres- 
byteries of  Charlotte,  Salem  and 
Western  North  Carolina  (phone 
910  672-6042);  and 

Jan  Schneider  serving  presby- 
teries of  Abingdon,  The  James, 
The  Peaks  and  Shenandoah 
(phone  540  949-5590). 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Septer , 


Education  News 


Frances  Brock  receives  Bowen  Award 

RALEIGH,  N.C.  —  Frances  Williams  Brock,  director  of  Christian 
Education  at  the  Red  Springs  (N.C.)  Church,  received  the  Margaret 
Bowen  Award  from  St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College  during  the 
210th  Synod  Assembly  here  July  26.  The  presentation  was  made  by 
Larry  Schulz,  vice  president  for  academic  affairs. 

A  1957  graduate  of  Flora  Macdonald  College,  Brock  was  born  in 
Emporia,  Va.,  and  grew  up  in  First  Church  of  Emporia.  A  member  of 
the  staff  of  the  Red  Springs  Church  for  the  past  38  years,  she  has  also 
served  as  advisor  to  youth  programs  and  manager  of  general  admin- 
istration. When  the  church  was  without  a  pastor,  she  provided  lead- 
ership and  direction.  "Frances  Brock's  dedication  is  unquestionable 
and  unsurpassed,"  said  Robert  G.  Hall,  a  former  pastor  of  the  Red 
Springs  Church. 

The  Bowen  Award  is  given  annually  to  a  professional  or  lay  person 
who  has  made  a  distinctive  contribution  to  Christian  education. 
Bowen  served  on  the  faculty  of  Flora  Macdonald  College  and  later  St. 
Andrews  Presbyterian  College. 

Hampden-Sydney  says  'no'  to  women 

Hampden-Sydney  College  announced  Aug.  20  that  it  will  continue  its 
221-year  tradition  of  not  admitting  women.  The  college's  trustees  also 
announced  plans  to  raise  millions  of  dollars  to  better  advertise  the 
unique  attributes  of  the  college. 

"The  college,  one  of  only  three  all-male  private  institutions  in  the 
nation,  offers  young  men  a  choice  to  be  educated  in  a  single-sex 
atmosphere,  just  as  the  many  all-female  institutions  offer  a  choice 
over  coeducation,"  said  William  Boinest,  trustees  chairman. 

H-SC  President  Samuel  Wilson  said  supporters  vnll  be  called  on  to 
contribute  several  million  dollars  to  improve  the  marketing  of  the 
school  and  fund  attention-drawing  s3Tnposiums. 

Koreans  visit  Peace  College 

RALEIGH,  N.C.  —  Twelve  guests  from  the  Suhnam  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Kwang-ju,  Korea,  visited  the  Peace  Collfege  campus  on 
July  31  during  a  visit  made  possible  through  the  Korean  Exchange 
Program  of  First  Church  of  Raleigh.  Dr.  Ryan  Keun  Nam,  elder 
chairperson  of  the  Korean  church,  led  the  group  which  consisted 
mostly  of  upperclass  and  graduate  students  in  Korean  colleges. 

Grants,  donations  received 

Davidson  College  has  received  a  four-year,  $650,000  grant  from  the 
Howard  Hughes  Medical  Institute.  It  will  allow  for  the  purchase  of 
^  new  state-of-the-art  laboratory  equipment,  will  fund  undergraduate 
summer  research  projects,  and  wall  be  used  to  launch  initiatives 
designed  to  interest  women  and  minority  students  in  the  life  sciences. 

St.  Andrews  Presbjrterian  College  has  received  a  $147,437 
grant  from  the  National  Science  Foundation,  which  wall  allow  faculty 
and  students  to  design  a  two-part  course  for  non-science  majors  that 
combines  math  and  sciences  as  they  relate  to  todays  public  issues.  The 
new,  integrated  math  and  science  general  education  course,  to  be 
offered  in  the  fall,  will  be  the  first  of  its  kind  at  the  college  level. 

The  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education  has  received 
$25,000  from  Mrs.  L.  O.  Brown  Jr.  of  Roanoke,  Va.,  to  establish  an 
endowed  scholarship  in  memory  of  her  husband,  a  member  of  Second 
Church  of  Roanoke  who  died  in  1995.  Earlier  donations  by  the  Brown 
family  established  the  Mary  Patsel  Brown  Endowed  Scholarship 
Fund  in  1976  and  funded  the  Patsel  Room  in  Paisley  Hall  in  1978. 

Staff  and  faculty  changes 

Ernest  E.  Jeffries  joined  the  staff  of  Davidson  College  as  assistant 
dean  of  students  and  director  of  minority  affairs  on  June  10.  In 
addition  to  his  duties  as  minority  students  adviser,  Jeffries  will  assist 
the  dean  of  students  in  various  student  affairs  matters. 

Siisan  Wentz  has  been  named  director  of  aluiqp  affairs  at  St. 
Andrews  Presbyterian  College.  A  15-year  veteran  of  St.  Andrews, 
Wentz  has  served  as  director  of  special  events  and  also  has  been 
director  of  the  St.  Andrews  Institute  for  Lifelong  Learning  since  its 
inception  in  1992. 


PSCE  Dean  of  Faculty  James  Brashler  (far  right)  speaks  during  the  Aug.  8  discussion  on  church- 
related  higher  education  at  Massanetta  Springs.  Others  on  the  panel  include,  from  left,  the  Rev. 
George  Conn,  Barber-Scotia  President  Sammie  Potts,  Eastern  Mennonite  University  President 
Joseph  Lapp,  and  Mary  Baldwin  College  President  Cynthia  Tyson. 

Educators  support  church  relationship 


continued  from  page  1 

Tyson  described  Mary  Baldwin 
College's  relationship  to  the 
church  as  somewhere  midway 
between  "strong"  and  "vague." 
Because  the  private  school  draws 
its  students  from  a  relatively 
small  percentage  of  the  popula- 
tion, Presbyterians  are  not  a  ma- 
jority of  Mary  Baldwin's  enroll- 
ment. Nevertheless,  the  college's 
Presbyterian  relationship  is  im- 
portant, said  Tyson.  "Although  we 
have  people  from  every  denomi- 
nation ...  mainly  we  are  Presbyte- 
rian and  our  values  are  expressed 
through  the  way  we  live  our  lives . " 

James  Brashler,  dean  of  fac- 
ulty at  the  Presbyterian  School  of 
Christian  Education  in  Richmond, 
Va.,  said  the  graduate  school  was 
"orphaned"  by  the  1983  reunion 
which  formed  the  PC(USA).  Prior 
to  that  time,  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.)  had  provided  50 
percent  of  the  school's  income. 
After  reunion,  that  amount  fell  to 
less  than  seven  percent  and  the 
school  has  had  to  "do  more  with 
less." 

"We  have  to  do  more  because 
the  students  we  receive  now  ... 
often  come  to  us  with  symptoms 
of  a  widespread  disease  among 
Presbyterians.  It's  called  biblical 
and  theological  illiteracy  ...  They 
come  to  us  in  many  cases  with 
only  a  very  limited  experience  of 
the  traditions  of  the  church  ...  So 
our  task  is  to  work  with  them  and 
seek  to  instill  in  them  the  values, 
the  mission,  the  understanding  of 
Christian  discipleship  that  is  at 
the  heart  of  the  Presbyterian 
School  of  Christian  Education." 

After  a  year  of  "visioning," 
I  PSCE  has  established  six  initia- 


tives for  the  future.  They  are  a  re- 
committing PSCE  to  artful,  cre- 
ative teaching;  requiring  a  course 
on  Christian  spirituality;  assess- 
ing values  in  the  media;  provid- 
ing training  for  lay  volunteers  so 
they  will  be  better  Christian  lead- 
ers in  their  churches;  re-empha- 
sizing tradition  of  preparing  per- 
sons from  other  cultures  and  na- 
tions; and  deepening  and 
strengthening  the  emphasis  on 
Christian  education  for  the  whole 
family. 

"Education  is  under  pressure 
in  oior  time  as  perhaps  it  has  never 
been  before,"  said  Brashler.  "The 
bankruptcy  of  much  secular  edu- 
cation has  become  visible  even 
though  its  costs  have  continued 
to  rise.  The  limited  resources  that 
are  available  to  Christian  colleges 
through  official  denominational 
channels  . . .  continue  to  be  limited 
...  Hence,  it  will  be  necessary  for 
Christian  colleges  to  establish 
their  unique  identity  and  mission 
and  rally  the  support  of  people 
who  believe  that  God  is  at  work  in 
Christian  colleges  and  theologi- 
cal institutions  ..." 

"Education  has  been  the  bed- 
rock of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
...  and  we  seem  to  have  lost  sight 
of  that,"  said  Conn  during  his  clos- 
ing remarks.  Noting  that  a  plant 
without  roots  dies,  he  added,  "... 
if  the  Presbyterian  Church  doesn't 
recover  the  roots  of  higher  educa- 
tion ..."  the  same  will  happen  to 
the  church. 

Brashler  added  a  more  opti- 
mistic footnote.  "Despite  some  of 
the  realistic  and  heavy  concerns 
that  we  put  before  you  this  morn- 
ing," he  said,  "there  are  unbeliev- 
ably dedicated,  highly  qualified. 


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a  travel  seminar  offered  by  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia 


THE      MIDDLE  EAST 

Egypt  Israel,  the  West  Bank,  and  Jordan 

January  3-24,  1997 

Observe  first  hand  the  contennporary  manifestations  of  Islam,  Judaism,  and  Christianity.  Talk  with 
religious  and  political  leaders  regarding  the  quest  for  peace  in  this  troubled  region.  The  itinerary 
includes  sites  in  Jordan  (Amman.  Petra);  Egypt  (Cairo,  Luxor,  and  Karnak);  Israel  (Galilee,  Jerusalem, 
Bethlehem.  Qumran.  Masada).  Leading  the  seminar  are  members  of  Union's  Old  Testament  faculty 
Dean  McBride.  Sibley  Towner,  and  William  Brown. 

Cost"  $3000  (Richmond-Cairo-Richmond,  all  expenses  except  mid-day  meal) 
Information:  Jill  Torbett  800.229.2990,  ext.  280  (toll  free),  or  278.4280  (local) 

^  ^         ^         ^         ^         ^  ^  ^ 


highly  motivated  men  and  women 
who  are  applying  to  our  schools 
for  further  training  and  educa- 
tion so  that  they  can  be  faithful 
servants  and  disciples.  They  are 
the  hope  of  the  church's  future 
and  there  are  many  signs  of  hope 
as  well  as  concern." 

Joseph  Lapp,  president  of  East- 
em  Mennonite  University  in  Har- 
risonburg, also  participated  in  the 
discussion. 


A  Little-Known  Fact  About 
Westminster-Canterbury- 


...swin£sin0  is  allowed! 

Whether  you  want  to  swing 
a  club,  swim  a  lop,  sing  o  hymn 
or  practicolly  onything  else  that 
constitutes  an  activity  for  body, 
mind,  or  spirit,  you'll  find  it  at 
Westminster-Canterbury. 

You  will  also  find  on-site  assisted 
living  .  nursing  care  and  a 
resident  clinic.  In  other  words, 
lifecare.  all  under  one  roof,  oil 
located  right  on  flie  spectacular 
Chesapeake  Bay. 

To  receive  our  comprehensive 
information  packet,  please 
mail  the  coupon  or  call  our 
admissions  counselor.  Sherry  O' 
Shell,  at  1-757-496-1 14«  or  1-800- 
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I  Name  


Mid  At iantic  Presbyterian,  September  1996 


Union  Tlieolc^cal  Seminaiy 

^  IN  VIRGINIA 


Union's  185th  Year  Begins 
with  a  Great  New  Class 


Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  begins  its 
185th  year  with  72  new  students,  among  them  43  Master 
of  Divinity  students.  Total  enrollment  in  Union's  six  degree 
programs  is  expected  to  be  about  250  students. 

New  M.Div.  students,  the  Class  of  1999,  include  recent 
graduates  of  colleges  and  universities  with  strong  ties  to 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  to  Union.  Davidson, 
Hampden-Sydney,  King,  Montreal,  Mary  Baldwin, 
Princeton,  and  Rhodes  are  all  represented.  Among  the 
second-career  students  new  this  year  are  a  college 
professor,  a  medical  technologist,  a  chemical  engineer, 
who  is  from  Romania,  and  a  recent  immigrant  from  Ghana 
who  already  leads  a  significant  ministry  among  African 
immigrants  in  the  Washington,  D.C.,  area. 

Says  seminary  president  Louis  Weeks,  "I'm  pleased 
with  the  results  of  our  admissions  effort  this  year,  and  the 
collaboration  of  so  many  alumni,  alumnae,  and  Key 
Friends  in  securing  an  excellent  entering  class  .  .  .  The 
numbers  are  good  this  year,  but  more  significant  than  the 
numbers  is  the  initial  evidence  of  gifts  for  ministry  among 
those  choosing  to  study  at  Union." 


Tom  Maxshaix,  Wilson, 
North  Carouna.  "I  grew 
up  only  three  blocks 
from  here  .  .  .  Ginter 
Park  Presbyterian 
Church  met  in 
Schauffler Hall,  sol 
grew  up  going  to 
church  on  this  campus. 
All  my  best  friends  were 
sons  and  daughters  of 
faculty  members.  I  was 
looking  for  a  school 
with  a  sense  of 
community  .  .  .  and  I 
was  impressed  that 
Union  is  an  old 
institution  with  a  long 
tradition  .  .  .  The  lure 
was  too  strong  not  to 
come  here. "  Home 
church:  First  Presby- 
terian Church,  Wilson. 


September  1996 


that 


Eniko  Ferenczy,  Secuiesc,  Romania.  "I am  uilcrestcil  in  yonlh 
ministry,  because  it  is  completely  lacking  in  our  church.  A  PCUSA 
missionary  suggested  I  try  a  seminary  in  the  states.  I  chose  Union 
because  of  its  academics  and  its  Reformed  tradition.  Also  the 
strength  of  practical  ministry  here,  on  how  congregations  work,  is 
important  to  me  .  .  .  Back  home  the  stress  is  on  the  theoretical. " 
Home  church:  Reformed  Cm'tui  of  Odorhew,  Romania. 


Henry  RjrvERs, 
Charleston,  South 
Carolina.  "Much  of  my 
background  is  in 
Christian  education  .  , 
I  wanted  t 

on  a  professional  level.  I 
chose  Union  because  of 
Its  dual  degree  program 
with  PSCE  and  its  center 
foraging.  "Home 
church:  Herttage 
Presbyierian  Church, 
Charleston. 


Candace  Worth, 
Raleigh,  North 
Carolina.  "This  wi 
the  last  plac 
I  wanted  to  be  .  .  . 
Because  I  went  to 
Davidson,  I  was 
expected  to  come 
here  .  .  .  But  I  came 
to  campus  and  talked 
with  Louis  Weeks  .  .  . 
and  saw  that  he  wants 
the  school  to  be 
involved  in  the  com- 
munity in  which  it's 
located  and  with  the 
area  churches.  Union 
IS  teaching  students 
to  be  involved  in 
ministry  along  with 
strong  academic 
preparation. "  Home 
cjiuRcii:  First  Presey- 
TERiAN  Church,  Raleigh. 


Chip  O'Brien, 
North  Myrtle 
Beach,  SC.  l  came 
to  Union  because  I 
went  to  Hampden- 
Sydney  .  .  .  The 
teachers  I  most 
admired  there  had 
an  M.Div.  from 

church:  Collegi: 
Church,  Hampdex 


SPECIAL  PROGRAMS 

FOR  ALUMNI/AE  AND 

FRIENDS  OF  UTS 

Presbyterians  in  Appalachia: 
History,  Songs,  and  Stories 

Saturday,  November  9, 1996 

Royal  Oak  Presbyterian  Church,  Marion,  Virginia 

An  all-day  program  including  presentations,  talipes, 
authentic  mountain  music,  shape-note  singing,  story-telling 

Featuring  James  Smylie,  emeritus  professor  of  church 
history;  Jamie  McDonald,  Scottish  studies  scholar  and  singer; 
and  Union  alumni  Bryan  Childress  and  Wiley  Mayo  (ivith 
the  Rock  Mountain  Ramblers) 

COST:  $7. 50  per  person,  includes  hearty  country  lunch 
(UTS  alumni/ae  and  students  $5  per  person) 

REGISTRATION:  Linda  Smalley,  800.229.2990, 
ext.  265  (toll free),  or 278.4265  (local) 


Holocaust  Memorial  Museum 

Saturday,  November  16,  1996 
WASHINGrON,  D.  C. 

Study  excursion  led  by  Donald  Daive,  emeritus  professor 
of  systematic  theology 

COST:  $30  per  person,  includes  bus  transportation  and 
box  lunch  (UTS  alumni/ae  and  students  $25per person) 

REGISTRATION:  Linda  Smalley,  800.229.2990, 
ext.  265  (toll free),  or 278.4265  Gocal) 


Union  Joins  Presbyterian  Publishing  Venture 


Union  Seminary  has  joined  with  the  Presbyterian 
Publishing  Corporation,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  to  launch 
Geneva  Press.  The  company  publishes  books  specifically 
intended  for  the  Presbyterian  Church  (USA)  and  its 
members.  Books  from  Geneva  Press  will  be  devoted  to 
works  in  the  Reformed  tradition  dealing  with  the  history, 
polity,  theology,  worship,  and  Christian  education  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (USA). 

Seminary  president  Louis  B.  Weeks  is  a  member  of 


the  editorial  advisory  board,  along  with  seminary  faculty 
members  Robert  Benedetto,  Douglas  Ottati,  and  Beverly 
Zink-Sawyer.  Other  members  include  John  Buchanan, 
pastor  of  Fourth  Presbyterian  Church,  Chicago,  and 
moderator  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (USA);  Ann  Weems, 
Presbyterian  poet  and  lecturer;  and  Stacy  Johnson  of 
Austin  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary.  Editor  of 
Geneva  Press  is  Lindajo  McKim,  editor  of  The  Presbyterian 
Hymnal,  and  an  ordained  Presbyterian  n 


Doctoral  Student 
Awarded  Fulbright 
Scholarship 

Nancy  C.  Lee,  Ph.D. 
candidate  in  Old  Testa- 
ment at  Union  Seminary, 
has  been  awarded  a 
Fulbright  Scholarship  to 
Croatia  for  1996/97.  The 
scholarship  will  assist 
her  in  research  for  her 
dissertation  project, 
"Lamentations:  Jeru- 
salem, Sarajevo,  and  the 
former  Yugoslavia 
Under  Siege."  In  the 
project,  she  will  analyze 
the  role  of  lament  in 
worship  liturgy  and 
poetry  among  the 
different  ethno-religious 

groups  in  the  context  of  war  in  the  former  Yugoslavia. 

While  in  Croatia,  she  will  teach  a  course  in  Old 
Testament  at  the  Josip  J.  Strossmayer  University  in  Osijek, 
Croatia.  She  will  also  be  associated  with  the 
interdenominational  Evangelical  Theological  Seminary  in 
Osijek. 

Ms.  Lee  received  a  bachelor's  degree  from  the 
University  of  North  Carolina-Chapel  Hill  and  master's 
degrees  from  Southeastern  Baptist  Seminary  in  Wake 
Forest  and  Columbia  Seminary  in  Decatur,  Georgia.  She 
was  formeriy  assistant  minister  at  University  Baptist  Church 
in  Chapel  Hill  and  is  currently  assistant  editor  and  a  writer 
for  Focus  magazine  at  Union  Seminary.  A  member  of 
Grace  Baptist  Church  in  Richmond,  she  is  the  daughter  of 
Charies  and  Melrose  Lee  of  Lillington,  North  Carolina. 


Nancy  C.  Lee 


PAID  FOR  BY  FRIENDS  AND  SUPPORTERS  OF  UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  [N  VIRGINIA 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  1996,  Page  7 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps  —  Lesson  Two,  October  1996 

Encounters  With  Jesus  —  Chapter  Two 
'Encountering  Jesus  Through  His  Baptism  and  Testing' 


By  the  Rev.  Dr.  CAROL  T.  "PINKY"  BENDER 

Baptism  and  Testing  ...  a  combination  we  don't 
often  link  together... except  in  the  gospel  accounts  of 
the  beginning  of  Jesus'  ministry.  Hardly  ever  in  a 
modern  worship  service  do  we  hear  a  minister  talk 
about  the  testing  or  the  temptation  of  the  person 
being  baptized.  Yet  here  they  are  ...  baptism  and 
testing  ...  that  very  association  of  two 
unlikely  aspects  as  they  relate  to  Jesus 
and  his  ministry. 

If  your  circle  would  like  to  divide  this 
session  into  two  (as  suggested  by  Sara 
Covin  Juengst,  author  o{ Encounters  With 
Jesus:  The  Gospel  According  to  Matthew), 
you  will  want  to  resesirch  the  Sacrament 
of  Baptism  as  it  is  celebrated  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  (U.S.A.)  The  Book  of 
Common  Worship  (Louisville: 
Westminster/John  Knox  Press,  1993)  be- 
gins the  section  on  baptism  on  page  403 
and  includes  "Baptism"  and  "Reaffirma- 
tion of  the  Baptismal  Covenant,"  page 
431,  continuing  through  page  488  with 
renewal  services  for  many  different  occa- 
sions. (See  also  "Suggestions  for  Leaders,"  page  84 
under  "Using  Our  Insights.") 

Use  the  PC(USA)  Book  of  Order 

Another  resource  on  baptism  is  The  Constitution 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.  S.  A.)  Part  II.  Book  of 
Order  (Louisville:  Office  of  the  General  Assembly), 
the  section  on  baptism.  This  includes  the  questions 
asked  to  the  congregation  during  the  Sacrament  of 
Baptism  as  they  accept  responsibility  to  help  the 
parents  in  the  "nurture  and  admonition"  of  raising 
the  child. 

As  you  continue  to  study  this  Gospel  of  Matthew 
using  Juengst's  study  book  as  a  guide,  I  hope  you 
have  chosen  one  commentary  to  read  in  its  entirety. 
I  am  about  half  way  through  Hare's  volume  in  the 
"Interpretation"  series  and  find  it  extremely  enrich- 
ing. 

An  additional  "assignment"  for  this  study  came 
from  the  author  when  she  spoke  at  the  South  Caro- 
lina Presbyterian  Women's  Gathering  at  Presbyte- 
rian College  in  Clinton,  S.C.,  last  June.  She  sug- 
gested taking  a  study  Bible  and  reading  the  Gospel 
of  Matthew,  looking  up  every  cross  reference  you 
encounter!  (My  suggestion  given  last  month  to  read 
Matthew  in  one  sitting  was  just  a  beginning!)  This 
is  NOT  a  "one  sitting"  task,  but  it  is  one  that  will 
help  you  tie  Matthew  together  with  the  entire  Bible. 
(I  am  using  the  Harper  Collins  Study  Bible  which 
has  excellent  notes  "put  together"  by  Society  for 
Biblical  Literature  scholars  in  1993,  using  the  New 
Revised  Standard  Version.) 

Now ...  on  to  Matthew  3: 1-17!  As  you  think  about 
this  passage,  begin  by  asking,  "What  does  'has  come 
near'  or  'is  at  hand'  mean?"  If  you  had  to  describe 
someone  who  has  come  near  or  is  at  hand,  where 
would  they  be?  What  would  be  the  approximate 
distance  away  from  you?  How  much  closer  would 
they  have  to  come  to  be  right  beside  you?  Matthew 
uses  these  terms  again  and  again,  so  now  is  a  good 
time  to  try  to  grasp  the  meaning. 

John  the  wild-looking  man! 

John  the  Baptist  reminds  us  of  the  prophet  Elijah. 
Using  II  Kings  1:8  and  Zechariah  13:4,  compare  the 
appearance  of  John  with  that  of  Elijah  who  was 
expected  to  come  back  before  the  "day  of  the  Lord," 
a  concept  often  looked  forward  to  by  God's  people 
until  the  prophets  told  them  they,  too,  wovdd  stand 
in  judgment ...  that  God  was  not  going  to  "zap"  their 
enemies  and  leave  God's  people  unscathed. 

Matthew  makes  at  least  two  parallels  in  this  ' 
passage.  Note  in  verse  two,  John  calls  for  repen- 
tance . . .  which  is  realized  when  the  "people  of  Jerusa- 
lem and  all  Judea  ...  and  all  the  region  along  the 
Jordan"  were  baptized,  confessing  their  sins.  Thus 
the  call  for  repentance  is  acknowledged  during  the 
baptismal  service.  Another  parallel  is  Matthew's 
declaration  of  a  forerunner  (verse  three)  who  pre- 
pares "the  way  of  the  Lord,"  a  concept  confirmed  in 
verses  11  and  12. 

In  the  midst  of  the  crowd  presenting  themselves 
for  baptism  came  "many  Pharisees  and  Sadducees." 
Why  wasn't  John  glad  to  see  them  coming  for  this 
service  of  repentance  and  renewal?  Was  he  judging 
them  by  their  "fruit?"  Why  does  he  attack  these 
religious  leaders?  Could  it  be  that  their  "walk" 
didn't  match  their  "talk?"  The  Pharisees  were  known 
to  be  politically  and  socially  conservative  and  theo- 
logically liberal  while  the  Sadducees  were  politi- 
cally and  socially  liberal  and  theologically  conser- 
vative. With  those  attributes,  the  two  groups  pre- 
sented quite  a  bit  of  opposition  to  Jesus  and  are  seen 
by  Matthew  most  often  as  the  "enemy."  Whatever 
their  motives  for  presenting  themselves  for  bap- 


tism, John  doesn't  mince  words  in  denouncing  them 
as  poisonous  snakes! 

What  kind  of  fire? 

When  John  speaks  of  Jesus  baptizing  with  "the 
Holy  Spirit  and  fire,"  (verse  11)  what  kind  of  fire  do 
you  picture?  A  refining  fire  that  will  scorch  off"  the 
rough  edges  or  a  consuming  fire  that  will  destroy? 

How  have  you  experienced  God's  refining 
fire  in  your  life?  How  did  it  appear?  What 
were  the  results? 

Another  idea  that  you  may  want 
to  discuss  is  the  idea  of  "righteousness." 
What  does  this  word  mean  to  you?  What 
does  it  mean  to  "fulfill  all  righteousness," 
as  expressed  by  Jesus  in  verse  15?  One  of 
the  definitions  for  righteousness  could  be 
right  conduct  in  accordance  with  God's 
will  as  revealed  in  Scripture,  i.e.  Matthew 
1:19;  5:10,  17-20. 

Matthew  closes  this  passage  by  having 
the  other  two  persons  of  the  Trinity  affirm 
Jesus'  baptism.  The  Spirit  of  God  descended 
and  the  voice  of  God  was  heard. 

As  you  conclude  the  study  of  Jesus' 
ism,  this  would  be  a  wonderful  opportunity  to 
ask  members  of  the  group  to  reflect  on  baptismal 
experiences  they  have  had.  Most  of  us  can't  remem- 
ber our  own  baptisms  if  we  received  infant  baptism, 
but  perhaps  someone  else's  baptism  was  significant 
to  us.  Allow  time  for  sharing  about  this  important 
sacrament  in  the  life  of  the  church. 

Temptations  of  Jesus 

J ust  when  we  thought  we  could  sit  back  and  bask 
in  the  well-being  provided  through  the  closing  words 
of  Matthew,  chapter  two,  we  are  confronted  with  the 
same  Spirit  of  God  leading  Jesus  "into  the  wilder- 
ness to  be  tempted  by  the  devil."  (4:1)  This  opening 
statement  is  powerful!  We  tend  to  think  of  the  Spirit 
as  the  agent  through  whom  we  can  seek  guidance 
and  comfort,  not  someone  who  will  lead  "into  temp- 
tation." We  count  on  the  Spirit  to  help  keep  us  from 
falling  into  temptation. 

About  this  unsettling  idea,  Juengst  says  on  page 
12:  "The  Christian  journey  does  not  end  with  bap- 
tism, however.  We  face  temptations  subtly  put  to 
us,  evil  disguised  as  good;  there  are  choices  we  must 
make,  even  as  Jesus  did,  if  we  are  to  live  obediently 
as  God's  children." 

In  the  wilderness,  Jesus  and  the  tempter  or  the 
devil  or  Satan  engage  in  a  Scripture-quoting  con- 
test. The  tempter,  always  prefacing  the  remarks 
with  a  might  big,  "IF,"  reminds  Jesus  of  the  Exodus 
and  God's  feeding  of  the  Israelites,  but  Jesus 
counters  with  Deuteronomy  8:3.  The  devil's  next 
attack  comes  from  Psalm  91  to  which  Jesus  again 
recalls  Deuteronomy  (6:16)  as  a  reply.  With  one 
final  shot  at  making  Jesus  succumb  to  temptation, 
Satan  offers  Jesus  all  that  he  can  see  from  the  top 
of  a  mountain.  The  finale  occurs  when  the  devil  is 
banished  and  angels  wait  on  Jesus. 

Several  areas  of  discussion  appear  in  the  "temp- 
tation" narrative.  One  is  suggested  by  the  author, 
"Is  Satan  real  or  merely  a  symbol  for  evil?"  (page  16) 
This  might  elicit  some  lively  dialogue!  Is  Satan  both 
...  a  real  personification  of  evil  as  a  visible  being 
AND  a  symbol  for  all  the  evil  which  runs  rampant 
in  a  chaotic  world?  Whichever  "side"  the  group 
lands  on,  one  thing  is  certain:  We  can  overcome 
Satan  {real  or  ss^nbolic)  only  through  the  power  of 
God.  If  you  have  time,  use  some  of  the  questions  for 
reflection  included  in  the  printed  material.  If  you 
have  begun  your  "Blessing  Book"  and  are  using  part 
of  it  to  reflect  on  these  questions  before  coming  to 
circle,  you  may  want  to  share  some  of  your  thoughts 
i.e  "the  devil  made  me  do  it"  can  be  countered  with 
Ezekiel  18;  I  Corinthians  10:13  tells  us  that  no 
temptation  is  unique  to  any  of  us. 

As  you  conclude,  ask  participants  to  think  of  one 
Scripture  verse  that  has  "carried  them  through"  a 
time  of  temptation.  Some  examples  might  be 
Deuteronomy  8  (God  tests  me  to  do  me  good  in  the 
end);  Joel  2  (God  will  restore  the  years  that  the  locusts 
have  eaten  away);  Galatians  2  (I  have  been  crucified 
with  Christ);  James  (I  need  to  hsten  twice  as  much  as 
I  speak);  Revelation  21  (God  will  wipe  away  every 
tear);  Psalm  121  (God  is  always  awake  and  watching 
over  me).  Close  with  a  time  of  prayer  thanking  God  for 
these  references.  (A  good  "homework"  assignment 
wovdd  be  to  take  your  favorite  passage  and  write  a 
paraphrase  that  applies  specifically  to  the  situation 
through  which  it  sustained  you.) 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender  is  pastor  of 
McQuay  Memorial  Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C.  The 
Bible  Study  Helps  are  commissioned  by  the  Presbyte- 
rian Women  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  as  supple- 
ments to  the  Horizon's  Magazine  Bible  study  for  1996- 
97,  "Encounters  with  Jesus:  The  Gospel  According  to 
Matthew"  by  the  Rev.  Sara  Covington  Juengst. 


Youth  leadership  event 
scheduled  for  Nov.  1-3 


"Journeys  of  Faith:  Come  Follow 
Me"  will  be  the  theme  for  the  1996 
Synod  Youth  Leadership  Confer- 
ence to  be  held  Nov.  1-3  at 
Massanetta  Springs  Conference 
Center. 

Jim  Morgan,  a  Christian 
music  recording  artist  and 
Presbyterian  minister,  will  be 
the  keynote  speaker  for  the 
Einnual  event  sponsored  by 
the  Synod  Youth  Council  and 
the  conference  center. 

Morgan's  latest  album,  "Un- 
wrapped Presence,"  is  a  live 
recording  based  on  the  theme 
of  the  1994  Montreat  Youth 
Conference.  His  earlier  al- 
bums were  "Gracenotes"  and 
"Already/Not  Yet." 

When  not  out  performing 
on  the  road,  Morgan  manages 
a  vnldlife  refuge  near  his 
Laurinburg,  N.C,  home. 

The  Youth  Leadership  Con- 
ference is  for  senior  high  youth 
who  are  leaders  and  adult 
leaders  who  work  vdth  youth. 

Morgan's  kejoiote  presen- 
tation will  be  part  of  the 
opening  program  on  Friday 
evening,  Nov.  1. 

On  Saturday,  Nov.  2,  par- 
ticipants vdll  have  the  option 
of  signing  up  for  one  extended 
(four-and-a-half  hours)  work- 
shop or  three  regular  (90 
minute)  .workshops.  The  ex- 
tended workshops  are: 

"Recreation  and  Its  Uses  in  the 
Church"  with  Rick  Hill,  campus  min- 
ister at  James  Madison  University 


"Serving  God  Through  Service"  with 
Skip  Hastings,  a  Christian  educator 

"Creative  Worship"  with  Vicki 
Moss,  a  Presbyterian  minister  from 
West  Virginia 

The  regular  workshops  are; 

"The  Feminine  Journey  of  Women" 
with  Nancy  Huslage  of  Raleigh,  N.C. 

"Bringing  Hope  into  Youth  Minis- 
tries" with  Bonnie  Ballsrud,  director 
of  youth  ministries  at  Three  Chopt 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Richmond 

"Fostering  Your  Own  Faith"  with 
Beverly  Bullock,  a  Presbyterian  min- 
ister from  Colonial  Heights,  Va. 

"Tearing  Down  the  Walls  —  Fac- 
ing Racism"  with  Jimmie  Hawkins, 
pastor  of  Covenant  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Durham,  N.C. 

"Not  Just  on  Sundays"  with  M-J 
Junkin  and  Mary  Todd  Peters,  both 
directors  of  Christian  education  from 
North  Carolina 

"Sharing  Faith  with  Others"  with 
John  Sloop,  senior  pastor  of  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Harrisonburg,  Va. 

"Bible  Studies  and  Fun  Devotion- 
als"  with  Tricia  McKee,  a  Presbyte- 
rian educator  from  Virginia  Beach 

Cost  of  the  conference  is  $95 
per  person  if  registered  before 
Oct.  1.  This  includes  registra- 
tion, room  and  board.  Refunds 
will  not  be  made  aifter  Sept.  14. 

For  more  information  con- 
tact the  Rev.  Mark  Sandell  at 
(301)  223-8887.  For  questions 
about  registration,  contact 
Joel  Winchip  at  Massanetta 
Springs,  phone  (540)  434- 
3829.  Conference  brochures 
are  available  from  Massanetta 
Springs  or  by  calling  the  synod 
office  at  (804)  342-0016. 


Synod  logo  design  contest  announced 


Since  the  synod  has  a  new  struc- 
ture and  a  new  beginning,  the 
synod's  Communication  Commit- 
tee is  in  the  process  of  coming  up 
with  a  new  logo  for  the  synod. 

A  competition  will  be  held  dur- 
ing the  next  three  months  during 
which  the  members  of  the  sjTiod 
are  being  invited  to  help  design 
the  new  logo. 

The  logo  must  be  visual  and 
easily  translated  into  sound  focus- 
ing on  a  few  words,  including  part- 
nership, mission,  ministry,  connect- 
ing, unity,  and  the  geographical 
region  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

The  image  should  embody  and 
reflect  diversity  of  many  kinds: 
social,  racial,  cultural,  economic, 
geographical  and  historical.  The 
synod  must  be  pictured  as  bridg- 


ing the  chasms  created  by  all  of 
these  diversities. 

We  are  calling  all  who  can  be 
an  artist,  a  communicator,  a  mar- 
keting person,  and  a  graphic  de- 
signer. Please  help  the  Synod  of 
the  Mid-Atlantic  by  using  your 
wonderful  talents  in  this  area. 

Send  all  logos  to  the  Communi- 
cations Committee,  Sjmod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic,  P.O.  Box  27026, 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026.  Please 
include  your  name,  address,  tele- 
phone number,  church  and  pres- 
bytery name. 

For  more  information,  contact 
one  of  the  following:  Ron  Simpson 
of  Chfton,  Va.,  at  (703)  631-4073; 
Tom  Harrell  of  Salisbury,  N.C,  at 
(704)  633-2004;  or  Betty  McGinnis 
of  Arnold,  Md.,  at  (410)  647-7494. 


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Page  li,  i'.lid  Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  1996 


GA  council 
its  function, 

By  GARY  LUHR 

Associate  Director,  Communication 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— The  new 
chair  of  the  General  Assembly 
Council  (GAG)  says  the  Council's 
number  one  task  in  the  next  year 
must  be  to  set  priorities  for  its 
work  from  now  to  the  year_  2000. 

"The  208th  General  Assembly 
did  not  restructure  the  GAC,  but 
said  it  needs  to  improve  its  func- 
tion," Youngil  Cho  of  Raleigh, 
N.C.,  told  members  of  the  Staff 
Leadership  Team  at  their  July  31 
meeting.  'There  is  a  sense  of  ur- 
gency. The  church  has  a  cancer  — 
it  is  djdng  inch  by  inch." 

Cho  said  the  Council  must  take 
seriously  the  messages  of  the 
General  Assembly's  immediate 
past  moderator  Marj  Carpenter 
—  "Mission,  mission,  mission"  — 
and  current  moderator  the  Rev. 


needs  to  improve 
says  council  chair  Cho 


John  Buchanan  —  "The  church 
matters." 

"The  GAC  has  everything  God 
gave  it  to  glorify  him  [but]  the 
GAC  and  the  staff  are  not  using 
God's  gift,"  he  said.  "We  must 
train  the  Council  members  and 
the  staff  to  take  care  of  the  church 
in  this  difficult  time." 

Budget  priorities  must  be  the 
Council's  top  concern,  he  said.  Cho 
said  he  would  like  to  see  the  GAC 
identify  the  70  percent  of  its  bud- 
get that  it  regards  as  the  most 
important  and  the  30  percent  it 
considers  less  important.  He 
would  then  invite  future  General 
Assemblies  to  make  changes  in 
the  budget  as  a  way  of  taking 
more  ownership  in  Council  pro- 
grams, but  make  it  clear  that 
money  for  new  or  expanded  pro- 
grams would  come  from  the  lesser 
30  percent  of  the  budget.  At  most. 


he  predicted,  an  Assembly  might 
change  one  percent  of  the  total 
mission  budget. 

In  setting  priorities,  Cho  said, 
the  GAC  must  respond  to  local 
church  needs.  "Don't  make  pro- 
grams supply  side,'  where  if  you 
have  the  money  you  do  it,"  he  said. 
"Make  them  demand  side,'  to  pro- 
vide what  a  local  church  needs.  If 
you  do,  the  money  [for  programs] 
wiU  come  in.  If  you  don't  nurtvu^e 
the  local  church,  it  wiU  die." 

The  GAC  "can  earn  credibility 
by  being  responsive,"  he  said.  "We 
can't  simply  ask  [the  church]  to 
trust  us." 

Another  goal,  Cho  said,  is  to 
carve  out  a  clearer  role  for  the 
GAC  at  future  General  Assem- 
blies. "Right  now,"  he  said,  "there 
is  no  role  for  the  executive  direc- 
tor, the  division  directors  or  the 
[GAC]  chair." 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiied  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


Presbyterians  continue  to  aid 
burned  cliurches  despite  controversy 


By  JULIAN  SHIPP 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— Presbyteri- 
ans continue  to  aid  burned  Afri- 
can-American churches  nation- 
wide despite  recent  controversy 
surrounding  the  National  Coun- 
cil of  Churches  (NCC)  "Burned 
Churches  Fund." 

According  to  Stan  E.  Hankins, 
associate  for  disaster  response 
U.S. A.  in  the  Worldwide  Minis- 
tries Division,  Presbyterians  are 
expected  to  have  contributed  by 
the  end  of  summer  more  than 
$232,000  to  an  account  (#9-2000- 
126)  set  up  by  Presbyterian  World 
Service  for  donations  to  help  re- 
build the  churches. 

More  than  $23,500  has  been  re- 
ceived for  an  account  (#9-2000-127) 
set  up  to  assist  Matthews- 
Murkland  Church  in  Charlotte, 
N.C.,  which  was  burned  on  the  night 


of  June  6.  Thousands  of  dollars  in 
additional  contributions  have  also 
gone  directly  to  Charlotte  Presby- 
tery and  Sheppards  and  Lapsley 
Presbytery  in  Alabama. 

Hankins  said  Presbyterian 
World  Service  has  sent  $7,500  to 
Sheppards  and  Lapsley  Presbytery 
to  help  ecumenical  rebuilding  ef- 
forts in  Alabama  and  $30,000  to 
the  NCC's  "Burned  Churches 
Fund."  This  fond  has  already  re- 
ceived approximately  $9  million  in 
cash,  pledges  and  building  materi- 
als from  churches,  foundations, 
businesses  and  individuals. 

According  to  an  NCC  news  re- 
lease, the  Rev.  Joan  Brown 
Campbell,  NCC  general  secretary, 
said  85  percent  of  this  money  will 
be  used  for  rebuilding  churches 
and  the  remaining  15  percent  will 
be  used  for  "administration  and 
programs  addressing  racism." 

"The  NCC  has  said  consistently 


Iowa  church  tries  different  approach 
to  help  victinnized  churches 


At  least  one  Presbyterian  congre- 
gation has  developed  a  novel  ap- 
proach to  aid  victimized  churches. 

Following  the  suggestion  of  a 
church  member  in  June,  the  con- 
gregation of  Westminster  Church 
of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  conducted 
a  "swift"  inquiry  of  the  church 
fires,  particularly  those  in  the 
South. 

According  to  the  Rev.  Herbert 
L.  Isenberg,  church  pastor,  the 
session  obtained  a  vast  amount  of 
information  off  the  Internet  and 
realized  that  "everything  being 
said  about  the  church  burnings 
was  not  factual"  and  that  the  is- 
sue had  become  political  with  can- 
didates "making  hay"  while  they 
had  the  opportunity. 

However,  Isenberg  said,  the 
congregation  also  realized  that 
responding  to  the  burnings  pre- 
sented a  unique  opportunity  to 
make  a  statement  about  racial 
injustice  and  demonstrate  soli- 
darity wi*Vi  African-American 
'  >'  ■  -0  the  congregation 
1 '  ogram  called  "Adopt 


a  Burned  Church"  (ABC). 

Isenberg  said  his  850-member 
congregation  adopted  Matthews- 
Murkland  Presbyterian  Church 
in  June  and  has  collected  more 
than  $1,400  in  freewill  offerings. 
He  said  the  congregation  decided 
not  to  solicit  funds  from  other 
congregations,  but  rather  encour- 
aged them  to  start  their  own  ABC 
program. 

Isenberg  said  that  following 
local  media  coverage  two  non- 
Presbyterian  churches  have 
adopted  the  program  in  his  area. 

"There's  a  lot  of  confusion  on 
this  issue  as  far  as  I  can  tell," 
Isenberg  told  the  Presbyterian 
News  Service.  "But  regardless,  we 
have  brothers  and  sisters  who 
have  been  put  out,  and  if  our 
church  was  burned,  we'd  certainly 
appreciate  someone  in  North 
Carolina  sending  us  a  little  money 
to  help  rebuild.  It's  a  way  for  us, 
regardless  of  what  politicians  and 
the  media  are  doing,  to  reach  out, 
understand  someone's  plight  and 
respond  to  it  in  some  way." 


from  day  one  that  we  were  commit- 
ted to  addressing  two  dimensions 
in  these  tragic  events  —  rebuilding 
for  ongoing  ministries  and  chal- 
lenging the  racism  that  fuels  the 
acts  of  hatred,"  Campbell  said. 

But  the  NCC  has  been  accused 
by  the  Washington-based  Insti- 
tute for  Religion  and  Democracy 
(IRD)  of  perpetuating  a  "great 
church-fire  hoax,"  according  to 
IRD  president  Diane  Knippers. 
In  an  Aug.  10  press  release, 
Knippers  claimed  the  46-year-old 
ecumenical  councU  had  created 
the  church  arson  story  "absent 
evidence  that  black  churches  bum 
more  frequently  than  white 
churches  to  raise  money  for  its 
leftist  political  agenda." 

Knippers  also  claims  the  NCC 
"exaggerated  the  church-burning 
phenomenon  to  promote  a  radical 
agenda"  and  that  its  officials  "jaw- 
boned the  church-burning  issue 
into  a  national  crisis." 

Knippers  said  studies  by  three 
major  United  States  media  out- 
lets show  that  arson  at  black 
churches  is  a  fraction  of  the  600 
churches  that  are  torched  every 
year.  She  said  church  arson  has 
declined  "dramatically"  from  a  fig- 
ure of  more  than  1,400  in  1980. 

According  to  Campbell,  "there 
is  no  hoax."  She  said  arson  and 
vandalism  at  African-American 
and  multiracial  churches  has  "in- 
creased dramatically  and  persis- 
tently over  the  past  18  to  30 
months."  Campbell  called  the  in- 
crease "all  the  more  startling" 
because  church  burnings  overall 
had  declined  in  recent  years. 

Campbell  noted  that  in  the  past 
18  months  the  rate  of  white  church 
arsons  has  not  increased.  By  com- 
parison, "the  rate  of  black  church 
arsons  is  more  than  double  what 
it  has  been  in  previous  years." 
She  asserted  that  more  than  60 
African- American  and  multiracial 
churches  were  burned  between 
Jan.  1,  1995,  and  June  30,  1996, 
"...  more  than  in  the  previous  five 
years  combined." 

Campbell  said  that  African 
American  churches  are  burning 
in  proportion  to  their  number  at 
four  times  the  rate  of  white 
churches. 


Diaz  is  acting  GAC  executive  director 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.—  In  July  General  Assembly  Council  (GAC)  chair 
Youngil  Cho  appointed  the  Rev.  Frank  Diaz  as  acting  GAC  executive 
director,  replacing  the  Rev.  James  Brown,  whose  reelection  was  not 
confirmed  by  the  208th  General  Assembly.  For  the  past  seven  years 
Diaz  has  been  associate  director  for  GAC  operations. 

Also  in  July  the  GAC  Personnel  Subcommittee  launched  its  search 
for  an  interim  executive  director.  Deadline  for  receipt  of  applications 
was  Aug.  12.  According  to  Jinny  Miller,  GAC  vice-chair  and  chair  of 
the  Personnel  Subcommittee,  the  interim  executive  director  will  be 
appointed  by  the  GAC's  Executive  Committee  at  its  Sept.  13-14 
meeting  and  introduced  to  the  full  Council  at  its  Sept.  25-28  meeting. 

At  that  same  meeting,  a  search  committee  will  be  elected  to  find  a 
new  permanent  executive  director,  with  that  person  scheduled  to  be 
presented  to  the  209th  General  Assembly  next  June  in  Syracuse  for 
confirmation.  The  interim  executive  director  will  not  be  eligible  for 
the  permanent  position. 

PC(USA)  leaders  agree  to  cooperate 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— Thirteen  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  leaders 
—  the  chief  executives  and  chairpersons  of  major  General  Assembly 
entities  —  have  signed  a  statement  of  cooperation  designed  to  improve 
the  sometimes  tattered  relationships  among  some  of  them. 

The  group,  called  together  July  31-Aug.  1  at  the  invitation  of 
General  Assembly  moderator  the  Rev.  John  Buchanan  and  stated 
clerk  the  Rev.  Clifton  Kirkpatrick,  also  agreed  to  meet  regularly  "to 
promote  the  health  of  the  whole  church  and  to  deal  with  interagency 
and  churchwide  o 


1997  moderator's  race  undenA/ay 

Peace  River  Presbjrtery  made  the  first  plunge  into  the  race  for  modera- 
tor of  the  209th  General  Assembly  (1997)  by  endorsing  Elder  D. 
Eugene  Sibery  for  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)'s  top  elected 
post.  Just  days  later,  however,  Cincinnati  Presb3^ery  joined  the  fray 
by  endorsing  elder  Patricia  G.  Brown. 

Sibery,  an  elder  in  Faith  Presbjrterian  Church  of  Cape  Coral,  Fla., 
and  chair  of  the  Board  of  Pensions,  was  endorsed  for  moderator  at  a 
July  11  adjourned  meeting  of  Peace  River  Presbytery.  As  chair  of  the 
Board  of  Pensions,  Sibery  is  a  corresponding  member  of  the  General 
Assembly  Council.  He  is  currently  on  the  session  at  Faith  Church  and 
also  serves  Peace  River  as  a  member  of  its  Committee  on  Ministry. 

Brown,  a  member  of  the  session  of  Kennedy  Heights  Church  in 
Cincinnati,  is  a  published  writer  of  stories  for  children.  She  is  a  renowned 
storyteller  in  the  Cincinnati  area,  best  known  for  her  original  stories 
about  slavery  and  the  underground  railroad.  She  is  business  manager  for 
The  Brown  Organization,  a  consulting  firm  working  with  owners  and 
developers  of  large  retail  and  commercial  properties. 

New  video  shares  Balkan  experience 

"Light  and  Shadow,"  a  new  video  resource  on  the  Balkans  produced  by 
the  Presb5^erian  Peacemaking  Program  and  Media  Services  of  the 
Congregational  Ministries  Division,  depicts  the  experiences  of  11 
Presbyterians  during  their  recent  trip  to  visit  Christians  and  Muslims 
in  Croatia  and  the  Balkans. 

Accompanying  the  video  of  the  Peacemaking  Travel  Study  Semi- 
nar, singer  and  songwriter  Judy  Collins  gives  her  personal  support 
through  the  use  of  her  moving  "Song  for  Sarajevo  (I  Dream  of  Peace)." 

Presbyterian  World  Service's  Refugee  Office  will  distribute  the 
video  to  Presbyterian  churches  hosting  refugees  in  this  country.  To 
protect  Collins'  copyright,  the  video  cannot  be  sold;  however,  it  wUl  be 
available  in  presbjrtery  resource  centers  or  through  the  Presbyterian 
Peacemaking  Program  by  calling  Debby  Vial  at  (502)  569-5702.  The 
length  of  the  video  is  nine  and  a  half  minutes. 

Resources  for  Children's  Sabbath 

A  free  booklet  of  resources  for  churches  that  wish  to  participate  in  the 
1996  "Children's  Sabbath"  is  available  from  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  Child  Advocacy  Office  in  the  National  Ministries  Division. 

The  Children's  Sabbath  Weekend  this  year  is  Oct.  18-20.  Its  theme 
is  "Stand  for  Children:  Pray,  Speak  Out,  and  Act."  According  to  Joan 
Thompson  in  the  Child  Advocacy  Office,  the  observance  focuses  on  the 
civic  and  public  responsibility  of  people  of  faith  to  create  a  healthier 
nation  and  communities  for  children. 

The  General  Assembly  has  endorsed  the  Children's  Sabbath  and 
encom-aged  all  Presbyterian  congregations  to  participate  in  it.  The 
Children's  Defense  Fund,  which  sponsors  the  event,  produced  the 
resource  booklet.  Those  wishing  to  order  the  resource  booklet  may  do 
so  by  writing  to  the  Presbyterian  Child  Advocacy  Office,  100 
Witherspoon  St.,  Room  3063,  LouisvUle,  KY  40202-1396,  or  by  calling 
(502)  569-5838: 


Moore  is  Royster  preacher 

HENDERSON,  N.C. — Dr.  James  W.  Moore,  pastor  of  the  8,000- 
member  St.  Luke's  United  Methodist  Church  in  Houston,  Texas, 
will  be  the  guest  preacher  for  the  Royster  Series  to  be  held 
Sept.  22-24  at  First  Church  in  Henderson,  N.C. 

Dr.  Moore's  sermons  are  telecast  weekly  into  more  than  one 
million  homes.  He  has  been  featured  on  the  Protestant  Hour 
radio  program  and  those  sermons  were  published  in  a  book,  Yes, 
Lord,  I  Have  Sinned,  But  I  Have  Several  Excellent  Excuses. 

The  first  session  will  begin  at  7:30  p.m.  Sunday  night.  On 
Monday  and  Tuesday  there  will  be  luncheon  messages  starting 
at  noon  and  evening  messages  starting  at  7:30  p.m..  The  noon 
sessions  will  end  at  1  p.m.  There  will  be  receptions  after  the 
evening  sessions. 

The  Royster  Series  was  established  in  1975  by  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Thomas  S.  Royster  Jr.  in  memory  of  his  parents.  Dr.  Thomas 
Sampson  Royster  and  Helen  Borda  Royster. 

For  more  information,  contact  the  church  at  (919)  492-0156. 


Mission  insert-see  inside 


»BKBCFFZ*****«**5--)IGIT    275  14 
#00548651#  NHO    124  154 

UMIV    OF    N    CA^OLIWft  LIBRARY 
NORTH    CAROLINA  COLLECTION 
WILSON   LIBRARY    C3  5930 
CHAPEL    HILL    MC  27514-8890 
iHi.ll...}.l,|...Ji,],Ji„i.jHi,!,|,,i!.,nl]..j 
For  address  changes  send  mailing  label  to  address  on  page  2. 
Allow  6-8  weeks  for  changes  to  take  effect. 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


Vol.  LXII,  Number  8 


Richmond,  Virginia 


After  Hurricane  Fran 


Rebuilding  will  take  years 


Surve3dng  the  swath  of  destruc- 
tion Hurricane  Fran  cut  across 
the  Mid-Atlantic  region,  relief  of- 
ficials are  estimating  that  it  may 
take  two  years  to  repair  the  bil- 
lions of  dollars  of  damage. 

The  Rev.  David  Bowman,  who 
is  overseeing  relief  efforts  in  New 
Hope  Presbytery,  described  the 
situation  as  "mammoth"  and  pre- 
dicted a  lengthy  recovery  period. 

Presbyterian  World  Service 
(PWS)  coordinator  Stan  Hankins 


has  visited  the  affected  areas  and 
PWS  has  sent  checks  for  $25,000 
to  New  Hope  and  Coastal  Caro- 
lina presbtyeries  and  another 
$10,000  to  Baltimore  Presbytery. 

Fran  came  ashore  near 
Wilmington,  N.C.,  on  the  evening 
of  Sept.  5,  then  tracked  north- 
ward carrying  hurricane-force  (75 
mph)  winds  as  far  north  as  Ra- 
leigh. After  the  winds  decreased, 
the  storm's  torrential  rains  con- 
tinued northward,  causing  major 


How  you  can  help 

The  following  are  some  of  the  religious  agencies/governing 
bodies  through  which  relief  efforts  are  being  organized. 

Hurricane  Fran  Relief  (acct.  2000128),  Presbyterian  World 
Service,  100  Witherspoon  St.,  Louisville,  KY  40202-1396 

North  Carolina  Interfaith  Disaster  Response  Office,  Method- 
ist Building,  1307  Glenwood  Ave.,  Suite  162,  Raleigh,  NC 
27605-3258. 

Virginia  Volunteer  Organizations  Active  in  Disaster,  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  phone  (800)  747-8920 

Coastal  Carolina  Presbytery,  807  W.  King  St. ,  Elizabethtown, 
N.C.  28337;  phone  (910)  862-8300;  fax  (910)  862-3524 

New  Hope  Presbytery,  contact  David  Bovraian,  2309  Sunset 
Ave.,  Rocky  Mount,  N.C.  27804-5745;  phone  (919)  443-7090;  fax 
(919)  443-5229 

Shenandoah  Presb5d;ery,  contact  Kay  Goodman,  P.O.  Box 
1214,  Harrisonburg,  VA  22801-1214;  phone  (540)  433-2556 

Baltimore  Presbytery  (for  western  Maryland),  5400  Loch 
Raven  Blvd.,  Baltimore,  MD  21239;  phone  (301)  433-2012 


flooding  from  the  Danville,  Va., 
area  north  to  the  Potomac  River 
Valley  of  West  Virginia  and  west- 
em  Maryland. 

While  Fran's  winds  and  rain 
did  a  great  deal  of  damage  in 
Coastal  Carolina  Presbytery,  its 
executive,  Robert  Miller,  noted 
there  was  "amazingly  little  loss  of 
life."  Indeed,  officials  attributed 
just  under  30  fatalities  to  the 
storm. 

Little  Chapel  on  the  Board- 
walk in  Wrightsville  Beach  re- 
ported a  couple  of  inches  of  water 
in  the  sanctuary  despite  more 
than  two  feet  of  water  outside  the 
building.  The  roof  was  detached 
from  the  Rocky  Point  Church  and 
a  tree  fell  on  the  manse  at  the 
Wallace  Church. 

Harder  hit  was  the  presbytery's 
camp,  Kirkwood,  at  Watha.  "Trees 
are  down  everywhere,"  said 
Miller.  The  loss,  which  included 
both  hardwoods  and  pines,  may 
force  the  presbytery  to  clear  cut 
the  property  and  re-seed  the  land. 

The  story  was  much  the  same 
in  New  Hope  Presbytery. 

For  the  Spring  Hill  Church  it 
was  a  somewhat  ironic  situation. 
Both  the  presbytery  and  the  synod 
had  just  approved  financial  help 
to  repair  an  already  leaking  roof. 

Despite  early  fears  that  a  200- 
year-old  Pecan  tree  had  done 


Fran's  Rampage 

Sept  5-7 

Worst  flooding  since  1936   1- 

in  western  Maryland  [/ 

Flooding  along  South  Branch    """^  C 
of  Potomac  in  West  Virginia  / 

Flooding  in  Danville,  Va.  \  1^ 

J         J       i  /  Kinston, 
\    /        S              N.C.  hit 
\     by  floods 

y         \  and 
/                       V  tornado 

Raleigh-Durham  area  looks  like  ^ 
war  zone  with  many  trees  down 
after  hurricane-force  winds  hit 
area  saturated  by  rain 

\          'Y^  Fran  comes 

\,__/           ashore  with 
120  mph 

major  damage  to  the  historic 
Hillsborough  sanctuary.  Pastor 
Debbie  Taylor  said  a  structural 
engineer  surveyed  the  damage 
and  credited  the  building's  sturdy 
1814  construction  with  prevent- 
ing serious  damage. 

All  three  of  New  Hope 
Presbytery's  camps  reported  ma- 
jor problems. 

Camp  Albemarle  on  Bogue 
Sound  lost  a  540-foot  pier  and 
about  100  feet  of  fill  behind  a 
protective  seawall.  To  repair  the 
seaway  area  will  cost  about 
$16,000  and  the  loss  is  not  in- 
sured, according  to  presb3rtery 
treasurer.  Chuck  Noonan. 

At  Camp  New  Hope  just  north 


of  Chapel  Hill,  the  storm  felled 
hundreds  of  trees.  Sixteen  of  the 
camp  buildings  had  trees  hit 
them,  said  Noonan.  A  crane  was 
brought  in  the  week  after  the 
storm  to  remove  those  on  the 
buildings,  but  many  more  re- 
mained to  be  cleared.  Because  of 
the  danger  presented  by  the  fallen 
and  damaged  trees,  no  children's 
activities  will  be  held  at  the  camp 
until  they  can  be  cleared. 

At  Presbyterian  Point,  just  over 
the  Virginia  line  on  Kerr  Reser- 
voir, flooding  isolated  the  facility 
and  water  lapped  at  the  door- 
steps of  buildings. 

The  storm  hit  the  Raleigh  area 
continued  on  page  4 


Parity  sought  for  ministries  on  racial  etinnic  campuses 


RICHMOND,  Va.  —  Reacting  to 
actions  of  the  210th  Synod  As- 
sembly and  criticism  from  one  of 
its  own  members,  the  Synod  Coun- 
cil acted  Sept.  21  to  begin  ad- 
dressing the  lack  of  funding  for 
ministries  on  racial  ethnic  col- 
lege campuses. 

In  the  final  action  of  its  two- 
day  meeting,  the  council  called 
for  a  consultation  in  early  1997  of 
representatives  from  racial  eth- 
nic colleges  and  universities 
within  the  synod  to  discuss  how 
to  start  or  support  ministries  on 
those  campuses. 

The  council  also  told  the  Ceun- 
pus  Ministries  Committee  to  rec- 
ommend by  Oct.  18  one  ministry 
on  a  racial  ethnic  campus  as  the 
recipient  of  a  one-time  $21,465 
grant  for  1996. 

The  grant  was  mandated  by 
the  2 10th  Synod  Assembly  in  July 
after  commissioners  tried  to  find 
a  way  to  use  unspent  funds  in  the 
governance  budget  for  campus 
ministry  on  racial  ethnic  cam- 
puses. Told  that  transfer  from 
governance  to  mission  was  not 
possible,  the  assembly  instructed 
the  council  to  find  the  money  in 
the  1996  mission  budget. 

The  discussion  of  funding  for 
campus  ministry  at  racial  ethnic 
colleges  and  universities  started 
Friday  afternoon  during  the  re- 
port by  Campus  Ministries  Com- 
mittee Chair  John  Winings.  When 
the  Raleigh,  N.C,  elder  said  his 
committee  was  unsure  what  the 
assembly  meant  when  it  said  "ra- 
cial ethnic  campus  ministries," 
council  member  J.  Herbert  Nelson 


reacted. 

Nelson,  pastor  of  St.  James 
Church  in  Greensboro,  N.C,  said 
that  the  issue  was  funding  for 
campus  ministries  on  the  cam- 
puses of  racial  ethnic  schools,  not 
to  racial  ethnic  populations  on  all 
campuses. 

"The  gyrations  we're  going 
through  trying  to  get  definitions 
of  who  racial  ethnic  people  are 
actually  is,  I  think,  dancing 
around  in  some  instances  a  time 
bomb,"  said  Nelson.  "We  have 
been  in  deliberations  in  Salem 
Presbytery  that  have  gotten  quite 
nasty  and  are  going  to  get  worse  if 
there  is  no  resolution  to  these 
particular  issues. 


"Peacing  Together  the  Pieces: 
Celebrating  Diversity  will  be  held 
at  five  locations  around  the  synod 
on  Nov.  2  and  Nov.  9. 

These  day-long  workshops  will 
focus  on  raising  awareness,  shar- 
ing histories  and  making  concrete 
suggestions  how  individuals  and 
churches  can  deal  with  racism. 

Each  symposium  will  follow  the 
same  format,  which  has  been  de- 
veloped by  ACTively  Including 
Our  Neighbors  (ACTION),  a  group 
of  laypeople  and  ministers  repre- 
senting the  13  presbyteries  in  the 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic.  There 
will  be  opportunities  for  small 
group  discussion,  large  group  in- 
teractions, and  learning  as  well 
as  sharing  resources. 


"My  concern  is  that  we  are  toy- 
ing in  a  sense  with  some  issues  that 
are  strictly  justice  issues  in  the  life 
of  the  church.  For  some  reason  we 
can't  identify  the  wrong  in  some  of 
this  and  begin  to  correct  some  of 
these  patterns,  but  I  think  that  is 
what  we  are  called  to  do. 

"We're  finding  ways  to  delay 
and  I  think  that's  one  of  the  major 
problems  we're  going  through," 
said  Nelson. 

"It's  causing  major  concerns  for 
me  personally  because  I  am  doing 
campus  ministry  at  (North  Caro- 
lina) A&T  in  Greensboro,  but  I  think 
even  more  importantly  ...  dispro- 
portionate across  the  synod,"  he 
said.  Lack  of  any  full-time  campus 


Each  symposium  will  start  at 
10  a.m.  and  last  until  4:30  p.m. 
Lunch  will  be  provided  as  part  of 
the  $5  registration  fee. 

On  Saturday,  Nov.  2,  sympo- 
sia will  be  held  at  Hudson  Memo- 
rial Church  in  Raleigh,  N.C,  and 
Berwyn  Church  in  College  Park, 
Md.  On  Saturday,  Nov.  9,  the  sites 
will  be  Three  Chopt  Church  in 
Richmond,  Va.,  First  Church  in 
Roanoke,  Va.,  and  Statesville 
Avenue  Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C. 

These  symposia  come  as  a  re- 
sult of  the  events  at  the  209th 
Synod  Assembly  in  1995,  when 
African  American  and  other  com- 
missioners walked  out,  precipi- 
tating a  long-overdue  dialogue  on 
racism  within  the  synod  and  the 


ministers  .or  housing  for  them  on 
black  college  campuses  were  two 
examples  he  mentioned. 

Asked  by  Council  Chair  June 
Bucy  if  he  had  any  specific  re- 
quest of  the  Synod  Coimcil,  Nelson 
asked  for  a  special  task  force  to 
review  funding  patterns  through- 
out the  synod  and  look  at  equi- 
table ways  to  spend  money  and 
resources  to  establish  parity  in 
campus  ministry. 

He  said  the  existing  Campus 
Ministry  Committee  might  have 
trouble  "deciding  its  own  fate"  and 
has  not  been  open  to  looking  at 
new  ways  to  address  the  issues. 
"Quite  personally,  I  don't  have 
the  confidence  they  will  make  a 


Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 
The  ACTION  task  force  is  hopeful 
that  a  large  number  of  people  of 
all  races  will  participate,  share 
and  commit  to  easing  racial  ten- 
sions in  the  synod. 

Leadership  for  all  five  sympo- 
sia will  be  provided  by  National 
Capital  Presbytery's  Anti-Racism 
Team,  a  diverse  group  made  up  of 
clergy  and  lay  folk  who  have  been 
working  and  training  for  three 
years.  They  have  led  workshops 
in  local  churches  as  well  as  minis- 
ters' events  which  were  mandated 
in  National  Capital  Presbj^tery 
following  the  1995  Synod  Assem- 
bly. Also,  plans  are  underway  to 
sponsor  a  convocation  on  racism 
in  the  Washington,  D.C,  metro- 


decision  that  represents  parity." 

Finance  Committee  Chair  Fred 
Ward,  who  is  also  from  Salem  Pres- 
bytery, told  the  council  that  under 
the  existing  system  the  Synod 
makes  block  gremts  for  campus 
ministry  to  the  presbyteries  and 
does  not  specify  how  to  use  the 
money.  "For  us  to  establish  fund- 
ing patterns  at  the  synod  level  is 
taking  over  responsibility  that  we 
have  given  to  the  presbyteries." 

The  council  approved  last  May 
a  plan  to  withhold  $36,000  from 
existing  campus  ministry  budget 
over  the  next  four  years  to  be 
specifically  allocated  to  racial  eth- 
nic campus  ministries. 

continued  on  page  5 


politan  area  in  spring  1997  for 
the  purpose  of  strategizing  on  how 
best  to  deal  with  the  systemic 
issues  which  result  in  racism. 

The  symposia  locations  can 
accommodate  large  groups  and 
the  ACTION  task  group  encour- 
ages sessions,  local  church  and 
presbytery  committees,  presby- 
tery councils  and  executives,  as 
well  as  interested  individuals,  to 
attend  these  programs. 

A  registration  form  is  included 
on  page  4  of  this  newspaper.  Reg- 
istration forms  are  also  available 
through  the  synod  office  (phone 
804  342-0016).  Copies  will  also 
be  mailed  to  church  crTices 

—The  Rev.  Cor,: 

Member,  ACTIO \  'P 


Five  symposia  on  racism  sclieduled  around  Synod 


Page  z.  Mid  Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  1996 


Moments  of  grace  in  October's  long  shadows 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

Once  again  it  is  October  and  there  is  a 
touch  of  autumn  in  the  air.  The  summer 
has  ended  and  the  light  of  winter  is  com- 
ing. For  those  of  us  in  the  autumn  of  our 
years,  it  is  a  reminder  of  our  mortality, 
that  time  has  caught  up  with  us  at  last.  We 
remember  the  age-old  wisdom  of  the  Psalm- 
ist, "So  teach  us  to  number  our  days,  that 
we  may  gain  a  heart  of  wisdom." 

October  is  also  World  Series  time,  as 
memories  flood  our  hearts.  Despite  the  sad 
turn  of  events  that  has  turned  the  Ameri- 
can pastime  into  a  greedy  business,  there 
is  a  beauty  in  this  game  which  traces  the 
arc  of  life.  Sadaharu  Oh,  the  Babe  Ruth  of 
Japanese  baseball,  wrote  an  ode  to  this 
sport: 

The  sound  of  the  crowd 
The  clear  color  of  the  sky 
The  warmth  of  the  sun 
The  light  of  winter  coming 
There  are  some  incredible  stories  from 
October  baseball  which  reveal  moments  of 


grace,  stories  not  often  heard  or  remem-  since  1918.  Recently,  however,  the  Boston- 

bered.  based  root-rock  band  Slide  has  released  its 

Who  can  forget  1951,  that  dramatic  debut  CD,  Forgiving  Buckner,  urging  all 

homerun  that  Scot  Bobby  Thomson  his  at  Sox  fans  to  forgive  Buckner. 

3:58  p.m.  on  October  3rd  [where  were  you  Another  moment  of  grace,  that  reminds 


then?]  off  of  the  unfortunate 
Ralph  Branca.  I  can  still  hear 
Russ  Hodges  screaming,  "The 
Giants  win  the  pennant.  I  don't 
believe  it!  I  don't  believe  it!" 

Did  you  know  that  today 
Ralph  Branca  is  president  of 
Baseball  Assistance  Team  which 
provides  help  to  ball  players  who 
have  become  ill  or  disabled?  A 
crushing  moment  of  defeat  has 
become  a  moment  of  grace  as 
Number  13  helps  those  in  need. 

Ghosts  die  hard  in  Red  Sox 
country  and  no  specter  has 
haunted  fans  for  the  past  10  years  more 
than  that  October  moment  when  Bill 
Buckner  let  a  ground  ball  dribble  between 
his  legs,  completing  a  collapse  that  cost  the 
Sox  the  chance  to  win  their  first  Series 


Dick  Morgan 


us  that  Christians  cannot  cling 
to  old  grudges  or  remain  stuck  in 
ancient  feuds  without  denying 
the  gospel  that  we  profess. 

In  my  younger  days  my  Octo- 
ber hero  was  Jackie  Robinson, 
the  first  black  to  play  in  major 
league  baseball.  I  recall  on  one 
occasion  that  he  tried  to  steal 
home  but  the  umpire  called  him 
"out."  a  hurricane  of  boos  and 
jeers  (directed  at  Robinson)  came 
from  the  stands  as  he  made  that 
long,  weary  walk  back  to  the 
dugout.  Subjected  to  the  endless 
rebuke  of  his  opponents,  and  the  silent 
hope  of  his  own  teammates  that  he  would 
fail,  Robinson  was  often  a  disconsolate 
figure. 

On  that  day,  however,  he  suddenly 


looked  into  the  stands  and  saw  a  white  boy 
standing  up  and  shouting,  "Way  to  go, 
Jackie!  Nice  try,  Jackie!"  Later  one,  when 
he  had  beaten  those  long  odds  against  his 
success  in  the  major  leagues,  he  recalled 
that  moment  of  grace  and  said  that  small 
bo3r's  words  lifted  his  spirits  at  a  moment 
when  he  was  ready  to  quit.  Jackie  did  not 
know  that  boy,  and  never  met  him.  But 
that  small  word  of  encouragement  gave 
him  hope. 

It's  October  again.  Fans  still  cling  to  the 
glory  moments  of  the  game's  history  be- 
cause they  preserve  everyone's  summer 
light.  But,  even  as  the  long  shadows  of 
October  fall  across  our  skies,  there  a  mo- 
ments of  grace. 

Dr.  Richard  Morgan  is  a  retired  Presby- 
terian minister  and  the  author  of  numerous 
books  and  articles  on  the  subject  of  aging. 
His  latest  book,  "Remembering  Your  Story 
— A  Guide  to  Spiritual  Autobiography,"  is 
reviewed  on  page  7  of  this  issue  of  Mid- 
Atlantic  Presbyterian. 


I^HiiiHIIIIIIIB 


COMMI 


We  all  have  a  job  to  do,  says  accident  survivor 


eliminated  the  option  of  turning  left.  My 
husband  made  a  wise  split-second  decision 
to  steer  toward  the  cabin  of  the  truck  in 
order  to  avoid  striking  the  tank.  This  was 
in  1951  — some  time  before  the  advent  of 
seat  belts. 

There  was  a  terrible  crash.  My  head, 
neck  and  shoulders  went  through  the  shat- 
ter-proof windshield  and  were 
then  thrust  back  through  the 
jagged  spikes  of  glass  as  my  hips 
were  caught  by  the  dashboard.  I 
was  in  a  heap  on  the  floor  of  the 
car.  Blood  was  flowing.  It  dripped 
over  my  left  hand.  I  tried  to  move 
my  hand  and  realized  that  I  could 
not  move  a  single  muscle.  Jagged 
points  of  glass  had  cut  my  throat, 
face  and  scalp. 

I  tried  to  speak.  I  had  decided 
I  was  dying  and  I  wanted  to  tell 
my  husband  to  marry  Ruth;  that 
she  was  the  person  I  wanted  to 
bring  up  my  children.  Ruth  was  a  dear 
friend  whose  husband  had  been  killed  in 
World  War  II,  in  which  my  husband  had 
also  served.  But  no  sound  ever  came  from 
my  lips.  Darkness  began  to  settle  in.  I 
heard  voices  —  familiar  voices.  I  listened 
intently  for  each  voice  in  order  to  know 
whether  the  rest  of  my  family  were  able  to 
speak.  One  by  one  I  heard  all  four  voices 
which  told  me  that  I  was  probably  the  most 
seriously  injured.  With  that  assurance, 
the  darkness  became  complete. 

Even  though  the  darkness  was  very  black, 
some  part  of  me  did  not  succumb  to  it.  I  was 
surrounded  by  an  air  of  expectancy  and  an- 
ticipation. The  black  velvet  curtain  would  be 
drawn  open  at  any  moment  and  I  would  have 
the  answers  to  all  my  questions  about  life.  As 
I  waited  in  perfect  comfort,  feeling  as  light  as 
a  feather,  I  was  gradually  enveloped  in  a 


state  of  such  perfect  peace  there  are  no  words 
to  describe  it.  It  was  deep  and  it  was  com- 
plete. 

Then  there  was  light.  It  was  not  a  bright 
light  but  a  white  light.  I  thought  I  saw 
people  in  the  distance.  They  were  like  daubs 
of  paint  on  a  canvas  which  an  artist  has 
made  to  resemble  people  —  impersonal 
and  detached  without  clear,  in- 
dividual outlines. 

Then  I  became  conscious  of  a 
Presence  beside  me.  I  never  saw 
the  Presence,  but  he  moved  with 
me  from  place  to  place  and  ex- 
plained to  me  mystery  after 
mystery.  I  was  ecstatic  because 
everything  made  perfect  sense 
and  was  fair  and  just  after  all.  I 
was  ashamed  for  the  times  I  had 
questioned  Divine  Justice.  Over 
and  over  I  heard  myself  exclaim 
in  that  special  form  of  communi- 
cation, "So  that's  the  way  it  is." 
I  was  happy  and  so  glad  to  be  there.  But 
when  the  Presence  had  finished  explain- 
ing the  mysteries  to  me  he  said,  "Now  you 
must  go  back."  But  I  didn't  want  to  go  back. 
I  begged  to  stay  but  the  Presence  was  firm. 

"You  must  go  back.  It  is  not  time  for  you  to 
come."  With  that,  I  started  moving  very  fast 
toward  some  distant  point.  It  is  not  clear  to 
me  now  what  it  was  that  I  was  going  back  to, 
because  I  had  no  memory  of  my  husband  or 
children.  I  do  clearly  remember  thinking 
that  if  I  did  have  to  re-enter  the  human 
experiment,  I  would  at  least  have  a  wealth  of 
information  that  no  other  human  had.  But 
that  was  not  meant  to  be. 

As  I  moved  toward  the  point  of  re-entry, 
the  answers  to  the  mysteries  started  slip- 
ping away  from  me  one  by  one.  I  realized 
what  was  happening  and  I  became  stub- 
born. I  was  determined  to  hold  on  to  the 


Readers  Response 

Politics  leads  to  loss  in  members 


This  the  second  in  a  series  of  faith  stories 
which  are  being  solicited  from  readers 
around  the  Synod.  If  you  have  a  story  you 
would  like  to  share,  contact  Lloyd  Reming- 
ton at  P.O.  Box  1893,  Asheville,  NC  28814. 

By  LOUISE  MORRISON 

I  saw  the  crash  coming  and  I  froze.  I've 
thought  about  it  a  lot  and  that  is  exactly 
what  happened;  I  froze.  Even  as  I  froze  my 
left  had  flew  up  to  shield  our  three-year- 
old  daughter  who  was  standing  behind  us. 
Our  other  two  children  sat  on  the  back 
seat. 

The  oil  tanker  seemed  to  be  approach- 
ing at  a  rate  of  speed  which  was  normal  for 
Highway  301,  but  when  he  was  only  a  few 
feet  away,  the  driver  made  a  left  turn  in 
front  of  us  to  enter  the  airport.  There  was 
nowhere  to  go.  Traffic  in  the  oncoming  lane 


I  believe  that  most  of  the  lack  of  trust 
mentioned  by  the  Rev.  Buchanan  (Mid- 
Atlantic  Presbyterian,  September  1996)  as 
well  as  much  of  the  membership  defection 
stem  from  three  or  four  organizations  which 
are  often  more  political  in  nature  than 
religious. 

We  can  re-build  trust.  Rev.  Buchanan, 
if  we,  among  other  things,  bar  the  Wash- 
ington Office  from  speaking  for  the  de- 
nomination in  its  political  opinion  letters 
to  Government  officials;  if  we  review  more 
critically  before  the  fact  programs  such  as 
the  Reimagining  Conference  (That  confer- 
ence alone  must  have  destroyed  at  least 
three  years  of  trust  building);  and  if  we  re- 


examine the  benefits  accruing  to  our  de- 
nomination by  expensive  membership  in 
left-leaning  organizations  such  as  the 
World  Council  of  Churches,  and,  perhaps 
to  a  lesser  degree,  the  National  Council  of 
Churches. 

Your  slogan.  Rev.  Buchanan,  ("...  why 
don't  we  just  do  it?")  is  about  as  effective  as 
Mrs.  Reagan's  anti-drug  slogan  ("Just  say 
no"). 

I  am  prepared  to  trust  that  you  will  get 
to  the  root  of  the  problem  before  your  term 
of  office  expires. 

James  O.  Harmon 
Silver  Spring,  Md. 


intelligence  I  had  left.  I  would  lock  it  in  a 
corner  of  my  mind  and  nobody  could  take  if 
from  me.  But  I  wasn't  that  smart.  No  mat- 
ter how  tenaciously  I  held  on,  my  wonder- 
ful information  kept  slipping  away  in  di- 
rect proportion  to  my  nearness  to  the  bor- 
der, and  when  I  reached  it,  the  last  bit  of 
my  precious  new  knowledge  gently  floated 
away  like  so  much  vapor. 

Then  I  crossed  a  sort  of  bar.  Believe  it  or 
not,  I  remember  a  slight  impact.  Then  I 
was  thrust  into  what  seemed  to  be  ear- 
splitting  noise  and  excruciating  pain.  I 
was  in  a  quiet,  private  hospital  room.  The 
noise  only  seemed  loud  in  comparison  to 
the  peace  and  tranquility  in  the  land  where 
I  had  been. 

What  was  this  experience  of  mine?  Was 
it  what  I  think  it  was  or  was  it  only  a 
dream?  If  it  was  a  dream,  where  would  my 
subconscious  have  picked  up  such  a  fan- 
tastic series  of  events  —  especially  in  1951 
when  nobody  talked  about  what  they  con- 
sidered to  be  supernatural  phenomena? 
Later,  the  doctors  told  me  that  I  was  in 
extreme  shock,  that  I  had  profuse  internal 
bleeding,  and  that  the  had  little  hope  for 
my  survival. 

Did  my  spirit  really  cross  over  the  divid- 
ing line  for  a  little  while?  Whatever  it  was 
that  happened  inside  my  mental  processes 
that  day,  it  left  me  with  some  fixed  notions 
about  life  and  death;  one  of  which  is  that 
we  all  have  a  job  to  do,  and  we  are  all 
allowed  enough  time  in  which  to  do  it. 
Whether  of  not  we  do  it  is  up  to  us.  The 
Divine  Presence  will  decide  when  the  time 
is  up. 

Louise  Morrison  is  a  member  of  Grace 
Covenant  Church  in  Asheville,  N.C.  She  is 
an  inactive  deacon  and  has  been  active  in 
the  work  of  Presbyterian  Women  and  in 
Sunday  School  for  more  than  40  years. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and  length. 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 
FAX:  (804)  355-8535 
Internet:  JOHN_SNIPFEN@pcusa.org 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
(USPS  604-120  /  ISSN  1071-345X) 
Is  produced  and  published  monthly 
(except  February,  August  and  December) 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of  the 
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POSTMASTER 

Please  send  address  changes  to 
MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
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post  offices. 

Vol.  LXII 
October  1996 
September  1996  circulation 
160,171 


Mid-Atlantic  Presb3rterian,  October  1996,  Page  3 


Welcoming  the  Children 


Volunteer  Emergency  Families  for 
Children  (VEFC)  of  Virginia,  with  the 

central  office  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  recruits, 
trains,  and  maintains  volunteer  families  of  faith 
throughout  Virginia  who  provide  either  short- 
term  (one  to  21  days)  shelter  care  or  mentoring 
services  to  homeless,  abused,  neglected,  delin- 
quent, runaway,  and  at-risk  children  and  youth 
ages  birth  through  17.  There  are  20  Shelter  Care 
programs  serving  47  communities.  Four  VEFC 
PLUS  (Partners  in  Learning  and  Understanding 
with  Students)  mentoring  programs  match  vol- 
unteers with  high-risk  students  for  at  least  one 
hour  a  week  during  the  school  year  in  an  effort  to 
improve  school  performance,  attendance,  behav- 
ior, and  self-esteem.  Two  Alternatives  to  Deten- 
tion programs,  which  provide  mentors  and  shel- 
ter care  to  juvenile  offenders,  keep  young  people 
out  of  trouble  and  inspire  them  to  stay  in  school 
and  become  focused  on  positive  goals  and 
lifestyles.  EHiring  1995,  VEFC  programs  reached 
over  650  children  and  young  people.  This  is 
VEFC's  17th  year  of  ministry. 

Since  1979,  VEFC,  guided  by  a  volunteer  board 
of  directors  with  strong  Presbyterian  representa- 
tion, has  ministered  to  over  9,0(X)  individuals.  Its 
nationally  recognized  model  of  outreach  ministry 
is  cost-effective  and  successful. 

Anne  B.  Earle  is  the  executive  director. 


Edmarc  Hospice  for  Children,  Norfolk, 

Virginia,  has  been  caring  for  seriously  and  termi- 
nally ill  children  since  1978.  Its  ministry  is  two- 
fold. It  provides  professional  care,  including 
skilled  nursing  visits  and  private  duty  nursing,  to 
very  sick  children  in  their  own  homes,  amid  fam- 
ily love  and  commotion,  and,  through  a  vast  ar- 
ray of  professional  supportive  services,  ministers 
to  the  families  of  these  children.  Siblings  are  of- 
fered one-on-one  counseling  by  professionals  and 
are  included  in  sibling  support  groups.  Two  so- 
cial workers,  volunteers,  and  a  bereavement  coor- 
dinator work  together  to  develop  a  supportive 
system  of  care  for  all  who  are  affected  by  the  ill- 
ness of  the  child— parents,  brothers  and  sisters, 
and  grandparents.  Edmarc  works  to  prevent  the 
family  breakdown  that  so  often  results  when  a 
child  dies. 

More  than  400  families  have  been  served  since 
Edmarc  was  founded  out  of  the  Suffolk  (Virginia) 
Presbyterian  Church.  Currently,  more  than  150 
fcunilies  are  receiving  customized  and  compre- 
hensive bereavement  care. 

Julie  Simpson  Sligh  is  the  executive  director  of 
this  ministry  which  serves  southeastern  Virginia. 


Volunteer  Families  for  Children  of 
North  Carolina  (VFC-NC),  with  the  state 
office  in  Cary,  N.C.,  has,  since  1989,  provided  a 
ministry  to  children  whose  families  are  facing  a 
crisis  or  chronic  situation  that  may  result  in  the 
children  having  to  leave  the  home.  Maria,  a  single 
parent  of  three  children,  was  diagnosed  with  bi- 
polar (manic  depressive)  disorder.  She  first  be- 
came involved  with  VFC-NC  when  she  went  to  a 
state  hospital  during  a  bipolar  episode  and  had 
no  safe  place  to  leave  her  children.  Now,  due  to 
regular  respite  visits  with  a  VFC  family,  she  is 
able  to  maintain  her  children  without  the  need 


VFC-NC  offers  a  ministry  that  allows  volunteer 
host  families  to  open  their  homes  to  children  like 
Maria's,  providing  much-needed  care  and  attention 
during  a  time  of  crisis.  Volunteer  host  families  are 
trained  by  a  VFC  social  worker  and  licensed  by  the 
State  of  North  Carolina. 

H.  Juanita  Clemmons  is  executive  director. 


"Jesus  took  a  little  child  and  put  it  by  his  side  and  said, 
'whoever  welcomes  this  child  in  my  name  welcomes  me. ' " 
Luke  9:47-48a 

The  diild  and  youth  care  agencies  of  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  minister  to  children  in 
crisis,  and  their  "welcome"  takes  many  forms 
as  you  will  see  when  you  read  this  page. 
With  your  Synod  Thanksgiving  Offering  you 
can  share  in  these  important  Christian  minis- 
tries. The  Synod  permits  each  church  and  do- 
nor giving  to  the  annual  Thanksgiving  Offer- 
ing to  name  the  ministry  they  wish  the  gift  to 
support.  Brochures  and  envelopes  for  the  of- 
fering will  be  sent  in  October.  Checks  for  the 
offering  should  be  made  payable  to:  Thanks- 
giving Offering,  Synod  of  the  Mid- Atlantic. 


Presbyterian  Home  &  Family  Ser- 
vices, Inc.,  with  headquarters  in  Lynchburg, 
Virginia,  provides  residential  care  and  supportive 
services  to  over  275  individuals  annually.  Homes 
are  located  in  Lynchburg  (Presbytery  of  the 
Peaks),  Zuni  (Eastern  Virginia  Presbytery),  Fred- 
ericksburg (Presbytery  of  the  James),  and 
Waynesboro  (Shenandoah  Presbytery).  Residents 
also  come  from  the  National  Capital  Presbytery, 
the  Abingdon  Presbytery,  and  the  Coastal  Caro- 
lina Presbytery. 

Homes  are  provided  to  abused  and  neglected 
children,  to  mentally  challenged  persons,  to  chil- 
dren from  dysfunctional  families,  and  to  develop- 
mentally  disabled  homeless  persons.  Services  in- 
clude residential  care,  education,  recreation,  indi- 
vidual and  group  counseling,  family  counseling. 
Christian  education,  and  case  management. 

Children's  ministries  have  been  provided  since 
1903.  Today  they  are  offered  through  three  sepa- 
rate programs:  Genesis  House  for  emergency  care 
of  abused  and  neglected  children;  Presbyterian 
Home  for  children  from  dysfunctional  families; 
and  Exodus  House  for  teenagers  unable  to  live 
with  their  families. 

Ministry  for  mentally  challenged  persons  be- 
gan in  1967.  Today  services  are  offered  through 
group  homes  at  two  locations,  while  five  addi- 
tional homes  are  being  converted  for  use  in  two 
additional  locations.  Sheltered  employment  is 
also  provided  in  horticulture  and  peanut  process- 
ingat  Zimi,  Virginia. 

The  Reverend  E.  Peter  Geitner  is  president. 


Presbyterian  Children's  Home  of  the 

Highlands,  Inc.  in  Wytheville,  Virginia,  has 
for  over  75  years  provided  a  restorative  ministry 
in  a  Christian  environment  to  the  children  of  Appa- 
lachia.  Over  120  children  are  helped  during  ti\e 
year. 

With  a  dynamic  vision  for  the  future,  the  Home 
is  dedicated  to  expanding  its  ability  to  serve  more 
children  in  need  and  to  being  a  valuable  asset  for 
Presbyterian  Churches  to  callupon. 

Each  summer  the  Home  hosts  workcamps  from 
across  the  Synod  and  furnishes  staff  for  a  variety 
of  youth  and  family  workshops.  A  new  thrift 
store  has  been  started  and  other  community  out- 
reaches  are  planned. 

John  L  Alexander  is  executive  director. 


Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children, 

Barium  Springs,  North  Carolina,  has  for  105  years 
been  meeting  the  needs  of  troubled  children  in 
North  Carolina  in  a  loving.  Christian  environ- 
ment. Its  restorative  ministry  is  offered  to  both 
the  children  and  their  families. 

Each  year  specialized  residential  services  are 
provided  by  Barium's  professional  staff  to  ap- 
proximately 150  children  and  young  people  ages 
nine  to  20.  They  receive  24-hour  group  care;  psy- 
chological and  psychiatric  services;  special  educa- 
tion; individual,  group,  and  family  counseling; 
and/or  preparation  for  adult  living  training  as 
appropriate.  About  170  additional  children  are  of- 
fered preschool  educational  training,  or,  if  they 
are  of  school  age,  part-time  before-and-after 
school  care  and  full-time  summer  care. 

There  are  long  waiting  lists  for  all  of  Barium's 
services,  and  the  level  of  dysfunction  of  the  chil- 
dren and  youth  referred  to  the  residential  centers 
continues  to  increase. 

The  staff  is  also  in  demand  to  provide  work- 
shops, seminars,  and  consultation  and  to  host  the 
administrative  and  program  staffs  of  other  agen- 
cies who  need  to  upgrade  their  services  to 
troubled  children  and  their  families. 

Robert  W.  Stansell,  Jr.,  is  president. 


1996  THANKSGIVING  OFFERING 
SYNOD  OF  THE  MID-ATLANTIC 


Pijge  4,  Mid-Al,!antic  Presbyterian,  October  1996 


Two  churches  receive  Walton  grants 


Two  new  churches  within  the 
Synod  recently  received  $30,000 
Walton  Foundation  grants  for 
outstanding  new  church  develop- 
ments. 

The  recipient  churches  are 
Eastfield  Church  of  Huntersville, 
N.C.,  in  Charlotte  Presbytery  and 
Southminster  Church  of 
Gastonia,  N.C.,  in  Western  North 
Carolina  Presb3rtery. 

While  in  separate  presbyter- 
ies, both  churches  are  located  in 
rapidly  growing  areas  on  the  out- 
skirts of  Charlotte. 

Eastfield  Church 

Started  as  a  new  church  develop- 
ment project  out  of  the  Mallard 
Creek  Church  in  1993,  the  East- 
field  Chvu-ch  was  chartered  last 
May  and  has  155  members,  ac- 
cording to  Pastor  Owen  Carriker. 

Carriker  was  an  associate  pas- 
tor at  Mallard  Creek  and  became 
the  organizing  pastor  at  Eastfield. 
He  has  since  been  called  as  the 
first  permanent  pastor. 

Eastfield  Church  is  located  on 
the  northern  fringes  of  Mecklen- 
burg County.  Carriker  said  12  to 
15  families  move  into  the  sur- 
rounding community  every  week. 

While  the  population  in  a  five- 
mile  radious  around  the  church  is 
only  three  percent  African  Ameri- 
can, the  church's  congregation  is 
15  percent  African  American. 
Carriker  explained  that  East- 
field's  style  of  worship  is  one  rea- 
son that  it  is  drawing  participants 
from  outside  the  immediate  com- 
munity. 

Another  factor  in  its  growth  — 
at  least  temporarily  —  is  that  the 
congregation  has  been  meeting  in 
a  restaurant,  Oehler's  Bar-B-Que 
Barn,  which  is  rustic  and  has  a 
petting  zoo,  lake  and  other  "at- 


tractions." Children  have  been 
especially  pleased  with  the  set- 
ting. 

Eastfield  has  plans  to  build  a 
$600,000, 8,700-square-foot  facil- 
ity on  a  10-acre  site.  The  ground 
breaking  will  probably  be  next 
April,  said  Carriker.  The  Walton 
Fund  grant  will  "help  tremen- 
dously" the  church's  building  pro- 
gram. 

The  new  building  will  be  com- 
pletely multi-purpose  with  every 
space  having  two  or  three  uses. 
"That  way  we  can  build  a  smaller 
building  and  make  more  use  of 
it,"  he  said.  "We've  learned  to 
adapt  and  be  creative  about  space 
use." 

Carriker  and  his  congregation 
take  seriously  their  commitment 
to  serve  the  entire  community. 
"Eastfield  is  a  very  diverse  con- 
gregation culturally  and  racially. 
You  will  find  people  from  all  walks 
of  life  at  this  church,"  he  said. 

"It  is  one  thing  to  say  your  are 
diverse,  it  is  another  thing  to  take 
action  to  build  diversity.  We  want 
to  be  a  congregation  of  people  dedi- 
cated to  being  open  both  cultur- 
ally and  racially." 

In  the  near  future  the  church 
plans  to  call  a  racial  ethnic  assis- 
tant pastor. 

Carriker  said  the  church  would 
also  like  to  start  a  child  develop- 
ment center  when  its  new  facility 
is  completed. 

Southminster  Church 

Efforts  to  start  a  new  church  in 
what  is  now  Western  North  Caro- 
lina Presbytery  started  about  10 
years  ago,  but  languished  during 
the  process  of  reunion  and  forma- 
tion of  the  new  presbytery. 

Despite  the  fact  that  Gastonia 
has  become  a  bedroom  commu- 


Peacing  Together  the  Pieces 
Celebrating  Diversity 

(responding  to  the  general  need  to  discuss  racism) 


2  dates  and  5  locations  from  which  to  choose 

Saturday,  Nov.  2,  1996        10  a.m.-4:30  p.m. 

Berwyn  Presbyterian  Church,  College  Park,  Md. 
Hudson  Memorial  Presbyterian  Church,  Raleigh,  N.C. 

Saturday,  Nov.  9,  1996        10  a.m.  4:30  p.m. 

Three  Chopt  Presbyterian  Church,  Richmond,  Va. 
First  Presbyterian  Church,  Roanoke,  Va. 
Statesville  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church,  Charlotte,  N.C. 


Registration 

Peacing  Together  the  Pieces  -  Celebrating  Diversity 


City  _ 


State  _ 


Zip  _ 


Register  me  for  (check  one):  □  College  Park,  Md.  (11/2) 

□  Raleigh,  N.C.  (11/2)      □  Richmond,  Va.  (11/9) 

□  Roanoke,  Va.  (11/9)        □  Charlotte,  N.C.  (11/9) 

Send  completed  registration  form  with  $5  personal  check  (includes 
U.uch)  ny.yable  io  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic,  P.O.  Box  27026, 
i  ■  23261-7026. 


nity  for  people  working  in  the 
Charlotte  area,  most  existing 
churches  in  the  city  were  not  grow- 
ing. When  proposals  to  consoli- 
date the  existing  congregations 
or  to  redevelop  them  did  not  work 
out,  developing  a  new  church  be- 
came the  best  option  to  reach  the 
expanding  population. 

The  Rev.  J erry  Bron  was  called 
from  Washington,  N.C,  in  Au- 
gust 1993  to  organize  the  new 
congregation,  which  first  met  Jan. 
9,  1994,  and  was  chartered  on 
Oct.  2,  1994.  He  moved  from  a 
very  traditional  Presbyterian 
church  to  a  congregation  that  is 
in  his  own  words  "very  non-tradi- 
tional." 

Thanks  to  a  telemarketing  ef- 
fort that  reached  8,500  homes, 
there  were  222  persons  present 
for  the  first  service.  Bron  has  also 
used  advertising  in  local  media  to 
promote  Southminster. 

More  than  70  percent  of  the  160 
adult  and  80  youth  who  attend 
Southminster  were  not  attending 
any  church  before  coming  there. 
Since  many  come  from  non-Pres- 
byterian or  even  non-Christian 
backgrounds,  there  are  continuous 
efforts  to  educate  and  train  them  in 
Presbyterian  traditions. 

"You  have  only  one  chance  to 
make  a  first  impression,"  said 
Bron.  "If  they  feel  lost  from  the 
very  begiiming,  then  you  are  not 
serving  yourself  or  the  church  very 
effectively." 

Bron  credited  support  from  ex- 
isting Presbyterian  congregations 
for  Southminster's  good  start.  "One 
of  the  keys  to  our  success  has  been 
the  degree  to  which  other  people, 
particularly  Presbyterians  in  this 
area,  have  said  Tes,  we  think 
there's  a  lot  of  potential  in  this  area 
that's  not  being  met.  We're  willing 
to  support  you."* 

Southminster  members  have 
pledged  $480,000  toward  the  $  1 .3 
million  needed  for  construction  of 
the  church's  new  facility.  Another 
$320,000  has  come  from  outside 
the  congregation,  said  Bron.  First 
Church  of  Gastonia  has  been  a 
major  supporter,  but  other  con- 
tributions have  come  from 
churches  as  far  as  50  miles  away. 

"The  local  efforts  have  been 
monumental,"  he  said.  "They  have 
enabled  us  to  put  together  a  struc- 
ture that's  probably  twice  what 
most  new  church  developments 
can  put  up." 

Construction  of  the  first  phase 
of  the  church's  —  a  208-seat 
chapel,  offices  and  classrooms  — 
is  well  underway  on  16  acres  in  an 


The  Rev.  Jerry  Bron,  pastor  of  Southminster  Church  in 
Gastonia,  N.C,  stands  with  drawing  of  new  $1.3  million  facility. 


upscale  residential  area  of  south- 
east Gastonia. 

Southminster's  plans  for 
growth  are  big.  A  gymnasium  will 
be  added  behind  the  chapel  to 
provide  recreational  space  and  to 
accomodate  membership  growth. 
Eventually,  a  sanctuary  will  be 
added.  Land  has  been  cleared  and 
drainage  provided  for  softball  and 
soccer  fields,  all  meant  for  use  by 
the  entire  community  as  well  as 
church  members. 

"The  demographics  suggested 
that  we  need  to  be  very  ambi- 
tious," said  Bron.  In  the  next  five 
years,  Southminster  may  "easily" 
exceed  500  members. 


While  the  new  facility  is  under 
construction,  Southminster's  con- 
gregation continues  to  meet  in  the 
auditorium  of  a  former  orthopedic 
hospital.  The  facility  is  fine  for 
worship  services,  but  it  limits  the 
church's  ability  to  provide  nursery 
service  and  educational  programs 
which  are  seen  as  the  keys  to  at- 
tracting still  more  members. 

Facihty  restrictions  have  not, 
however,  prevented  the  congrega- 
tion from  becoming  an  active  par- 
ticipant in  its  conununity.  In  addi- 
tion to  Habitat  for  Humanity  and 
CROP,  members  also  support  a  cri- 
sis ministry,  a  counseling  mirustry 
and  Uteracy  programs. 


Rebuilding  will  take  years 


continued  from  page  1 
especially  hard.  While  most 
churches  reportedly  escaped  with 
only  minor  damage,  property  dam- 
age was  heavy  throughout  the 
state  capital. 

Kinston,  N.C,  also  received 
especially  rough  treatment.  After 
Fran  roared  through,  the  Neuse 
River  flooded  the  town  causing 
raw  sewage  to  flow  through  the 
streets.  Then,  on  Sept.  8,  a  tor- 
nado hit  the  town. 

The  presbyteries  of  Virginia 
reported  less  damage,  but  there 
was  major  property  damage  from 
flooding  in  the  Dan,  Shenandoah 
and  Potomac  river  valleys.  The 
Potomac  also  surged  past  flood 
stage  at  Washington  and  Alexan- 
dria, Va. 

The  flooding  was  especially  bad 
along  Georges  Creek  in  western 


Maryland.  A  string  of  small  towns 
—  including  Barton,  Lonaconing 
and  Westernport  —  along  the 
creek  were  heavily  damaged  by 
flooding  that  longtime  residents 
said  was  worse  than  anything 
since  1936. 

It  was  the  coal-mining 
country  s  second  major  flood  in  10 
months.  In  January  1996,  heavy 
rains  on  top  of  a  recent  snowfall 
sent  the  creeks  and  rivers  ram- 
paging through  the  area. 

Similar  reports  came  from 
West  Virginia,  where  heavy  dam- 
age was  reported  from  Petersburg 
through  Moorefield  and  down- 
stream on  the  South  Branch  of 
the  Potomac. 

Another  casualty  of  Fran  was 
utility  service.  About  4.5  million 
people  were  without  electricity  at 
some  time  during  the  storm. 


At  Westminster-Canterbury  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  retirement 
means  opportunity.  There 
is  no  better  time  or  place  to 
make  the  most  of  life.  Our 
residents  do  all  the  things 
tJieyVe  always  done  or  always 
wanted  to  do.  They  come 
and  go,  learn  and  explore, 
participate  and  enjoy  full, 
active  lifestyles  confident 
they  have  the  best  care  and 
services  available.  With  so  much 
going  on,  you  might  want 
to  consider  early  retirement. 


equal  housing  oppommitv  throughout 


(804)  980-9100 

national  origin. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October  199(,,  Page  Ml 


Mission  1997 


12,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbjrterian,  October  1996 


Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlai 


The  Rev.  Rick  Hill,  Presbyterian  campus  minister  at  James  Madison 
University  in  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  leads  a  group-singing  session  during 
a  conference  of  college  students  in  Charlotte,  N.C. 


Through  Racial  Ethnic  Ministries  the  synod  supports  the  work  of 
groups  like  the  Korean  Presbyterian  Council  which  sponsors  annual 
events  for  Korean  American  pastors  and  families.  Above  are  the  Rev. 
Woong  Joe  Kang  of  the  council,  left,  and  Jin  Kim,  a  missionarya  to 
Kazakhstan,  who  spoke  at  the  1995  KPC  Mission  Conference. 


Mission  1997 


Campus  Ministries  | 

Support  in  varying  amounts  for  48  campus  ministries  on 
61  college  and  university  campuses. 

*364,443 

Mission-related  staff  expenses 

Includes  salaries,  benefits  and  travel. 

«294,253 

Communication 

Funding  for  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  synod  newspa- 
per. Also  support  for  three  electronic  media  programs 
related  to  the  PC(USA). 

*205,286 

Partnership  Ministries 

Includes  Presbyterian  Men,  Presbyterian  Women,  Older 
Adult  Ministries,  Youth  Council,  Hunger  Action,  New 
Church  Development,  Peacemaking,  and  Resource 
Centers. 

*1 06,907 

Justice  and  Mercy  Ministries 

Includes  support  for  prison  ministries  in  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina,  North  Carolina  Land  Stewardship 
Council,  Virginia  Interfaith  Center  for  Public  Policy, 
Justice  for  Women,  and  the  Mission  Experience  program. 

»48,233 

Racial  Ethnic  Ministries 

Includes  Racial  Ethnic  Student  Ministries  (internships), 
Korean  American  Ministries,  Black  Clergy  Recruiting, 
support  for  national  African  American  Clergy 
Conference,  Racial  Ethnic  Seminary  Scholarships, 
Women  of  Color,  Black  Caucus  and  Korean  Caucus. 

«36,099 

1  Evangelism 

Includes  support  for  prayer  cells,  scholarships  for  na- 
tional Small  Church  Conference,  a  multi-media  project, 
and  a  two-stage  synod  workshop  event  for  Black 
churches. 


Total 


$1,066,911 


Each  year  the  synod's  Youth  Council  sponsors  a  Youth  Leadership 
Workshop  for  youth  who  are  leaders  and  adult  leaders  of  youth  groups. 


I 


What  about  Care  Agencies,  Colleges,  Ecumenical 
Associations  and  Personal  Counseling? 


The  13  presbyteries  and  the  Synod  have  had  conversations  regarding  the 
funding  of  these  mission  programs  in  our  region.  One  plan  which  came  out  of 
these  —  Revenue  Neutral  —  was  only  approved  by  six  of  the  presbyteries  and 
tabled  by  the  1996  Synod  Assembly,  which  called  for  the  synod,  presbyteries 
and  affected  agencies  and  institutions  to  hold  a  consultation  to  find  a  univer- 
sally acceptable  plan. 

In  the  meantime,  funding  for  these  groups  will  be  handled  in  three  ways. 
The  presb3rteries  which  approved  Revenue  Neutral  will  send  funds  direct  to 
the  agencies/institutions  and  the  s5mod  will  be  apprised  of  the  amounts. 
Other  presbyteries  will  continue  to  send  funds  through  the  synod,  but  will 
designate  them  for  the  agencies/institutions.  And  the  third  group  of  presby- 
teries will  continue  to  send  undesignated  mission  funds  to  Synod,  which  will 
then  distribute  them  to  the  agencies/institutions  according  to  amounts  that 
have  been  pledged  to  them. 

While  funding  of  these  agencies/institutions  is  in  transition,  the  Synod 
Council  has  appointed  a  task  group  to  meet  and  talk  with  the  agencies/ 
institutions  in  an  effort  to  update  the  covenant  relationships  between  the 
Synod,  the  presbyteries  and  the  agencies/institutions.  The  task  group's 
members  are  Mrs.  June  Bucy,  the  Rev.  Sue  Fricks  and  Mr.  Karl  Green. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  October 


tic  in  mission 


Synod  Office 


Location:  3218  Chamberlayne  Ave.,  Richmond,  VA  23227 
Postal  Address:  P.O.  Box  27026,  Richmond,  VA  23261-7026 
Phone:(804)342-0016  •   FAX:  (804)  355-8535 


Synod  Staff 


Executive/stated  Clerk  —  The  Rev.  Carroll  D.  Jenkins 
Comptroller  —  Mr.  Jack  Wheeler 
Associate  for  Communication  —  Mr.  John  Sniffen 
Associate  for  Older  Adult  Ministries  —  Mrs.  Jan  McGilliard 
Admininistrative  Assistant  —  Mrs.  Harriet  Thompson 
Bookkeeper  —  Mrs.  Stacey  Burnett 


Synod  Council 


Mrs.  June  Bucy,  Chair,  Harrisonburg,  VA 

Rev.  David  Thornton,  Vice  Chair,  Laurinburg,  N.C. 

Rev.  J.  Miller  Liston,  Synod  Moderator,  Big  Stone  Gap,  Va. 

Rev.  Rogers  E.  Randall  Jr.,  Synod  Vice  Moderator,  Fayetteville,  N.C. 


Ms.  Barbara  Allen,  Wilmington,  Del. 
Rev.  Hyun  Chan  Bae,  Richmond,  Va. 
Mrs.  Nancy  Coen,  Richmond,  Va. 
Rev.  Sue  Fricks,  Durham,  N.C. 
Rev.  Robert  Curry,  Springfield,  Va. 
Mr.  Karl  Green,  Wilmington,  Del. 
Rev.  Sam  Hale,  Cullowhee,  N.C. 
Mr.  George  Heurison,  Norfolk,  Va. 
Mr.  Arthur  Lee,  Roanoke,  Va. 
Mr.  Vivian  Moses,  Washington,  D.C. 


Mr.  Richard  Mosser,  Annandale,  Va. 
Rev.  J.  Herbert  Nelson,  Greensboro 
Mrs.  Peta  Patton,  Abingdon,  Va. 
Mr.  Rafe  Pride,  Charlotte,  N.C. 
Mrs.  Valeria  Tocci,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Mr.  Fred  Ward,  Pfafitown,  N.C. 
Mr.  John  Winings,  Wake  Forest,  N.C. 

Two  positions  —  Partnership  Ministries  chair 
and  Youth  Council  —  vacant  as  of  10/1/96 


Other  synod  ministries 


Special  Offerings 


The  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  oversees  the  collection  of  two  synod-wide 
offerings  each  year.  The  Mother's  Day/Father's  Day  Offering  in  May  is  used 
to  help  fund  older  adult  ministries  in  the  synod.  The  Thanksgiving  Offering 
each  fall  is  divided  between  agencies  which  provide  care  and  support  services 
for  children,  youth,  young  adults  and  their  families. 


Speer  Fund  and  Self  Development  of  People 


Synod  committees  for  these  two  funds  solicit  and  review  applications,  and 
select  regional  recipients  for  these  two  funds  which  were  established  for  the 
purpose  of  improving  the  lives  of  persons  in  communities  of  need.  The  Speer 
Fund  was  the  result  of  a  bequest  to  New  Castle  Presbytery.  Self  Development 
of  People  is  a  national  program  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 


Small  Church  Grants,  Loans 


The  synod  has  funds  available  for  grants  and  low-interest  loans  to  small  and 
developing  or  redeveloping  churches.  These  are  ongoing  programs.  The 
Finance  Committee  reviews  applications  and  recommends  approval  to  the 
Synod  Council. 


1 

The  Rev.  Sterling  Morse,  associate  for  mission  with  National  Capital 
Presbytery,  talks  with  the  Rev.  Sandy  Seaton-Todd,  who  heads  the 
task  force  that  planned  anti-racism  to  be  held  around  the  sjmod  in 
November  1996. 


The  New  Church  Development  organization,  a  part  of  synod's 
Partnership  Ministries,  holds  an  annual  retreat  for  pastors  and  their 
spouses.  Here  pastors  Ed  Moore,  Rich  Boyd,  Alan  Smyth  and  Jerry 
Bron  enjoy  the  1996  retreat. 


Page  ivK^,  Mid-Atlantic  Presbji;erian,  October  1996 


The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  in  l\/lission 

Varieties  of  gifts . .  .tlie  same  Spirit . . .  (1  Cor.  i2:4) 


•  The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
brings  the  heaUng  mission  of  God's 
love  to  brothers  and  sisters  in  eighty 
countries.  There  are  more  than  1,000 
compensated  and  volunteer  mission 
personnel  actively  involved  with 
much  of  the  work  outside  the  United 
States  done  eciunenically  with  120 
church  partners. 

•  More  than  $2.2  million  was  given  to 
meet  emergency  needs  created  by 
floods,  hurricanes,  civil  unrest,  and 
other  natural  or  human  disasters. 


'  Self-Development  of  People  (SDOP) 
marked  twenty-five  years  of  ministry, 
celebrating  a  quarter  of  a  century  of 
efforts  to  help  empower  people  who 
are  seeking  to  change  structures  that 
perpetuate  poverty,  oppression,  and 
injustice. 

>  The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  is 
leading  Protestant  denominations  in 
support  of  A.D.  2000,  the  largest 
ecumenical  movement  of  evangelism 
in  the  history  of  Christianity. 


'  Presbyterian  youth  are  on  the  move  in 
the  "Presbyterian  Youth  Connection 
launched  at  the  1995  Youth  Trien- 
nium  where  more  than  6,000  young 
people  embraced  the  theme,  "And  the 
Walls  Came  Tumbling  Down." 

'  More  than  90,000  persons  partici- 
pated in  programs  at  the  PC((USA)'s 
national  conference  centers  in  1995. 

*  The  General  Assembly  Council's 
Ministry  in  the  Cities  initiative  took 
shape  in  1995  as  $280,000  was  made 
available  to  presbyteries  in  four  major 


cities  through  the  joint  support  of  the 
Urban  Ministries  Office,  Presbyterian 
World  Service,  the  Presbyterian 
Hunger  Program,  and  the  Social 
Justice  and  Evangelism  and  Church 
Development  program  area. 

*  Congregations  are  served  through  a 
variety  of  resources  that  nurture 
faith:  The  Mission  Yearbook  for 
Prayer  &  Study,  the  Presbyterian 
Planning  Calendar,  peacemaking 
resources,  curriculum,  older  ministry 
resources,  evangelism  materials, 
theological  studies  .  .  .  the  list  goes  on. 


varieties  of  services,  but  tlie  same  Lord  (1  Cor.i2:5) 


General  Assembly  Council 

There  are  varieties  of  gifts,  but  the  same 
Spirit,  and  there  are  varieties  of  service, 
but  the  same  Lord,  and  there  are 
varieties  of  activities,  but  it  is  the  same 
God  who  activates  all  of  them  in  every- 
one. To  each  is  given  the  manifestation 
of  the  Spirit  for  the  common  good  (1  Cor. 
12:4-7). 

In  September  1995,  the  General 
Assembly  Council  voted  to  provide  a 
Bible  study  for  the  whole  church  based 
on  the  First  Letter  of  Paul  to  the 
Corinthians.  More  than  30,000  copies  of 
this  study,  In  the  One  Spirit,  have  been 
distributed  throughout  the  church. 

Through  Congregational  Ministries, 
National  Ministries,  Worldwide  Minis- 
tries, and  Corporate  and  Administrative 
Services,  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  carries  on  varieties  of  activities, 
using  varieties  of  gifts,  all  rooted  in  the 
same  Spirit. 

In  the  Executive  Director's  Office  are 
the  Communication  Office  that  includes 
the  news  service,  church  and  public 
relations,  PresbyNet  PresbyTel/ 
Voiceline;  Presbyterian  Today;  Monday 
Morning.  Also  lodged  in  the  director's 
office  are  the  Advisory  Committee  on 
Social  Witness  Policy,  the  Advocacy 
Committee  for  Racial  Ethnic  Concerns, 
and  the  Advocacy  Committee  for 
Women's  Concerns. 


Congregational  Ministries 

Pursue  love  and  strive  for  the  spiritual  gifts 
(1  Cor.  14:1) 

Through  research,  mission  interpreta- 
tion and  promotion,  media  services, 
stewardship,  theological  education, 
spiritual  formation,  Christian  education, 
youth  and  older  adult  ministries, 
worship,  and  the  production  of  a  variety 
of  resources,  the  Congregational  Minis- 
tries Division  serves  the  church  with  a 
special  emphases  on  congregations. 


Photos  (from  left):  Dedication  of  the 
chapel  in  the  Presbyterian  Center; 
Nearly  6,000  young  people  partici- 
pated in  the  1995  Youth  Triennium; 
more  than  1,700  Presbyterian  Stu- 
dents received  a  record  $1.8  million 
through  the  Financial  Aid  for  Studies 
Program;  During  1996-97  the 
PC(USA)  will  be  celebrating  a  'Year 
with  Latin  Americans." 


National  Ministries 

Let  all  things  be  done  for  building  up  (1 
Cor.  14:26) 

Women's  ministries,  the  Washington 
office,  urban  ministry,  social  justice, 
racial  ethnic  ministries,  evangelism  and 
church  development,  and  church 
partnership  are  areas  of  service  for  the 
National  Ministries  Division. 

More  than  1,700  Presbyterian 
students  received  a  record  $1.8  million 
through  the  Financial  Aid  for  Studies 
program.  An  additional  $2.5  million  was 
allotted  to  help  support  the 
denominational's  racial  ethnic  schools. 
A  new  plan  for  carrying  out  this  kind  of 
activity  was  detailed  in  the  report,  On 
Being  Faithful:  The  Continuing  Mission 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  in 
Higher  Education. 


Worldwide  Ministries 

For  we  are  God's  servants,  working 
together;  you  are  God's  field,  God's 
building  (1  Cor.  3:9). 

Through  global  service  and  witness, 
ecumenical  partnerships,  and  people  in 
mutual  mission,  the  Worldwide  Minis- 
tries Division  enables  the  church  to 
share  the  good  news  of  Jesus  Christ 
brothers  and  sisters  throughout  the 
whole  world.  In  1996  the  PC(USA)  is 
committed  to  supporting  and  maintain- 
ing 450  to  500  compensated  mission 
personnel  and  400  to  500  volunteer 
personnel  in  more  than  80  countries. 


th 


Corporate  and  ' 
Administrative  Services 

Corporate  and  Administrative  Services 
(CAS)  provides  direct  services,  support, 
and  functional  guidance  to  the  PC(USA) 
in  areas  that  include  accounting;  trea- 
sury, internal  auditing;  legal;  property; 
human  resources;  information  services; 
Hubbard  Press  and  Presbyterian  Distri- 
bution Services. 


General 
Assembly 
Mission 
Program 
1997 

$113,644,826 


Corporate  and 
Administrative 
Services 
7.23% 


Other  Programs  & 
Shared  Expenses 
12.08% 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Octob. 


Campus  Notes 


Appalachian  history  program  Nov.  9 

Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  will  present  a  program  to 
explore  and  celebrate  the  history  and  traditions  of  Presbyterians  in 
Appalachia  on  Saturday,  Nov.  9,  at  Royal  Oak  Church  in  Marion,  Va. 

The  program  will  include  presentations  and  performances  by  schol- 
ars, musicians,  pastors  and  church  members  whose  lives  and  work  are 
woven  together  with  Appalachian  Presbyterians  into  the  sturdy  fabric 
of  church,  community  and  seminary.  They  will  trace  the  development 
of  congregations  and  worship  practices  in  Appalachia  from  their 
Scottish  roots  to  the  highlands  of  Southwest  Virginia,  Western  North 
Carolina,  West  Virginia,  and  eastern  Kentucky  and  Tennessee. 

Cost  of  the  program,  including  lunch,  is  $7.50  per  person  ($5  for 
Union  Seminary  alumni  and  students).  For  more  information  or  to 
make  a  reservation  call  Beth  Ford  or  Linda  Smalley  in  the  Union 
Seminary  Office  of  Communications  at  (800)  229-2990  ext.  265. 
Richmond  area  (local)  calls  should  be  made  to  278-4265. 

Montreal  College  gets  largest  grant 

MONTREAT,  N.C.  —  Montreat  College  has  received  a  $500,000  grant, 
the  largest  in  the  school's  history.  Half  of  the  gift  will  go  toward 
construction  of  the  new  Center  for  Christian  Studies,  which  will 
provide  a  220-seat  chapel  and  multi-use  classrooms  and  office  space 
for  the  college's  Bible  and  Religion  faculty.  The  remaining  $250,000 
will  be  used  to  expand  libratory  facilities  and  modernize  mechanical 
systems  in  MorganHall,  the  college's  science  building.  The  grant  came 
from  a  foundation  which  requested  anonymity. 

Montreat  College  also  reported  that  it  has  been  awarded  $68,000 
from  the  U.S.  Department  of  Commerce  and  the  Appalachian  College 
Association  to  establish  a  community  wide  computer  information 
network  for  the  Montreat  area. 

Mary  Baldwin  reports  top  enrollment 

STAUNTON,  Va.  —  Mary  Baldwin  College  reported  in  August  that  it 
had  864  students  in  residential  baccalaureate  programs  enrolled  for 
fall  classes.  In  addition  to  topping  the  old  enrollment  record  set  in 
1971,  the  current  students  have  the  highest  SAT  scores  inthe  last 
decade  and  are  the  result  of  a  record  low  acceptance  rate. 

Cusick  elected  Waynesburg  chairman 

WAYNESBURG,  Pa.— John  T.  Cusick  Jr.,  senior  vice  president  of 
Davenport  &  Company  of  Virginia,  Inc.,  Richmond,  Va.,  is  the  new 
chair  of  the  Waynesburg  College  board  of  trustees.  Cusick,  a  1962 
alumnus  of  the  college,  has  been  a  member  of  the  Waynesburg  College 
board  since  September  1990,  and  served  as  vice  chair  during  1995-96. 
During  his  tenure  on  the  board,  he  has  served  on  several  committees. 


Youth  leadership  event  is  Nov.  1-3 


Registration  continues  for  "Jour- 
neys of  Faith:  Come  Follow  Me," 
the  1996  Synod  Youth  Leadership 
Conference,  Nov.l-3atMassanetta 
Springs  Conference  Center. 

The  Youth  Leadership  Confer- 
ence is  for  senior  high  youth  who 
are  leaders  and  adult  leaders  who 
work  with  youth. 

Jim  Morgan,  a  Christian  mu- 
sic recording  artist  and  Presbyte- 
rian minister,  will  be  the  keynote 
speaker  for  the  annual  event  spon- 
sored by  the  Synod  Youth  Council 
and  the  conference  center. 


Morgan's  keynote  presentation 
will  be  part  of  the  opening  pro- 
gram on  Friday  evening,  Nov.  1. 

On  Saturday,  Nov.  2,  partici- 
pants will  have  the  option  of  sign- 
ing up  for  one  extended  (four-and- 
a-half  hours)  workshop  or  three 
regular  (90  minute)  workshops. 

Cost  of  the  conference  is  $95  per 
person  if  registered  before  Oct.  15. 

For  information  contact  the 
Rev.  Mark  Sandell  at  (301)  223- 
8887.  For  questions  about  regis- 
tration, contact  Joel  Winchip  at 
(540)  434-3829. 


Belk  Catechism  Awards 


The  following  young  Presbyterians  have  received  certificates  and 
monetary  awards  for  reciting  the  Catechism  for  Young  Children  or  the 
Shorter  Catechism.  The  synod's  catechism  fund,  established  by  the 
late  W.H.  Belk,  provides  recognition  to  boys  and  girls  age  15  and 
younger  who  recite  either  catechism.  The  most  recent  recipients  are 
from: 

Fairview  Church,  Lenoir,  N.  C.  —  Barbara  Bingham,  Martha  Bingham, 
Sara  Laney  and  Kurt  Welborn 

First  Church,  Charlotte,  N.C.  —  Jason  Brauda,  Stokley  Caldwell  III, 
Trevor  Cook,  Anna  Daniel,  Emily  Elliot,  Tarleton  Long  Jr.,  Kathleen 
McDowell,  Lee  Norelli,  Abigail  Phillips  and  William  Potts  III 

First  Church,  Cherryville,  N.C.  —  Erica  Beam,  Sara  Brown,  Christo- 
pher Craft,  Allison  Hager,  Sarah  Putnam  and  Laura  Rogers 

First  Church,  Marion,  N.C.  —  Sara  Gibbs 

Franklin  (W.Va.)  Church  —  Alan  Adkins,  Emily  Chambers,  Traci 
Hise,  Derek  Lambert  and  Kelly  Wilson 

Mallard  Creek  Church,  Charlotte,  N.C.  —  Kathryn  Beard,  Stephanie 
Benet,  Laura  Cochran,  Karen  Ellis,  Erica  Forehand,  Jamie  Garri- 
son, Ginny  Haas,  Shelley  Haas,  Frank  Higginbotham,  Lindsay 
Louya,  Yitzel  Mansour,  Samantha  Pearce,  Emily  Strobino,  Lauren 
Strobino  and  Derek  Worley 

St.  Giles  Church,  Richmond,  Va.  —  Lavira  Anderson,  Susannah 
Anderson,  Kelly  Archibald,  Jeremy  Bowman,  William  Bradford, 
Carter  Gentilhomme,  Kevin  Gillespie,  Margaret  Hickerson, 
Katharine  Hunt,  David  Mathews  Jr.,  Wilson  Nance,  David  Scott, 
Alexander  Skidmore,  Anne  Stuart,  Kathryn  Stumbaugh,  Joshua 
Tiller,  Diane  Vaghari 


Campus  ministry  corner 

Campus  ministry  and  the  Hurricane  Dance 


As  if  Hurricane  Bertha  were  not 
enough  hassle  for  those  in  Wil- 
mington, N.C,  to  deal  with.  Hur- 
ricane Fran  was  a  genuine  threat, 
reality  and  disaster.  By  late 
evening  Sept.  4,  the  University  of 
North  Carolina  at  Wilmington 
decided  to  close  and  students  be- 
gan a  mass  exodus  that  left  the 
campus  virtually  empty  when 
Fran  hit  late  Thursday  night. 

The  university  lost  part  of  a 
roof  on  its  largest  residence  hall, 
more  than  400  trees  and  a  variety 
of  leaks  in  other  buildings.  Some 
staff  and  faculty  lost  homes  and 
students  who  lived  on 
Wrightsville  Beach  had  their 
quarters  damaged  or  destroyed. 
Still,  classes  resumed  the  follow- 
ing Tuesday. 

Tuesday  night  found  the  Fel- 
lowship of  Christian  University 
Students  (FOCUS)  spending  most 
of  their  meeting  in  small  and  large 
group  activities  that  allowed  them 
to  tell  about  their  hurricane  expe- 
riences so  that  feelings  and  emo- 
tions couJd  be  ventilated.  All  stu- 
dents present  had  places  to  stay, 
but  several  were  missing  and  the 


next  few  days  were  spent  making 
sure  they  were  okay. 

During  the  week.  Bob 
Haywood,  campus  minister  at 
UNCW,  worked  with  the  volun- 
teer office  to  set  up  a  weekend 
clean-up  effort  by  students.  Come 
Saturday,  33  members  of  the  fel- 
lowship were  among  130  students 
who  dispersed  around  the  city, 
cleaning  up  schools,  parks  and 
homes.  The  university  provided  t- 
shirts  which  read,  "UNCW  Fran- 
tastic  Volunteers." 

Bob  also  teaches  a  freshman 
seminar  class  of  26  students.  That 
class,  like  the  FOCUS  students, 
spent  the  Tuesday  after  the  storm 
taking  through  the  student's  ex- 
periences and  sharing  their  fears 
and  frustrations  and  anger.  Sev- 
eral students  went  home  only  to 
find  their  homes  more  damaged 
than  their  residences  at  UNCW. 

The  vice  chancellor  of  student 
affairs  told  Bob  about  a  particu- 
lar need  for  housing  for  students 
whose  apartments  or  homes  had 
been  damaged  or  destroyed. 
Through  phone  calls  to  support- 
ing churches,  Bob  found  more  than 


25  families  who  were  willing  to 
provide  several  nights  lodging  for 
students.  Several  students  were 
matched  with  host  families  in  this 
unique  opportunity  for  ministry. 

The  hurricane  discombob- 
ulated  everyone  in  the  commu- 
nity and  the  students  and  faculty 
at  UNCW.  A  week  after  the  storm 
hit,  conversations  were  still  about 
how  people  did  during  the  hurri- 
cane and  what  damage  was  sus- 
tained. 

Stillpoint  II,  the  campus  min- 
istry sailboat,  was  left  high  and 
dry  with  a  small  hole  in  its  bot- 
tom. The  tide  came  up  a  foot  be- 
low the  foundation  of  Bob's  home. 
Rain  and  moisture  ruined  ceil- 
ings and  furniture,  but  everyone 
was  safe.  Insurance  works!  Life 
goes  on.  God's  grace  constantly 
sustains. 

United  Christian  Campus  Min- 
istry at  the  University  of  North 
Carolina  at  Wilmington  is  one  of 
42  in  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlan- 
tic. The  mailing  address  is  601  S. 
College  Rd.,  Wilmington,  NC 
28403-3297. 


Council  discusses  ministry  at  racial  ethnic  colleges 


continued  from  page  1 

In  addition  to  that,  said 
Winings,  there  is  the  $21,465  au- 
thorized by  the  Synod  Assembly 
and  another  $6,000  for  1996  that 
comes  from  salary  not  spent  for 
an  associate  for  campus  minis- 
tries and  other  areas. 

"Fred's  right,  we  can't  tell  the 
presbyteries  what  to  do,"  said 
Winings.  "The  role  we  have  is  one 
of  conscience  ...  we  should  say 
there  are  inequities  ...  and  here's 
what  we  recommend  [the  presby- 
teries] do." 

He  added  that  the  reason  the 
209th  Synod  Assembly  recom- 
mended a  study  of  alternate  meth- 
ods of  funding  of  campus  minis- 
tries came  out  of  the  concern  for 
parity.  "Yes,  it's  moving  slower 
than  perhaps  we  would  like,  but 
we  have  taken  specific  steps  in 
the  past  year." 

Nelson  was  unmoved  by  the 
response.  Out  of  $81,000  in  the 
synod's  campus  ministry  block 
grant  to  Salem  Presbj^ery,  only 
$1,400  goes  to  a  ministry  on  a 
racial  ethnic  campus,  he  said. 

"It  doesn't  take  a  genius  to  fig- 
ure out  that  there  is  something 
wrong  with  that  equation,"  said 
Nelson.  'Teople  don't  like  to  hear 
this  word,  but  it  is  racist.  It  is 
downright  racist,  because  this 
whole  inequity  is  based  onrace. ... 

"We  have  a  Christian  respon- 
sibility to  deal  with  this  kind  of 

injustice         I  think  that  it  is 

wrong  and  we  have  a  problem 
saying  it  is  wrong.  Folks  sit  aroimd 
the  table  and  won't  say  anything. 
It's  actually  buying  somehow  into 
sajdng  that  this  thing  is  right." 

After  much  discussion,  council 
member  Sam  Hale  from  Western 
North  Carolina  Presbytery  moved 


PEWREFINISHING  ♦  CARPET 
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CHURCH  LIGHTING 


CHURCH  FURNISHINGS,  INC. 

Monroe,  NC  28111  1-800-414-5817 


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FIXED /REVERSIBLE 
CHURCH  FURNITURE 
LIGHTS  STAINED  GLASS 

ASSOCIATED 
CHURCH  FURNISHINGS 

1010  AMHERST  HWY.  STE.  2 
MADISON  HEIGHTS,  VA  24572 

==  1-800-572-2283  = 


that  the  $21,465  be  allocated 
equally  among  presbyteries  in- 
terested in  establishing  or 
strengthening  ministries  on  ra- 
cial ethnic  campuses. 

The  motion  was  defeated  by  a 
voice  vote  after  lengthy  discus- 
sion. Nelson's  suggestion  for  a 
special  task  force  was  never  made 
into  a  motion. 

The  council  recessed  for  din- 
ner Friday  and  did  not  take  up 
the  issue  again  until  noon  on  Sat- 
urday. 

Winings  moved  that  the  Cam- 
pus Ministry  Committee  recom- 
mend how  to  disperse  the  $21 ,465 
"gleaned"  from  the  1996  mission 
budget.  He  also  moved  that  his 
committee  develop  a  pastoral  let- 
ter emphasizing  the  one-time  na- 
ture of  the  grant  and  the  need  to 
increase  funding  for  ministries 
on  racial  ethnic  campuses  in  the 
Synod. 

Finally,  Synod  Executive 


Carroll  Jenkins  suggested  that 
Wining's  original  motion  be 
amended  to  have  the  Campus 
Ministry  Committee  recommend 
one  recipient  of  the  one-time 
grant.  Thus  changed,  the  motion 
passed  easily. 

Bob  Curry,  a  minister  from  Na- 
tional Capital  Presbytery,  then 
moved  that  a  consultation  of  rep- 
resentatives from  racial  ethnic 
campuses  be  held  in  early  1997. 
That  motion  also  was  quickly  ap- 
proved. 


REFINISHING 


Conference 
ON  Ministry 

November  1  -  3,  1996 
February  21  -  23, 1997 


If  you  are  exploring  a 
call  into  the  ministry, 
Columbia  Theological 
Seminary  in  Decatur, 
Georgia,  invites  you  to  its 
Conferences  on  Ministry, 
November  1  -  3,  1996,  and 
February  21  -  23,  1997. 
An  opportunity  for  you  to 
take  a  fresh  look  at  the 

Vocation  of  Ministry... 

Yourself... 

Columbia  Seminary... 

For  more  information 
call  404/687-4517. 


'    f  # 

COLUMBIA 
THEOLOGICAL 
SEMINARY 


jr'age  b;  Mid-Adantic  Presbyterian,  October  1996 


Director  of  Liberian  refugee  program 
visiting  in  Synod  tlirough  January 


Joseph  T.  Theoway,  founder  and 
executive  director  of  the  Liberian 
Refugee  Education  and  Agricul- 
tural Program  in  Ghana  will  be 
available  to  speak  to  church  and 
other  groups  in  the 
Western  North  Caro- 
lina region  from  Octo- 
ber to  January. 

Theoway's  visit  to 
the  region  is  being  spon- 
sored  by  the  Rev. 
Vanetta  Baker,  a  Pres- 
byterian minister  from 
Morganton,  N.C. 

Baker  met  Theoway 
in  1995  when  she  was 
in  The  Gambia,  Africa, 
for  a  Pan-African  Chris- 
tian Church  Confer- 
ence. At  that  time,  he 
was  executive  director  of  the 
United  Methodist  Agricultural 
Program  in  Liberia.  When  that 
nation's  civil  war  re-erupted  last 


Joseph  T. 
Theoway 


spring,  he  was  forced  to  flee  with 
his  relatives. 

The  following  are  excerpts  from 
a  letter  Theoway  wrote  to  the  Rev. 
Baker  after  he  escaped  from  the 
war. 

"I  am  thankful  to  the 
Almighty  God  to  still 
be  alive  and  safe  in 
Ghana.  We  had  to  run 
for  lives  on  May  5,  ex- 
actly a  month  after  the 
resumption  of  hostili- 
ties among  the  warring 
factions  in  Monrovia. 

"It  is  a  terrible  situ- 
ation in  Liberia.  There 
are  indiscriminate  kill- 
ings, wide-spread  loot- 
ing and  destruction  of 
properties  and  build- 
ings including  historic  centers. 
The  offices,  schools,  guest  houses, 
vehicles  and  other  properties  of 
our  church,  including  those  of  the 


Loretta  G.  James  elected  president 
of  Presbyterian  musicians  association 


Loretta  Gordon  James,  director 
of  music  ministries  at  Starmount 
Church  in  Greensboro,  N.C,  has 
been  elected  national  president 
of  the  Presbyterian  Association  of 
Musicians  (PAM). 

A  native  of  Monroe,  N.C,  she 
holds  degrees  in  organ 
performance  and  cho- 
ral conducting  from 
Queens  College  in 
Charlotte,  N.C,  and 
the  University  of  North 
Carolina  at  Chapel 
Hill. 

She  founded 
Starmount  Church's 
annual  Bach's  Lunch 
recital  series  in  1985 
as  an  outreach  to  the 
Greensboro  commu- 
nity. Begun  as  a  cel- 
ebration of  the 
tricentennial  of  the  birth  of  J.  S. 
Bach,  the  series  continues  to  pro- 
vide the  community  with  recitals 
and  lunch.  Senior  citizens  are  is- 
sued special  invitations  for  the 
event. 

PAM  is  a  national  organiza- 

FREE  ESTIMATES  ^ 

Stained  eta^  IntMBllaUons 
StainiMf  GIa»a  ReBWiation 

Fiberglass  BapMstrrcs  &  St«iti|^)n 

A&H 

ART&STAEVEDGLA!^ 
COMPANY,  INC 

P:©.  Box  67  Phono 
Harmony,  N.C.  28634        (  704)  546-2687 


tion  of  those  involved  in  the  areas 
of  worship,  music  and  the  arts. 
While  affiliated  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.),  its  con- 
ferences, resources  and  member- 
ship are  open  to  all. 

James  has  held  a  number  of 
leadership  roles  in 
PAM.  She  has  been  a 
member  of  its  executive 
board  and  was  director 
of  the  PAM-sponsored 
1994  Montreat  Confer- 
ence on  Worship  and 
Music.  The  association 
also  sponsors  similar 
annual  conferences  at 
New  Wilmington,  Pa., 
and  Albuquerque,  N.M. 

PAM  also  prints 
practical  and  scholarly 
publications,  offers  a 
certification  program 
for  church  musicians  and  a  re- 
gional network  which  awards 
grants  in  support  of  local  worship 
and  music  events. 

The  association's  national  of- 
fice is  located  in  the  Presbyterian 
Center  in  Louisville,  Ky.  The  ad- 
dress is  Presbyterian  Association 
of  Musicians,  100  Witherspoon 
St.,  Louisville,  KY  40202-1396. 


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of  all  types.  For  Author's  Guide  write  or 
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agriculture  program,  were  looted 
and  destroyed. 

"My  life  was  threatened  by  a 
group  of  armed  men.  Therefore  I 
had  to  run  with  my  mother  and 
the  children  as  well  as  other  rela- 
tives. We  travelled  on  a  defective 
Nigerian  vessel  which  almost 
sank  with  2,500  passengers  who 
were  fleeing  from  the  war  in 
Liberia.  We  were  at  sea  for  nearly 
1 1  days  instead  of  two  and  a  half 
days  under  normal  conditions. 

The  situation  was  quite  terri- 
fying ...  [in  addition  to]  the  ship 
leaking  there  were  multiple  other 
problems:  lack  of  water,  food  and 
it  was  overcrowded.  Six  persons 
died  from  the  unbearable  condi- 
tions. I  had  nine  [relatives]  on 
board  including  little  children.  I 
thank  God  we  made  it. 

"At  present  we  are  in  a  refugee 
camp  in  Essipon  in  Sekondi- 
Takoradi.  The  conditions  in  the 
camp  are  terrible.  We  reside  in 
the  open  and  it  is  now  rainy  sea- 
son in  Ghana.  We  are  provided 
with  only  wet  rations  twice  a  day, 
the  quantities  of  which  are  highly 
inadequate,  and  we  lack  other 
essential  supplies  and  spending 
money.  I  left  all  my  possessions 
behind." 

Baker  said  that  Theoway  will 
be  available  to  speak  on  the  situ- 
ation in  Liberia  and  the  situation 
facing  the  Liberian  refugees.  She 
is  also  seeking  assistance  with 
Theoway's  transportation  needs 
while  he  is  in  this  country. 

For  information,  contact  the 
Rev.  Baker  at  (704)  433-8480  or 
write  to  her  at  102  Stephens  Dr., 
Morganton,  NC  28655. 

She  also  provided  an  update 
on  a  refugee  situation  about  which 
she  wrote  in  the  January/Febru- 
ary 1996  issue  of  Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian.  Response  to  her  ar- 
ticle enabled  her  to  send  12  boxes 
of  used  clothing  to  refugee  camps 
in  The  Gambia.  The  Rev.  Prince 
Decker,  an  Anglican  minister,  is 
serving  as  her  contact  in  that 
country. 

As  some  individuals  and 
groups  also  sent  financial  dona- 
tions, the  Rev.  Baker  said  she  has 
set  up  a  fund  to  handle  money 
sent  for  refugee  relief 

"Thank  you  to  those  who  helped 
us  with  that  effort,"  she  said.  "Now 
we  are  working  with  the  refugees 
from  Liberia.  The  work  goes  on." 

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The  Rev.  Robert  Seller,  left,  receives  the  first  copy  of  the  10th 
anniversary  history  of  The  Shepherd's  Center  of  Richmond 
from  John  Mapp.  The  history  was  dedicated  to  Seller,  a  retired 
Episcopal  priest,  who  lead  the  effort  to  found  the  center. 

Shepherd's  Center  enriches 
Richmond  older  adults'  lives 


The  Shepherd's  Center  of  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  is  a  non-profit  service 
organization  with,  by  and  for  per- 
sons 60  years  of  age  and  older. 
The  center's  purpose  is  to  enrich 
the  lives  of  older  people  and  en- 
able them  to  continue  to  live  inde- 
pendent, meaningful  lives. 

It  is  one  of  95  centers  affiliated 
with  Shepherd's  Centers  of 
America  in  Kansas  City,  where 
the  first  one  opened  in  1972. 

At  that  time.  Dr.  Elbert  Cole,  a 
Methodist  pastor,  brought  together 
Protestant,  Catholic  and  Jewish 
clergy  and  laity  to  evaluate  the 
needs  of  the  aging  population  in 
one  area  of  Kansas  City.  They  found 
a  large  number  of  essentially 
healthy  older  persons  who  wished 
to  live  at  home,  but  wanted  to  stay 
involved,  use  their  skills,  and  be 
challenged  and  stimulated.  As  a 
result,  the  first  Shepherd's  Center 
was  bom  with  an  educational  pro- 
gram and  such  personal  services  as 
dehvered  meals,  transportation  and 
handymen. 

Those  planning,  providing  and 
participating  in  the  services  of 
that  first  Shepherd's  Center  were 
older  persons  themselves.  That 
continues  to  be  an  important  fea- 
ture of  all  Shepherd's  Centers, 
older  people  helping  older  people. 
The  role  of  paid  staff  is  to  recruit, 
train  and  support  volunteers  and 
assist  and  facilitate  their  work  in 
order  to  make  services  available. 

The  kinds  of  assistance  and 
programs  available  at  each 
Shepherd's  Center  varies  because 
services  developed  and  provided 
are  specific  to  the  needs  of  older 
people  in  each  community. 

The  Shepherd's  Center  of  Rich- 


mond began  in  1984  under  the 
leadership  of  the  Rev.  Robert 
Seller,  a  retired  Episcopal  priest, 
with  assistance  from  a  steering 
committee  composed  of  retired 
bankers,  educators,  business  per- 
sons, clergy  and  lay  leaders.  There 
has  been  an  unbroken  record  of 
service  since  that  time. 

The  variety  of  services  avail- 
able at  the  Shepherd's  Center  of 
Richmond  includes  assistance 
with  taxes,  wills  and  medical 
forms;  friendly  caller/friendly  visi- 
tor; grocery  shopping,  handyman; 
transportation;  and  education. 

There  are  three  eight-week 
sessions  of  the  Open  University 
at  three  locations  during  the  aca- 
demic year.  Classes  include  his- 
tory, literature,  biology,  art, 
botany,  music,  religion,  travel  and 
writing.  There  are  one-time  pre- 
sentations on  current  topics  of 
interest  each  noon  when  people 
gather  with  their  bag  lunches  for 
a  time  of  fellowship. 

In  the  past  year,  more  than 
350  volunteers  gave  in  excess  of 
14,000  hours  to  provide  the  ser- 
vices of  the  Shepherd's  Center. 
Both  the  lives  of  those  giving  and 
those  receiving  have  been  en- 
riched in  the  process. 

For  more  information  on  the 
Shepherd's  Center  program,  one 
may  call  (toll  free)  the  Shepherd's 
Centers  of  America  at  (800)  547- 
7073,  or  locally  call  Betsy  and 
John  Mapp  at  (804)  282-8657. 

For  information  on  the 
Shepherd's  Center  of  Richmond, 
call  Executive  Director  Janyce  H. 
Olson  at  (804)  355-7282  or  write 
to  her  at  4900  Augusta  Ave.,  Suite 
102,  Richmond,  VA  23230. 


statement  of  Ownership,  Management  and  Circulation 

(required  by  39  U.S.C.  3685) 

Date:  Oct.  1,  1996.  Publication  Title:  Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian. 
Issue  Frequency:  Monthly,  except  February,  August  and  Decem- 
ber. Nine  issues  annually.  Annual  subscription  price:  none.  Loca- 
tion of  headquarters  of  general  business  offices  of  the  publisher: 
3218  Chamberlayne  Ave.,  Richmond,  VA  23227.  Publisher:  The 
Rev.  Carroll  Jenkins,  P.O.  Box  27026,  Richmond,  VA  23261-7026. 
Editor:  John  Sniffen,  P.O.  Box  27026,  Richmond,  VA  23261-7026. 
Owner:  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),  P.O.  Box  27026,  Richmond,  VA 23261 -7026.  Known  bond 
holders,  mortgagees,  and  other  security  holders:  none. 

Extent  and  nature  of  circulation 
Total  number  copies  printed:  average  number  preceding  12  months 
172,978;  latest  issue  169,900.  Sales  through  dealers,  etc.:  none. 
Mail  subscriptions:  average  164,864;  latest  issue  160,171.  Free 
distribution:  average  2,498;  latest  2,498.  Total  distribution:  average 
167,362;  latest  162,669.  Office  use,  leftover,  etc.:  average  5,616; 
latest  7,231.  Returns  from  news  agents:  none.  Total  average 
172,978;  latest  169,900. 

1  certify  that  the  statements  made  by  me  are  correct  and  complete. 
(Signed)  John  Sniffen,  Editor. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  Octob< 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps  —  Less  Three,  November  1996 

Encounters  With  Jesus  —  Chapter  Three 
'The  Disciples  Encounter  Jesus' 


By  the  Rev.  Dr.  Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender 

"Re-shape  your  lives,  for  God's  new  order  of  the 
Spirit  is  confronting  you."  With  those  words  of 
Clarence  Jordan's  from  The  Cotton  Patch  Gospels 
ringing  in  our  ears,  we  plunge  into  "The  Disciples 
Encounter  Jesus,"  Chapter  Three  of  Encounters 
With  Jesus:  The  Gospel  According  to  Matthew  by 
Sara  Covin  Juengst. 

As  preparation  for  this  study,  think  about  how 
the  Holy  Spirit  has  re-shaped  your  life.  What  tan- 
gible habits  or  disciplines  have  you  acquired  as  you 
have  matured  in  the  faith  throughout  the  years?  Or 
what  undesirable  characteristics  have  you 
given  up  or  abandoned?  Has  your  sharp 
tongue  been  tamed,  your  judgmental 
spirit  been  softened,  your  criticism  of  the 
church  been  subdued?  Have  these  changes 
been  brought  about,  as  Jordan  says,  by 
"God's  new  order  of  the  Spirit  confronting 
you?"  In  what  ways  have  you  been  "con- 
fronted" in  your  Christian  faith?  How  did 
you  handle  those  confrontations? 

After  reflecting  on  the  above  para- 
graph, you  may  want  to  begin  your  time 
together  as  a  circle  by  asking  each  par- 
ticipant to  write  a  paraphrase  of  what 
Jordan's  verse  means  to  her.  Then  select 
one  or  two  of  the  questions  to  stimulate 
discussion  before  reading  the  Scripture 
passages  listed  on  page  20  of  the  study 
book.  If  every  person  does  not  have  a  book,  write 
each  Scripture  reference  on  a  card  and  ask  for 
volunteers  to  read.  Be  sure  to  provide  Bibles. 

Resources  on  "discipleship"  include  the  classic 
book  by  Dietrich  Bonhoeffer,  The  Cost  of  Disciple- 
ship as  well  as  Mutual  Ministry  by  James  C. 
Fenhagen  and  The  Inward  Journey  by  Howard 
Thurman.  Enlarging  on  Bonhoeffer's  title,  you  may 
want  to  select  biblical  references  that  highlight  the 
cost  of  discipleship  for  your  personal  study:  John 
13:1-20;  Matthew  10:16-42;  John  15:12-27;  Acts  6:8- 
15;  James  1:2-18  and  I  Peter  4:12-19.  Sections  on 
recent  circle  study  books  dealing  with  Acts,  James 
and  I  Peter  will  also  be  useful.  "The  Meaning  of 
Discipleship"  can  be  explored  using  the  following 
biblical  texts:  Luke  14:7-14;  Luke  9:57-62;  Luke 
14:25-34;  John  6:60-71;  Acts  4:32-37  and  Romans 
15:1-13. 

As  always,  the  questions  for  reflection  included  in 
the  circle  book  are  very  helpful  and  will  enrich  your 
participation  in  the  study  of  the  Gospel  of  Matthew ... 
and  will  also  give  you  added  points  of  discussion  when 
you  share  the  lesson  with  a  shut-in. 

Two  sets  of  brothers  called 

Matthew  4:18-25  tells  us  that  two  sets  of  broth- 
ers were  called.  Was  this  deliberate  so  as  not  to 
exclude  one  over  the  other,  or  was  it  to  encourage 
and  give  support  to  siblings?  When  the  fishermen 
left  their  nets,  they  were  leaving  their  means  of 
making  a  living.  How  many  of  us  have  left  our 
means  of  making  a  living  to  follow  Jesus? 

The  next  reading,  Matthew  9:9,  introduces  us  to 
one  who  chose  a  despicable  means  of  "earning  a 
living:"  graft  and  fraud.  Yet  he  was  chosen  to  be  a 
follower  of  Jesus.  (See  "An  Additional  Lesson"  for 
more  suggestions  about  researching  tax  collectors.) 

Matthew  9:36-10:31  raises  the  issue  of  compas- 
sion because  the  people  were  being  harassed  and 
were  helpless  "like  sheep  without  a  shepherd."  What 
are  some  of  the  traits  of  sheep  that  make  a  shepherd 
essential?  Philip  Keller's  book,  A  Shepherd  Looks  At 
the  Twenty-third  Psalm  tells  us  modern  folks  more 
than  we  want  to  know  about  sheep!  This  older  book 
is  a  classic  in  helping  us  understand  why  people  are 
referred  to  as  "sheep"  so  often  in  the  Bible.  Enlight- 
ening Old  Testament  references  include  Numbers 
27:16-17,  Isaiah  40:11  and  Ezekiel  34:1-6. 

Another  interesting  thought  that  may  be  pur- 
sued from  this  passage  would  be  to  study  "twelve 
disciples"  (10:1);  "twelve  apostles"  (10:2)  and  "These 
twelve"  (10:5).  Why  do  you  think  Matthew  used 
these  three  distinctions  one  right  after  the  other? 
Moving  on  in  the  passage,  ask  yourself.  How  often 
do  we  work  "without  pa3Tnent"  because  we  have 
been  given  God's  grace  without  payment?  How  often 
do  we  regard  something  "free"  as  something  suspi- 
cious, coming  with  strings  attached?  How  often  do 
we  give  back  to  God  that  with  which  God  has  blessed 
us:  time,  talents  and  tithes? 

Disturbing  verse 

"If  anyone  will  not  welcome  you  or  listen  to  your 
words,  shake  off  the  dust  from  your  feet  as  you  leave 


that  house  or  town."  (10:14)  Many  people  find  that 
verse  extremely  disturbing  because  the  question 
arises,  "How  can  we  discern  when  the  time  is  Vight' 
to  "shake  off  the  dust'  and  move  on,  or  expend  our 
energies  in  other  ways?"  How  do  we  know  when  God 
is  testing  us  to  build  our  faith  with  what  seems  like 
endless  calls  and  cards  and  visits  to  no  avail  as 
opposed  to  "keeping  on  keeping  on?"  Think  of  a  time 
when  you  were  ready  to  give  up  on  a  person  or  a 
situation  and  all  of  a  sudden  there  was  a  change. 

This  verse  comes  in  the  middle  of  what  Juengst 
calls  "The  Charge,"  and  is  followed  by  others  that 
sound  comforting  but  are  equally  unsettling: "...  for 
what  you  are  to  say  will  be  given  to  you  at 
that  time..."  Matthew  intends  for  these 
verses  (10:19-20)  to  assure  us  of  God's 
Spirit  within  us  as  Guide  and  Teacher, 
but  the  responsibility  is  placed  on  us  as 
well.  God's  Spirit  will  give  us  the  right 
words  at  the  right  time  but  only  if  we 
have  fed  our  spirits  so  as  to  have  the  right 
words  IN  us.  Most  of  us  are  capable  of 
putting  our  foot  in  our  mouth!  But  when 
have  you  experienced  saying  the  right 
thing  at  the  right  time  ...  with  your  reac- 
tion being,  "Did  I  say  that?"  No,  it  was 
probably  the  Holy  Spirit  speaking 
through  you. 

When  we  set  our  mind  on  human 
things  instead  of  divine  things  (16:21- 
27),  we  become  a  stumbling  block  and 
non-believers  have  cause  to  call  us  Christians  "hypo- 
crites." How  has  someone  been  a  stumbling  block  to 
you  in  your  faith  walk?  And  how  have  you  been  a 
stumbling  block  to  someone  else?  How  can  we  avoid 
being  stumbling  blocks  to  the  young  people  and  the 
new  Christians  with  whom  we  come  in  contact? 

Internal  politics 

In  Matthew  20:20-28  internal  politics  has  raised 
its  ugly  head  ...  instigated  by  a  mother  but  appar- 
ently condoned  by  the  two  sons  with  her  ...  and 
overheard  by  the  other  ten  disciples.  How  do  we  try 
to  find  special  favor  with  God?  Why  does  this  make 
people  angry?  What  does  Jesus  tell  his  disciples 
about  servanthood? 

As  your  circle  completes  this  lesson,  use  the 
paragraph  about  Judas  under  "An  Additional  Les- 
son" if  you  decide  to  eliminate  the  research  project 
on  individual  disciples.  You  will  also  find  a  different 
approach  to  Chapter  Three  on  page  85,  using  Nancy 
Scott's  excellent  suggestions. 

An  additional  lesson 

For  those  circles  who  meet  more  than  nine  times 
a  year,  the  author  has  suggested  divisions  of  lessons 
on  page  five  of  the  study  book.  I  will  also  be  giving 
ideas  to  enrich  the  study.  Please  save  these  sugges- 
tions as  they  will  not  be  repeated!  For  next  month's 
gathering  of  your  circle  you  may  want  to  consider 
the  following  ideas. 

An  interesting  sidelight  to  Jesus'  encounter  with 
the  disciples  would  be  a  brief  report  on  tax  collec- 
tors, using  the  Interpreter's  Dictionary  of  the  Bible 
or  another  more  compact  Bible  dictionary  or  the 
notes  in  a  study  Bible.  "Sinners  and  tax  collectors" 
seem  to  go  hand-in-hand,  i.e.  Matthew  9:10-11, 
11:19;  Mark  2:15-16;  Luke  5:30.) 

Continue  this  research  with  studies  about  indi- 
vidual disciples,  asking  for  volunteers  to  look  up 
references  about  each.  Commentaries  and  concor- 
dances will  be  useful.  Thomas  will  be  a  favorite!  So 
will  Peter  with  his  impetuous  nature. 

Judas  elicits  anger  and  disbelief,  but  in  Matthew 
26:20-25,  the  disciples  seem  to  be  without  a  clue  as 
to  the  identity  of  the  betrayer.  We  seem  to  think  that 
Judas  was  somehow  different  looking  ...  like  the 
villain  in  a  wild  west  movie!  But  Judas  seems  to 
have  been  quite  ordinary  on  the  outside  (though 
filled  with  evil  intentions  on  the  inside).  Judas 
joined  the  chorus  of  disciples  asking,  "Surely  not  I," 
but  he  addressed  Jesus  as  "Rabbi"  instead  of  "Lord." 
The  final  paragraph  of  Chapter  Three's  material  on 
page  26  is  thought-provoking  when  considering 
Judas. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender  is  pastor  of 
McQuay  Memorial  Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C.  The 
Bible  Study  Helps  are  commissioned  by  the  Presby- 
terian Women  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  as 
supplements  to  the  Horizon's  Magazine  Bible  Study 
for  1996-97,  "Encounters  with  Jesus:  The  Gospel 
According  to  Matthew,"  by  the  Rev.  Sara  Covington 
Juengst. 


N.C.  Presbyterian  Historical 
Society  to  tour  Raleigh 


The  North  Carolina  Presbyterian 
Historical  Society  will  hold  its  fall 
tour  in  the  state  capital,  Raleigh, 
on  Oct.  18-19. 

First  Presbyterian  Church  on 
Capitol  Square  will  host  tour  par- 
ticipants on  Friday  night.  Regis- 
tration will  be  from  4  to  6  p.m. 
Those  who  arrive  in  time  may 
tour  the  state  capitol  at  4:30  p.m. 
or  visit  the  new  North  Carolina 
Museum  of  History,  which  is  just 
across  Capitol  Square  and  closes 
at  5  p.m. 

Dinner  at  6  p.m.  will  be  fol- 
lowed by  a  program  featuring  the 
Triangle  Shape  Note  Singers  and 
a  speaker  on  the  history  of 
Presbyterianism  in  Raleigh. 

Saturday's  tour  will  include  the 
historic  Christ  Episcopal  Church 
on  Capitol  Square,  Davie  Street 
Presbyterian  Church,  City  Cem- 
etery on  New  Bern  Avenue,  White 
Memorial  Presbyterian  Church 
(where  lunch  will  be  served),  and 


Mordecai  House  and  Historic 
Park. 

The  tour  should  be  completed 
by  3  p.m.  For  those  who  wish  to 
stay  longer  in  Raleigh,  the  State 
Fair  opens  that  weekend.  The 
Raleigh  Plaza  Hotel  (formerly  the 
Radisson)  in  downtown  Raleigh 
is  offering  group  rates  Friday  and 
Saturday  nights  to  those  partici- 
pating in  the  tour.  For  hotel  res- 
ervations phone  (800)  834-2105. 

The  North  Carolina  Presbyte- 
rian Historical  Society,  organized 
in  1964,  holds  a  spring  meeting 
and  a  fall  tour  each  year.  Mem- 
bership is  $3  per  person  or  $5  per 
family.  Registration  for  the  meet- 
ing/tour is  $20  per  person  includ- 
ing meals. 

For  more  information,  tele- 
phone Dr.  John  D.  MacLeod  at 
(704)  438-4217.  His  mailing  ad- 
dress is  c/o  Western  North  Caro- 
lina Presbytery,  114  Silver  Creek 
Rd.,  Morganton,  NC  28655. 


Morgan's  latest  book  a  keeper 

By  JAN  L.  McGILLIARD 


It  is  no  surprise  that  Richard 
Morgan  has  again  written  a  book! 
Many  of  you  are  familiar  with 
such  recent  titles  as  No  Wrinkles 
on  the  Soul,  I  Never  Found  That 
Rocking  Chair,  From  Grim  to 
Green  Pastures,  andAutumn  Wis- 
dom, all  written  in  a  style  that 
ties  together  scripture,  quotes  of 
notable  writers  and  meditations 
that  illustrate  our  common  expe- 
riences. 

Remembering  Your  Story  —  A 
Guide  to  Spiritual  Autobiography 
is  true  to  Morgan's  style  of  bringing 
together  rich  resources  gathered 
over  a  lifetime  of  experience.  This 
time  he  provides  a  sort  of  guide- 
book for  groups  and  individuals 
who  wish  to  explore  their  own  life 
stories  and  those  of  others. 

Most  importantly,  the  author 
maintains  that  our  stories  have 
more  potential  for  meaning,  per- 
spective and  guidance  if  shared 
with  others.  In  listening  to  oth- 
ers' stories  we  usually  learn  some- 


thing about  ourselves  and  our  con- 
nections with  others  and  with  God. 
Storytelling  can  be  a  path  toward 
spiritual  formation  and  wholeness 
because  it  helps  us  to  deal  with 
life's  struggles  and  joys  in  light  of 
Cxod's  abundant  grace. 

Richard  Morgan  offers  a  vari- 
ety of  models  and  exercises  for 
sharing  spiritual  stories  gleaned 
from  diverse  sources  such  as  evan- 
gelism programs,  family  therapy, 
theology,  gerontology,  and  pro- 
fessional caregiving  that  are  in- 
troduced, enhanced  and  summed 
up  with  scripture,  personal  story, 
poetry  and  rich  imagery. 

Remembering  Your  Story  is  a 
wonderful  addition  to  my  toolbox 
of  resources  for  older  adult  minis- 
try, and  I  hope  will  be  among 
yours  now  that  it  is  available  from 
Upper  Room  Books  and  Christian 
bookstores  across  the  country.  You 
may  order  by  calling  (800)  972- 
0433.  Cost  is  $10.95  (softcover). 

Jan  L.  McGilliard  is  associate 
for  Older  Adult  Ministries  with 
the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 


A  little  support,  a  lot  of  care, 
and  a  beautiful  park-like  setting  make 

The  Ballentine 

a  welcoming  place  to  live. 

Our  InclependentPLUS+  prograirt  offers 
just  the  level  of  care  you  request, 
provided  by  a  dedicated  staff 
who  have  respect  and  empathy  for  the 
individuality  and  independence  of  all  residents. 

lb  receive  our  free  brochure,  just  mail 
the  coupon  or  call  us  at 
757/440-7400. 


Celebrating  100  Years  of  Living! 


_  State  Zip_ 


,e  Ep.scopal  Diocese  of  Soul 


I'i  ge  i  Mld  Atiantic  Presbji;erian,  October  1996 

Diaz  to  continue  as  interim  executive 


ByALEXA  SMITH 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

ST.  LOUIS— The  current  acting 
executive  director  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.)  was  ap- 
pointed as  the  denomination's 
interim  executive  director  for  an 
indefinite  period  by  the  General 
Assembly  Council  Executive  Com- 
mittee (GACEC)  here  Sept.  13. 

The  Rev.  Frank  Diaz,  63,  of 
Louisville  has  been  associate  di- 
rector of  General  Assembly  Coun- 
cil (GAC)  operations  for  the  past 
four  years.  Diaz  has  been  the 
denomination's  acting  executive 
director  since  July,  when  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  failed  to  confirm 
the  election  of  then  director  the 
Rev.  James  D.  Brown,  whose  con- 
tract expired  Sept.  16. 

"I  feel  humble  about  the  fact 
that  they  have  the  confidence  to 


name  me  to  the  position,"  Diaz 
said,  acknowledging  that  he  is 
temporarily  stepping  into  what 
has  at  times  been  a  volatile  job  for 
its  two  former  one-term  occu- 
pants, Brown  and  David  Stoner. 

Given  the  ofiice's  history,  a  con- 
sultant will  be  hired  to  study  and 
perhaps  redefine  the  position  as 
part  of  a  critique  of  relationships 
among  top  General  Assembly  of- 
fices approved  during  last 
summer's  Assembly  as  part  of  a 
mandated  review  of  the  church's 
structure. 

But  Diaz  insists  he  is  unde- 
terred. 

"I  think  these  times  are  a  great 
opportunity  for  us.  I  think  we 
need  these  kinds  of  times  to  give 
a  hard  look  at  how  we're  doing 
things  ...  and  to  redirect  [our- 
selves] in  positive  ways  to 
strengthen  [our]  ministry,"  Diaz 


told  the  Presbyterian  News  Ser- 
vice at  the  end  of  the  meeting 
here,  where  the  GACEC  began 
strategizing  how  to  both  priori- 
tize cuts  and  raise  money  to  meet 
a  projected  $2.4  million  budget 
shortfall  in  1998. 

The  vote  to  appoint  Diaz  was 
unanimous,  the  GACEC  an- 
nounced after  its  brief  personnel 
session.  A  compensation  package 
is  currently  being  developed. 

The  full  GAC  confirmed  the 
appointment  later  in  September. 

"We  wanted  somebody  whose 
faith  is  strong,  who  has  manage- 
ment, financial  and  communica- 
tion skills  —  someone  who  has 
the  ability  to  articulate  the  faith 
as  well  as  build  relationships," 
said  Jinny  Miller  of  Mishawaka, 
Ind.,  who  chaired  the  Council's 
search  committee  for  an  interim 
executive  director. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


'New  Covenant'  proposed  as  way 
to  solve  PC(USA)'s  budget  woes 


By  ALEXA  SMITH 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

ST.  LOUIS,  Mo.— Hints  of  a  "new 
covenant"  between  the  wider 
church  and  its  mission  arm  in 
Louisville  emerged  here  Sept.  13 
as  the  General  Assembly  Council 
(GAC)'s  Executive  Committee 
held  preliminary  talks  about  how 
to  either  shed  $2.4  million  in  costs 
or  raise  that  much  in  revenue  to 
meet  a  projected  shortfall  in  the 
just  approved  1998  General  As- 
sembly mission  budget. 

Executive  Committee  chair 
Youngll  Cho  of  Raleigh,  N.C., 
said  that  continuing  to  franti- 
cally make  adjustments  year 
after  year  in  light  of  continu- 
ally sinking  unrestricted  giv- 
ing is  the  wrong  strategy. 

"We're  caught  in  a  system- 
atic cycle,"  he  said.  "We  try  to 
address  these  problems  by 
cutting  things  —  we  can  no 
longer  do  that." 

To  curtail  what  some  fear 
could  be  frantic  cutting,  Cho 
proposed  rethinking  how  the 
PC(USA)  has  built  its  budgets 
for  decades.  Instead  of  just 
allocating  what  comes  in,  he 
suggested,  the  GAC  should 
begin  setting  more  focused 
priorities  and  then  be  more 
proactive  in  securing  funding 


for  them. 

Specifically,  Cho  proposed 

•  establishing  70  percent  of 
existing  programs  as  top 
priorities,  based  on  a  supply/ 
demand  model  that  gives 
congregations  what  they  de- 
mand and  are  willing  to  pay 
for 

•  retraining  staff  to  be 
generalists  whose  responsi- 
bilities shift  to  meet  changing 
priorities 

•  identifying  new  sources  of 
income,  such  as  increasing  the 
sale  of  denominational  re- 
sources and  approaching  do- 
nors of  restricted  funds  to 
change  their  giving  to  meet 
changing  needs 

•  tightening  up  existing 
travel  and  administrative  bud- 
gets 

•  developing  a  mentality 
that  asks  the  wider  church  for 
prayer  and  financial  support 
as  the  General  Assembly 
Council  forms  a  new  vision  for 
mission. 

"This  is  the  nature  of  a 
covenant,"  said  the  Rev.  Blair 
Monie  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Toms  River  in 
Dallas,  chair  of  the  Council's 
Congregational  Ministries  Di- 
vision (CMD)  Committee  —  a 
program  area  that  is  also 


proposing  reducing  staff  and 
program  and  increasing  fees 
for  services  to  clients  as  ways 
to  meet  the  projected  deficit. 
"We  cannot  do  everything  [the 
denomination  is  currently  do- 
ing] unless,  across  the  church, 
there  is  a  new  covenant." 

Monie  bemoemed  what  has 
become  acquiescence  to  a 
predictable  pattern  of  declin- 
ing giving  followed  by  budget 
cuts.  Inevitably,  he  insisted, 
"Every  time  we  publish  a 
budget  like  this  ...  it  becomes 
self-fulfilling  prophecy.  We're 
following  instead  of  leading. 

'The  question,"  Monie  said, 
"becomes,  How  can  we  pre- 
pare for  the  worst-case  sce- 
nario and  still  lead  the 
denomination?" 

This  worst-case  scenario  var- 
ies fi'om  division  to  division, 
with  some  —  such  as  the 
National  Ministries  Division 
(NMD)  —  relying  more  heavily 
on  unified  (undesignated)  dol- 
lars than  others.  In  1996,  for 
example,  NMD  relied  on  imi- 
fied  dollars  for  41  percent  of  its 
$31.3  miUion  budget.  In  1997, 
37  percent  of  the  Worldwide 
Ministries  Division  (WMD)  bud- 
get and  24  percent  of  CMD's 
budget  will  come  from 
undesignated  giving. 


Youth  Connection  event  attracts  close  to  2,000 


By  JULIAN  SHIPP 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

ATLANTA— A  Region  3  Presby- 
terian Youth  Connection  (PYC) 
event  here  attracted  1,845  young 
people  Sept.  14  at  the  Six  Flags 
over  Georgia  amusement  park. 

PYC  Region  3  includes  the  syn- 
ods of  Mid-Atlantic,  South  Atlan- 
tic, Living  Waters  and  Puerto  Rico. 

A  new  national  youth  ministry 
program,  Presbyterian  Youth 
Connection  made  its  debut  at  the 
207th  General  Assembly  (1995) 
in  Cincinnati.  Commissioners 
approved  a  mission  budget  that 
boosts  funding  for  youth  and 
young  adult  ministry  by  more  than 
a  quarter  million  dollars. 

PYC  is  built  on  five  goals  of  the 


National  Presbyterian  Youth  Min- 
istry Council,  which  includes  rep- 
resentatives from  all  synods  and 
racial-ethnic  caucus  groups  and 
staff  for  youth  ministry  at  the 
General  Assembly  level: 

•  to  call  young  people  to  be 
disciples  of  Jesus  Christ. 

•  to  respond  to  the  needs  and 
interests  of  young  people. 

•  to  work  together,  youth  and 
adults,  in  partnership. 

•  to  be  connected  to  the  whole 
church,  community  and  world. 

•  to  include  all  young  people, 
reaching  out  and  inviting  them  to 
belong  to  the  community  of  faith. 

"Several  youths  [I  know]  went 
and  had  a  wonderful  time  and 
said  it  was  just  exciting  to  see 
that  many  kids  wearing  PYC 


shirts,"  said  Tina  Yeager,  associ- 
ate for  youth  ministry  in  the  Con- 
gregational Ministries  Division. 

Carrie  Peterson-Davis,  youth 
ministry  consultant  for  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Greater  Atlanta,  said 
the  day's  events  included  ener- 
gizer  activities  designed  to  break 
the  social  ice,  a  briefing  on  the 
PYC  program  from  regional  rep- 
resentatives, distribution  of  pro- 
motional goodies  and  a  fellow- 
ship meal  at  the  park  pavilion. 

As  if  being  turned  loose  at  a 
major  theme  park  with  hundreds 
of  rides  and  attractions  weren't 
enough,  the  youths  were  also 
treated  to  a  special  concert  pre- 
sented by  the  Rev.  James  L.  Mor- 
gan Jr.,  a  Presbyterian  pastor 
fi-om  Laurel  Hill,  N.C. 


Cushnnan  interinn  exec  for  the  James 

RICHMOND,  Va.  —  The  Rev.  Dr.  James  E.  Cushman  was  called 
effective  Sept.  30  to  serve  as  interim  executive  of  the  Presbytery  of  the 
James.  He  succeeds  John  Rickard  as  interim  executive  for  the  115- 
church  presbytery  in  central  Virginia,  which  has  been  without  a 
permanent  executive  since  the  Rev.  William  S.  Morris  resigned. 

Cushman  has  served  as  executive  of  Middle  Tennessee  Presbytery 
and  interim  executive  of  the  former  Greenbrier  Presbji;ery.  He  has 
also  served  on  the  General  Assembly  Evangelism  and  Church  Devel- 
opment staff  and  on  the  staff  of  the  Synod  of  the  Covenant.  Pastorates 
he  has  served  include  churches  in  Beverly  and  Ripley,  West  Virginia. 

Montreal  offers  Thanksgiving  event 

MONTREAT,  N.C. — Montreat  Conference  Center  is  offering  Thanks- 
giving at  the  Inn  on  Nov.  27-30.  Singles,  couples  and  families  are 
invited  for  this  long  weekend  of  fellowship,  worship,  recreation,  crafts 
and  a  Thanksgiving  feast  in  the  beautiful  western  North  Carolina 
mountains.  Eric  and  Elen  Skidmore,  associate  pastors  at  Eastminster 
Church  in  Columbia,  S.C.,  will  serve  as  program  hosts.  Joining  them 
as  worship  leaders  will  be  the  Rev.  William  S.  Dunifon,  Montreat's 
executive  director,  and  the  Rev.  Ann  Laird  Jones  of  Raleigh,  N.C. 

Registration  is  required.  For  information  call  (704)  669-2911  or 
(800)  572-2257,  ext.  312. 

Partnership  to  help  rebuild  churches 

MEMPHIS,  Tenn. — The  task  of  rebuilding  houses  of  worship  burned 
for  reasons  of  hate  was  given  a  significant  boost  here  Sept.  7  when  the 
U.S.  Department  of  Housing  and  Urban  Development  (HUD),  Na- 
tional Council  of  the  Churches  of  Christ  in  the  U.S.A.  (NCC),  and 
Congress  of  National  Black  Churches  (CNBC)  met  to  form  a  partner- 
ship to  assist  the  devastated  churches.  Their  joint  National  Rebuild- 
ing Task  Force  Initiative  is  making  available  a  package  of  resources 
for  the  burned  churches,  participants  announced.  The  package  in- 
cludes grants,  in-kind  contributions,  professional  and  volunteer  ser- 
vices from  a  number  of  sources  along  with  $10  million  in  private  sector 
loan  guarantees,  administered  by  HUD,  to  help  in  the  rebuilding.  This 
loan  program  is  part  of  the  Church  Arson  Prevention  Act,  passed  and 
signed  into  law  this  summer. 

PC(USA)  launches  Internet  program 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  has  launched  the  new  ''PC(USA) 
Internet  Access  Program,"  a  partnership  developed  through  the  joint 
efforts  of  the  Office  of  Communication,  Office  of  Information  Services 
and  UniDial  Internet  Services.  According  to  church  officials,  the 
service  will  provide  fast,  low-cost  Internet  access  with  local-access 
numbers  in  62  cities  initially  and  an  800-number  plan  for  other  sites. 
The  program  will  expand  to  more  than  200  cities  by  the  end  of  1997. 

To  get  an  account,  call  (800)  211-9683  (between  8  a.m.  and  1  a.m. 
ET)  and  tell  the  customer  support  agent  that  you  are  interested  in 
signing  up  for  the  PC(USA)  Internet  Access  Program.  Mention  offer  # 
UNI-  15EFF  so  that  the  agent  will  be  sure  to  sign  you  up  for  the  correct 
plan.  You  will  need  to  tell  the  agent  whether  you  are  signing  up  for  the 
local-access  plan  or  the  800-number  plan  and  also  which  billing 
method  (credit  card  or  paper  invoice)  ycu  prefer.  There  is  a  $15  one- 
time setup  fee  for  each  account.  UniDial  will  mail  customized  software 
to  you  within  four  to  six  days.  Those  wanting  additional  information 
about  this  program  can  call  EcuServe  at  (800)  864-4606. 

Newbern-Williams  succeeds  Conn 

The  Rev.  Mary  Newbern-Williams,  pastor  of  Westminster  Commu- 
nity Church  in  Long  Beach,  Calif. ,  has  been  named  associate  for  racial- 
ethnic  schools  and  colleges  in  the  Higher  Education  Program  Area  of 
the  National  Ministries  Division  in  Louisville.  She  begins  her  new 
work  Oct.  1.  Newbern-Williams  succeeds  the  Rev.  George  Conn,  who 
resigned  last  spring  to  return  to  parish  ministry  in  Virginia. 

Lotteries  get  more  than  churches 

WASHINGTON— In  1994  Americans  spent  considerably  more  on  lotter- 
ies than  they  gave  to  their  churches,  according  to  Associated  Baptist  Press 
(ABP).  ABP  compared  figures  from  a  U.S.  Census  Biu-eau  report,  accord- 
ing to  which  $26.6  biUion  was  spent  by  Americans  on  state  lotteries,  with 
figures  from  the  "Yearbook  of  American  and  Canadian  Churches,"  which 
show  that  in  the  same  period  total  contributions  to  churches  by  American 
congregations  were  $19.6  bilhon. 


Women  in  ministry  featured 

in  November  Presbyterians  Today 

Presbyterian  women  have  come  a  long  way  since  Margaret 
Towner  broke  the  ordination  barrier  in  1956.  But  the  new 
women  in  our  pulpits  are  finding  resistance  in  the  pews. 

The  November  issue  of  Presbyterians  Today  magazine  exam- 
ines challenges  facing  the  church  and  its  female  clergy. 

In  "When  the  Minister  Is  a  Mom,"  Henry  G.  Brinton,  pastor 
of  Calvary  Church  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  says  the  next  minister  for 
many  churches  is  likely  to  be  "a  divorced,  middle-aged  woman 
entering  the  ministry  as  a  second  career,  with  teenage  kids  in 
tow."  He  wonders  whether  the  average  parishioner  is  ready  for 
that  change. 

Negative  attitudes  toward  women  keep  them  fi-om  minister- 
ing effectively,  say  three  women  Presbyterian  ministers  inter- 
viewed by  the  magazine.  These  include  Katie  Cannon,  the  first 
African  American  woman  to  be  ordained  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.).  She  says  blacks  and  women  can  teach  the 
church  how  to  survive  hard  times. 

Subscriptions  to  Presbyterians  Today  may  be  ordered  by 
calling  (800)  524-2612.  Discounts  are  available  to  churches 
ordering  one  of  several  group  plans. 


GAC  chair  causes  a  stir  —  p.  4 


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Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 


November  /  December  1996 


Vol.  LXII,  Number  9 


Richmond,  Virginia 


Good  News 
of  Great  Joy 
for  all  the 
People 

Lxike2:10 


Christmas  Joy  Offering  benefits 
racial  ethnic  colleges,  retirees 


The  Christmas  Joy  Offering  pro- 
vides tangible  support  to  workers 
who  have  faithfully  served  the 
church  for  many  years  and  to  the 
eight  Presb5d;erian-related  racial 
ethnic  schools  and  colleges  where 
the  gifts  of  students  are  being 
developed. 

The  distribution  of  receipts 
from  the  1996  Christmas  Joy  Of- 
fering remains  the  same  as  in 
1995:  50  percent  will  go  to  the 
Board  of  Pensions  assistance  pro- 
grams and  50  percent  to  support 
the  eight  racial  ethnic  schools  and 
colleges. 

For  church  workers 

The  Board  of  Pensions  adminis- 
ters three  programs  that  provide 
support  to  retired  and  active 
church  workers  and  their  spouses 
and  families.  These  programs 


Date  changed 
for  July  1997 
Synod  Assembly 

The  date  of  the  1997  Synod  Assem- 
bly has  been  changed  to  Jtdy  17-19 
because  of  a  conflict  with  the  dates 
of  the  Presbyterian  Women's  Tri- 
ennium.  The  meeting  will  be  at 
Roanoke  (Va.)  College. 

The  Synod  Council  approved 
the  date  change  during  its  Sep- 
tember meeting  and  chose  the  lo- 
cation during  its  Nov.  15-16  ses- 
sion.. 

The  council  also  approved  hold- 
ing the  1998  Sjrnod  Assembly  at 
Davidson  College  on  July  11-13. 
The  Presbyterian  Women  of  the 
synod  have  tentatively  agreed  to 
meet  at  the  same  time  and  place 
and  invitations  have  been  made 
to  the  Presbyterian  Men  and 
Youth  Council  to  do  the  same. 


supplement  the  individuals'  regu- 
lar benefits  when  they  are  inad- 
equate to  meet  special  needs.  The 
programs  include: 

Income  Supplements  are  avail- 
able to  help  retired  church  work- 
ers and  their  spouses  when  their 
total  incomes  fall  below  a  level 
established  by  the  Board  of  Pen- 
sions. Income  supplements  help 
raise  their  incomes  to  a  level 
where  they  can  live  modestly  and 
maintain  their  independence. 

Nursing  Home  Care  Assistance 
can  help  eligible  retired  church 
workers  and  there  spouses  who 
need  long-term  permanent  care, 
but  whose  incomes  and  assets  are 
inadequate  to  pay  for  the  cost  of 
such  care,  and  who  are  not  par- 
ticipating in  Medicaid. 

Shared  Grants  are  provided  for 
any  eligible  church  worker  or  sur- 
viving spouse  in  the  event  of  an 
emergency  or  special  financial 
need.  The  grant  support  is 
"shared"  by  the  Board  of  Pensions 
and  either  the  employing  church 
or  organization  or  presbytery. 

Racial  ethnic  schools 

The  eight  racial  ethnic  schools 
and  colleges  supported  by  the 
Christmas  Joy  Offering  are: 

Barber-Scotia  College  in  Con- 
cord, N.C.,  was  founded  by  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  1867  as  a 
preparatory  school  for  young  Af- 
rican American  women.  Today  it 
is  a  four-year,  coeducational,  fully 
accredited  college  with  a  mission 
of  total  development  of  its  stu- 
dents. 

Cook  College  in  Tempe,  Ariz., 
is  an  ecumenical  institution 
founded  in  1911  by  Presbyterian 
missionary  Charles  Cook.  It  edu- 
cates and  equips  leaders  in  Na- 
tive American  communities 
through  theological  education, 
including  an  extension  program. 

Knoxville  College  in  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  was  founded  in  1875  by 


Presbyterian  missionaries.  It  of- 
fers a  wide  range  of  study,  includ- 
ing teacher  education,  health  ser- 
vices, business,  science,  religion 
and  social  services. 

Mary  Holmes  College  in  West 
Point,  Miss.,  was  founded  in  1892 
to  educate  black  women  in  "do- 
mestic arts."  It  now  offers  two- 
year  degrees  in  accoimting,  chemi- 
cal technology,  business  adminis- 
tration, eeirly  childhood  education, 
and  other  areas. 

Menaul  School  in  Albuquer- 
que, N.M.,  offers  a  college  prepa- 
ratory curriculum  with  additional 
courses  in  fine  arts  and  religious 
studies  to  a  cross-cultural  stu- 
dent body.  It  was  founded  in  1881 
as  a  secondary  school  for  Native 
Americans. 

Presbyterian  Pan  American 
School  in  Kingsville,  Texas,  is  a 
coeducational,  college  prepara- 
tory school  offering  students  the 
experience  of  living  together  as 
they  study,  work  and  worship  in 
Christian  community.  It  is  the 
successor  to  two  institutions,  the 
Texas  Mexican  Industrial  Insti- 
tute (founded  1911)  and  the  Pres- 
bj^erian  School  for  Mexican  Girls 
(1924). 

Sheldon  Jackson  College  in 
Sitka,  Alaska,  is  a  four-year  col- 
lege with  a  student  body  which  is 
50  percent  Alaskan  Native. 
Founded  by  the  church  in  1878,  it 
is  Alaska's  oldest  educational  in- 
stitution. 

Stillman  College  in  Tuscaloosa, 
Ala.,  is  a  four-year  liberal  arts 
college  which  prepares  students 
for  careers  in  medicine,  business, 
law,  education  and  Christian  min- 
istry. 

History 

The  history  of  the  Christmas  Joy 
Offering  dates  back  to  1933  when 
the  former  Presbyterian  Church 

continued  on  page  3 


Proposal  to  create 
Korean  American 
presbytery  approved 


The  Synod  Council  has  approved 
a  proposal  to  create  a  Korean 
American  presbytery  within  the 
synod  as  early  as  Oct.  1,  1997. 

The  action  on  recommenda- 
tions of  a  special  task  force  came 
during  the  council's  Nov.  15-16 
meeting  in  Richmond. 

The  task  force  recommended 
that  the  presbytery  be  considered 
a  transitional  governing  body  "... 
with  [its]  ultimate  purpose  being 
to  overcome  the  existing  language 
and  cultural  problems  ...  so  that 
after  a  reasonable  time,  Korean 
American  congregations  will  be 
prepared  to  fully  participate  in 
and  support  the  governance  and 
mission  of  this  Synod  ...."  The 
sjrnod  should  periodically  review 
the  presbytery's  progress  to  de- 
termine needed  changes  or 
disestablishment,  added  the  rec- 
ommendation. 

Pastors  and  sessions  in  20  of 
the  28  Korean  American  churches 
in  the  s3Tiod  support  starting  a 
non-geographic  Korean  American 
presbytery,  according  to  a  survey 
by  a  task  force  which  has  been 
studying  the  feasibility  of  creat- 
ing such  a  governing  body. 

The  proposal  calls  for  the  synod 
to  support  the  new  presbytery 
with  up  to  $10,000  in  1997  and  up 
to  $25,000  in  1998.  From  there  on 
until  2001,  the  amounts  would 
decrease  by  $5,000  per  year  until 
the  year  2002,  when  the  task  force 
expects  the  Korean  American 
presbytery  to  be  self  supporting 
or  cease  to  exist. 

It  would  take  at  least  $70,000 
to  get  the  presbytery  started,  most 
of  this  coming  from  a  grant  from 
the  synod  and  per  capita  support 
and  contributions  from  the  mem- 
ber Korean  American  churches, 


according  to  task  force  moderator 
Dick  Mosser,  an  elder  from 
Annandale,  Va. 

The  task  force  has  outlined  a 
series  of  actions  leading  to  cre- 
ation of  the  presbytery. 

•  From  now  to  February,  the 
task  force  will  get  commitments 
from  a  majority  (at  least  15)  of  the 
28  Korean  American  Presbyterian 
churches  of  participation  in  and 
financial  support  for  the  new  pres- 
bytery. 

•  During  the  same  period,  the 
task  force  will  promote  support 
for  the  Korean  American  Presby- 
tery through  the  existing  13  pres- 
byteries. This  would  include  draft- 
ing a  plan  to  transfer  debts  owed 
to  existing  presbyteries  by  any  of 
the  Korean  American  churches. 

•  Between  February  and 
March,  the  task  force  will  prepare 
overtures  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly and  Synod  Assembly  propos- 
ing creation  of  the  presbjdery .  The 
Synod  Council  would  approve 
these  overtures  at  its  March  14- 
15  meeting. 

•  The  209th  General  Assem- 
bly will  consider  its  overture  dur- 
ing the  June  14-21  meeting  in 
Syracuse,  N.Y. 

•  The  211th  Synod  Assembly 
will  vote  on  the  synod  overture 
during  its  July  17-19  session  in 
Roanoke,  Va. 

•  Following  approval  of  both 
overtures,  the  Synod  Council  will 
appoint  a  13-member  transitional 
council  for  the  new  presbj^ery  in 
July.  An  interim  executive/stated 
clerk  and  a  secretary  would  be 
hired  in  August,  and  the  Korean 
American  presbytery  would  start 
operation  in  October. 

The  task  force  was  created  by 
continued  on  page  3 


Making  a  point 

Carol  Bayma  from  Eastern  Virginia  Presbytery  participated 
in  the  Nov.  9  anti-racism  symposiiun,  Peacing  Together  the 
Pieces,  at  Three  Chopt  Church  in  Richmond.  It  was  one  of  five 
similar  events  held  around  the  region  in  early  November.  A 
full  report  will  follow  in  the  January-February  issue. 


1  ,  a'  iantic  Presbyterian,  November  /  December  1996 


A  Christmas  presence 


By  RICHARD  L.  MORGAN 

It  seem  as  if  all  of  us  must  make  a  journey 
to  Bethlehem  every  Christmas  if  we  are  to 
recapture  the  wonder  of  Christ's  birth.  We 
let  presents  around  the  tree  obscure  His 
presence.  And  then  there  are  those  compul- 
sive shopping  sprees  that  turn  Bethlehem 
into  bedlam! 

I  received  two  gifts  at  this  advent  sea- 
son which  renewed  the  Christ  spirit.  One 
was  a  book,  the  other  a  story. 

The  book?  Richard  Paul  Evans'  The 
Christmas  Box  (Simon  and  Schuster)  which 
tells  the  poignant  story  of  an  old  widow 
and  a  young  family  who  move  in  with  her. 
They  discover  the  Christmas  Box  with  let- 
ters she  had  placed  on  the  grave  of  her 
little  girl  who  died  at  the  age  of  three. 


Reminded  that  "the  first  Christmas  story 
began  in  a  humble,  hay-filled  box  of  splin- 
tered wood,"  Richard  and  Keri  discovered 
the  first  gift  of  Christmas.  One  of  Mary's 
letters  to  her  dying  child  said  that  she 
looked  forward  to  that  glorious  day  when 
she  would  hold  her  again.  So,  the  first 
Christmas  gift  was  from  a  Parent  to  his 
children  because  he  loved  them  and  wanted 
them  back. 

The  story?  Listen. 

Call  them  Mary  and  Joseph.  They  lived 
in  a  nursing  home,  across  the  hall  from 
each  other.  Joseph,  though  ravaged  by  old- 
age  debilities,  was  quite  alert.  Mary  suf- 
fered from  Alzheimers,  called  "the  disease 
of  the  20th  century."  Described  by 
caregivers  as  "a  funersd  that  never  ends," 
"the  slow  death  of  the  mind,"  it  had  stripped 


Mary  of  her  past,  present  and 
future. 

I  ran  into  her  in  the  nursing 
home  as  she  wandered  aimlessly 
across  its  shadowed  halls.  She 
mumbled,  "Please  tell  me  who  I 
am  and  where  I  live."  Gently,  I 
took  her  hand  and  led  her  to  her 
room,  where  she  slumped  into  an 
old  chair.  I  noticed  a  faded  copy 
of  her  wedding  picture  on  her 
wall.  Her  face  reminded  me  of 
some  lines  from  the  New  Year's 
party  in  the  drama.  Phantom  of 
the  Opera  : 

"Masquerade, 
Paper  faces  on  parade. 
Masquerade 
Hide  your  face  so  the  world 
will  never  find  you." 

I  visited  her  husband  across  the  hall, 
who  sadly  lamented  her  demented  state. 
"It  is  hard  for  me  to  talk  to  her  anymore; 
she  just  doesn't  know  anything  and  has 
that  awful  blank  face,"  he  said  as  his  voice 
trailed  off  into  a  cavernous  silence.  They 

had  been  married  64  years,  almost  as  long  Spiritual  Autobiography  "  (Upper  Room 
as  I  have  lived.  books).  Those  who  would  like  to  correspond 

Suddenly,  the  lady  with  the  paper  face  with  Dr.  Morgan  may  write  to  him  at  his 
appeared,  worried  about  her  husband.  Her  NEW  address:  Council  Oaks  Estate, 
one  contact  with  reality  was  her  love  for     104  Pinewood  Dr.,  Morganton,  NC  28655. 


him.  Reassured  he  was  fine,  she 
sat  in  stony  silence,  slumped 
even  deeper  in  an  old  chair  while 
we  talked. 

Then  it  happened!  I  noticed  a 
picture  on  his  dresser  of  a  lovely, 
dark-haired  woman.  Joseph  told 
me  that  was  her  picture  when 
she  was  21,  a  gift  for  him  one 
month  before  their  marriage.  I 
looked  into  her  hidden  face  and 
said,  "Why,  Mary,  who  is  this 
lovely  young  woman?  Can  this 
be  you?  I  believe  it  is!" 
"Look,  look!"  her  husband  exclaimed. 
"She  smiled.  She  understands  you." 

She  smiled.  One  of  the  most  radiating 
smiles  I  have  ever  seen  creased  her  face.  I 
saw  no  paper  face,  but  a  face  lit  with  light. 
The  masquerade  had  ended.  She  knew  who 
she  was  ...  and  is.  And  that  smile,  that 
smile  was  her  Christmas  gift  for  her  hus- 
band ...  and  me. 

Dr.  Richard  L.  Morgan  is  a  retired  Pres- 
byterian minister  and  author  of  numerous 
books  and  articles  on  aging.  His  latest  book 
is  "Remembering  Your  Story  — A  Guide  to 


Son  is  grateful  for  a  mother's  courageous  decision 


This  is  the  third  in  a  series  of  faith  stories 
from  readers  around  the  synod.  If  you  have 
a  faith  story  you  would  like  to  share,  contact 
Lloyd  Remington  at  P.O.  Box  8193, 
Asheville,  N.C.  28814. 

By  TOM  TRIOL 

Abington,  Pa.,  is  a  small  town  just  north  of 
Philadelphia.  It  boasted  a  population  of 
800  in  the  single-digit  years  of  the  1900s 
when  my  newlywed  parents  bought  a  house 
there,  right  in  the  center  of  town. 

Named  after  the  Abington  in  Englands's 
Cotswold,  this  Abington  preserved  much 
of  the  British  rural  village  culture.  In  those 
years,  electricity  was  just  entering  homes 
and  businesses;  new  power  plants  were 
sprouting  everywhere  My  father  was  an 
electrician  and  business  was  booming. 

The  family  was  fairly  well  established 
when  I  came  along  Dec.  1, 1917. 1  followed 
Rosner  and  Wilson  as  the  third  son;  my  two 
younger  siblings,  Betty  and  Jack,  rounded 
out  a  lively  and  interesting  bunch  of  kids. 

It  amazes  me  that  I  can  vividly  recall 


Mid-Atlantic 
Presbyterian 

Carroll  Jenkins,  Publisher 
John  Sniffen,  Editor 

Phone:  (804)  342-0016 
PAX:  (804)  355-8535 
Internet:  JOHN_SNIFFEN@pcusa.org 

MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
(USPS  604-120  /  ISSN  1071-345X) 
Is  produced  and  published  monthly 
(except  February,  August  and  December) 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 
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Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian  is  mailed  free 
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MID-ATLANTIC  PRESBYTERIAN 
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happy  occasions  ofmore  than  70  years  ago.  Family,  uncle  Frank,  and  neighbors  ... 

Quite  often  on  Sunday  afternoons,  in  good  particularly  members  of  our  Presbj^erian 

weather.  Dad  would  get  out  the  new  model  church . . .  labored  diligently  to  make  weeks 

T  and  we  would  go  visit  our  country  cousins  of  confusion,  sadness  and  hurt  reasonably 

in  "Dutch"  country.  One  can  never  forget  bearable.  As  a  stopgap  measure,  the  church 


dusty  roads,  flat  tires  that  had  to  be 
paired  on  the  spot  by  Dad,  steep  hills  that 
required  all  the  boys  to  get  out  while  Dad 
backed  the  car  up  the  hill  — 
sometimes  with  us  pushing. 

I  recall  that,  when  Rosner  and 
Wilson  were  in  school.  Dad  would 
take  me  on  some  of  his  visits  to 
farms  and  powerhouses.  The 
Centres  farm,  near  Southamp- 
ton had  special  memories  for  me . 
One  day  I  sat  down  in  the  lid  of  a 
battery  acid  jar.  It  burned  the 
seat  of  my  overalls  and  Mrs  Gen- 
try had  to  wrap  me  in  a  big  towel 
for  the  trip  back  to  Abington.  Tom 
Another  lesson  learned  the  hard 
way  was  when  I  teased  the  dog 
by  pointing  my  finger  in  his  face  and  say- 
ing "sic." 

At  home  we  had  great  times  playing 
with  some  of  Dad's  hobbies.  He  made  crys- 
tal sets,  with  a  crystal  and  a  cat's  whisker, 
and  sold  them  for  fifty  cents  apiece.  With 
our  earphones  we  could  get  WC  AU  in  Philly . 
He  put  in  a  telephone  rig  that  allowed  us  to 
call  him  in  his  attic  office  and  equipment 
room.  By  turning  a  crank,  a  bell  would  ring 
upstairs;  then,  by  turning  a  crank  on  the 
upstairs  phone  box,  one  could  ring  the 
kitchen.  We  drove  him  whacky  fooling 
around  with  this  toy. 

These  juvenile  remembrances  might 
have  steered  my  brothers  and  me  into  a 
family  business.  We'll  never  know!  The 
sudden  death  of  Dad  at  age  37  changed 
everything.  No  one  knew  if  he  carried  any 
insurance.  He  had  none! 


guided  and  assisted  Mother  in  placing  my 
brother,  Wilson,  and  me  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Orphanage  in  West  Philadelphia.  We 
lived  there  for  a  year.  It  was  a 
lifesaver  for  us,  in  spite  of  the 
homesickness  we  experienced  for 
the  first  time.  In  July  of  1925  we 
were  ecstatic  on  returning  to  the 
old  homestead. 

However,  my  euphoria  was 
short  lived!  Mother,  and  those 
assisting  her  in  sorting  out  the 
options  for  making  the  best  ar- 
rangements for  all  the  children, 
came  up  with  the  decision  that 
Priol  ultimately  led  to  the  path  my  life 
would  take.  It  was  a  courageous 
decision,  and  one  that  I  did  not 
like  at  the  time.  Nevertheless,  I  will  be 
forever  grateful  for  her  wisdom  and  cour- 
age. 

Girard  College  in  Philadelphia  is  a 
boarding  school  for  sons  of  widows.  Stephen 
Girard,  a  1775  immigrant,  had  become  its 
wealthiest  citizen  by  the  time  of  his  death 
in  1831.  He  left  a  most  unusual  will.  He 
had  noticed,  as  public  education  developed 
in  the  1820s,  that  the  sons  of  widows,  and 
of  indentured  household  servants,  were 
excluded  from  public  schools.  To  the  great 
dismay  of  his  relatives  and  friends,  he 
made  possible  a  free  education,  with  total 
maintenance,  for  the  boys  who  would  at- 
tend the  school  he  envisioned.  At  one  time 
it  was  the  largest  and  wealthiest  boarding 
school  in  the  nation. 

Application  was  made  for  me  to  attend 
this  fine  institution.  On  Sept.  17,  1925,  at 


Youngil  Cho's  remarks  strike  home 


I  am  writing  in  response  to  the  article 
"Seek  First  the  Will  of  God"  by  Youngil  Cho 
in  the  September  issue.  It  really  struck 
home  for  me. 

We  have  gotten  caught  up  in  the  "do- 
ing." After  all,  the  second  great  command- 
ment says,  "Love  your  neighbor  as  your- 
self" We  think  that  the  best  way  to  show 
God's  love  to  those  who  don't  know  him  is 
to  "do"  good  works.  We  get  involved  in 
volunteering,  thinking  that  since  we're  so 
busy  "doing,"  we  are  headed  in  the  right 
direction.  Not  always  the  case.  We  need  to 
focus  on  the  first  and  greatest  command- 
ment, "Love  the  Lord  with  all  your  heart, 
all  your  soul,  and  all  your  mind."  (Matthew 
22:37-39) 

Reading  Matthew  7:21-23, 1  knew  I  was 
not  right  with  the  Lord.  The  Holy  Spirit 
revealed  that  I  did  not  have  a  relationship 
with  Christ,  even  though  I  grew  up  in  an 


active  church,  always  involved  with  volun- 
teer work.  God  enabled  me  to  surrender 
everything  I  was  and  give  it  to  him.  And  I 
was  saved! 

My  focus  is  no  longer  on  wanting  to  fill  my 
time  with  "good  works,"  but  on  constant 
prayer  and  staying  in  the  Word  so  I  know 
God  and  his  ways.  Then  I  can  look  aroimd, 
notice  where  God  is  at  work  by  observing  and 
asking  questions,  and  the  Lord  can  use  me  as 
HE  chooses.  This  change  in  perspective  had 
been  such  a  blessing  to  me!  I  am  constantly 
amazed  at  the  simplicity  of  it  all,  and  I  praise 
God  for  his  blessings! 

We  must  individually  focus  on  that  rela- 
tionship with  our  Lord.  Only  then  can  he 
unite  us  through  the  Holy  Spirit  and  use 
his  church  to  glorify  his  name  in  ways  that 
others  think  impossible! 

Ellen  Cureton 
Raleigh,  N.C. 


age  7  years  and  9.5  months,  mother  took 
me  to  the  school  to  undergo  health  and 
physical  examinations,  intelligence  and 
psychological  tests  and  also  personal  and 
group  interviews. 

A  number  of  boys  went  through  the 
regimen  that  day.  Some  would  make  it  and 
some  would  not.  Late  in  the  day  Mother 
was  informed  that  I  had  met  all  the  re- 
quirements, but  that  all  of  the  billets  had 
been  filled.  I  gave  a  sigh  of  relief  that  we 
could  return  home. 

As  we  were  about  to  leave,  an  impor- 
tant-looking man  approached  Mother.  I 
could  tell  that  they  were  engaged  in  seri- 
ous talk  and  my  homeward  hopes  slumped 
...  One  boy's  mother  had  decided  not  to 
accept  the  opportunity.  Mother  had  pre- 
cious little  time  to  decide  and  she  decided 
to  accept.  I  collapsed  in  her  loving  arms 
and  cried  unabashedly  but  the  decision 
had  been  made.  She  was  affording  her  son 
the  best  opportunity  she  could  possibly 
give  him. 

The  school's  curriculum  covered  the  full 
activities  of  life;  intellectually,  physically, 
morally,  spiritually  and  socially.  We  were 
challenged  and  we  met  the  challenge.  Upon 
graduation  in  June  1935,  we  entered  the 
world  with  the  closing  lines  of  the  Farewell 
Song: 

"Sixteen  hundred  looking  on, 

we  are  in  the  van. 
We  have  run  the  marathon 

from  child  to  growing  man. 
Out  beyond  the  open  gates, 

lights  of  promise  glow. 
You  who  cheered  us  when  we  came, 

bless  us  ere  we  go. 
Farewell,  Farewell,  dear  temple 

on  the  hill. 
We  will  not  forget  you, 

til  our  hearts  are  stiU." 

Tom  Triol  climbed  from:  apprentice  tool  I 
die  maker,  college,  U.S.  Navy,  MA  (Colum- 
bia U.  NY),  teacher,  to  Headmaster  &  Presi- 
dent of  Savannah  (Ga.)  Country  Day  School. 
He  and  his  wife  Jane  live  in  the  Grace  Ridge 
Retirement  Community  and  are  members 
of  First  Church  in  Morganton,  N.C. 


Letters  to  the  Editor 

Letters  must  be  signed  (names 
will  be  withheld  on  request), 
should  be  no  longer  than  250 
words,  and  are  subject  to  edit- 
ing for  style,  clarity,  and  length . 
Address  letters  to: 

Editor 

Mid- Atlantic  Presbj^rian 
P.O.  Box  27026 
Richmond,  VA23261-7026 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November  /  December         1  '.m;^  'i 


Christmas  Joy  Offering 
benefits  worlcers,  schools 


continued  from  page  1 

in  the  U.S.  began  the  Joy  Gift 
Offering  to  supplement  inad- 
equate retirement  income  and 
supplemental  medical  insurance 
for  former  ministers,  missionar- 
ies and  church  workers  and  their 
spouses. 

In  the  former  United  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.),  a  Christ- 
mas offering  was  first  taken  in 
1960.  Funds  from  the  "White  Gift" 
where  used  for  general  mission 
and  world  relief.  In  1964  the  name 
was  changed  to  the  "Christmas 
Offering,"  with  receipts  used  to 
support  health  and  welfare  con- 
cerns related  to  children.  In  1973 
the  offering  was  changed  to  sup- 
port former  servants  of  the  church 
who  were  living  on  inadequate 
pensions.  Minority  education  was 


added  as  a  cause  in  1974. 

Following  reunion,  the  offer- 
ings of  the  two  former  denomina- 
tions were  united  into  one  — 
Christmas  Offering  Joy  Gift  —  in 
1987.  To  try  and  keep  either  cause 
from  suffering  due  to  the  merger, 
the  Board  of  Pensions  received  65 
percent  of  the  offering  and  the 
racial  ethnic  schools  received  35 
percent  as  part  of  a  formula  which 
was  in  effect  through  1992. 

The  name  was  change  to  the 
Christmas  Joy  Offering  in  1992 
and  starting  in  1993  the  division 
formula  was  changed  to  a  50-50 
distribution.  The  1996  General 
Assembly  approved  continuation 
of  that  formula  through  2001. 

The  1995  Christmas  Joy  Offer- 
ing brought  ill  receipts  totaling 
$4.58  miUion. 


Council  approves  continuation 
of  anti-racism  task  group 


The  S5aiod  Council  has  approved 
a  request  from  the  "ACTively  In- 
cluding Our  Neighbors"  (AC- 
TION) task  group  to  make  it  an 
ongoing  part  of  synod. 

Instead  of  being  a  full  commit- 
tee on  its  own,  however,  ACTION 
will  be  a  subcommittee  reporting 
through  the  Justice/Mercy  Com- 
mittee. ACTION  was  created  by 
the  Council  to  plan  the  symposia 
on  racism  held  in  early  Novem- 
ber. ACTION  co-chair  Sandy 
Seaton-Todd  told  the  council  that 
a  total  of  close  to  200  persons 
participated  in  the  five  symposia. 

In  other  business  during  the 
its  Nov.  15-16  meeting  in  Rich- 
mond, the  council: 

•  heard  Synod  Executive 
Carroll  Jenkins  report  that  the 
search  committees  for  the  two 
program  associates  —  one  for  cam- 
pus ministries  and  partnerships, 
the  other  for  justice/mercy,  racial 
ethnic  ministries  and  evangelism 
— hope  to  have  nominations  ready 
for  the  council  by  January.  The 
council  will  handle  the  nomina- 
tions through  a  conference  call. 

•  discussed  an  "overarching 
goal"  and  four  objectives  for  1998 
and  1999.  The  Administration 
Committee,  led  by  the  Rev.  Bob 
Curry,  will  take  the  input  from 
this  session  and  come  back  with  a 
finalized  document  for  council's 
approval. 

•  approved  a  $50,000  loan  from 
the  Small  Church  and  Manse 
Loan  Fund  and  a  $2,500  grant 
from  the  Small  Church  Grant 
Fujidto  Peace  C/iurc/i  in  Roanoke, 
Va.  The  monies  will  be  used  to 
help  build  a  new  sanctuary,  pave 
a  parking  lot  and  redesign  the 
existing  sanctuary  for  the  church 
which  was  organized  in  1990. 

The  council  also  approved  a 
$6,500  loan  and  a  $2,500  grant  to 
the  Mars  Hill  Church  in  Hope 
Mills,  N.C.  The  loan  and  grant, 
contingent  on  approval  by  Coastal 
Carolina  Presbytery,  will  be  used 
to  replace  a  failed  heating  sys- 
tem. Grants  of  $2,500  were  also, 
approved  for  the  Mary's  Church 
in  Tazewell,  Va.,  and  the 
Sherando  Church  in  Stephen's 
City,  Va.  The  former  is  for  drilling 
a  new  water  well  and  the  latter  is 
for  a  steeple  on  the  new  church. 

•  welcomed  three  new  mem- 
bers to  their  first  meeting.  They 
are  Nancy  Coen,  elder  represen- 
tative from  the  Presbytery  of  the 
James;  Richard  Wilson,  chair  of 
the  Partnership  Ministries  Com- 
mittee; and  Hunter  Atkinson,  rep- 
resenting the  Synod  Youth  Coun- 
cil, which  was  added  to  the  Coun- 
cil by  action  of  the  210th  Synod 


Assembly. 

•received  with  regrets  the  res- 
ignations of  the  Rev.  David 
Thornton,  vice  chair  of  council  and 
representative  from  Coastal  Caro- 
lina Presbytery,  and  the  Rev.  J. 
Herbert  Nelson,  representative 
from  Salem  Presbytery.  Valeria 
Tocci,  elder  representative  from 
Baltimore  Presbytery,  was  elected 
vice  chair. 

•  approved  a  three  percent  cost 
of  living  salary  increase  in  1997 
for  all  synod  staff  members. 

The  Synod  Council  will  next 
meet  on  March  14-15,  1997. 


Dick  Mosser,  left,  convener  of  the  sj^od's  task  group  studying  the  possibility  of  a  Korean- 
language  presbytery,  talks  with  (from  left)  Elder  Sam  Moak,  the  Rev.  Hyun  Chan  Bae  and  Synod 
Executive  Carroll  Jenkins  after  an  Aug.  15  consultation  with  Korean  Presbyterian  pastors  in 
the  synod  office.  Mosser,  an  elder  from  Annandale,  Va.,  also  represents  National  Capital 
Presbytery  on  the  Synod  Council. 

Korean  American  presbytery  proposed 


continued  from  page  1 
action  of  the  S5aiod  Council  in 
November  1995.  The  1995  and 
1996  Synod  assemblies  adopted 
standing  committee  statements 
in  favor  of  creation  of  such  a  pres- 
bytery. 

The  task  force  held  separate 
meetings  this  past  summer  with 
Korean  American  pastors  and 
Korean  American  elders. 

Korean  Americans  are  not  in- 
cluded in  all  aspects  of  presbytery 
and  synod  government,  according 


to  Mosser.  Creation  of  their  own 
presbytery,  however,  would  give 
Korean  Americans  mandated  rep- 
resentation at  both  levels. 

Proponents  of  the  proposed 
new  presbji;ery  say  that  it  would 
also  be  an  effective  tool  for  evan- 
gelism. They  say  there  are  a  large 
number  of  nonaffiliated  Korean 
churches  in  the  region  which 
would  become  Presbyterian  if  they 
had  the  option  of  joining  a  Ko- 
rean-language presbytery. 

Korean-language  presbyteries 


exist  in  two  synods  and  the  Synod 
of  the  Northeast  was  given  per- 
mission by  the  General  Assembly 
this  past  July  to  start  a  third. 

Hanmi  Presbytery  was  orga- 
nized in  1984  in  the  Synod  of 
Southern  California  and  Hawaii. 
The  1992  General  Assembly  ex- 
tended the  presbytery's  existence 
another  15  years.  The  other  exist- 
ing Korean-language  presbytery, 
Midwest  Hanmi,  was  approved 
by  the  General  Assembly  in  1993 
for  the  Synod  of  Lincoln  Trails. 


THAT  WILL  ALWAYS  BE  REMEMBERED 


Getting  the  right  gift  for  your  parents  is  always 
a  puzzling  proposition.  Ask  them  luhat  they 
Luant,  and  you'll  likely  hear,  "Nothing,  dear.  I 
haue  everything  I  need  or  Luant." 

A  Charitable  Gift  Annuity  may  be  just  the 
answer  you've  been  looking  for  It  not  only 
provides  income  for  your  parents  durmg  their 
lifetime,  but  also  creates  a  legacy  for  the  Church 
and  may  offer  you  potential  tax  advantages. 

for  more  mformation,  ask  your  pastor  or  local 
Development  Officer  Or  call  or  write  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation  does  not  issue  Gift  Annuities  in  all  states. 


Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Foundation 

200  East  Twelfth  Street  •  kffersonvil\e.  IN  47]30 
812-288-8841  •  800-858-6127 


Page-  i  iVua- Atlantic  Presbj^erian,  November  /  December  1996 

One-time  grants  made  to  four 
ministries  on  black  campuses 


RICHMOND,  Va.  —  The  Synod 
Council  unanimously  approved 
grants  to  five  ministries  on  racial 
ethnic  college  campuses. 

The  grants,  totaling  $21,466, 
are  the  result  of  the  recent  Synod 
Assembly's  mandate  that  the 
amount  be  found  from  leftover 
funds  in  the  1996  mission  budget 
and  used  to  assist  such  minis- 
tries. 

John  Winings,  chair  of  the 
synod's  Campus  Ministries  Com- 
mittee, presented  the  committee's 
recommendations  during  a  spe- 
cial Oct.  18  council  meeting.  The 
councU  members,  present  for  a 
two-day  orientation  session  for 
members  of  the  synod's  five  mis- 
sion committees,  quickly  ap- 
proved the  recommendations. 

Given  only  one  month  to  sug- 
gest how  the  funds  should  be  used, 
the  committee  received  seven  pro- 
pos£ds  from  six  of  11  presbyteries 
contacted,  according  to  Winings. 
In  addition  to  the  fact  that  the 
Synod  commissioners'  order  was 
followed,  he  said  presb3rteries  and 
other  local  sources  would  be  add- 
ing a  total  of  $60,000  in  matching 
funds,  making  the  total  amount 
going  to  the  campus  ministries 
$81,465. 

The  grants  were  awarded  for 
work  on  the  following  campuses: 

•  Norfolk  State  University, 
Norfolk,  Va.  —  $2,147  toward  the 


renovation  of  a  facility  at  Cov- 
enant Church  which  will  become 
an  activity  center  for  the  campus 
ministry.  First  Church  of  Norfolk 
is  working  in  partnership  with 
Covenant  Church  on  the  overall 
project  in  Eastern  Virginia  Pres- 
bytery. 

•  North  Carolina  A&T  and 
Bennett  College,  Greensboro,  N.C. 
—  $8,586  toward  program  fund- 
ing at  the  two  schools.  St.  James 
Church  of  Greensboro  supports 
these  ministries  in  Salem  Pres- 
bytery. 

•  North  Carolina  Central  Uni- 
versity, Shaw,  St.  Augsburg  and 
Durham  Tech  —  $8,586  toward 
program  development  and  add- 
ing to  the  existing  ecumenical 
ministry  at  NCCU  which  reaches 
the  other  three  campuses.  Cov- 
enant Church  of  Durham  in  New 
Hope  Presbytery  also  supports 
these  ministries. 

•  Mitchell  Community  College, 
Statesville,  N.C. —$2,147  toward 
developing  ministry  supported  by 
Forest  Park  Church  of  Salem  Pres- 
bytery and  other  local  churches  of 
other  denominations. 

These  are  one-time  grants. 

The  Synod  Council  has  called 
for  a  consultation  in  early  1997 
with  officials  from  racial  ethnic 
colleges  and  universities  to  dis- 
cuss how  to  start  or  support  min- 
istries on  their  campuses. 


Charlotte  churches  plan  New  Year's  event 


CHARLOTTE,  N.C.  —  Covenant 
Church  of  Chairlotte  will  host  its 
second  annual  regional  New  Years 
Eve  Youth  Connection  Retreat 
this  year  along  with  a  new  part- 
ner, Myers  Park  Church. 

The  retreat  will  last  from 
1  p.m.  Tuesday,  Dec.  31,  until  10 
a.m.  Wednesday,  Jan.  1. 

The  Middle  School  Retreat  (for 
6-9th  graders)  will  be  at  Myers 


Park  Church.  The  High  School 
Retreat  (for  9-12th  graders)  will 
be  at  Covenant  Church.  Cost  per 
participant  will  be  $20. 

Over  150  people  from  14 
churches  all  around  the  Caroli- 
nas  participated  in  last  year's 
event. 

For  information,  contact  John 
Mayes  at  (704)  333-9071  ext. 
204,  or  at  cpyc.topic@pcusa.org. 


Whatl^^DidOnOur 
Summer  Vacation 


^1 

While  most  folks  were  off 
on  vacation  this  summer, 
here  at  Westminster- 
Canterbury  in  Virginia 
Beach,  we  were  busy 
planning  interesting  new 
things. 

Some  details  still  need 
finalizing,  but  we  want  to 
whet  your  appetite  and  at 
least  tell  you  about  what's 
coming... 

Contract  options,  for  one. 
Many  of  you  have  asked 
about  refund  options  and 
we  are  working  on  several 
which  should  be  available 
right  after  the  first  of  the  year 
We're  also  in  the  process  of  acquiring  several  units  in  a  small 
condominium  complex  adjacent  to  our  property  which  may  be  ready 
for  occupancy  later  this  fall.  They  have  the  same  lovely  views  of  the 
Chesapeake  Bay  and  of  course,  they  will  include  our  lifecare  program. 

We  hope  your  interest  has  been  piqued  and  that  you  will  "stay  tuned" 
for  more  information.  Please  look  for  our  ad  in  the  next  issue  of  this 
publication. 

Meanwhile,  to  receive  our  color  brochure,  please  call  Sherry  O'Shell 
at  1-800-349-1722. 

zC^stminster 
Canterbury 


Youth  from  Avondale  Church  in  Charlotte  work  at  replacing  the  roof  on  the  home  of  Joel  Jones 
of  Jacksonville,  Ore.,  husband  of  a  woman  killed  during  a  carjacking  in  Charlotte  last  year. 

Charlotte  teens  go  to  Oregon 
to  ease  pain  of  woman's  slaying 


They  could  not  undo  the  crime, 
but  a  dozen  teenagers  from 
Avondale  Church  in  Charlotte, 
N.C,  flew  3,000  miles  to  Oregon 
last  July  to  try  and  help  the  fam- 
ily of  a  36-year-old  women  killed 
while  visiting  Charlotte  a  year 
earlier. 

Patricia  Jones,  the  mother  of 
two  children,  was  shot  in  the  back 
while  attempting  to  escape  a 
carjacking  outside  her  Charlotte 
hotel  in  June  1995.  She  was  in  the 
city  for  a  seminar  in  connection 
with  her  work  for  First  Union 
Bank,  which  is  headquartered  in 
Charlotte. 

The  21-year-old  believed  to 
have  pulled  the  trigger  was  killed 
while  being  arrested.  Five  others 
from  age  15  to  30  await  trial. 

"Presbyterians  believe  we  are 
a  connected  church  and  so  when 
we  learned  that  Mrs.  Jones  was 
Presbyterian,  we  felt  a  certain 
kinship  with  her  and  her  family," 
said  Harry  Greyard,  youth  group 
leader  for  the  Avondale  Church. 
"We  believe  you  fight  evil  with 


good  and  you  need  to  do  that  in 
some  tangible  fashion." 

For  nine  years,  members  of  the 
450-member  Charlotte  church 
have  gone  on  home  repair  mis- 
sions for  people  who  couldn't  af- 
ford to  pay,  said  Pastor  John  Earl. 

The  group  brought  hammers, 
nails,  rakes,  shovels,  boots  and 
hats  to  Jacksonville,  Ore.  They 
put  a  new  roof  on  a  house  owned 
by  the  late  Mrs.  Jones'  husband, 
Joel,  a  Medford  contractor  and 
property  manager. 

First  Union  Bank  helped  make 
the  week-long  trip  possible,  do- 
nating $7,500  for  plane  tickets. 
The  bank  had  earlier  established 
a  $20,000  trust  fund  for  Jones' 
two  children,  Jennifer,  13,  and 
Jared,  12. 

"This  impacts  not  just  me,  but 
everyone  in  my  church,"  said 
Jones,  a  member  of  Jacksonville's 
First  Presbyterian  church.  "This 
is  a  real  healing  time.  One  thing 
I've  gotten  out  of  this  whole  expe- 
rience is  how  important  it  is  to  be 
part  of  a  strong  church  family  — 


it's  times  like  these  when  you 
really  need  them." 

His  daughter,  Jenny,  appreci- 
ated the  effort.  "They  could  have 
gone  to  Disneyland  or  Mexico,  but 
instead  they  came  here  to  work 
with  us." 

In  Jacksonville,  the  Charlotte 
youth  group  also  rebuilt  a  fence 
around  the  home  of  a  single 
mother,  painted  a  deck  for  an  eld- 
erly couple  and  built  a  walkway 
for  the  historic  Jacksonville  Pres- 
byterian Church  building. 

Faith  has  helped  Jones  give  up 
his  anger.  "I  look  at  my  life  and 
see  that  God  has  forgiven  me  for 
so  much,  why  can't  I  forgive 
them?"  he  said. 

He  has  started  counseling 
young  people  who  may  be  headed 
for  trouble  at  the  Jackson  County, 
Ore.,  detention  hall. 

"Kids  need  to  realize  that 
wrong  choices  you  make  affect 
not  only  your  life,  but  the  lives  of 
so  many  other  people,"  he  told  a 
Jacksonville  newspaper. 


Trinity  cliurches  help  California  cxDngregation 


By  MIDGE  MACK 

for  PC(USA)  News  Service 

HENDERSONVILLE,  N.C— 
Trinity  Presbyterian  churches  — 
25  of  them  from  all  around  the 
country  —  have  so  far  contrib- 
uted just  over  $2,000  to  Project 
Trinity,  benefiting  Trinity  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  Spring 
Valley  community  of  San  Diego 
Presb3rtery. 

The  300-member  church  in 
Spring  Valley  was  destroyed  by 


an  arson  fire  last  March. 

The  blaze  was  imrelated  to  the 
recent  rash  of  arson  attacks  on 
African-American  churches  in  the 
U.S.  "Our  arsonist  is  known  to  us 
and  we  are  working  through  the 
process  ,pf  forgiveness,"  said  the 
Rev.  Randal  Yenter,  pastor  of 
Spring  Valley. 

The  Project  Trinity  campaign 
was  initiated  in  May  by  the  ses- 
sion of  Trinity  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Hendersonville,  N.C. 
The  session  sent  a  letter  seeking 


contributions  in  the  name  of  Pres- 
byterian connectionalism  and  the 
shared  Trinity  moniker  to  the  134 
other  Trinity  chvirches  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  (U.S.A.). 

The  letter  also  opened  the  door 
to  future  creative  ways  that  the 
Trinitys  can  work  together  to  sup- 
port various  projects.  Gifts  for 
Spring  Valley's  rebuilding 
through  the  Trinity  Project  may 
be  sent  to  Spring  Valley  Presby- 
terian Church,  3902  Kenwood  Dr., 
Spring  Valley,  CA  91977. 


Kathryn  Long  joins  counseling  service  staff 


A  new  career  counselor,  Kathryn 
Long,  has  joined  the  staff  of  Ca- 
reer and  Personal  Counseling  Ser- 
vice in  Charlotte,  N.C. 

Dr.  Elbert  Patton,  director  of 
both  the  Charlotte  and  Laurin-burg 
centers,  said  the  addition  of  Ms. 
Long  to  the  staff  allows  the  service 
to  expand  its  ministry  to  adults, 
and  college  and  high  school  stu- 
dents in  the  Charlotte  area. 

A  vocation  consultant  with 
more  than  25  years  experience, 
Ms.  Long  specializes  in  career 
counseling  and  development  as 
well  as  in  job  retention  and  job- 
seeking  skills.  She  is  well  known 
in  the  Charlotte  area  for  the  ca- 


reer assessment  and  planning 
classes  she  teaches  at  Queens 
College. 

Ms.  Long's  extensive  work  in 
vocational  rehabilitation  equips 
her  with  knowledge  of  the  career 
needs  facing  people  with  physical 
and  mental  disabilities.  A  Myers- 
Briggs  Type  Indicator  trainer,  she 
also  works  with  the  Mecklenburg 
County  Women's  Commission  to 
offer  alternatives  to  displaced 
homemakers. 

She  will  share  the  Charlotte 
center's  client  load  with  Sue 
Setzer,  CPCS  associate  director, 
who  recently  received  an  honor- 
ary doctor  of  human  letters  de- 


gree from  Lenoir-Rhyne  College 
in  Hickory,  N.C. 

The  Laurinburg  center  is 
staffed  by  Dr.  Patton  and  Louise 
Marr.  Their  clients  also  include 
St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  College 
students,  faculty  and  staff. 

Dr.  Patton  and  Ms.  Setzer  work 
with  Ministry  Development  Coun- 
cil clients  (ministers  and  other 
church  professionals)  at  their  re- 
spective centers.  Ministerial  can- 
didates and  inquirers  are  coun- 
seled at  both  centers. 

For  information,  call  the  Char- 
lotte center  at  (704)  523-7751  or 
the  Laurinburg  center  at  (910) 
276-3162. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November  /  December  199t,  1 ge  5 


Mission  capital  grants  awarded  to  164  congregations 


PC(USA)  News  Service 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.-Officials  of 
the  National  Ministries  Division 
(NMD)  handed  out  $2.5  million  in 
grants  to  164  Presbyterian  con- 
gregations for  building  improve- 
ments on  Sept.  28 

The  National  Ministries  Divi- 
sion established  its  Mission  Capi- 
tal Grants  program  last  spring  to 


provide  grants  ranging  from 
$2,500  to  $25,000  to  churches 
demonstrating  a  need  to  improve 
their  facilities  in  order  to  enhance 
their  mission  to  their  communi- 
ties. The  program  was  funded  by 
a  number  of  endowments. 

"We  had  no  idea  the  demand 
would  be  this  great,"  NMD  chair 
Sandra  Hawley  told  the  General 
Assembly  Council  in  announcing 


the  grant  recipients.  Between  the 
time  the  grant  program  was  an^ 
nounced  in  May  and  the  deadline 
for  applications  in  early  Septem- 
ber, 987  congregations  requested 
a  total  of  nearly  $20  million. 

"This  program  has  turned  out 
to  be  a  symbol  of  the  [biblical] 
story  of  the  loaves  and  fishes," 
said  the  Rev.  Frank  Beattie, 
NMD's  associate  director  for  evan- 


12  grants  come  to  churches  in  synod 


The  164  churches  receiving 
Mission  Capital  Grants  from 
the  Evangelism  and  Church 
Development  Program  Area  of 
the  National  Ministries  Divi- 
sion will  share  a  total  of 
$2,438,371. 

Grant-receiving  churches 
from  within  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic,  in  alphabetical 
order  by  presbytery,  are 

Faith  Presbyterian  Church, 
Baltimore,  Md.  (Baltimore): 
windows,  doors,  paint,  youth 
center/day  care 

Ebenezer  Church,  Morven, 
N.C.  (Charlotte):  video  educa- 
tional equipment 


Raeford  (N.C.)  Church, 
(Coastal  Carolina):  equipment 
for  youth  programypreschool 

Makemie  Woods,  Barhams- 
ville,  Va.  (Eastern  Virginia): 
renovate  cabins 

Richmond  (Va.)  Arabic  Fel- 
lowship, (James):  sanctuary 
furnishings 

Wake  Forest  (N.C.)  Church, 
(New  Hope):  building  addition 

Appomattox  Court  House 
(Va.)  Church,  (Peaks):  equip- 
ment for  daycare  startup 

Gethsemane  Church,  Drakes 
Branch,  Va.  (Peaks):  basic  re- 
pairs, church  sign 


New  Covenant  New  Church 
Development,  Middletown,  Del. 
(New  Castle):  building  addition 

Presbyterian  Church  of  the 
Cross,  Greensboro,  N.C.  (Sa- 
lem): refurbish  kitchen 

Dellabrook  Church,  Win- 
ston-Salem, N.C.  (Salem): 
painting,  carpet,  doors,  land- 
scaping, air  conditioning  re- 
pair 

Sherando  Church,  Stephens 
City,  Va.  (Shenandoah):  sanc- 
tuary furnishings 

Bryson  City  (N.C)  Church, 
(Western  North  Caro/maJ:  child 
care  facility  updating 


Additional  staff  position  approved  by  council 


In  his  report  to  the  Sept.  20-21 
Synod  Council  meeting,  Synod 
Executive  Carroll  J enkins  told  the 
council  that  Edith  Goodman,  who 
has  been  out  on  temporary  dis- 
ability since  November  1994,  will 
not  be  rejoining  the  sjmod  staff. 
Mrs.  Goodman  had  served  as  re- 
ceptionist since  1990. 

The  Synod  Council  approved  a 
recommendation  from  the  Person- 
nel Committee  that  one  additional 
support  staff  position  —  secre- 
tary/receptionist —  be  added. 

Since  that  meeting,  Ms.  Tracey 
Carper  has  been  hired  as  the  sec- 
retary receptionist  and  Ms.  Mary 
French  has  been  hired  to  the  sec- 
retary position. 

With  the  addition  of  the  new 
position,  the  S3Tiod  office  staff  will 
now  number  10  persons.  One  part- 
time  staff  member,  Associate  for 
Older  Adult  Ministries  Jan 
McGilliard,  works  out  of  her  home 
in  Blacksburg,  Va. 

The  council  also  rectified  a 
leadership  problem.  The  210th 


S5Tiod  Assembly  failed  to  suspend 
the  standing  rules  before  electing 
June  Bucy  to  what  amounts  to  a 
third  term  as  Council  chair.  To 
make  her  election  conform  to  the 
rules,  the  Council  approved  her 
election  as  chair pro-tem  until  the 
end  of  the  1997  Synod  Assembly. 
In  other  business,  the  council: 

•  gave  the  Massanetta  Springs 
Conference  Center  permission  to 
conduct  a  synod-wide  fund  rais- 
ing campaign; 

•  heard  an  update  on  Chesa- 
peake Center  Committee  Chair 
Pat  Aaserude,  who  said  the  camp 
and  conference  center  at  Port 
Deposit,  Md.,  will  probably  finish 
1996  within  its  budget.  The  num- 
ber of  campers  remained  about 
the  same  as  last  year  and  the 
center  has  hired  a  part-time  mar- 
keting person. 

•  approved  a  recommendation 
from  the  Administration  Commit- 
tee that  the  Synod  convene  a  con- 
sultation with  representatives 
from  presbytery  committees  on 


preparation  for  the  ministry  to 
review  the  process,  share  alter- 
native methods  and  clarify  the 
role  and  process  of  Synod  in  the 
examination  of  candidates. 

•  approved  Rowles  and  Co.  of 
Baltimore,  Md.,  to  perform  the 
audit  of  the  Synod's  finances  for 
1996. 

•  approved  a  $1,500  loan  from 
the  Small  Church  and  Manse 
Loan  Fund  and  a  $2,500  grant 
from  the  Small  Church  Grant 
Fund  to  Westminster  Church  in 
Lucama,  N.C.  The  grant  is  condi- 
tional upon  receipt  of  approval  by 
New  Hope  Presbytery.  The  mon- 
ies will  be  used  to  repair  the 
church's  roof. 

•  approved  selection  of  co-opted 
member  the  Rev.  James  (Carrot) 
Williams  of  Charlotte  Presbytery 
as  chair  of  the  Communication 
Committee.  Other  members  of  the 
committee  include  Council  mem- 
bers George  Harrison,  J.  Miller 
Listen  and  Peta  Patton. 


Obituaries 


Philip  Roberts,  former 
Massanetta  Springs  chief 

The  Rev.  Philip  A.  Roberts,  re- 
tired executive  director  of 
Massanetta  Springs  Conference 
Center,  died  in  his  home  in 
Staunton.  He  was  87. 

Roberts  served  churches  in 
Staunton,  Norton,  Farmville, 
Fredericksburg,  and  Clifton 
Forge.  In  1967  he  became  execu- 
tive director  of  Massanetta 
Springs  Conference  Center  in 
Massanetta  Springs.  He  retired 
there  in  1974. 

He  returned  to  Staunton  in 
1977.  During  his  retirement,  the 
Rev.  Roberts  was  interim  pastor 
for  churches  in  the  Shenandoah 
Presbytery. 

In  1994,  at  the  celebration  of 
his  60  years  in  the  ministry  and 
60  years  association  with  Olivet 
Church  in  Staunton,  the  congre- 
gation dedicated  the  restoration 
of  Spring  House  at  Massanetta 
Springs  in  his  honor. 

A  Carthage,  N.C,  native,  he 
graduated  from  Presbyterian  Col- 
lege in  1930.  He  earned  bachelor 
of  divinity  and  master  of  theology 


degrees  from  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  Virginia. 

Hampden-Sydney  College  gave 
him  its  Algernon  Sidney  Sullivan 
Award  in  1948  and  an  honorary 
doctor  of  divinity  degree  in  1958. 

Survivors  include  two  sons, 
Philip  A.  Roberts  Jr.  of  Richmond 
and  Thomas  E.  Roberts  of 
Staunton. 

His  funeral  was  at  Covenant 
Church  in  Staunton.  Burial  was 
in  the  Tinkling  Spring  Church 
cemetery  in  Augusta  County. 


Mathews  Allen  Jr.,  former 
PCUS  staff  member 

The  Rev.  Mathews  Franklin  Allen 
Jr.,  a  former  member  of  the  Board 
of  Christian  Education  staff  for 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.S.,  collapsed  and  died  Sunday, 
Sept.  22,  as  he  began  the  sermon 
at  Providence  Church  in 
Powhatan  County,  Va.  A  memo- 
rial service  was  held  Sept.  26  at 
Second  Church,  Richmond. 

The  retired  pastor  from  the 
Presbytery  of  the  James  was  75 
and  lived  in  Richmond. 


Dr.  Allen  was  on  the  staff  of 
the  Board  of  Christian  Education 
for  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  U.S.  fi-om  1962  to  1967. 

He  joined  the  faculty  of  Vir- 
ginia Union  University  in  1969. 
He  was  coordinator  for  secondary 
education  before  being  named 
department  chairman.  He  retired 
in  1986. 

In  1978,  he  was  named  pastor 
of  Calvary  Church,  which  he 
served  for  three  years.  Later,  Dr. 
Allen  served  as  stated  supply 
minister  at  Rosewood  Church.  He 
was  interim  pastor  of  Providence 
Chvu-ch  in  the  late  1980s,  and 
again  in  July  1996.  He  also  served 
as  interim  pastor  of  Bethlehem 
Church  in  Old  Church. 

Dr.  Allen  was  the  co-author  of 
three  youth  booklets  in  the  Cov- 
enant Life  Curriculum  and  was 
the  author  of  the  "Teacher's  Book" 
for  "Christians  in  the  Family," 
published  in  1970  by  the  John 
Knox  Press. 

In  addition  to  his  wife,  Thelma, 
survivors  include  two  daughters, 
Holly  Jennings  ofYakima,  Wash., 
and  Janice  Allen  of  Minneapolis. 


gelism  and  church  development, 
who  administered  the  grant  pro- 
gram, "using  $2.5  million  to  feed 
$19  million  of  appetite." 

Beattie,  who  retired  at  the  con- 
clusion of  the  GAC's  Sept.  25-29 
meeting,  called  the  grant  program 
"the  highlight  of  my  ministry." 
He  said  the  hundreds  of  grant 
applications  "told  amazing  sto- 
ries of  creative  mission  and  pow- 
erful programs"  occurring 
throughout  the  PC(USA). 

Grant  proposals  requested 
funds  for  such  projects  as  expand- 
ing a  kitchen  to  enable  a  day-care 
program,  refurbishing  a  sanctu- 
ary that  is  used  as  a  homeless 
shelter  during  the  week,  provid- 
ing playground  equipment  for  a 
church  that  has  no  children  of  its 
own  but  wants  to  provide  a  safe 
place  for  kids  in  its  neighborhood, 
and  supplying  a  sound  system  for 
a  lounge  area  to  attract  neighbor- 
hood young  people. 

Beattie  said  grant  seekers  went 
to  great  lengths  to  dramatize  their 
needs.  "Some  sent  in  blueprints 
—  pages  and  pages  of  blueprints," 
he  reported,  "while  others  sent  in 
penciled  diagrams."  He  said  other 
proposals  were  received  in  the 
form  of  videotapes,  audiotapes  or 
photographs,  including  "  a  pic- 
ture of  a  high  heel  stuck  in  a  crack 
in  a  sidewalk  to  illustrate  the 
church's  need  for  a  new  walkway." 

One  church's  choir  created  an 
anthem  describing  their  proposal 
and  sent  in  a  recording  of  that, 
said  Beattie  with  a  grin. 

He  said  the  volume  of  grant 
requests  confirmed  what  church 
officials  have  long  known,  "that 
deferred  maintenance  has  taken 
its  toll  —  there  is  tremendous 
need  out  there."  But  also,  Beattie 
added,  "the  proposals  indicate 


that  there  is  a  great  demand  for 
positive  partnership  between  the 
General  Assembly  and  its  congre- 
gations." 

But  the  key  benefit  of  the  grant 
program,  Beattie  said,  "is  the  hope 
that  has  been  fostered  in  many, 
many  congregations."  He  said 
numerous  churches  have  thanked 
him  for  the  grant  program  be- 
cause, "even  though  they  know 
there  is  not  enough  money  to  go 
around,  just  the  prospect  of  a  grant 
has  energized  them  to  consider 
mission  and  ministry  that  they 
had  despaired  of  ever  being  able 
to  do.  And  many  of  them,  having 
dreamed  the  big  dreams,  are  now 
determined  to  do  more." 


Two  rural  ministry 
projects  get  grants 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— Two  rural 
ministry  projects  from  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid-Atlantic  have  been  se- 
lected for  grants  from  the  Na- 
tional Ministries  Division  of  the 
PC(USA). 

They  are  among  13  projects 
chosen  nationally  to  share 
$34,000  in  grants  to  strengthen 
their  ministries.  The  grant  re- 
cipients from  the  synod  are: 

Area  Christians  Together  in 
Service  Men's  Shelter,  Henderson, 
N.C.  (New  Hope  Presbytery): 
$3,000  to  support  the  creation  of  a 
men's  shelter  in  the  county. 

Appomattox  Covirt  House  Pres- 
byterian Day  Care  Ministry, 
Appomattox,  Va.  (Peaks  Presby- 
tery): $3,000  to  support  the  day- 
care ministry  and  purchase  equip- 
ment. 


( Or  judt paint  the  zinnias  yellow,) 

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a  bit  more  toned-down,  youH  find  it  at  Westminster-Canterbury 
Richmond.  With  our  art  gaUery,  indoor  swimming  pool  and 
whirlpool,  and  charming  shops,  there's  plenty  to  keep  you  busy. 
Or  just  relax  in  our  extensive  library,  numerous  lounges  or  the 
dozens  of  picturesque  spots  that  dot  our  25  acres.  And  with  all 
of  historic  Richmond's  cultural  and  social  opportunities  right 
outside  our  door,  you  can  enjoy  all  the  activities  you  never  had 
time  for  before.  But  don't  take  \  A7iDCT*/iylllVTCT*DD_ 
our  word  for  it.  Call  804-264-    Vyb^J^ijJJIN^I  t  »^ 
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And  draw  your    ^^^^v  ^^^^ 
own  conclusion.  ^^^^3  T^^J 


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P.^KC  • ,  iVii  i  Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November  /  December  1996 

GAG  chair's  prescription 
for  PC(USA)  causes  a  stir 


^^^^^^ 


LOUISVILLE,  Ky.—  Raleigh, 
N.C.,  elder  Youngil  Cho  quickly 
caught  the  Presbyterian  Church's 
attention  after  becoming  chair  of 
the  General  Assembly  Council 
(GAC). 

Meeting  Sept.  25-29  for  the  first 
time  with  the  members  of  an  en- 
larged —  from  71  to  97  —  GAC, 
Cho  was  asked  to  give  his  per- 
sonal view  of  what  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  (U.S.A.)  needs  to  do. 
He  didn't  pull  any  punches,  tell- 
ing the  council  members  and  as- 
sociated GAC  staff  that,  among 
other  things,  enlarging  the  coun- 
cil was  not  the  right  move. 

Major  surgery  is  required  to 
cure  what  ails  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  "or  the  church 
will  die,"  Cho  told  his  stunned 
audience. 

The  Presbyterian  News  Ser- 
vice reported  that  he  "spoke 
frankly  about  what  he  believes  is 
needed  to  reverse  trends  that  show 
membership,  financial  support 
and  trust  all  declining  within  the 
denomination." 

Cho  said  the  PC(USA)  needs  to 
be  "streamlined  as  in  the  corpo- 
rate environment,"  where  there 
is  decision  making  "from  the 
boardroom  to  the  assembly  line." 
Cho  said  of  the  GAC,  "We  create 
programs  without  assessing  the 
needs  of  congregations  —  we  need 
to  do  something  for  nurturing 
families  and  local  congregations." 

"I  say  we  don't  need  97  GAC 
members,  because  we're  going  to 
decentralize,  if  everything  goes 
my  way.  By  doing  that,  we  have  to 
reduce  size  —  GAC  size  and  staff 
size  —  substantially.  If  we  decen- 
tralize, some  of  the  GAC  func- 
tions must  transfer  to  the  presby- 
teries. I  say  cut  two-thirds  [of  the 
GA  staff,  meaning  a  reduction 
from  600  to  200],"  Cho  was  quoted 
by  the  Presbyterian  Outlook. 

All  news  representatives  cov- 
ering the  GAC  session  reported 
the  same  five  parts  to  Cho's  vision 
for  the  church: 

•  a  radical  restructuring  of 
the  GA  mission  enterprise.  Cho 
has  already  asked  GAC  staff  to 
identify  30  percent  of  their  pro- 
grams which  are  'low  priority" 


and  could  be  eliminated. 

•  a  reduction  of  the  national 
staff  by  two-thirds  from  600  to 
200,  possibly  within  two  years. 

•  a  reduction  in  the  number 
of  General  Assembly-level  enti- 
ties, especially  through  the  merg- 
ing of  the  GAC  and  the  Office  of 
the  General  Assembly  within  the 
next  five  years. 

•  the  transfer  of  many  GAC 
functions  to  the  172  presbyteries. 

•  the  elimination  of  synods. 
The  Outlook  reported  that  Cho 

said  such  a  streamlining  of  the 
denomination's  operations  could 
save  millions  of  dollars.  "The  bot- 
tom line,"  said  Cho,  a  business 
professor  at  North  Carolina  Cen- 
tral University  in  Durham,  "is  to 
save  the  kingdom  of  God,  save  the 
church." 

Of  the  impact  of  his  proposals 
on  church  employees  throughout 
the  church,  Cho  said,  "Many  times 
God  sacrificed  people  to  save  his 
people.  I  believe  we  can  sacrifice 
a  few  people  to  save  this  denomi- 
nation." 

Despite  his  dire  warnings,  Cho 
insisted  "the  church  has  hope.  The 
PC(USA)  is  in  the  hands  of  God." 

Cho  said  he  was  not  pursuing 
these  ends  as  proposals  to  the 
GAC,  but  was  "putting  it  on  the 
table"  and  hoping  that  an  over- 
ture or  overtures  covering  the  pro- 
posals will  develop. 

Opposition  develops 

Cho's  comments  drew  fire  al- 
most immediately.  During  a  sub- 
sequent meeting  of  the  GAC's 
National  Ministries  Division, 
some  participants  circulated  a 
paper  opposing  his  statements. 

Despite  Cho's  contention  that 
he  was  not  asking  for  GAC  action, 
the  paper  urged  the  GAC  mem- 
bers not  to  "divert  GAC  energy 
from  doing  its  assigned  work  by 
recommending  to  the  divisions  the 
chairperson's  personal  views." 

The  unsigned  paper  noted  that 
the  church  has  spent  "...  an  inor- 
dinate amount  of  time  on  matters 
of  reorganization  and  then  reor- 
ganization again.  The  issue  of 
synods  has  been  addressed  again 
and  again;  this  is  a  matter  with 


Youngil  Cho,  new  GAC 
Chairman  and  elder  from 
Raleigh,  N.C, 

serious  implications  for  a  very 
large  number  of  constituencies 
who  are  supportive  of  synods.  This 
is  why  recent  efforts  to  eliminate 
synods  have  failed  ...." 

The  National  Ministries  Divi- 
sion defeated  a  motion  to  approve 
the  paper  and  send  it  to  the  GAC 
for  consideration. 

Cho  told  the  Mid-Atlantic  Pres- 
byterian that  written  responses 
he  has  received  after  the  GAC 
meeting  and  reports  of  his  com- 
ments have  been  overwhelmingly 
positive,  over  400  in  favor  and 
only  nine  opposed. 

Shenandoah  Presbytery  Ex- 
ecutive Homer  Phifer,  a  member 
of  a  new  GA  Committee  on  Gov- 
erning Body  Relationships,  said 
he  thought  Cho's  remarks  had 
both  positive  and  negative  as- 
pects. 

Phifer  said  the  remarks  could 
be  "disconcerting  for  the  folks 
[staff]  in  Louisville."  They  might 
feel  the  GAC  chair  was  "not  being 
supportive  and  not  following 
proper  procedure"  in  proposing 
reorganization  and  downsizing. 

On  the  other  hand,  Phifer  said 
we  all  speak  from  limited  points 
of  view,  Cho's  remarks  need  to  be 
heard  as  they  come  from  "a  per- 
son from  the  pew  who  sees  the 
national  church  in  a  different 
light"  from  persons  who  have  been 
serving  at  the  denominational 
level.  "We  need  to  listen  and  see 
what  we  can  learn,"  said  Phifer. 


Foundation  deposits  top  $100  million 


The  1996 
Christmas  Joy  Offering 

"GOOD  NEWS  OF  GREAT  JOY  FOR  ALL  THE  PEOPLE" 

As  Presbyterians,  one  way  we  celebrate  the  good  news  of  Jesus'  birth  is  by  giving  to  the 
Christmas  Joy  Offering.  Your  participation  provides  tangible  support  to  the  church  workers 
who  have  faithfully  served  the  church  and  now  find  themselves  in  need  of  assistance.  Your 
gifts  also  support  the  eight  Presbyterian  racial  ethnic  schools  and  colleges  where  students  are 
discovering  and  developing  their  gifts. 


The  distribution  of  receipts  from  the  1 996  Christmas  Joy  Offering  remains  the  s 
1995:  50  percent  will  go  to  the  Board  of  Pensions'  assistance  programs  and  50 
percent  to  support  the  eight  Presbyterian  racial  ethnic  schools  and  colleges. 


Please  continue  the  tradition  and  give  generously. 


There  is  still  time  to  order  promotional  materials. 
Call  (800)  524-2612. 


For  information  about  the  offering 
call  (502)  569-5187. 


JEFFERSONVILLE,  IN  —  On 
Oct.  23  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  Foundation  celebrated  at 
milestone  by  reaching  $100  mil- 
lion in  new  gifts  and  investment 
management  deposits  in  a  single 
year  —  surpassing  every  year  in 
its  197-ye:  r-  history. 

"The  real  story  goes  beyond 
this  $100  million,"  said  spokes- 
person Jan  W.  Hamblen.  "The 
story  is  the  work  of  the  church 
that  will  be  enabled  by  this  funds 
for  many  years.  In  future  years. 


iimumerable  millions  will  be  gen- 
erated each  year  from  these  funds 
to  be  distributed  for  mission. 

"Since  1799  the  foundation  has 
existed  to  serve  its  mission  of  cul- 
tivating and  managing  gifts  from 
countless  Presbyterians.  All  gifts 
are  invested  and  the  proceeds  dis- 
tributed solely  and  specifically 
according  to  the  donors'  instruc- 
tions, enabling  the  church  to  con- 
tinue its  mission  for  almost  200 
years,"  added  Hamblen. 


Small  Church  Grant  Fund  News 


The  New  and  Small  Church  Grant  Fund  was  created  in  1983  by  the 
former  Synod  of  North  Carolina  as  an  effective  method  of  receiving 
and  disbursing  the  net  earnings  due  the  synod  from  funds  designated 
for  the  support  of  home  missions.  From  this  fund,  grants  are  made  to 
new  and  small  churches  with  fewer  than  250  members. 

The  purpose  of  the  grants  is  to  further  the  mission  of  the  church  in 
partnership  with  presbyteries  and  church  sessions.  The  intent  of  any 
grant  is  to  facilitate  the  mission  strategy  of  the  church  to  which  the 
grant  is  made. 

The  maximum  amount  of  a  grant  is  normally  $2,500  and  may 
depend  on  the  amount  available  in  the  fund  at  a  given  time.  Grants  are 
intended  to  be  one-time  allocations  of  assistance. 

Written  grant  applications  must  be  first  approved  by  the  church's 
presbjrtery,  then  sent  to  the  Finance  Committee  of  Synod  for  final 
approval.  For  more  information,  contact  Comptroller  Jack  Wheeler, 
Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic,  P.O.  Box  27026,  Richmond,  VA  23261- 
7026;  phone  (804)  342-0016;  or  fax  (804)  355-8535. 

Letters  of  Thanks 

The  following  letters  from  past  grant  recipients  were  addressed  to 
Synod  Comptroller  Jack  Wheeler. 

[Re.  a  $2,500  grant  for  purchase  of  a  computer  and  software] 

At  its  stated  meeting  ...  the  Session  of  Bunker  Hill  [W.Va.]  Presbyterian 

Church  received  a  final  report  and  accounting  from  its  Computer  Purchase 

Task  Force  ...  A  copy  of  the  final  accounting  is  enclosed. 

In  addition  to  communicating  my  own  thanks  to  the  Synod  for  the  grant, 

I  also  express  thanks  on  behalf  of  the  congregation  and  its  Session.  The 

purchase  of  a  computer  and  software,  made  possible  by  the  Synod's  $2,500 

grant,  has  enhanced  my  own  work  as  well  as  the  ministry  and  mission  of  the 

Bunker  Hill  Church. 

In  Christ,  John  E.  Harris,  Pastor 

Thank  you  for  the  check  for  $1,800  from  the  Small  Church  Grant  Fund.  My 
wife  and  I  currently  Uve  in  a  manse  provided  by  my  two  churches  in  Hurley, 
Va.  My  wife  also  serves  as  minister  of  two  small  Presbyterian  churches. 

The  tremendous  amount  of  underground  coal  mining  in  this  area  has  all 
but  wiped  out  any  clean  source  of  water.  What  we  do  have  can  be  described  as 
"not  fit  for  human  consumption."  The  joke  around  here  is,  "If  you  can't  make 
it  in  coal,  you  can  make  it  in  water  filters."  That  is  because  everyone  needs  a 
water  filter  or  some  similar  system  for  water  that  is  clean. 

The  money  provided  ...  allowed  a  low-maintenance  water  filter  to  be 
installed  in  the  manse.  We  can  now  cook  and  bathe  without  having  to  resort 
to  bottled  water  or  water  being  brought  in  from  outside  sources.  A  great 
hindrance  to  our  ministry  to  the  people  of  Appalachia  has  been  removed.  Plus, 
our  three  children  are  very  happy.  Thank  you! 

Sincerely,  Lee  Seaton-Todd,  Minister 
Hurley  and  Clark  Memorial  Churches,  Hurley,  Va. 

Last  fall,  the  New  and  Small  Church  Grant  Fund  made  a  $2,500  grant  toward 
our  church's  effort  to  raise  funds  to  dig  a  well.  Your  grant  not  only  provided 
funds,  it  provided  the  necessary  encouragement  and  motivation  to  proceed 
with  the  project. 

We  are  please  to  report  that,  thanks  to  your  help,  a  successful  well  has  been 
dug  and  we  have  just  received  a  report  that  the  water  is  good,  meaning  safe 
to  drink.  This  well  was  put  down  in  a  geologic  area  where  it  was  almost 
unrealistic  to  hope  for  success;  however,  our  efforts  were  accompanied  by 
much  prayer.  It  is  probably  significant  that  when  the  well  digger  arrived,  mud 
and  melting  snow  prevented  his  rig  from  reaching,  by  a  good  distance,  the  spot 
that  had  been  selected  for  his  effort.  So,  he  had  to  set  up  and  dig  where  he  was. 
The  result  is  plenty  of  excellent  water.  Guidance  must  be  presumed. 

The  fact  that  toilets  will  now  be  reliable  and  that  food  can  be  prepared  and 
utensils  washed  will  be  a  great  impetus  for  our  survival  and  hoped  for  growth. 
We  wish  again  to  express  our  appreciation  to  the  New  and  Small  Church  Grant 
Fund  for  the  encouragement  and  funds  necessary  to  make  our  effort  a  reality. 
Thanks  and  God  Bless. 

Yours  in  His  Church,  H.  Edward  Poyser,  Clerk 
Sinking  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  Hot  Springs,  Va. 


BAPTISTRIES 
WATER  HEATERS  , 
STEEPLES 
CROSSES 
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Publish  Your  Book 

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of  all  types.  For  Author's  Guide  write  or 
call  Dorrance-JRL,  643  Scnittifield, 
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Alaska  Cruise  Adventure 

Experience  fantastic  seven-day  cruise  through  inside 
passage  on  fabulous  Crown  Princess,  the  "Love 
Boat,"  to  Anchorage.  Then  travel  on  luxurious  Ultra 
Dome  rail  cars  to  Denedi  National  Park  and 
Fairbanks.  See  abundant  wildlife  and  breathtaking 
beauty.  12  days  in  all.  Departs  July  14,  1997.  For  full- 
color  brochures  and  details,  call  the  Rev.  Tom  Rhyne 
(540-635-3894/635-1988)  or  write  to:  Alaska  Tour, 
100  Cherry  St.,  Front  Royal,  VA  22630. 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November  /  Decern: 


Johnson  C.  Smith  seminarians 
visit  Shenandoah  Presbytery 


Brown  Memorial  Woodbrook's  new  sanctuary 


Maryland  sanctuary  wins  awards 
for  architecture  and  construction 


Brown  Memorial  Woodbrook 
Presbyterian  Church  has  been 
recognized  locally  and  nationally 
by  winning  many  awards  and  hon- 
ors in  architecture  and  construc- 
tion in  connection  with  our  new 
sanctuary.  The  building  was  oc- 
cupied for  the  first  time  on  the 
Sunday  before  Thanksgiving  in 
1994  and  dedicated  on  Palm  Sim- 
day  in  April  1995. 

Associated  Builders  and  Con- 
tractors (ABC) 

In  February  1995,  the  local  chap- 
ter of  ABC  awarded  Henry  H. 
Lewis  Contractors  the  First  Place, 
Excellence  in  Construction  for  all 
new  construction  under  five  mil- 
lion dollars  in  the  greater  Balti- 
more area.  The  national  ABC  also 
recognized  Henry  H.  Lewis  Con- 
tractors by  awarding  them  First 
Place,  Excellence  in  Construction 


GREENVILLE,  N.C.  —  The  Rev. 
Charles  A.  Sthreshley,  74,  former 
Presbyterian  missionary  and  re- 
tired minister,  died  Nov.  6  in  a 
Greenville  hospital  after  a  year- 
long bout  with  cancer. 

A  funeral  service  was  held  Nov. 
8  at  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
in  Bear  Grass,  N.C.  Sthreshley 
was  pastor  emeritus  of  the  Bear 
Grass  Presbyterian  Church  lo- 
cated across  from  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church.  He  chose  to  have 
his  service  in  the  Baptist  church 
as  his  parents  and  other  family 
members  were  nurtured  in  that 
denomination. 

Born  in  Hopewell,  Va.,  he  grew 
up  in  the  West  End  Presbyterian 
Church  there.  He  held  a  master's 
degree  from  the  Presbyterian 
School  of  Christian  Education, 
and  was  also  a  graduate  of  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia 
and  King  College.  He  was  or- 
dained by  East  Hanover  Presby- 
tery in  1953.  He  was  a  longtime 
member  of  New  Hope  (formerly 
Albemarle)  Presbjrtery. 

Sthreshley  and  his  wife,  Flo, 
were  Presbyterian  missionaries 
to  the  Belgian  Congo  (now  Zaire) 
fi-om  1953  until  1969  and  again 
from  1972  to  1974.  He  worked 


Position  Available 

Director  of  Music  Ministries  —  Part- 
time  position  (approx.  1 2  hours/week) 
as  Director  of  Music  Ministries  for  The 
Brandermill  Church.  Position  available 
January  1997.  Salary  to  $14,000/year. 
Position  description  available  upon  re- 
quest. Call  (804)  744-3661 .  Send  re- 
sume of  experience  and  references  to 
The  Brandermill  Church,  4500  Millridge 
Parkway,  Midlothian,  VA  23112;  attn. 
Staff-Parish. 


for  all  new  construction  under  five 
million  dollars  in  the  entire 
United  States. 

American  Guild  of  Organists 

The  American  Organist  magazine, 
published  by  the  Guild  for  110 
years,  featured  the  Church's  new 
Holtkamp  Organ  on  the  cover  of 
their  September  1995  issue  with 
commentaries  by  the  consultant, 
architect,  acoustician,  and  builder 
on  pages  38-39. 

Builders  Congress  and  Ex- 
change of  Baltimore  acknowl- 
edged the  superior  quality  of  the 
new  sanctuary  with  three  awards: 
a  Craftsmanship  Award  to  the 
Holtkamp  Organ  Company,  a 
Craftsmanship  Award  to  the  New 
Holland  Church  Furniture  Com- 
pany, and  a  First  Place  Masonry 
Award  to  Hunt  Valley  Masonry. 


with  teams  of  African  pastors  in 
strengthening  churches  in  the 
interior  of  the  country.  He  estab- 
lished a  school  to  train  pastors 
and  supervised  22  village  schools. 

After  his  retirement  in  1987, 
the  Sthreshleys  returned  to  Zaire 
three  times  as  mission  volunteers. 
They  supervised  the  building  of 
two  medical  clinics  and  he  served 
as  pastor  of  the  International 
Protestant  Church  of  Kinshasa. 

Between  periods  of  service  in 
Africa,  Sthreshley  served  pastor- 
ates in  the  U.S.  at  the  St.  James 
Church  in  King  William  Co.,  Va., 
the  Brett-Reed  Church  in 
Sweethall,  Va.,  the  Bear  Grass 
and  Roberson  Chapel  churches  in 
Williamston,  N.C,  and  Second 
Church  in  Rocky  Mount,  N.C.  Af- 
ter his  retirement  he  also  served 


Is  your  congregation  considering 
a  building  expansion  or  renova- 
tion of  your  existing  facilities? 
There  is  a  new  free  resource  avail- 
able to  assist  church  leaders  in 
planning  and  funding  a  major 
building  program. 

Building  for  Mission  describes 
the  process  of  focusing  the 
congregation's  mission  vision, 
developing  building  plans,  creat- 
ing ownership  across  the  congre- 
gation, and  funding  the  project. 
The  booklet  also  introduces 
Church  Financial  Campaign  Ser- 


PEW  REFINISHING  ♦  CARPET 
PEWS  ♦  PEW  UPHOLSTERY 
CHURCH  LIGHTING 


CHURCH  FURNISHINGS,  INC. 

Monroe,  NC28111  1-800-414-5817 


American  Institute  of  Archi- 
tects (AIA) 

In  October  1995,  architects  Ziger/ 
Snead  won  the  Grand  Design 
Award,  First  Place  in  all  catego- 
ries for  all  construction  in  the 
greater  Baltimore  area  fi-om  the 
local  AIA  chapter. 

On  Sept.  5,  the  national  AIA 
released  this  statement:  "Architec- 
turally, the  religious  community  is 
back  on  track!"  Selecting  the  BMW 
sanctuary  project  as  one  of  15  win- 
ners of  the  1997  Rehgious  Art  and 
Architecture  Design  Awards,  they 
observed  that  it  "illustrates  a  suc- 
cessful melding  of  new  and  old." 
The  architects,  they  continued,  "im- 
pressed the  jury  with  an  elegant 
plan  that  tiuned  a  nondescript 
group  ofbuildinginto  an  ensemble." 

—  Bob  Lawrence,  pastor 
Brown  Memorial  Woodbrook  Church 


as  supply  pastor  of  the  Plymouth 
(N.C.)  Church. 

He  is  survived  by  his  wife,  Flo, 
of  Williamston,  N.C;  two  sons, 
Charles  of  Washington,  D.C,  and 
Lawrence,  a  Presb3rterian  mis- 
sionary to  Zaire  who  is  on  leave 
while  working  on  a  doctorate  in 
public  health  at  Tulane  Univer- 
sity; and  two  brothers,  Lawrence, 
a  retired  Presbyterian  minister 
in  Lakeland,  Fla.,  and  Richard. 

Memorials  gifts  are  asked  for 
the  building  fund  for  the  Roanoke 
Island  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Manteo,  N.C,  and  Presbyterian 
medical  work  in  Zaire.  Donation 
checks  made  out  to  "Bear  Grass 
Presbyterian  Church"  and  mailed 
to  Sue  Bowen,  1530  Toba  Bowen 
Rd.,  Williamston,  NC  27892,  will 
be  used  for  these  purposes. 


vice  (CFCS),  a  unit  of  the  General 
Assembly's  National  Ministries 
Division,  offering  professional 
counsel  in  stewardship  and  fund- 
raising. 

To  receive  the  booklet  call 
CFCS  at  502-569-5664  or  write  to 
CFCS,  100  Witherspoon  Street, 
Room  M002.  Louisville,  KY 
40202-1396.  You  can  also  learn 
more  about  CFCS  by  visiting  its 
Web  site  at:  http:  /  /  www  / 
pcusa. org Ipcusa  Inmd  I cfcs. htm. 

FRE^  ESTIMATES 

^  •Ciwlom  AtuflHaim  f5m» 

COMPANY,  im  - 

^^Si^fw.?;.  166U  ^wyvtA-iisg? 


While  the  Synod  of  Mid-Atlantic 
is  the  most  racially  diverse  synod 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.),  Shenandoah  Presbytery, 
with  few  racial  ethnic  members 
and  no  racial  ethnic  congrega- 
tions, is  one  of  the  least  racially 
diverse  and  most  homogeneous 
Presbyteries  within  the  synod. 

Seeking  to  promote  peace 
through  communion  with  racial 
ethnic  communities,  and  using  the 
presbytery's  share  of  the  1995 
Peacemaking  Offering  to  fund  the 
project,  the  Shenandoah  Peace- 
making Committee  arranged  for 
a  caravan  from  Johnson  C.  Smith 
Theological  Seminary  in  Atlanta, 
Ga.,  to  visit  the  presbytery. 

Johnson  C.  Smith  Theological 
Seminary  has  historically  served 
as  the  main  center  of  theological 
education  for  African  American 
Presbyterians. 

Eight  members  from  the  semi- 
nary, one  of  12  theological  insti- 
tutions related  to  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  (U.S.A.),  visited  the 
presbytery  Sept.  14-15,  coincid- 
ing with  Theological  Education 
Sunday,  preaching  and  leading 
worship  in  seven  of  the 
Presbytery's  churches  as  well  as 
at  one  synod-related  institution. 

Among  the  eight  pari;icipants 
were  Dr.  David  Wallace  Sr.,  ad- 
ministrative dean  of  the  seminary, 
who  was  hosted  by  the  Bethel 
Church  in  Staunton,  Va.  Dr.  Mark 
EUingsen,  assistant  professors  of 


Since  1975,  the  Federal  Earned 
Income  Tax  Credit  (EITC)  has 
granted  tax  credits  to  workers 
below  the  poverty  line,  a  "nega- 
tive tax  credit."  Since  these  cred- 
its are  only  on  earned  income  from 
wages,  it  acts  as  an  incentive  to 
stay  off  the  welfare  rolls. 

The  Virginia  Interfaith  Cen- 
ter for  Public  Policy  (VICPP)  has 
urged  passage  of  companion  leg- 
islation, a  Virginia  EITC,  which 
would  be  a  credit  of  10  per  cent  of 
the  Federal  EITC,  also  only  for 
low-income  working  families. 
VEITC  is  pro-work,  pro-family, 


church  history,  was  hosted  by  the 
Falling  Waters  Church  in 
Hedgesville,  W.Va.  Dr.  David 
Rensberger.,  assistant  professor 
of  New  Testament,  visited  the 
Finley  Memorial  Church  in 
Stuarts  Draft,  Va.. 

Student  George  Adeagbo  was 
hosted  by  the  Hebron  Church  near 
Staunton,  Va.  Sunnyside  Presby- 
terian Homes  in  Harrisonburg, 
Va.,  hosted  student  Jon  Guyton. 
Student  Hattie  Hill  was  hosted 
by  the  Trinity  Church  in  Harri- 
sonburg. Student  Vanessa 
Hawkins  visited  the  Sherando 
Church  in  Stephens  City,  Va.  And 
Glenn  Benson  was  hosted  by  the 
Bunker  Hill  (W.Va.)  Church. 

Seminary  guests  were  greeted 
by  their  hosts  during  a  dinner  in 
Harrisonburg.  Shenandoah  Ex- 
ecutive Presbyter  Homer  C .  Phifer 
welcomed  them  and  Dr.  Wallace 
spoke  about  the  seminary's  his- 
tory, mission  and  programs. 

According  to  Harris,  chair  of 
the  presbytery's  Peacemaking 
Committee,  "The  successful 
implementation  of  this  project 
was  the  culmination  of  a  hope  and 
dream  conceived  nearly  a  year  a 
half  ago  and  may  very  well  have 
been  the  most  significant  project 
undertaken  by  the  Peacemaking 
Committee  in  the  last  five  years. 
I  hope  it  has  enabled  us  to  begin 
breaking  down  barriers  and  build- 
ing bridges  and  friendships  across 
racial  ethnic  lines." 


and  pro-child.  Now,  before  the 
Virginia  General  Assembly  ses- 
sion begins  in  January  1997, 
would  be  a  good  time  to  contact 
your  legislators.  If  they  do  not 
support  the  VEITC,  find  out  why, 
and  tell  them  why  you  do. 

Virginia  Interfaith  Center  for 
Public  Policy  is  an  organization  of 
people  concerned  with  poverty  is- 
sues. Membership  is  $35.  Contact 
VICPP,  P.  O.  Box  12516,  Rich- 
mond, VA  23241-0516. 

—  Carol  Schooley,  Shenandoah 
Presbytery  Hunger  Committee 


Resources  for  church  building 


A  little  support,  a  lot  of  care, 
and  a  beautiftil  park-like  setting  make 

The  Ballentine 

a  welcoming  place  to  live. 

Our  IiidependentPLUS+  program  offers 
just  the  level  of  care  you  request, 
provided  by  a  dedicated  staff 
who  have  respect  and  empathy  for  the 
individuality  and  independence  of  all  residents. 

Tb  receive  our  free  brochure,  just  mail 
the  coupon  or  call  us  at 
757/440-7400. 


Celebrating  100  )kars  of  Living! 


Retired  missionary  Charles  Sthreshley  dies 


Virginia  tax  credit  legisfation  pending 


1-  \tiaatic  Presb3^erian,  November/December  1996 


Union  Theolo^cal  Serninaiy 

^  IN  VIRGINIA  ^ 


'Sprunts"  Are 

Union's 

Homecoming 

Jerold  Shetler  Is 
1997  Alumni/ae 
Speaker 


For  Union  Seminary's  alumni  and  alumnae,  the 
Sprunt  Lectures  have  become  the  central  activity  in  a  series 
of  homecoming  and  reunion  events  held  each  January  on 
the  seminary  campus.  Beginning 
with  the  fifth  anniversary  of 
graduation,  classes  are  convened 
for  reunions  at  five  year  intervals. 
Celebrating  during  the  1997 
"Sprunts,"  January  27-29,  are  the 
classes  of  1932,  1937,  1942,  1947, 
1952,  1957,  1962,  1967,  1972, 
1977,  1982,  1987,  and  1992. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the 
Alumni/ae  Association  also  takes      Jerold  D.  Shetler 
place  during  Sprunts  and  includes 
a  luncheon  during  which  an  outstanding  seminary 
graduate  addresses  fellow  alumni  and  alumnae.  Selected 
as  the  1997  speaker  is  Jerold  D.  Shetler,  a  member  of  the 
class  of  1961  and  pastor  of  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
Greensboro,  North  Carolina.  He  has  served  as  president  of 
the  Alumni/ae  Association,  and  is  currently  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  and  the  Joint  Board  Committee  of 
Union  and  the  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education. 
His  pastorates  include  St.~  Giles  in  Raleigh,  North  Carolina; 
First  Presbyterian  in  Lynchburg,  Virginia;  and  Preston 
Hollow  in  Dallas,  Texas. 

For  more  information  about  class  reunions,  the 
luncheon,  and  the  lectures,  please  call  the  OffiCs^gf  Alumni/ 
ae  &  Constituency  Relations:  800.229  2990,  extension  228. 
Local  callers,  please  use  (804)  278.4228. 


December  1996 


Jackson  W.  Carroll 

Sprunt  Lectures,  Faculty 
Inaugurations  Included  in 
January  Event 

A  guest  scholar  and  two  of  Union's  own  will  lecture 
during  the  annual  Sprunt  Lecture  Series,  January  27-29, 
1997.  Jackson  "W.  Carroll,  a  noted  scholar  in  congregational 
studies,  will  deliver  a  series  of  three  lectures  on  the  theme 
"Local  Ecclesiologies  in  a  Post-Traditional  Society;  A 
Critical  Look  at  Emerging  Forms  of  the  Church."  Faculty 
members  Charies  E,  Brown  and  Mark  'Valeri  will  present 
addresses  marking  their  inaugurations  as  tenured 
professors.  The  lectures  and  faculty  addresses  are  free  and 
open  to  the  public. 


Appalachian 
Presbyterians 
Celebrate  in 
Marion,  Virginia 

Presbyterians — a  lot  of  them! — gathered  at  Royal  Oak 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Marion,  Virginia,  on  November  9  to 
celebrate  their  Appalachian  heritage.  Sponsored  by  Union 
Seminary  in  cooperation  with  the  congregation  of  Royal 


Union  alumnus 

Brian  Childress  of 

Willis,  Virginia, 

delighted  and 

inspired  the  crowd 

at  Royal  Oak 

church  tvith  his 

"Stories  from 

Around  Here. " 

Oak  and  Abingdon  Presbytery,  the  program  drew  a  crowd 
of  nearly  200.  It  was  a  full  day  of  lectures,  story-telling, 
shape-note  singing,  bagpipes,  and  authentic  old-time 
music.  Participant  evaluations  gave  the  program— and  the 
lunch — high  marks,  but  no  one  seemed  to  enjoy  the  time 
more  than  the  presenters  and  performers.  It  was  a  great 
day! 

Note:  This  brief  report  made  it  just  in  time  for  this 
issue  of  the  synod  paper.  More  about  "Presbytyerians  in 
Appalachia"  tvill  appear  in  the  late  fanuary  issue  of  the 
seminary's  magazine,  Focus. 


LYNCHBURG-AREA 
CONGREGATIONS  HOST 
UTS  CARAVAN 


The  congregations  of  14  churches  in  the  Lynchburg, 
Virginia,  area  provided  a  warm  welcome  for  a  team  of 
seminary  students,  faculty,  and  administrators  traveling  in 
Union  Seminary's  fall  Caravan.  Hosting  the  traditional 
caravan  dinner,  on  Saturday,  October  12,  was  the  congre- 
gation of  First  Presbyterian  Church  (Lynchburg)  where 
UTS  alumnus  Dick  Harbison  is  the  pastor.  On  Sunday, 
seminary  travelers,  who  were  housed  and  fed  by  families 
in  participating  churches,  taught  in  Sunday  school  classes 
and  preached  during  morning  worship. 


Participating  churches  and  pastors,  in  addition  to  First 
church,  Lynchburg,  include  the  following  (names  of  Union 
graduates  are  in  bold):  Altavista,  Paul  Kuhn;  Amherst,  Kyle 
Otterbein;  Appomattox,  John  and  Roberta  Kidd; 
Bedford,  Joseph  Gaston;  College  (Farmville),  William 
Thompson;  Covenant,  Ray  Mendenhall;  Falling  Spring, 
Bill  Leach;  Farmville,  Joe  McCutchen;  Matthews 
Memorial  (Chatham);  Frank  Reding;  Quaker  Memorial, 
Bernard  Bangley;  Rustburg,  Elizabeth  Forrester,  St. 
Andrews,  Ken  Rogers;  Wesrnunster,  Bob  Wilson. 


God  and  the  Gods — 
AND  THE  Art  of  India 

an  interljretive  tour  of  the  collection  at 
the  Virginia  Museum  of  Art,  Richmond 
led  by  Dr.  Donald  Dawe,  professor 
emeritus  of  systematic  theology 
Saturday.  March  15,  1997 
Virgifiia  Museum  of  Art.  Richmond. 
Virginia 

Cost:  $13.00  per  person — includes  bus 
transportation,  $2  admission 
contribution  to  museum,  and  lunch  at 
the  Bombay  Curiy  House  (UTS 
alumni/ae  and  students  $10.00  per 
person). 

Registration:  Linda  Smalley, 
800.229.2990,  ext.  265  (toll  free),  or 
278.4265  (local) 


Seminary  Offers  Free 
Church  Workshop  on 
Vocation 

How  does  a  person's  sense  of  call  to  ministry  begin, 
and  how  is  it  nurtured?  "On  Call;  Baptized  to  Work  and 
Service"  is  a  free  90-minute  workshop  designed  to  help 
answer  these  questions.  Developed  by  Jamie  Dale, 
director  of  admissions,  and  Jean  Cooley,  dean  of  students, 
the  program  provides  an  opportunity  for  lay  people  to 
reflect  on  their  own  calls  to  serve  God,  and  on  the  ways 
they  participate  in  extending  and  confirming  the  sense  of 
call  of  fellow  Christians. 

The  program  includes  a  brief  presentation  on  the 
theology  of  call  in  the  Reformed  tradition  and  concludes 
with  discussion  of  the  characteristics  the  church  needs  in 
its  ministers.  The  final  invitation  is  for  people  to  look 
around  in  their  own  congregations  and  consider  those 
who  may  exhibit  these  characteristics. 

For  more  information  or  to  schedule  the  tvorkshop, 
contact  famie  Dale  in  the  Office  of  Admissions, 
800.229.2990,  extension  222  (toll  free). 


PAID  FOR  BY  FRIENDS  AND  SUPPORTERS  OF  UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  IN  VIRGINIA 


Mid- Atlantic  Pre8b3d;erian,  November  /  Deceir.! 


Campus  Notes 


Campus  ministry  comer 

Meeting  students'  needs  'where  they  are' 


UTS  &  PSCE  federation  proposed 

The  road  to  possible  federation  —  making  the  Presbyterian  School  of 
Christian  Education  and  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia 
(UTS)  into  one  new  institution  with  two  schools  —  continues  in 
Richmond.  A  joint  board  committee  consisting  of  trustees  from  both 
schools  is  considering  a  "federation"  or  "university"  model  that  main- 
tains the  identities  of  both  schools  and  enhances  their  missions. 

The  joint  committee  anticipates  having  a  written  proposal  ready  in 
December.  If  the  proposal  is  ready,  the  Boards  of  Trustees  of  PSCE  and 
UTS  may  vote  on  it  at  their  Feb.  21  and  22  meetings. 

According  to  a  Nov.  2  letter  to  alumni/ae  and  friends  signed  by 
Freda  Gardner,  joint  committee  co-chair,  the  new  institution  will 
probably  have  "a  single  board  and  a  single  administration,  within 
which  there  will  be  two  schools  with  deans.  Other  administrative 
officers  would  serve  as  necessary  for  maintenance  of  the  identity  and 
enhancement  of  the  mission  of  PSCE  and  UTS." 
The  letter  continues:  "Members  of  the  faculty  of  PSCE  and  UTS  would 
continue  to  offer  courses  of  study  that  are  currently  afforded,  and  plan, 
separately  and  together,  for  academic  programs  for  the  future." 

The  moment  of  federation  could  be  as  soon  as  July  1,  1997,  but  in 
the  words  of  joint  committee  member  and  PSCE  trustee  Jim  Brown: 
"True  federation  is  not  going  to  occur  overnight."  Though  all  property 
may  immediately  be  held  in  common,  such  things  as  establishing  an 
overall  academic  curriculum  and  deciding  on  a  new  name  for  the  new 
institution  will  take  longer. 

—  Deona  Houff,  PSCE  Director  of  Communications 

Davidson  announces  $2.5  million  gift 

DAVIDSON,  N.C.— Davidson  College  president  John  W.  Kuykendall 
announced  Oct.  11  that  Dr.  Frances  and  Dr.  Lenox  Baker  Jr.  of 
Norfolk,  Va.,  have  committed  $2.5  million  to  the  college  in  support  of 
the  life  science  departments  of  biology  and  psychology.  The  money  will 
contribute  toward  the  construction  of  the  planned  Watson  Life  Sci- 
ences Building.  In  recognition  of  their  gift,  the  college  plans  to  name 
the  entire  complex  (which  will  consist  of  the  existing  Dana  Building 
and  the  new  Watson  Building)  in  memory  of  the  Bakers'  fathers.  Dr. 
Lenox  D.  Baker  Sr.  and  Dr.  James  Watt. 

Wireman  speaks  at  Korean  college 

CHARLOTTE,  N.C.  —  Queens  College  President  Billy  O.  Wireman 
spoke  at  the  40th  anniversary  celebration  of  Han  Nam  University  Oct. 
17-18  in  Taejon,  Korea.  For  more  than  10  years.  Queens  College  has 
had  a  "sister  college"  relationship  with  Han  Nam  University,  a 
Presbyterian  institution.  A  student-facutly  exchange  agreement  has 
helped  foster  an  appreciation  and  awareness  of  different  cultures  vital 
to  the  educational  curriculum  at  both  schools.  Wireman  serves  as  a 
delegate  on  Han  Nam  University's  International  Advisory  Board, 
which  normally  meets  in  North  America,  but  met  this  time  in  Korea 
in  honor  of  the  anniversary  event. 

Barber-Scotia  plans  homecoming 

CONCORD,  N.C.  —  Homecoming  /  Alumni  Weekend  I,  scheduled  for 
Jan.  19-26,  1997,  is  being  planned  around  the  installation  of  Dr. 
Sammie  Potts  as  the  14th  president  of  Barber-Scotia  College.  The 
Oflice  of  Alumni  Affairs  is  seeking  alumni  volunteers  to  help  coordi- 
nate events.  For  more  information,  phone  (704)  789-2944. 

Brooks  scholarship  established 

ATLANTA,  Ga.  —  A  new  endowed  scholarship  fund  has  been  estab- 
lished at  the  Johnson  C.  Smith  Theological  Seminary  in  recognition  of 
the  life,  work  and  ministry  of  Dr.  G.  Benjamin  Brooks.  Friends  of 
Brooks  presented  the  seminary  with  a  $40,000  check  as  part  of  a 
retirement  celebration  for  Brooks'  37  years  of  ministry  as  pastor  of 
Southminster  Church  in  Phoenix,  Ariz.  For  information  about  the  G. 
Benjamin  Brooks  Endowed  Scholarship  Fund,  phone  (404)-527-7781. 

E.  Achtemeier  contributes  to  book 

The  Rev.  Elizabeth  Achtemeier  of  Union  Theological  Seminary  in 
Virginia  is  one  of  four  Presbyterians  among  the  14  scholars  who  have 
contributed  to  Voliune  VII  of  "The  New  Interpreter's  Bible"  commen- 
tary, scheduled  to  be  released  in  November  by  Abingdon  Press. 
Volume  VII  covers  the  books  of  Hosea,  Joel,  Amos,  Obadiah,  Jonah, 
Micah,  Nahum,  Habakkuk,  Zephaniah,  Haggai,  Zechariah,  Malachi, 
Daniel  and  additions  to  Daniel. 

Newbury  Center  plans  reunion 

RICHMOND,  Va.  —  The  Newbury  Center  for  Childhood  Education, 
formerly  the  Josephine  Newbury  Demonstration  Kindergarten,  lo- 
cated on  the  campus  of  Presbyterian  School  of  Christian  Education, 
will  celebrate  its  40th  anniversary  in  October  1977.  Planners  are 
seeking  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  school's  alumni  and  former 
staff  so  they  can  be  invited  to  the  fesitivities.  Those  with  information 
should  write  to  Angela  Cosby  at  the  center,  1205  Palmyra  Ave., 
Richmond,  VA  23227,  or  phone  Fran  Withrow  during  the  day  at  (804) 
321-3738  or  Angela  Cosby  during  the  evening  at  (804)  233-2190,  or 
send  a  fax  toAngela  at  (804)  254-80060. 

Montreat  breaks  ground  for  center 

MONTREAT,  N.C— Montreat  College  broke  ground  Oct.  24  for  its 
new  Center  for  Christian  Studies  which  will  combine  a  220-seat 
chapel,  multi-use  classrooms  and  office  space  for  the  school's  Bible  and 
religion  faculty.  Joining  President  William  W.  Hurt  for  the 
grounbreaking  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marcus  Snoddy  Sr.,  whose  dream  of 
providing  a  chapel  to  the  college  in  tribute  to  their  parents  sparked 
plans  for  the  center. 


By  JOAN  HEDRICH  WOOTEN 

The  Presbyterian  presence  at  Old 
Dominion  University  serves  a 
community  of  about  17,000  stu- 
dents. A  typical  urban  campus. 
Old  Dominion  is  a  true  micro- 
cosm of  our  society. 

Not  only  are  there  traditional 
college-age  (young  adult)  stu- 
dents, there  are  also  many  re- 
turning women  students,  military 
professionals  who  are  tran- 
sitioning to  a  new  career,  gradu- 
ate students,  and  internationals. 

The  key  to  our  successful  in- 
volvement with  the  community 
has  been  to  tap  into  existing  uni- 
versity structures  and  programs 
in  order  to  bring  the  vibrancy  of 
the  Christian  life  to  academic 
development. 

We  are  co-located  with  the 
United  Methodist  Church  (Tide- 
water Wesley  Foundation)  in  the 
Wesley-Westminster  House.  Our 
location,  directly  across  the  street 
from  the  heart  of  the  campus, 
affords  us  ready  access  to  the  life 
of  the  university. 

One  program  we  offer,  which 
involves  about  100  students  per 
semester  in  small  group  reflec- 
tion at  hour  House,  is  PRAXIS,  a 
service  learning  project  option 
currently  provided  through  four 
different  academic  courses:  Cul- 
tural Geography,  Social  and  Cul- 
tural Foundations  of  Education, 


Introduction  to  Human  Services 
Counseling,  and  Family  Counsel- 
ing/Family Development. 

When  we  bring  students  to- 
gether from  different  disciplines 
and  give  them  the  opportunity  to 
reflect  on  the  impact  their  volun- 
teer work  in  the  community  is 
making  on  them  and  on  others, 
the  depth  of  their  insights  and 
answers  is  exciting  to  witness. 
The  tremendous  value  of  PRAXIS 
is  that  it  provides  for  students  a 
dedicated  time  and  a  place  in 
which  they  are  urged  to  bring  to- 
gether their  spiritual  life  and  val- 
ues with  classroom  learning.  We 
have  seen  students  discover  their 
vocational  heart  —  as  distinct 
from  a  career  choice  —  as  a  result 
of  PRAXIS;  and  when  this  hap- 
pens, it  is  like  standing  on  holy 
ground. 

Because  there  are  so  mamy  com- 
muter students  at  Old  Dominion, 
we  have  tried  to  create  at  the 
Wesley-Westminster  House  a 
sense  of  "home."  We  encourage 
students  to  come  by  just  to  rest 
and  relax,  if  that  is  what  they 
need  the  most  in  the  midst  of  a 
hectic  day. 

We  also  offer  a  weekly  lun- 
cheon. Table  Talk,  on  Tuesdays, 
when  ideas,  joys  and  concerns, 
laughter,  and  fellowship  may  be 
shared.  Students  have  the  oppor- 
tunity to  participate  in  weekly 
worship,  Bible  study,  movie 


nights,  game  nights,  retreat  week- 
ends, and  mission  trips. 

While  there  are  many  events 
to  choose  from,  we  never  want 
students  to  feel  as  though  they 
have  to  be  a  part  of  a  planned 
activity  or  program  in  order  to 
feel  a  part  of  the  Wesley- 
Westminster  House  community. 

We  interact  with  many  stu- 
dents in  the  lobby  while  we  watch 
cartoons  and  have  lunch;  we  visit 
the  dorms  on  a  regular  basis  at 
mealtime  or  at  other  scheduled 
times;  and  we  offer  counseling  for 
those  who  are  in  crisis  or  who 
want  to  examine  a  particular  di- 
mension of  their  life. 

In  short,  we  try  to  meet  stu- 
dents where  they  are  in  relation 
to  their  felt  needs,  just  the  way 
Christ  did  with  those  he  met.  And 
this  is  why  campus  ministry  so 
often  seems  to  us  to  be  the 
Church's  "forward  edge."  To  be  a 
part  of  people's  lives  during  a  tran- 
sitional time  is  not  only  exciting, 
it  regularly  reinforces  the  tremen- 
dous need  our  world  has  for  the 
healing  presence  of  the  Gospel. 
Thank  you  for  your  prayers  and 
your  support. 

The  Rev.  Joan  Hedrich  Wooten 
is  campus  minister  for  University 
Presbyterian  Ministry  at  Old  Do- 
minion University,  one  of  42  cam- 
pus ministries  in  the  Synod  of  the 
Mid-Atlantic. 


Stuiz  scholarship  recipients  named 


Two  recipients  have  been  named 
for  Stulz  Scholarships  for  the  aca- 
demic year  1996-97. 

Jennifer  Rene  Ingle,  a  mem- 
ber of  First  Church  of  Fayetteville, 
N.C,  and  Ingrid  Lea  Yount,  a 
member  of  First  Church  of  Sylva, 
N.C,  were  awarded  $1,000  schol- 
arships for  the  1996-97  academic 
year.  Miss  Yount  is  a  student  at 
Davidson  (N.C.)  College  and  Miss 
Ingle  is  a  student  at  Peace  Col- 
lege in  Raleigh,  N.C. 

The  two  recipients  were  se- 
lected out  of  27  applicants. 

The  Stulz  Student  Scholarship 
Fund  provides  financial  assis- 
tance to  deserving  high  school  stu- 
dents who  wish  to  further  their 


education  at  Presbyterian-related 
colleges  or  universities.  Priority 
is  given  to  financially  deserving 
students.  They  must  rank  in  the 
top  third  of  their  high  school  class 
and  be  active  members  of 
PC(USA)  congregations  within 
the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic. 

The  scholarships  are  renew- 
able for  up  to  three  years  on  the 
recommendation  of  the  recipient's 
college  or  university.  Four  previ- 
ous scholarship  recipients  had 
their  scholarships  renewed  for  the 
1996-97  academic  year.  They  are: 

Sonya  Nicole  Sorge,  a  mem- 
ber of  Royal  Oak  Church  in 
Marion,  Va.,  and  Jennifer  Sara 
Wade,  a  member  of  New  Provi- 


Barber-Scotia  College  awaits  results 
of  accreditation  team  visit 


CONCORD,  N.C.  —  Officials  are 
still  awaiting  word  on  Barber- 
Scotia  College's  probationary  sta- 
tus, but  are  pleased  that  officials 
who  recently  visited  the  college 
stated  that  it  has  made  "signifi- 
cant progress"  over  the  past  year. 

The  team  from  the  Southern 
Association  of  Colleges  and 
Schools  (SACS)  visited  the  cam- 
pus on  Oct.  22-24. 

Barber-Scotia  College  Presi- 
dent Sammie  Potts  and  other  col- 
lege officials  are  now  waiting  for 
the  team's  written  report  to  learn 
whether  the  college  will  remain 
on  probation. 

The  college  has  been  asked  to 
address  concerns  regarding  its 
five-year  financial  report.  The  two 
major  concerns  are  (1)  a  $1.8 
million  deficit  (down  from  $3.4 
million  just  eight  months  ago)  and 
(2)  whether  or  not  the  college  can 
continue  to  remain  financially 
sound. 

Dr.  Potts  said  the  college  has 
operated  with  a  surplus  in  its 
budget  for  two  years  in  a  row. 

He  is  optimistic  about  the 
SACS  team  report  and  invites 
Barber-Scotia  alumni  and  the  lo- 
cal community  to  become  more 
involved  in  the  school's  affairs. .  . 


Composed  of  representatives 
from  colleges  and  schools,  SACS 
monitors  the  criteria  for  accredi- 
tation of  member  institutions  in 
the  southern  region. 


dence  Church  in  Raphine,  Va. 
Both  are  students  at  King  College 
in  Bristol,  Term.,  and  were  also 
scholarship  recipeints  for  the 
1995-96  academic  year;  and 

Benjamin  Wise  Kinnaman, 
a  student  at  Davidson  College  and 
a  member  of  First  Church  of 
Morehead  City,  N.C;  and  Laura 
Lee  Short,  a  student  at  Presby- 
terian College  in  Clinton,  S.C, 
and  a  member  of  West  Asheville 
(N.C.)  Church.  They  first  received 
the  scholarships  for  the  1994-95 
academic  year  and  have  now  had 
them  renewed  twice. 

The  scholarship  fund  was  cre- 
ated through  resources  provided 
by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  Z.  Stulz,  long- 
time members  of  Myers  Park 
Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C. 

Scholarship  applications  for 
the  1997-98  academic  year  are 
due  by  May  15,  1997.  For  more 
information  about  the  Stulz  Stu- 
dent Scholarship  Fund,  contact 
the  synod  office  at  (804)  342-0016 
or  Karl  Green,  chair  of  the  schol- 
arship selection  committee,  at 
(302)  475-4731. 


Peace  pathwa; 


to  opportunity 


.    tlantic  Presb34erian,  November/December  1996 


Witt 


Barium  Springs  Home  For  Children 

A  Presbyterian  Family  IVIinistry 

An  Agency  of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic 
Rosemary  H.  Martin,  Editor 


ACCREDITED 

ONAccre 

Of  SERVICES  FOK  FAMH.IES 


Dispelling  Common  Myths  About 
Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 


Myth:  Children  who  hve  there  are 
orphans. 

Fact:  This  was  true  from  the  be- 
ginning in  1891  until  after  the  sec- 
ond World  War.  With  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Social  Security  Act  and 
other  family  support  services,  along 
with  advances  in  medical  care,  the 
ever  increasing  request  of  the  Home 
was  to  provide  care  for  children  and 
their  families  who  had  problems 
they  were  unable  to  resolve. 

Myth:  If  you  don't  have  orphans 
at  the  Home,  the  children  must  all 
be  "problem  children". 
Fact:  While  the  children  do  in- 
deed have  very  painful  problems, 
usually  by  no  fault  of  their  own, 
that  doesn't  mean  they  are  "prob- 
lem children".  Some  have  made 
bad  decisions  and  ended  up  in  the 
judicial  system;  most  have  not. 
Many  are  emotionally  scarred  by 
abuse  and  need  help  learning  to 
trust  and  love  again.  Others  have 
lost  all  touch  with  their  natural 
family,  had  far  too  many  foster  and 
other  out  of  home  placements  and 
need  so  badly  to  belong  that  they 
have  chosen  peers  poorly.  Some 
have  loving  families  that  want  des- 
perately to  learn  the  skills  here  that 
will  keep  their  family  together.  All 
are  children  of  God  who  have  come 
to  your  church's  mission  for  help. 
None  are  "problem  children". . .all 
are  children  with  serious  problems. 

Myth:  The  children  must  be  Pres- 
byterian since  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children  is  a  Presbyte- 
rian agency. 

Fact:  Not  all  are  Presbyterian  but 
Presbyterian  referrals  are  given 
preference  in  residential  centers. 
Any  child  is  accepted  if  the  Home 
can  provide  the  care  the  child 
needs. 

Myth:  The  state  pays  for  most 
children  to  stay  there. 
Fact:  The  state  pays  only  for  chil- 
dren in  its  custody.  In  1996,  only 
31%  of  the  children  at  the  Home 
were  in  the  state's  custody.  For 
those  children,  the  state  pays  an  av- 
erage of  64%  of  the  actual  cost  of 
care.  Parents  pay  on  a  sliding  fee 
scale  based  on  their  ability.  All  to- 
taled, in  the  Home's  fiscal  year 


1996,  only  29%  of  all  income  came 
from  families'  fees  and  state  reim- 
bursements. One  advantage  of  be- 
ing a  mission  of  our  church  is  that 
no  child  is  ever  refused  services 
because  they  are  unable  to  pay. 
Most  families  can  pay  only  a  token 
of  the  cost  of  care. 

Myth:  The  Synod  provides  a  ma- 
jor portion  of  the  operating  cost  for 
the  Home. 

Fact:  In  1995  the  Synod  voted  to 
drop  all  agencies  of  care  and  insti- 
tutions from  its  budget  beginning 
in  1997.  The  total  Synod  giving  in 
1994  was  $7,361  towards  the 
Home's  annual  operating  budget  of 
$3,163,897. 

Myth:  Each  presbytery  provides 
significant  support  to  the  agencies 
and  institutions  within  the  bounds 
of  the  presbytery. 

Fact:  Total  support  from  the 
Church  in  fiscal  year  1996  totaled 
less  than  $125,000,  which  includes 
all  gifts  from  all  five  North  Caro- 
lina presbyteries,  direct  church 
gifts.  Synod's  appropriation  and 
the  Thanksgiving  Offering,  less 
than  5%  of  our  total  income. 

Myth:  The  Home  has  major  en- 
dowment reserves  and  is  able  to 
operate  the  Home  primarily  from 
investment  income. 
Fact:  The  Home  is  blessed  with 
an  endowment  fund,  built  by  be- 
quests and  investments  over  105 
years,  which  provides  a  critical  25 
to  27%  of  the  annual  operating 
budget. 

Myth:  The  Home  doesn't  really 
need  support  from  all  Presbyterian 
congregations  in  N.C.  anymore.  ■ 
Fact:  Originally,  nearly  all  sup- 
port came  from  the  Synod.  Now, 
combined  gifts  from  presbyteries, 
congregations  and  individuals 
across  the  state  are  critical  to  the 
children  in  our  care.  Barium 
Springs  Home  for  Children  is  the 
only  Presbyterian  Home  established 
by  the  former  Synod  of  North  Caro- 
lina and  officially  related  to  all  the 
constituent  presbyteries  in  the  state. 

Total  gifts  today  represent  41  % 
of  income,  the  largest  category  of 
support.  Recendy,  less  than  5%  has 


come  from  Synod,  presbyteries  and 
churches.  Annual  gifts  from  con- 
gregations and  individuals  are  the 
life-blood  of  this  vital  Christian 
ministry  and  must  grow  if  we  are 
to  continue  to  meet  the  current  and 
future  needs  of  children  in  N.C. 

Myth:  The  Thanksgiving  Offer- 
ing used  to  be  a  way  many  people 
helped  support  the  Home. 
Fact:  The  Thanksgiving  Offering 
still  provides  critical  support  and 
is  the  most  broad  based  source  of 
support  from  congregations.  For 
generations  of  Presbyterians,  the 
"Thanksgiving  Offering"  was  syn- 
onymous with  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children.  Now  the  Synod 
of  the  Mid- Atlantic's  offering  sup- 
ports several  agencies  in  five  states. 
Congregations  and  individuals  may 
designate  that  their  offering  sUU 
come  to  the  Home  if  they  wish. 

Myth:  Since  you  are  a  non-profit 
agency  and  have  large  numbers  of 
children,  it  must  not  cost  as  much 
as  a  family  would  pay  to  raise  their 
boys  and  girls. 

Fact:  In  some  ways,  that  is  true. 
For  example,  food  bought  in  bulk 
can  be  cheaper.  However,  thank 
goodness,  most  families  don't  pay 
for  highly  professional  live-in  staff; 
psychological  and  psychiatric  ser- 
vices; social  workers;  specialized 
educafion;  and  individual,  group 
and  family  counseling.  This  is  in 
addition  to  the  basic  food,  cloth- 
ing, shelter,  recreational  activities, 
and  religious  nurture.  It  costs  about 
$100  per  day  here,  which  is  the 
lowest  cost  of  "specialized  ser- 
vices" in  similar  agencies  in  the 
Carolinas,  according  to  the  Duke 
Endowment,  which  tracks  child 
care  agencies. 

Come  see  for  yourself. 

Visitors  to  the  campus  are  always 
welcome  and  indeed  encouraged  to 
come.  All  you  need  do  is  call  1-800- 
320-4157  to  make  sure  someone  is 
available  to  show  you  or  your  group 
around  the  Home  and  introduce  you 
to  some  of  the  people  who  help 
make  this  a  Christian  Home.  If  you 
are  traveling  in  the  area,  you  are 
welcome  and  encouraged  to  stop 
and  visit. 


Food  Lion  Community  Way  Days  a  Success 


Thanks  to  the  generosity  of 
Food  Lion  and  the  partici- 
pation of  thousands  of  North 
Carolina  Presbyterians  and  their 
friends,  the  recent  1996  Food  Lion 
Community  Way  Days  fundraiser 
was  a  big  success  for  Barium 
Springs  Home  for  Children. 

The  Home  received  a  check 
from  Food  Lion  for  $10,604.02, 
representing  five  percent  of  all  pur- 
chases made  by  Presbyterians  who 
shopped  at  North  Carolina  Food 
Lions  on  August  19,  20  and  21. 
These  funds  will  support  the  chil- 


dren and  families  served  by  Barium 
Springs. 

A  total  of  4,761  Community 
Way  Days  vouchers  were  submit- 
ted to  Food  Lion  stores  in  8 1  coun- 
ties on  behalf  of  the  Home. 

This  is  the  sixth  time  that 
Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children 
has  participated  in  the  Community 
Way  Days  program. 

Mark  your  calendars  for  next 
year:  our  1997  Community  Way 
Days  will  take  place  Feb.  10,  11 
and  12.  So  when  you're  shopping 
for  your  Valentine,  remember  to  get 


a  sweet  treat  for  Barium  Springs 
Home  for  Children,  too — in  the 
form  of  a  donation  via  our  friends 
at  Food  Lion! 


Here's  howthe  five  N.C. 
presbyteries  stacl<ed  up  in  1996 
Community  Way  Days  donations  to 
Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children: 

Charlotte  $1,820.18 

Coastal  $4,167.15 

New  Hope  $2,805.54 

Salem  $1,467.36 

Western  $  455.95 


One  of  the  core  values  that 
emerges  from  any  discus- 
sion of  the  history  of 
Barium  Springs  is  the  high  value 
placed  upon  the  development  of  a 
work  ethic  among  the  children  en- 
trusted to  the  care  of  our  Home.  As 
we  prepare  our  program  for  service 
to  the  church  in  the  21st  century, 
we  are  refocusing  on  our  core  val- 
ues. I  like  what  Marian  Wright 
Edelman  has  written  about  this 
value  in  her  inspiring  book  entitled 
Guide  My  Feet — Prayers  and 
Meditations  on  Loving  and  Work- 
ing for  Children.  She  writes  and 
prays: 

So  many  children  are  growing  up 
without  good  work  habits.  Many 
have  been  spoiled  or  led  to  believe 
that  physical  labor  is  demeaning 
and  that  service  is  beneath  them. 
Thomas  Jefferson  noted  that  sla 
very  was  a  product  of  some  noi 
wishing  to  engage  in  manual  labor 
We  need  to  teach  our  children  that 
all  honest  work  is  a  source  of  dig 
nity  and  to  view  helping  at  home 


A  Word  from  the  President 

A  Wish 
and  a 
Prayer 

Robert  W.  Stansell,  Jr. 


and  in  whatever  setting  they  find 
themselves  as  expected  and  desir- 
able. This  is  equally  important  for 
boys  as  well  as  girls.  Household 
chores  must  not  be  seen  as  mother 's 
or  sister's  work.  Superman  needs 
to  share  responsibilities  at  home  as 
well  as  in  the  workplace. 

Lord  help  me  not  to  do  for  my  children 
what  they  can  do  for  themselves. 

Help  me  not  to  give  them 

what  they  can  earn  for  themselves. 

Help  me  not  to  tell  them 

what  they  can  look  up  and  find  for 

themselves. 

Help  me  to  help  my  children  stand  on 
their  own  two  feet  and  to  grow  into 
responsible,  disciplined  adults. 

This  is  my  wish  and  my  prayer  for 
my  own  child  and  for  all  the  chil- 
dren we  serve  at  Barium  Springs. 


^^^^H    New  ^^^^H 

I  joined  the  kids  for  lunch 

•  Two  soccer  goals  and  balls 

today  to  ask  what  they 

•  Bedroom  dressers 

wanted  on  their  wish  list.  Not 

•  New  chains  and  seats  for 

including  the  Jacuzzi,  a 

the  swings 

Lexus,  and  trips  to  the 

•  Gym  mats 

islands,  their  list  follows: 

•  New  books  for  the  library 

•  Sega  and  Nintendo  games 

OK,  I  admit,  the  "trips  to  the 

•  Posters 

islands"  came  from  cottage 

•  Baseball  gloves 

staff.  If  you  have  any  ques- 

• Footballs 

tions,  call  me,  Reade  Baker,  at 

•  Washing  machine 

1-800-320-4157,  or  you  can 

•  New  carpet  for  their 

send  items  to:  Barium  Springs 

bedrooms 

Home  for  Children,  PO.  Box 

•  New,  good  vacuum  cleaner 

1,  Hwy.  21  South,  Barium 

•  Bean  bag  chairs 

Springs,  NC  28010. 

•  Weights 

Thank  you! 

Informative  Programs  for  Your  Church. 

Barium  Springs  Home  for  Children  offers  free 
informational  programs  for  family  nights,  Sunday 
schools,  mission  programs,  mission  fairs, 
worship  services,  Presbyterian  women, 
Presbyterian  men,  youth  groups,  and 
other  special  church  groups. 

Call  Bill  Cowfer  to  schedule: 
704/872-4157 


Mid-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November  /  Decembi 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps  —  Lesson  Four,  December  1996 

Encounters  With  Jesus  —  Chapter  Four    'Outsiders  Encounter  Jesus' 


By  the  Rev.  Dr.  CAROL  T.  "Pinky"  BENDER 

"Outsiders  Encounter  Jesus"  ...  that's  the 
title  of  this  session  based  on  Chapter  Four 
of  Sara  Covin  Juengst's  Encounters  With 
Jesus:  The  Gospel  According  to  Matthew. 
"Outsider"  ...  even  that  simple  word  raises 
all  kinds  of  images,  many  with  painful 
memories  of  childhood  games  where  the 
lonely  child  stood  waiting  to  be  chosen  for 
whatever  team  was  being  picked. 

"Outsider"  ...  a  word  that  conjures  up 
negative  thoughts  that  may  have  been  car- 
ried throughout  the  growing-up  years  to 
scar  those  who  may  have  felt  like  second- 
rate  members  of  a  family  or  a  community 
of  faith.  "Outsider"  ...  an  idea  whose  time 
has  come  as  the  study  of  the  Gospel  of 
Matthew  moves  into  a  different  phase. 

"Outsider"  is  not  a  word  that  could  have 
been  used  for  any  of  the  first  three  groups 
in  this  study:  Jesus's  family,  Jesus'  testing 
and  beginning  ministry  through  his  bap- 
tism by  John  (although  a  case  could  be 
made  that  Jesus  was  tested  by  an  outsider, 
Satan,  during  the  wilderness  experience) 
and  the  calling  of  Jesus'  disciples  who 
became  "insiders"  no  matter  what  previ- 
ous "outsider"  occupation  they  had  engaged 
themselves. 

Focus  not  on  inner  circle 

Now  the  focus  is  on  those  who  were  not 
of  the  inner  circle  of  Jesus'  friends,  family 
or  acquaintances;  the  spotlight  shines  in 
this  chapter  on  those  who  were  "outsid- 
ers." And,  as  we  move  through  this  session, 
we  will  see  how  outsiders  become  insiders 
even  if  only  for  brief  moments  in  time. 
These  outsiders  with  whom  we  will  become 
acquainted  in  this  chapter  parade  across 
the  pages  of  Scripture  to  bring  us  memo- 
rable messages  of  God's  grace  and  love,  of 
Jesus'  concern  and  compassion  and  of  the 
Holy  Spirit's  ability  to  guide  and  comfort. 

As  you  begin  the  time  with  your  circle  or 
shut-in  friends  or  in  your  own  personal 
devotional  time,  ponder  what  the  word 
"outsider"  means  to  you.  How  have  you 


been  made  to  feel  like  an  outsider  either  in 
years  gone  by  or  in  more  recent  times?  How 
and  by  whom?  What  hurt  have  you  had  to 
overcome  because  you  felt  like  an  out- 
sider? What  hope  can  you  offer  to  someone 
in  your  group  who  feels  like  an  outsider  ... 
perhaps  even  an  outside  in  the  circle  or  in 
the  church? 

As  we  begin  our  look  at  the 
"outsiders"  who  entered  Jesus' 
life,  consider  first  the  Magi, 
these  Gentiles  who  traveled  a 
great  distance  to  pay  their  re- 
spects to  a  child  that  they  them- 
selves confess  is  "king  of  the 
Jews."  They  have  seen  his  star 
and  they  come  bearing  gifts. 

Nameless  strangers 

Douglas  R.  A.  Hare  in  his 
commentary  on  Matthew  in  the 
Interpretation  series,  says  that 
"the  primary  actors  in  the  story 
are  nameless  strangers  from  the  east  and 
Herod  the  king."  (Hare,  page  13)  "When 
the  visitors  come  into  the  presence  of  Mary's 
child  they  do  obeisance  to  him,  unwittingly 
anticipating  that  day  when  every  knee 
shall  bow  and  every  tongue  confess  that 
Jesus  Christ  is  Lord."  (Hare,  page  13) 

As  you  continue  in  your  study,  ask  for 
volunteers  to  read  (1)  Matthew  2:  5b-6, 10- 
11;  (2)  Psalm  72:  10-11;  (3)  Micah  5:2  and 
n  Samuel  5:2;  and  (4)  Philippians  2: 10-11. 
What  similarities  do  you  find  in  these  pas- 
sages? What  differences?  To  what  or  to 
whom  do  we  pay  homage  today?  How  do  we 
express  that  homage? 

The  movement  in  the  study  is  from 
those  who  may  be  called  the  "acceptable 
outsiders"  to  the  unacceptable  ...  to  the 
leper.  Biblical  references  that  will  tell  you 
more  than  you  want  to  know  about  this 
dreaded  disease  can  be  found  in  Leviticus 
13  and  14  and  in  II  Kings  5:  1-14.  These 
infected  folks  were  indeed  thought  of  as 
the  most  despicable  of  all  humans,  and  as 
a  result  were  considered  ritually  uncleain 
and  excluded  from  the  community. 


Act  of  God;  cure  divine 

And  to  make  this  condition  even  more 
heinous,  "Leprosy  was  not  considered  a 
sin,  but  an  act  of  God.  When  it  was  cured, 
the  healing  was  interpreted  as  a  miracle  of 
divine  grace."  (Juengst,  page  29)  The 
Interpreter's  Dictionary  of  the  Bible,  Vol- 
ume 3,  pages  111-113,  has  an  excellent 
article  on  leprosy  that  will 
complement  the  scriptural  ref- 
erences already  cited.  Though 
leprosy  is  still  a  disease  in  mod- 
ern times,  it  may  not  elicit  the 
attention  that  it  did  during 
Jesus'  day.  What  would  you  char- 
acterize as  the  "leprosy"  of  to- 
day? How  do  you  treat  people 
who  have  this  "leprosy?"  How 
does  your  church  welcome  those 
who  are  "outsiders"  because  of  a 
disease  or  condition?  In  what 
ways  does  today's  church  "de- 
mand" more  of  its  visitors  and 
members  than  Jesus  ever  required? 

As  the  series  of  outsiders  parade  before 
us,  we  move  from  the  magi  to  the  leper  to 
a  Roman  soldier.  How  had  the  centurion 
heard  of  Jesus?  What  acts  of  healing  might 
he  have  witnessed  to  bring  forth  such  faith? 
How  risky  was  it  for  the  centurion  to  ap- 
proach Jesus? 

The  need  of  a  dreaded  enemy 

Jesus  responded  to  the  need  of  a  servant 
of  a  dreaded  enemy.  The  Romans  held  the 
Jews  in  oppression  and  this  centurion  was 
an  officer  of  the  Roman  army.  Even  if  the 
centurion  was  the  kindest,  most  thought- 
ful person  on  earth,  he  was  still  "guilty  by 
association,"  according  to  the  code  of  ethics 
or  the  acceptable  behavior  of  the  day.  Why 
do  you  think  Jesus  was  "amazed"  at  the 
faith  of  the  centurion?  (Juengst,  pages  31- 
32)  How  would  you  respond  to  the  need  of 
a  dreaded  enemy?  (Y ou  may  want  to  keep 
this  answer  to  yourself!)  And,  if  you  think 
the  Roman  solider  was  an  "outsider,"  what 
about  the  next  group  with  whom  Jesus 
deals? 


"Tax  collectors  and  sinners"  ...  "tax  col- 
lectors and  sinners"  ...  tax  collectors  and 
sinners"  ...  the  words  flow  through  Scrip- 
ture like  a  never-ending  twosome!  A  cus- 
toms official  (tax  collector)  was  despised  by 
the  Jewish  people  because  he  worked  for 
the  Romans  and  was  suspected  of  over- 
charging in  order  to  stash  away  a  little 
extra  into  his  own  pocket.  Thus  he  was 
stealing  from  his  friends,  relatives  and 
neighbors.  And  yet  Jesus  called  one  of 
these  loathsome  people  to  become  one  of 
his  twelve  closest  friends  and  followers. 
How  does  the  story  of  Matthew's  calling 
give  us  hope?  (See  the  session  on  Chapter 
Three,  "The  Disciples  Encounter  Jesus"  for 
more  information.) 

Linked  with  sinners 

Scripture  tells  us  that  this  detested  per- 
son called  a  "tax  collector"  was  often  linked 
with  "sinners."  Who  do  YOU  think  the 
"sinners"  were?  Were  they  people  who  had 
committed  sins  of  moral  offense,  broken 
the  Ten  Commandments?  Or  were  they 
people  whose  sins  were  sins  of  omission? 
Had  they  been  infected  with  the  disease  of 
apathy,  neglecting  the  rituals  of  the  church 
and  of  the  Law?  What  do  YOU  think  are 
the  "sins  of  commission"  of  your  church? 
The  "sins  of  omission?"  In  what  ways  has 
apathy  affected  the  work  and  worship  of 
your  congregation? 

Close  your  meeting  or  devotional  time 
with  a  prayer  of  thanksgiving  for  those 
outsiders  or  insiders  who  have  influenced 
your  life  and  who  have  nurtured  and  nour- 
ished your  spiritual  walk. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Carol  T.  "Pinky"  Bender  is 
pastor  of  McQuay  Memorial  Church  in 
Charlotte,  N.C.  The  Bible  Study  Helps  are 
commissioned  by  the  Presbyterian  Women 
of  the  Synod  of  the  Mid-Atlantic  as  supple- 
ments to  the  Horizon's  Magazine  Bible  Study 
for  1996-97,  "Encounters  with  Jesus:  The 
Gospel  According  to  Matthew,"  by  the  Rev. 
Sara  Covin  Juengst. 


Pinky  Bender 


Presbyterian  Women's  Bible  Study  Helps  —  Lesson  Five,  January  1 997   

Encounters  With  Jesus  —  Chapter  Five 
'Encountering  Jesus  through  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount' 


By  the  Rev.  Dr.  CAROL  T.  "Pinky"  BENDER 

Up  to  this  point  in  the  study  of  Sara  Covin 
Juengst's  Encounters  With  Jesus:  The  Gos- 
pel According  to  Matthew,  we  could  prob- 
ably dance  around  the  topics  of  family, 
baptism  and  testing,  the  disciples  and  out- 
siders. We  could  theorize  and  theologize 
and  philosophize  endlessly . . .  and  even  cite 
examples  of  what  "other  people  do."  But 
now  we  are  plunged  headlong  into  the  core 
of  Jesus'  ethical  teaching,  the  Sermon  on 
the  Mount.  And  Jesus  has,  like  the  old  joke 
says,  "gone  from  preachin'  to  meddlin'"  ... 
and  we  may  not  like  what  he  is  says  to  us 
even  one  little  bit! 

The  Sermon  on  the  Mount  has  elicited 
numerous  books  which  will  be  useful  for 
the  study  of  Chapter  Five.  Your  local  Chris- 
tian book  store  or  presbytery  resource  cen- 
ter can  help  you  find  something  pertaining 
to  this  subject.  Several  of  my  favorites  are 
D.  Martyn  Lloyd-Jones,  Studies  in  the  Ser- 
mon on  the  Mount;  Robert  A.  Guelich,  The 
Sermon  on  the  Mount:  A  Foundation  For 
Understanding;  and  Joachim  Jeremias's 
tiny  but  powerful  book  called  The  Sermon 
on  the  Mount.  Though  these  may  be  out-of- 
print,  they  are  classics  and  will  probably 
be  on  somebody's  shelf  Of  course,  any  good 
commentary  on  the  Gospel  of  Matthew  will 
also  have  an  extensive  section  on  the  chap- 
ters containing  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

One  of  the  most  beneficial  things  I  have 
discovered  about  this  study  is  the  working 
through  of  the  reflective  questions  indi- 
cated in  each  chapter  by  the  symbol  of  an 
angel  and  cross.  I  encourage  you,  not  only 
to  read  the  lesson  before  going  to  your 
circle  meeting,  but  also  to  write  out  your 
answers  to  these  questions  in  a  section  of 
your  "Blessing  Book." 

Matthew,  chapters  five,  six  and  seven 


are  the  centerpiece  of  Jesus'  ethical  teach- 
ing. This  section  of  God's  word  written 
comes  from  the  lifestyle  and  instructions 
of  the  Word  Incarnate.  And  it  all  begins 
with  what  we  call  "The  Beatitudes." 

The  Beatitudes 

As  you  read  Matthew  5:  1-11,  ask  your- 
self questions  like:  What  does  Jesus  mean 
by  "blessed"  or  "happjf"  in  regard  to  these 
opening  statements?  How  have  you  been 
"blessed?"  Who  or  what  has  been  a  blessing 
to  you?  And  how  have  you  been  a  blessing 
to  others?  Why  are  the  eight  Beatitudes 
often  called  "the  keys  to  happiness?"  How 
do  they  relate  to  self-acceptance,  empathy, 
gentleness,  spirituality,  sensitivity,  trans- 
parency, peacemaking  and  endurance? 
How  can  I/we  get  below  the  surface  of  these 
familiar  words  to  see  the  impact  they  made 
in  Jesus'  day  as  well  as  in  our  own? 

This  is  the  first  of  Jesus'  five  great 
discourses  in  the  Gospel  of  Matthew.  (See 
"Extra  Lesson"  for  a  list  of  the  others.) 
Biblical  references  that  will  shed  light  on 
Matthew  5:1-11  can  be  found  in  Psalm  1:1- 
2;  Proverbs  8:32,34;  Luke  6:20;  Isaiah  61: 1- 
3;  and  Psalm  24:3-4.  Put  these  references 
on  cards  to  be  handed  out  during  the  circle 
meeting.  Ask  for  volunteers  to  read  each 
text.  Ask  questions  like:  How  does  this 
passage  help  to  understand  the  Beatitudes 
in  general?  What  one  of  the  Beatitudes 
does  it  illuminate  most  clearly?  What  do 
the  Beatitudes  mean  to  us  today? 

Jesus  and  the  Law 

Just  when  Jesus'  listeners  were  getting 
lulled  by  the  nice-sounding  Beatitudes, 
Jesus  narrows  the  focus  of  his  message 
with  a  series  of  sajdngs  prefaced  by,  "You 
have  heard  (referring  to  the  Old  Testa- 


ment).. .  but  I  say  to  you  (referring  to  Jesus' 
reinterpretation  of  the  law  of  Moses).  Just 
when  the  first  century  listeners  were  get- 
ting all  puffed  up  because  they  had  never 
murdered,  Jesus  talks  about  anger.  Just 
when  they  thought  they  had  escaped  by  not 
committing  adultery  or  divorcing  or  swear- 
ing falsely  or  retaliation,  Jesus  hits  them 
with  things  that  no  doubt  they  have  done. 

And  to  top  off  this  section  on  the  Law, 
Jesus  tells  them  to  love  and  pray  for  their 
enemies.  Who  are  the  "enemies"  Jesus  calls 
you  to  love  and  for  whom  Jesus  is  asking 
you  to  pray?  What  may  happen  if  you  begin 
to  want  to  love  these  people  and  to  pray  for 
them?  How  does  verse  48  affect  your  Chris- 
tian faith  and  lifestyle  when  Jesus  tells  us 
to  become  "perfect"  (whole,  complete,  ma- 
ture or  iindivided  in  loyalty)? 

Personal  piety 

As  you  begin  this  section.  Ask  each 
person  to  give  a  word  or  phrase  that  pops 
into  their  minds  when  they  hear  the  word 
"piety."  Record  these.  Juengst  says,  "Piety 
actually  means  devoted  to  God.'  How  do 
the  words  and  phrases  from  the  group 
show  devotion  to  God?  Notice  that  Jesus 
says,  "When..."  not  "Ifl"  We  are  not  given  a 
choice  about  our  devotion  to  God!  Yet  the 
hypocrites  also  perform  these  rituals,  ac- 
cording to  the  text.  How  do  you  describe  a 
hypocrite?  Why  are  church  people  so  often 
called  "hypocrites"  by  those  outside  the 
church? 

The  reference  closes  with  words  about 
earthly  and  heavenly  treasures.  How  would 
you  describe  yoiir  "earthly"  treasures?  What 
are  your  "heavenly  treasure?"  (You  may 
want  to  look  up  Mark  10:21;  I  Timothy 
6:17-19;  and  James  5:1-3  to  help  you  with 
this  concept.) 


Doing  the  faith 

Between  the  time  I  researched  the  Ser- 
mon on  the  Mount  in  order  to  write  this 
lesson  and  the  time  these  words  got  into 
the  computer,  I  heard  Dr.  Sibley  Towner, 
Professor  of  Old  Testament  and  Dean  of 
the  Faculty,  Union  Theological  Seminary 
in  Virginia,  preach  a  sermon  at  a  meeting 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Charlotte.  Dr.  Towner 
took  as  his  texts  Ecclesiastes  1.1-14  and 
Matthew  6:25-34. 

As  part  of  your  preparation,  read  these 
passages  and  find  the  contrasts  and  simi- 
larities in  them.  What  does  each  say  about 
life  and  how  we  are  to  live  it?  What  do  YOU 
worry  about?  What  actions  do  you  take  to 
resolve  the  worries  that  "bug"  you?  What 
things  do  you  put  first  in  your  life  (verse 
33)?  How  are  they  related  to  God's  king- 
dom and  righteousness? 

Judging  and  the  Golden  Rule 

Define  what  "judgment"  means  to  you. 
What  is  the  difference  between  judging 
and  discernment?  What  kinds  of  things  do 
we  "judge"  in  or  about  other  people?  If  we 
are  critical  of  others  so  as  to  avoid  facing  up 
to  oxir  own  shortcomings,  what  does  Jesus 
say  about  that?  How  does  judging  affect 
our  relationship  to  other  people?  To  God? 

Read  various  translations  of  the  Golden 
Rule:  "Do  to  others  what  you  would  have 
them  do  to  you."  (NRSV)  If  we  apply  this 
"rule"  to  our  daily  lives,  what  changes 
would  have  to  be  made?  How  would  we 
treat  people  we  meet  every  day  in  grocery 
store  or  bank  lines?  What  difference  would 
it  make  in  our  driving  habits?  Our  tele- 
phone manners  to  meal-time  solicitations? 

Ciose  by  drawing  together  any  loose 
ends  that  have  not  been  cove/ed  Ask  each 
person  to  join  together  in  readi :  i  g  th  e  p  ray  cr 
found  on  page  42  of  the  study  bcok. 


Mx'-Atlantic  Presbyterian,  November/December  1996 


$100,000  sent  to  aid  Hutu 
refugees  from  Rwanda 


Presbyterian  Disaster  Assistance 
(formerly  Presbyterian  World 
Service)  has  provided  $100,000  in 
emergency  assistance  for  a  mass 
exodus  of  Rwandan  Hutu  refu- 
gees fleeing  the  camps  in  eastern 
Zaire  and  for  people  from  neigh- 
boring villages. 

Fighting  between  Tutsi  rebels 
(backed  by  the  Tutsi-led  Rwandan 
army)  and  Zairian  troops  that 
flared  last  month  and  still  contin- 
ues on  the  western  edge  of  Goma 
has  scattered  more  than  one  mil- 
lion refugees. 

The  assistance  has  been  pro- 
vided through  Action  by  Churches 
Together  (ACT)  and  will  be  used 
to  supply  essential  relief  items 
including: 

•  food  and  water 


•  blankets  ) 

•  cooking  sets 

•  tarpaulins 

•  soap  and  jerry  cans 

•  medical  supplies 
The  last  international  aid 

workers  were  evacuated  from 
Goma,  leaving  the  displaced 
masses  with  barely  a  week's  ra- 
tions and  no  medical  assistance. 

Since  it  is  difficult  to  deter- 
mine where  those  in  need  will 
congregate  or  when  access  to  east- 
ern Zaire  will  be  obtained,  relief 
agencies  are  stockpiling  emer- 
gency supplies  in  Rwanda, 
Uganda,  and  Kenya.  The  supplies 
will  then  be  called  forward  as 
needed,  depending  on  refugee 
flows,  for  assistance  in  Zaire, 
Rwanda,  Burundi,  Tanzania  or 


Uganda. 

Presbyterians  are  urged  to  pray 
for  the  thousands  of  people  who 
are  sviffering,  some  barely  cling- 
ing to  life,  at  this  time. 

For  information  you  may  con- 
tact PresbyTel  at  (800)  872-3283. 

For  information  or  assistance 
from  PDA,  contact  Susan  Ryan, 
coordinator,  or  Stan  Hankins, 
associate,  Presbyterian  Disaster 
Assistance,  100  Witherspoon  St., 
Louisville,  KY  40202-1396. 


News  from  the  PC(USA) 

Compiled  from  articles  supplied  by  the  Presbyterian  News  Service 


PC(USA)  takes  lead  in  rebuilding  burned 
African  Annerican  church  in  Mississippi 


By  JULIAN  SHIPP 
PC(USA)  News  Service 

LAUDERDALE,  Miss.— Respond- 
ing to  the  National  Council  of 
Churches  (NCC )  request  in  August 
to  become  the  lead  entity  manag- 
ing volimteer  work  teams  to  re- 
build a  burned  African  American 
church  here,  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Disaster  Assistance  Team 
(PDAT)  have  been  on-site  since  the 
first  week  in  September. 

St.  Paul's  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  was  destroyed  by  fire  on 
Easter  morning  .  According  to  lo- 
cal officials,  an  investigation 
failed  to  pinpoint  the  origin  of  the 
blaze,  and  the  church  building 
was  not  insured.  The  new  church 
is  a  modest  structure  of  approxi- 
mately 3,000  square  feet. 

Following  the  establishment  of 
its  Burned  Churches  Fund  in  May , 
the  NCC  determined  that  St. 
Paul's  should  be  a  recipient  of  the 
special  funds  to  rebuild  burned 
and  vandalized  churches  nation- 
wide. According  to  a  recent  NCC 
news  release,  nearly  $2  million 
dollars  has  been  awarded  by  a 
grants  committee  made  up  of  na- 
tional civic  and  religious  leaders. 

According  to  Stan  E.  Hankins, 
associate  for  Disaster  Response 
U.S.A.  in  the  Worldwide  Minis- 
tries Division,  PDAT  members  the 
Rev.  James  L.  Mechem  and  the 


Rev.  Jean  Anne  Swope,  both  of 
Lake  Clear,  N.Y. ,  were  among  the 
Presbyterians  who  went  to  Mis- 
sissippi. Swope  and  Mechem  com- 
mitted to  help  St.  Paul's  rebuild 
during  the  entire  month  of  Octo- 
ber. 

As  lead  entity  for  the  rebuild- 
ing project,  Hankins  said,  the 
PC(USA)  coordinated  volunteer 
groups  from  outside  the  commu- 
nity and  mobilized  individuals 
and  groups  from  within  the  com- 
munity. 

With  the  cooperation  of  the 
U.S.  Navy,  he  said,  the  denomi- 
nation is  also  fed  and  housed  the 
volunteers  and  PDAT  members 


at  the  nearby  naval  air  station  in 
Meridian,  Miss. 

The  Rev.  James  L.  Kirk,  pas- 
tor of  Moorings  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Naples,  Fla.,  and  a 
PDAT  member,  traveled  to  Lau- 
derdale, Miss.,  the  week  of  Sept.  9 
to  help  rebuild  St.  Paul's  church. 
He  told  the  Presbyterian  News 
Service  he  was  appalled  that  a 
church  could  have  been  burned 
because  of  the  color  of  the  people 
who  gathered  to  worship  God.  Yet, 
he  added,  he  was  spiritually  en- 
couraged by  working  with  people 
from  all  races  and  ethnicities  giv- 
ing of  their  time  and  talents  to 
rebuild  on  God's  foundation. 


Former  Air  Force  colonel  to  lead 
Presbyterian  Peacemaking  Program 


Gary  D.  Payton,  a  Presbyterian 
layperson  of  Lexington,  Ky.,  has 
been  appointed  as  the  new  coordi- 
nator of  the  Presbyterian  Peace- 
making Program  in  the  Congre- 
gational Ministries  Division  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  He 
started  Nov.  4. 

A  retired  United  States  Air 
Force  colonel,  Payton  left  the  ser- 
vice in  June  after  a  24-year  ca- 
reer. At  the  time  of  his  departure 


Jameson  authors  Advent  calendar 


Award-winning  Presbyterian 
writer  Vic  Jameson,  editor 
emeritus  of  "Presbyterian  Sur- 
vey" (now  "Presbyterians  To- 
day"), is  the  author  of  the  1996 
Advent  Calendar,  a  traditional 
pullout  feature  in  the  Decem- 
ber issue  of  the  magazine. 

In  addition  to  Jameson's 
meditations  on  the  theme 
"Journeys  of  the  Heart,"  the 
calendar  includes  daily  scrip- 
ture readings,  suggested  home 
worship  services  and  learning 
activities. 

Calendar  reprints,  avail- 
able in  past  years,  are  not  be- 
ing printed  this  year,  but  addi- 
tional copies  of  the  December 
issue  containing  the  Advent 


Calendar  may  be  ordered  for 
$1  by  calling  (800)  524-2612. 

Also  featured  in  the  Decem- 
ber issue  is  "On  the  Scene  in 
Bethlehem,"  a  firsthand  ac- 
count of  current  events  in  the 
town  of  Jesus'  birth  by  Presby- 
terian missionary  Doug  Dicks. 
J.  Martin  Bailey,  a  former  edi- 
tor of  "A.D."  magazine  and  a 
communications  consultant  to 
the  Middle  East  Council  of 
Churches,  writes  about  Dicks' 
determination  to  help  visitors 
to  Palestine  and  Israel  meet 
local  Christians  and  gain  a  bal^ 
anced  understanding  of  the 
competing  claims  of  Jews, 
Muslims  and  Christians  to  the 
Holy  Land. 


from  the  Air  Force,  he  was  com- 
mander of  the  National  Air  Intel- 
ligence Center  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Payton  was  the  unanimous 
choice  of  the  search  committee 
that  reviewed  candidates  for 
Peacemaking  coordinator.  He  has 
a  bachelor's  degree  in  interna- 
tional affairs  and  Soviet  studies 
from  the  U.S.  Air  Force  Academy 
in  Colorado  Springs,  Colo.,  and 
master's  degree  in  administrative 
science  and  Russian  area  studies 
from  John  Hopkins  and  George- 
town universities. 

Due  to  his  backgroimd  in  mili- 
tary intelligence,  Payton's  ap- 
pointment did  not  come  without 
controversy. 

"Some  people  may  find 
[Payton's]  background  imusual  for 
this  particular  position  in  the 
church,"  said  the  Rev.  Ed  Craxton, 
associate  director  for  Christian 
Education,  whose  office  includes 
the  Presbyterian  Peacemaking 
Program.  "But  he  brings  many 
wonderful  gifts  to  the  program, 
including  an  appreciation  for 
peacemaking  that  can  only  come 
from  one  who  has  experienced 
conflict  and  events  that  threaten 
peace  on  a  major  scale." 

His  wife  of  23  years,  the  Rev. 
Nancy  Copeland-Payton,  is  asso- 
ciate pastor  of  Maxwell  Street 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Lexing- 
ton, Ky. 


Riverdale  celebrates  centennial  year 

Riverdale  (Md.)  Church  celebrated  its  centennial  year  with  an  appre- 
ciation of  its  past  that  will  pave  the  way  for  its  future.  The  400-member 
congregation,  located  in  Hyattsville,  Md.,  in  suburban  Washington, 
D.C.,  concluded  its  yearlong  celebration  with  a  Nov.  24  worship 
service  that  included  former  choir  members  and  choral  directors 
joining  the  current  choir  in  the  singing  of  Schubert's  Mass  in  G. 

Led  by  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  David  R.  McNeilly  and  under  the 
direction  of  the  Centennial  Committee,  the  church  celebrated  its 
history  as  it  made  plans  for  how  its  mission  will  grow  during  the  next 
100  years. 

In  July  a  churchyard  picnic  was  held  to  celebrate  the  actual 
founding  of  the  church  on  July  7, 1896.  The  church  cornerstones  were 
opened  and  that  evening  the  congregation  held  vespers  on  the  original 
site  of  the  church  in  Riverdale,  which  the  church  outgrew  in  the  19608 
and  moved  into  its  current  location  on  Queens  Chapel  Road. 

The  Rev.  Donald  Custis,  son  of  the  Rev.  W.  Keith  Custis,  who  was 
pastor  to  the  church  for  41  years,  returned  Oct.  6  to  preach  fi-om  his 
late  father's  pulpit.  The  yearlong  homecoming  also  brought  former 
members  back  from  as  far  away  as  Michigan  and  California. 

"Its  been  a  tremendous  inspiration  to  see  people  come  back  to  the 
church  from  across  the  USA  because  our  church  has  been  so  important 
in  their  lives,"  said  Centennial  Committee  member  Aileen  Hogue. 
"Dave  [McNeilly]  has  not  let  us  just  reminisce;  he  has  said  this  is  just 
the  start  p/ where  were  going  in  the  future." 


Competition  for  first-time  authors 

Entries  are  now  being  accepted  for  the  1996  Jim  Angell  Award  for 
first-time  authors.  The  award,  with  its  $500  prize,  will  be  given  by  the 
Presbyterian  Writers  Guild  during  next  year's  General  Assembly  in 
Syracuse,  N.Y.,  to  the  Presbyterian  judged  the  best  writer  to  have 
published  his  or  her  first  book  in  1996.  The  award  is  named  for  the  Rev. 
James  W.  Angell,  renowned  pastor  and  author  of  19  books,  including 
the  highly  successful  "How  to  Spell  Presbyterian." 

Entries  should  be  submitted  to  the  Rev.  David  Steele,  c/o  Christ 
Presbyterian  Church,  620  Del  Ganado,  San  Rafael,  CA  94903.  Entries 
should  include  a  copy  of  the  book  and  a  curriculum  vitae  that  identifies 
church  affiliation.  Entries  are  due  by  April  1,  1997. 

Vatican  emissary  visits  Louisville 

LOUISVILLE,  Ky.— Signaling  the  Roman  Catholic  Church's  "irrevo- 
cable commitment"  to  the  ecumenical  movement,  a  top  Vatican  official 
came  to  Louisville  Oct.  7-8  —  the  first  official  visit  ever  by  a  Papal 
emissary  to  Presb3^erian  Church  (U.S.A.)  denominational  headquar- 
ters. Monsignor  John  Radano,  an  American  (and  Yankees  fan)  from 
New  Jersey,  serves  on  the  Pontifical  Council  for  Promoting  Christian 
Unity  at  the  Vatican.  He  told  the  Presbyterian  News  Service  that 
though  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  is  "a  relative  latecomer  to  the 
ecumenical  movement,"  he  believes  the  Vatican's  relationship  with 
such  international  ecumenical  bodies  as  the  World  Council  of  Churches 
is  "a  good  partnership." 

Montreat  schedules  winter  events 

MONTREAT,  N.C.  —  The  Montreat  Conference  Center  has  announced 
three  winter  events  for  the  coming  months: 

Yuletide  Festival  on  Dec.  29-Jan.  1  includes  two  days  of  snow  skiing 
at  Sugar  Mountain,  fellowship,  worship,  singing  and  recreation; 

Couples  Conference  on  Jan.  17-19  includes  worship,  Bible  study, 
wrestling  with  issues,  decision  making  and  planning  for  the  future, 
allowing  couples  to  strengthen  their  individual  growth,  partnership 
and  support  of  each  other; 

Youth  Ski  Weekend  on  Feb.  14-16  includes  fellowship,  worship  and 
recreational  activities  in  addition  to  snow  skiing  on  nearby  slopes. 

For  information  call  (704)  669-2911  or  (800)  572-2257. 

Board  of  Pensions  office  moves 

PHILADELPHIA— The  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  Board  of  Pen- 
sions moved  its  offices  and  got  a  new  telephone  number  in  October. 
The  new  direct  central  switchboard  number  is  (215)  587-7200.  The 
new  address:  2000  Market  St.,  Philadelphia,  PA  19103-3298.  The  toll- 
fi-ee  number  remains  the  same:  (800)  773-7752. 

Presbyterians  in  the  News 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Janet  DeVries  has  been  named  director  of  administra- 
tion and  assembly  services  in  the  Office  of  the  General  Assembly.  She 
is  currently  in  the  process  of  completing  her  service  as  stated  clerk  and 
general  presbyter  of  the  Presbytery  of  Northern  Kansas. 

Robert  McKee,  a  Presbyterian  elder  and  banker  from  Waverly, 
Iowa,  has  been  named  interim  associate  director  for  the  Evangelism 
and  Church  Development  program  area  of  the  National  Ministries 
Division.  He  temporarily  fills  the  post  left  vacant  by  the  retirement 
of  the  Rev.  Frank  Beattie. 

The  Rev.  Kermit  Overton,  who  as  a  member  of  the  Joint  Commit- 
tee on  Presbyterian  Reunion  was  credited  with  authoring  the  concept 
of  the  Committee  on  Representation,  died  Oct.  18  after  several  years 
of  struggling  with  cancer.  Overton  retired  in  1989  as  pastor  of  First 
African  Presbyterian  Church  in  Philadelphia,  the  oldest  African 
American  Presbyterian  congregation  in  the  country. 

Sue  Whitford,  coordinator  for  the  office  of  moderatorial  services 
and  staff  to  the  General  Assembly  Nominating  Committee  in  the 
Office  of  the  General  Assembly,  has  resigned  in  order  to  accept  a  call 
as  interim  general  presbyter  and  coordinator  of  the  Anna  Jackman 
Ministry  for  Alaska  Presbytery  effective  Jan.  1,  1997. 

David  P.  Young,  rehowned  Presbyterian  photographer,  poet  and 
international  mission  interpreter  for  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.), 
.  has  resigned  his  post  on  the  denomination's  national  staff  in  Louis- 
ville to  return  to  become  director  of  the  new  international  student 
I  program  at  Marietta  (Ohio)  College. 


Bridgeport  National 
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